As the successor of Heavyocity's universally acclaimed "Evolve" library, EVOLVE MUTATIONS contains 275 new instruments based on 2 GByte of exclusive high-quality sample material. The material is organized into four categories that provide the crucial elements for powerful scores: "Rhythmic Suites" include stirring percussive and tonal loops complete with individual slices and keymapping; "Percussive Kits" allow the creation of original percussive beds; "Stings & Transitions" support a composition with striking and suspenseful transitional elements; "Tonality & FX" provide a range of highly expressive, evocative instruments and pads.

As a KONTAKT-Powered instrument, EVOLVE MUTATIONS offers intuitive playback and sound shaping functionality within the free KONTAKT PLAYER software, including efficient envelope, filter and effects control. All sounds can also be loaded into the full version of the KONTAKT 3 sampler for advanced sound editing.

EVOLVE MUTATIONS is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $119 / 99 Euro.

MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION contains 20 full drum kits adapted from the acclaimed factory library of MASCHINE, Native Instruments' groundbreaking groove production system. As a KONTAKT-Powered instrument, MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION is ready to play both as a standalone instrument and as a plug-in in all major instrument hosts, giving instant access to a practical assortment of gritty urban kits, heavily processed acoustic drums as well as vintage analog samples for various electronic music genres.

MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION offers intuitive soundshaping controls for all sounds, and even includes a flexible graphical step sequencer that can be used to set up intricate grooves directly within KONTAKT PLAYER and KONTAKT 3. All kits are also included in additional formats for direct use within KORE 2, KORE PLAYER and BATTERY 3.

MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $59 / 49 Euro.

More information on MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/maschinedrumselection.info

With its unparalleled arsenal of third-party libraries that take advantage of its advanced soundshaping and scripting functionality, KONTAKT has become the essential instrument platform on the market. The new KONTAKT PLAYER is the central instrument to utilize all KONTAKT-based sound material in an efficient and convenient way, both in studio and live performance environments. It accommodates all regular KONTAKT-format libraries as well as all generations of third-party KONTAKT PLAYER instruments, including KOMPAKT and INTAKT formats as well as Native Instruments' AKOUSTIK PIANO, ELEKTRIK PIANO and BANDSTAND instruments.

The new KONTAKT PLAYER is based on the latest KONTAKT 3.5 engine, and utilizes all its technological achievements including 64-bit support, extended memory addressing, advanced DFD streaming, true multiprocessor support, and more. It provides comprehensive playback functionality with full Universal Import and convenient sound manipulation via the Performance View panels, and only omits the in-depth editing features of the full-featured KONTAKT 3.5 version. All sound libraries are managed in a convenient graphical library browser, providing overview for even the most extensive sound collections.

KONTAKT PLAYER also establishes the basis for a new range of self-powered sample-based instruments, which will be available for download purchase directly from Native Instruments. This line of KONTAKT-Powered instruments debuts with the new MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION and with EVOLVE MUTATIONS by Heavyocity. The launch of KONTAKT PLAYER is also complemented with the free KONTAKT FACTORY SELECTION, a studio-grade sound arsenal with 50 instruments taken from the KONTAKT 3 library, available for download on the NI website.

More information on KONTAKT PLAYER can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/kontaktplayer.info

Classic instruments in ESSENTIAL BASS include fingered, picked and slapped electric basses from renowned sample producers Scarbee and Pettinhouse, as well as an exclusive antique upright bass that was sampled and recreated with painstaking precision. These instruments are complemented with a large selection of inventive, ultra-modern bass tones that take advantage of the integrated ABSYNTH, FM8, MASSIVE and REAKTOR engines. A further section provides an inspiring range of classic subtractive synth bass sounds that have been carefully sampled from several iconic analog synthesizers.

ESSENTIAL BASS utilizes many advanced soundshaping features of the KORE platform, and can be used both within the free KORE PLAYER and with the full-featured KORE 2 system. Each of the 200 sounds includes eight morphable variations as well as concise musical metadata for the powerful KORE sound browser. Electric basses come to life with sophisticated articulations based on the integrated KONTAKT engine for completely authentic results, while synthesizer sounds benefit from specific bass features like legato, glide and an adjustable sub bass function for additional subsonic impact.

