Contact (software)

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Contact
Basic data

developer Native Instruments
Current  version 6.0.4
(2019)
operating system Mac OS X , MS Windows
category Music software
License proprietary
German speaking Yes
www.native-instruments.com

Kontakt is a software sampler sold by the German company Native Instruments .

The software currently available in version 6.0 (March 2019) is one of the most popular software samplers and is available in two different versions: the free "Kontakt 5 Player" and the full version, which is limited to the name "Kontakt 5" (for For comparison see versions). Both versions can be used either as a standalone application or as a plug-in in common digital audio workstations (DAW) via various interfaces .

Features and use

Range of functions

In digital music production, contact is usually used as an alternative to hardware samplers and is used like a conventional sampler, i.e. to play back previously recorded audio samples that are initiated by midi signals . The user can access ready-made sound banks, so-called libraries, which have to be obtained separately or create them themselves. Native Instruments themselves, as well as many third-party providers, offer a variety of such libraries. These mostly cover certain instruments or instrument groups, topics or genres , are designed differently and range from free offers to independently marketed products with prices of over 1000 euros. The third-party providers can be users who publish their samples or companies that specialize in the production of these libraries.

Kontakt also enables the user to apply the supplied software effects to the samples and offers numerous functions for adapting and creating your own and third-party sound banks.

Kontakt is also compatible with sample formats from other manufacturers. For example, the import of sound banks from the now discontinued GigaStudio sampler from TASCAM and many other formats is possible.

restrictions

The software sampler is limited to the playback of samples, a sound synthesis as with synthesizers is not possible with it. The manufacturer Native Instruments tries to enable this function with other software in its product range, such as the Absynth software synthesizer .

use

Due to the complexity of today's DAWs , Kontakt is very versatile. Usually it is used as a plug-in in a DAW via the VST interface and used there for music production, or the standalone version to create sound libraries, or to control the sampler with midi signals without the "detour" via the DAW .

Any device that outputs these can be used as input device for the midi signals. These are usually devices such as master keyboards , drum pads and the like, or programs that output midi signals, for example midi tracks from a sequencer or an on-screen keyboard.

Libraries

With Kontakt as a universal sampler, third-party manufacturers often do not use an independent sampler for a VST instrument, but sell the product directly as a so-called sample library for Kontakt.

Native Instruments itself markets the free "Factory Content", including the following libraries:

  • Action strings
  • Alicia's Keys
  • Berlin Concert Grand
  • George Duke Soul Treasures
  • Machine drum selection
  • New York Concert Grand
  • Retro Machines MK2
  • Session horns
  • Session strings
  • Session Strings Pro
  • Studio drummer
  • Vintage organs
  • West Africa
  • The Giant

Technical

Supported interfaces

The manufacturer provides the following list of supported interfaces on its website:

System requirements

The manufacturer specifies the following information as system requirements for version 6.0

  • Windows

Windows 7, Windows 8 or 10 (latest service pack, 64-bit only), Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended, 6 GB for extensive KONTAKT instruments)

  • Mac

macOS 10.12, 10.13 or 10.14 (latest update), i5, 4 GB RAM

Supported interfaces :

  • Mac OS X (64-bit only): Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX
  • Windows (32/64-bit): Stand-alone, VST, AAX

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Test of the software ( Memento of the original from March 6, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / apfelwahn.de
  2. ↑ List of supported formats on the manufacturer's website
  3. ↑ Specifications
  4. ↑ [1]