Idea for new Kompakt players

[midphase]

From what I'm reading, I really like the idea of the way Stylus RMX works in the sense that it provides the general interface plug-in which can then be expanded by purchasing the additional modules or converting the existing Akai sources. Essentially though, the main Stylus RMX offers a nice "wrapper" to keep it all in. Organized and efficient methinks!

I wish that Kompakt based instruments followed a similar logic. IE. I think that developers should distribute an easily updatable and installable (and freely downloadable) Kompakt player module with no content. Then as the user puchases products from the stores, these can be installed, authorized and accessed by the unified Kompakt player.

Right now, every time I purchase a new Kompakt or Intakt based library I feel that my plug-in menus are getting more and more cluttered and confusing. I have to constantly go and look up for the available updates for each module. I totally dread the day when I update to a new computer and I'll have to deal with re-installing, re-authorizing and re-updating all of my Kompakt and Intakt libraries.

I think as more and more libraries come out, it will become more and more convoluted to keep everything updated and easy to access.

Plus I confess a certain sense of skepticism when I think that all of these plug-ins are not affecting overall system stability.

I would like to see East West, Native Instruments and all of the other developers work towards a more unified system of implementing this technology.

I would like to hear others' thoughts on this subject. Do you feel your workflow is being affected by having to manage all of these plug-ins? Do you feel like your system stability is affected? Do you feel that there's gotta be a better way to do this?

I would also like to hear from Doug and some of the other developers as to what their general feeling are about this.

I certainly wouldn't be mentioning it if it wasn't something that is starting to bother me, I hope I'm not alone and that something can be done to improve the current implementation of the technology.

[janila]

No, you are not alone with this. I have the Komplete2 so I have all Kontakt, Kompakt and Impakt licences. I use Kontakt as my main sampler but I've never used either Kompakt or Intakt as all the libraries come with the dedicated player version. I have one library using Intakt and four libraries using Kompakt plus the Komplete2. For me it would seem reasonable to get rid of the multiple players and do a system where every library would be added to the same player. The player could still be free and be included with the library but you wouldn't have to install it if you already had it. Is there even any Intakt/Kompakt libraries that don't include the player?

[EricRichmond]

Kontakt pretty much is the 'integrated solution' for all kompakt/intakt based VI's.

imo, having the kompakt/intakt player included is icing on the cake, as with other competitve samplers, you must purchase the lib AND the sampler separately. This way a casual user only needs to buy the lib.

-Eric

[Rich Pell]

Kontakt pretty much is the 'integrated solution' for all kompakt/intakt based VI's.

imo, having the kompakt/intakt player included is icing on the cake, as with other competitve samplers, you must purchase the lib AND the sampler separately. This way a casual user only needs to buy the lib.

-Eric
Yes, Idealy..Kontakt is the master wrapper. If your sick of all you Kompakt VSTi`s cluttering your plug-in folder you could deleat them from there and just use Kontakt to load in each Lib. You dont need the included Kompakt player to use the libs.
One thing i like about RMX on a GUI level that Kontakt could take a lesson from is how you can toggle between windows like flipping pages as opposed to Kontakts "Modulareverythingscrammed on one screen" thing. I makes it harder to edit multiple instruments. I was please to find Absynth 3 get over this GUI meyhem. Maybe the Kontakt team will take notice for the upcoming Kontakt 2... ;) .Rich

[janila]

Kontakt pretty much is the 'integrated solution' for all kompakt/intakt based VI's.That's true. Still it doesn't solve some problems. First, the Intakt libraries aren't as informative in Kontakt as the keyboard layout isn't shown. Secondly, using Kontakt I don't get all the libraries in a nice tree with branches opening on mouse-over but an endless directory list which I have to roll back and forth and open and close subdirectories.

[midphase]

Ditto on that one.

I was just about to point out that when I use Kontakt to open my QLSO and other libraries, it's a navigation nightmare!

I really like the streamlined way that the Kompakt players open their respective libraries. That is part of the reason as to why I buy them to begin with, not just the sounds but the actual ease of use. Now all I need is for them to be all integrated with the same interface within one module (with subfolder heading of course, but not like Kontakt).


Also, pleeeease NI, change the names. Kompakt and Kontakt are too closely named that it's so confusing to refer to them or read about them and not accidentally get confused.

[EricRichmond]

Intersting.

I just added favorites to point to the relevant base directories of the Kompakt-based stuff and haven't had any navigational problems since.

I agree a smoother, tighter integration would be welcomed however.

[Scott Cairns]

All good points l think. Whilst we're on the subject of NI interfaces, they absolutely have to introduce a search function ala Giga.

I run everything out of Kontakt/Kompakt plugins now (except for Spectrasonics stuff) and am already finding it hard to remember the locations of some samples I havent used in a while.

[EricRichmond]

Yeah, I'm really hoping that Kontakt2 adds in features for more hardcore sample lib users. I think Kontakt was very smart in starting out being the 'synth sampler' to differentiate itself and capture much of the market of people who wanted a simple sampler with hardcore effects. But with K2 I really hope they decide to add a ton of features that giga has.

[Scott Cairns]

A standard software interface would be nice too; cut, paste, undo, etc.

Maybe even a seperate NI editing program?

[ed hamilton]

Am I going about this wrong?

To avoid extra upgrade issues I put the EW dat files in my komplete versions of intakt/kompakt's sample folders.
I only ran the apps supplied with storm drum/ewqlso once to authorize the lib.

This way I only have to keep updates to my komplete versions of those apps.

I agree about better navigation certainly but so far my system is pretty straight forward.

But I am doing this all wrong?

[chriscaouette]

A standard software interface would be nice too; cut, paste, undo, etc.

Maybe even a seperate NI editing program?

You are not kidding Scott. I have nearly given up trying to make new KS programs because of all the problems when trying to edit in Kontakt. Another annoying thing is you acnnot change the listing order of loaded tracks in Kontakt. Either Kontakt or Konpakt takes 50meg per instance so I was trying to get everything I needed string wise into the 8 slots on Kompakt.
JOY! :rolleyes:
Chris

[midphase]

Actually, if there is one thing I do like about Kontakt is that it's all integrated into the same app. Coming from Unity, I hated the idea of all of these separate apps to do stuff, and I was relieved to find that Kontakt was all one program.

I was hoping that Kontakt would have been updated to version 2 by now. It seems like Absynth for example has been getting a boatload of updates, but Kontakt has essentially remained pretty much the same since it was released. I really hope they release 2 at NAMM in a couple of weeks....at the very least I hope the NI guys are there for me to rant a bit!

[Steve Rees]

Great idea. It would be a big step forward both in terms of ease of use, and ease of updating.

Steve

[Rich Pell]

I was hoping that Kontakt would have been updated to version 2 by now. It seems like Absynth for example has been getting a boatload of updates, but Kontakt has essentially remained pretty much the same since it was released. I really hope they release 2 at NAMM in a couple of weeks....at the very least I hope the NI guys are there for me to rant a bit!
My theory is that they wanted to wait until GS3 came out so they could check it out and fill in the holes (probably bull~~~~). Theres also rumors (also probably not true) that Kontakt has changed programmers. Its amazing how secret K2 development has been... :cool: Rich

[SWL]

I agree on all points.

An i especially like the alternate panels for Stylus, not everything crammed into one window!!

[midphase]

ok, so since many seem to agree....any developers care to chime in?

[FV]

Hi,

I, too, use the Favorites feature to get at these different libs quicker and easier. Because of the small fonts in Kontakt though and how touchy the scrolling seems to be (at least it is touchy for me), I would like to see a more improved navigation feature. I agree that Stylus RMX's navigation is great.

@ midphase: I believe that there were a few changes implemented since Kontakt 1. I think keyswitches came in around version 1.2 as well as DFD. Also, I don't think that release triggers were implemented in the first version either. This is from memory though. Since around version 1.2 it's primarily been improvements and bug-fixes rather than tons of new features. I am speculating that there will be a Kontakt 2 before the end of 2005 though.

FV

[midphase]

Yeah, functionality was added through the Kontakt updates. However little or no improvements have been made to the GUI since the original version.

As sample libraries have gotten huge, now more than ever it is so important for a good file managements and menu navigation to be in place. While the favorites does help a bit, it is not what is really needed for a streamlined and efficient workflow. Many times for example, when I move some files around they will lose track of where the samples are. If I tell Kontakt to search for the samples it takes forever because it generally looks through the whole drive. I would like an option to at least specify to Kontakt where to search!

Since the developers are the driving force behind changes in Kontakt (NI makes a lot more money from licensing their Kompakt player to sample developers than actually selling it to end users) and since we (end users) are the driving force behind changes in developers' products, I would like to put some pressure to actually devise a better implementation for this great new way of working.

[FV]

Hi midphase,

Ah-h-h. Now I understand. FWIW, I fully agree with you. I would like to see Kontakt automatically update the .nki's and .nkm's when you have to point them to a new folder for the samples. It would be great for it to ask you if you want to update it automatically (or have it as a preference). The way it is now, you must physically save the .nki in order for it to go to the right place the next time. Hopefully, they listen at some point in time.

FV