ESSENTIAL BASS is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $79 / 69 Euro.

More information on ESSENTIAL BASS can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/essentialbass.info

With its eight touch-sensitive knobs and practical control layout, the KORE controller is highly capable both for sound manipulation and for sequencer control. With version 2.1, the hardware can act as a control surface for any MIDI-compatible application, with or without the KORE software running. MIDI Control Mode can be toggled on-the-fly with a dedicated button combination.

The "Controller Editor" application included in KORE 2.1 can be used to easily assign a wide range of MIDI commands to any knob or button on the KORE hardware with maximum flexibility. MIDI Control Mode also supports the Mackie Control Universal (MCU) protocol, allowing the KORE controller to be used for efficient DAW control with minimum setup effort.

Further enhancements in KORE 2.1 include optimized Pro Tools compatibility under Mac OS X 10.5 as well as various fixes and stability improvements.

The 2.1 update is now available as a free download for all owners of KORE 2.

More information on KORE 2 can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/kore.info

With a footprint no larger than a deck of cards, the bus-powered AUDIO 2 DJ literally fits in a pocket. At the same time, it can accommodate the most demanding club systems due to its studio-grade 24bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and its special high-power output amplifiers capable of delivering a pristine +9.7dBu audio signal. Robust low-latency drivers for Windows and Mac OS X enable the responsiveness that DJs need for tight mixing.

The dual stereo outputs of the AUDIO 2 DJ provide the necessary connectivity to route two decks separately into an external DJ mixer, or to output independent master and cue signals when mixing in software. Two included RCA break-out cables make set-up fast and convenient, making AUDIO 2 DJ the ideal audio interface for travelling DJs who don't want to compromise on performance and quality.

AUDIO 2 DJ will be available in September 2009 for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 EUR at authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

The introduction of AUDIO 2 DJ is accompanied by a video that features renowned Parkour artist Stephane Vigroux demonstrating the portability of the interface in an urban environment. The video was created by independent film maker Julie Angel and is available on the official NI Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9bsSA-OzH4

More information on AUDIO 2 DJ can be found at
www.native-instruments.com/audio2dj.info

I downloaded all necessary files to make sure I had the latest versions. It turned out I had to re-register them. For the first time in my life I'm actually hooking a recording computer up to the internet. The plan is to ONLY use it for updates. Updating with a flash drive just seems to be dreadfully inefficient. I hate it. I'm thinking that having the web right there may save me some time since I'm frequently reviewing gear and trying new plugins all the time.

As usual, I needed to get a reminder of my password because 90% of these software companies won't let me use good ol' trusty.

Could you imagine the damage that could ensue if someone were to guess my password for Absynth? It would be unthinkable. A person could literally login to my account at Native Instruments and register their software under my name? AHHHH!! This is the worst conceivable event in all of humanity. It makes the haulocaust look like a skateboarding trip. It's a good thing we have companies looking out for us that make it impossible for us to login with anything we can remember. Of course, saving a password on a notepad file is TOTALLY secure. (sarcasm) Whatever.

That's not even my real gripe.

When I requested a new password, Native Instruments demands that I enter a serial number from one of the products I purchased? Are these people out of their freakin' minds. Are they totally insane? Why don't they just require a full anal cavity search every time I open one of their plugins? Right after the ol' stink finger they can say "You are looking good. It's okay to fire up your tuba samples, but PLEASE take a shower and consider switching to a name brand toilet paper."

