Native Instruments Kontakt 2

KONTAKT Your Music Creativity With This Sampler!

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

KONTAKT 2 embodies the future of sampling. No other software or hardware sampler offers such a comprehensive set of features, so much flexibility and performance or such a high degree of compatibility. From authentic library playback of virtually any format to the intuitive creation of new instruments, from profound sound design to lively and dynamic surround sound mixes - KONTAKT 2 opens the doors to creativity.

Related Videos: Kontakt 2

• Unrivalled Range of Features
• More Than Just Sampling
• Flexible, Modular Architecture
• Powerful New Engine and Universal Import
• NEW 15GB Library Included for FREE!
• Multiple Sampling Modes in KONTAKT 2
• Sound Shaping with Convolution and KONTAKT 2
• Go Stereo or Surround
• Create Your Own Instruments

Unrivalled Range of Features
Explore a whole new world of sampling combined with unprecedented convenience and flexibility. KONTAKT 2 incorporates five different sampler modes, ranging from classic sample playback to real-time pitch shifting, time-stretching and precise drum loop slicing. Ingenious mapping, group and loop editors as well as over 30 filters and effects including Impulse Response effects pave the way for fantastic sounds. And the vast modulation section lets you add constant variations.

More Than Just Sampling
KONTAKT 2 offers numerous new and innovative features. Create inspiring 3D soundscapes: The powerful new surround sound features offer up to 16 channels of enveloping, spatial manipulation. The KONTAKT Script Processor fuses conventional sampling with intelligent MIDI processing and elements of macro programming. Use the included scripts to create instrument simulators and other custom features, such as chord generators or dynamic tuners. Or write your own scripts and witness the power of KONTAKT 2's open architecture. The potential within these features is immense!

Flexible, Modular Architecture
KONTAKT 2's modular architecture guarantees near limitless possibilities. Arrange the modules within the interface to meet your exact, individual needs. Customize the signal flow within KONTAKT 2 for truly unique results. The browser offers a concise overview of your samples, the modules, the virtual rack and more. This invaluable feature distils all essential information into a compact yet detailed summary and by keeping processes transparent, enhances your creative potential. Simply drag and drop the various effect and filter modules, surround panner and modulators displayed in the browser into your virtual rack and create distinctive, iindividual instruments.

Powerful New Engine and Universal Import
The highly advanced new sample engine delivers sparkling sound quality and performance-enhancing efficiency that exceeds all expectations. Having established its place in studios and on stages all over the world, the next generation of this state-of-the-art sampler supports almost every single professional hard and software sample format making it a truly global player. Not to mention the huge, high-quality library that is already part of KONTAKT 2.

• GigaStudio
• Akai S-1000 & S-3000, MPC, S-5000/S-6000, MESA
• EXS24
• HALion
• AIFF
• WAV
• .S
• .SND
• E-MU EmuEOS/E4B & EMUE3/ESi
• SoundFont2
• REX I&II
• ACID
• AppleLoops
• Roland S-5x & S-7x
• MachFive
• Reason NN-XT, LM4, LM4, MKII
• SDII(Mac)
• Unity
• Pulsar+STS
• Ensoniq EPS/ASR
• Kurzweil
• Reaktor Map
• KOMPAKT
• INTAKT
• KONTAKT 1.x
• BATTERY 1&2

NEW 15GB Library Included for FREE!
The new KONTAKT 2 sample library contains over 15 Gigabytes of professionally recorded and edited samples - all meticulously programmed into KONTAKT 2 instruments. Professional sample developers have contributed to the KONTAKT 2 library, among them Vienna Symphonic Library with a small Orchestra, Zero-G with lots of specially designed loops, Sonic Reality with a full 5.1 Surround Cathedral Organ, Post Musical Instruments with a Steinway D piano and many more.

KONTAKT 2 Script Processor
The KONTAKT Script Processor fuses conventional sampling with 'intelligent MIDI processing' and elements of macro programming. This highly innovative and freely programmable feature deserves special attention. The KSP isn't so much an effect as an "input converter", turning incoming MIDI data into flexible KONTAKT control data. What might not initially sound terribly exciting is in fact revolutionary. This feature allows unusual and absolutely authentically playable instruments to be created.

The KONTAKT Script Processor goes far beyond conventional "MIDI effects" and "MIDI processors". By transforming the input signal into control data whole new worlds of possibilities present themselves; for example triggering different sample groups or different slices within a loop.

Sampling Modes in KONTAKT 2
KONTAKT 2 is built on an exceptionally solid and high performance sample engine. In addition to providing a fast, reliable, and great sounding foundation, the KONTAKT sample engine offers six unique playback modes: Sampler, Time Machine I, Time Machine II, Tone Machine, Beat Machine and DFD ("Direct From Disk").

Sound Shaping with Convolution and KONTAKT 2!
KONTAKT has an extraordinarily extensive and powerful range of sound shaping options; whether you're modifying an existing instrument or designing a new one from scratch. Extensive modulation facilities, a broad spectrum of diverse effects and brilliant filters make KONTAKT a completely self-sufficient sound-shaping laboratory.

One of KONTAKT's most prominent new features is the convolution module. The high-quality convolution effect delivers authentic, real-life reverb and effects while still allowing you to control certain parameters. Included is a wide selection of impulse responses from real concert halls, recording studios, echo chambers as well as the sonic characteristics of legendary mics and amps etc. Other impulse responses, such as those from a wine glass or old grammaphone, can also be imported or exchanged with other users in the KONTAKT User Library.

Go Stereo or Surround
KONTAKT 2 offers the most comprehensive and flexible surround sound capabilities available. It affords unprecedented spatial control of the sound. Any imaginable mutli-channel configuration, from 2 - 16 channels, is possible ensuring that all surround formats are supported. The list of possibilities covers more than 40 different multi-channel formats. Alongside all the standard configurations such as 5.1 and 7.1 a few slightly more unusual setups such as 8.0 or 13.1 Cinema Plus are also supported.

Create Your Own Instruments
For anyone who creates their own instruments from individual samples or edits existing instruments, KONTAKT 2 is what they have always dreamt of. New standards have been set in terms of flexibility and convenience. KONTAKT 2's semi modular structure allows modules, such as the effects or modulators, to be added as needed and they only place a load on the CPU when they are actually being used.

• 192 KHz, 32-bit sample engine with 64 fold multi-timbrality and unlimited voices
• Sample library with more than 15 GB
• Brand-new, intuitive user-interface offering dozens of innovative features
• Advanced surround sound features allowing up to 16 channel mix-downs
• KONTAKT Script Processor for profound engine and feature customization
• Convolution effect adds real-life reverb characteristics or special effects to the sound
• 6 different sample modes: Classic, DFD, Tone, Time I and II as well as Beat Machine
• Detailed browser functionality affording a concise overview of essential information
• Universal Import ensures compatibility with virtually every sample and library format
• Vast selection of effects, filters and modulators. Convenient Group, Mapping and Loop editors for easy use of zones and slicing loops