Native Instruments has updated Komplete Kontrol to version 1.5, adding the new Native Kontrol Standard, as well as VST support. The Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) is an extended plug-in format, allowing third-party instrument developers to directly address hardware features in Komplete Kontrol S-Series controllers and in Maschine, NI’s ever-expanding production center. NKS instruments instantly appear in the Native Browser with all presets tagged and detailed. It also provides parameter assignments via Native Map, and can utilize the Light Guide to display key switches and sample assignments in the S-Series controllers. NKS also brings Smart Play features to third-party instruments, allowing detailed access to the touch strips, scale mapping, Chord Sets, and the arpeggiator. Notable partners releasing free updates for the NKS format include Arturia, u-he, Output, Heavyocity, and Spitfire Audio. See below for the growing list of NKS partners.
To mark this new level of integration with their hardware products, Native Instruments has partnered with Arturia to offer special pricing on the excellent V Collection, Arturia’s bundle of 13 classic vintage synths now updated as NKS plug-ins. Integration is something that is central to Arturia, as attested to by its hybrid hardware/software successes. So now not only is its V Collection 4 software collection of keyboards and drum machines fully integrated with its own KeyLab keyboard controllers, but also those of Native Instruments.
“Integration has been at the center of the Native Instruments’ philosophy since we introduced our first fully integrated software/hardware solutions over a decade ago,” says Native Instruments CEO Daniel Haver. “With the release of the Native Kontrol Standard, we’re moving this vision of true integration a bold leap forward. Now, the power of Komplete Kontrol and Maschine is open to the whole community of software instrument developers. And we are honored that highly respected partners at Arturia and other leading instrument manufacturers are travelling this road with us.”
“It is a real pleasure to partner with Native Instruments on this exceptional promotion around the V Collection,” says Frédéric Brun, CEO of Arturia. “NKS, as a new format, is more than promising and will serve musicians by offering a standard in integration between software instruments and controllers.”
VST Compatibility
Komplete Kontrol 1.5 also introduces VST compatibility, allowing producers to play and control VST instruments without changing to MIDI mode. A new Control Panel allows producers to intuitively customize parameter mappings for specific use cases – even across multiple pages.
Starting today, the following instrument developers are releasing free updated versions of their instruments to be NKS compatible: Arturia, U-He, Output, Soundiron, Heavyocity, Spitfire Audio, ProjectSAM, Softube, XILS-lab, Waldorf, Sonokinetic, Sonic Faction and Orange Tree Samples.
The Komplete Kontrol 1.5 software update is available for free via the NI Service Center. Until November 15, 2015, The Arturia V Collection is exclusively available for existing NI customers at the NI Online Shop for $199 / €199 / ¥24,500 / £144 / AU$ 269.