Reality Check To Software Manufacturers
Because I blow my hardly-earned money on a bunch of dumb recording crap each year and I'm the leader of the clan of misfits here at RecordingReview.com who also waste their green stuff on noise making contraptions, let me give you some advice if you are a software manufacturer. We all know it sucks to have your intellectual property stolen. (I've poured my life for 1.8 years into a series of Ebooks, I know it sucks to work hard and not get anything to show for it.) The reality is when you pull out the flathead (or phillips) and begin screwing the people who actually pay for your stuff, they are going to quit paying for your stuff. End of story. Paying you is optional. The fact that I did pay you means I'm entitled to something extra. Instead I get a slap in the face when I need to login. Take care of your customers or they'll save the trouble and just use Torrent.

In 2009 everyone is too damn busy and has too many distractions to waste their one bit of free time they get in a day on digging up a serial number for a password recovery (of all things)!

As an extremely happy owner of Komplete 3, anyone who is just getting started in the world of MIDI synths and samples shouldn't even think about. Just buy it! Komplete 5 for $400 is a stupidly cheap price. I thought that Kontakt 3 (included) alone would cost that.

Komplete 3, while using older versions of most of the included synths/samples and missing Massive and Akoustik Piano, handles about 85% of my MIDI sound needs. In fact, the only time I reach for anything else is when I need real drum sounds and sometimes real bass sounds. (I use Superior Drummer 2.0 and East West Hardcore Bass generally for those.) With that said, I do reach for the Stingray samples quite a bit in Kompakt.

I remember when they cut the price in half on Komplete 3 several years ago and they were charging $600 for it. I thought this was an insane value (and it was!). To jump into the world of MIDI sequencing for only $400 should be illegal. If you are considering going the MIDI route, I can't recommend Komplete 5 any higher. You will be happy!

Check all the features of Komplete 5.

With over 700,000 unique visitors and 7,000,000 page views per month, the Native Instruments website is one of the most frequented online destinations in the musical instruments market. Designed and developed in collaboration with leading design agency Pixelpark, the new homepage is built on state-of-the-art web design paradigms and represents the increased focus on online resources in the industry.

The new NI website provides clear, concise product information through a wealth of rich-media content that includes comprehensive video tutorials, 360° hardware displays, and extensive image and audio galleries. All material is easily accessible through a central and highly functional stage area, and a sophisticated interactive "Product Finder" allows visitors to browse the extensive NI product portfolio in an especially efficient way.

To accommodate the different audiences of NI products even better, the new website also offers an innovative "Line Filter" that can narrow down the available topics to show only producer, DJ or guitar-related items, depending on the personal preference of the user.

"Online has clearly become the central communication tool for our customers," says Pablo La Rosa, International Marketing Director at Native Instruments. "Strongly favoring internet channels over traditional avenues like tradeshows has proven to be the right approach for us, and the innovative feature set of our new website is just one more step towards further expanding the online resources for our users."

The Native Instruments website is at
www.native-instruments.com

About Native Instruments:

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. The company's mission is to develop innovative, fully integrated solutions for all professions, styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike.

Complementing the acclaimed DEEP TRANSFORMATIONS library, the second multi-FX collection in the KORE SOUNDPACK arsenal provides sophisticated time-based effects configurations that can drastically alter and rearrange beats, melody lines, vocals and any other audio material. DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS offers 150 complex effect patches with 1,200 Sound Variations, which draw on both the high-quality KORE effect algorithms and on the integrated engines of REAKTOR, ABSYNTH and GUITAR RIG for their signal processing power. Through intricate combinations of delay, reverb, modulation, pitch shifting, resampling, filtering and dynamics processing, signals can be sliced, frozen and sequenced with spectacular and unconventional results.

Despite the complexity of the underlying effect configurations, the operation of DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS remains entirely straightforward thanks to the KORE user interface. The unified parameter mapping within KORE 2 and KORE PLAYER gives immediate, intuitive control over the sonic characteristics of the effects, making them ideal for live performance and for creative sound manipulation in the studio.

DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $79 / 69 EUR.

Additional information on DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS including audio demos is available at
www.native-instruments.com/deepreconstructions.info

About Native Instruments:

Native Instruments is the pioneer and market leader in the field of software instruments, and one of the key players in the market of computer-based audio production technology. The company's mission is to develop outstanding musical tools for all styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike.