Image Credits; Native Instruments
Best Kontakt Libraries & Instruments in 2024 for music producers
Kontakt, Native Instruments’ flagship sample platform first launched in 2002, has become an indispensable tool for music producers across genres. Over two decades since its inception, Kontakt remains a powerhouse when it comes to versatility and depth of features. At its core, Kontakt provides users access to an extensive Factory Library brimming with high-quality sounds, while also allowing them to run any third-party Kontakt instrument imaginable. This unlocks a world of possibilities for crafting unique musical textures.
Kontakt’s strength lies in its multifaceted capabilities – from precise sample mapping and manipulation tools that enable tweaking of pitch, volume, timbre, and more, to applying effects and modulation for added expression. Its open-ended instrument-building environment, complemented by advanced scripting capabilities, empowers creators to design incredibly nuanced multi-layered instruments with intuitive interfaces and dynamic articulation switching. Seamless MIDI controller and automation integration further elevate the platform, granting performers and producers fluid real-time control during live shows or studio sessions. With such a versatile feature set, it’s no surprise that Kontakt has cultivated a vast ecosystem of third-party sample libraries and virtual instruments year after year. In this article, we explore some of the best Kontakt libraries in 2024 for music producers and musicians.
Top Kontakt Libraries in 2024 list:
- Playbox
- Action Strings 2
- The Definitive Piano Collection
- 40’s Very Own Keys
- Output Exhale for Kontakt
- Output Analog Strings for Kontakt
- AudioThing Kontakt Bundle
- Vapor Keys 2
- VQ Drums
- Slate + Ash – Cycles
Playbox
Playbox—an intuitive tool with over 200 chord sets for instant harmonic ideas. Finish tracks using 900+ samples or import your own. The plugin’s six cubes offer diverse sounds, including strings, organs, pianos, and more. Randomize, tweak, and layer sounds effortlessly. It’s a practical and creative solution for reimagining forgotten sample libraries and crafting unique compositions. Customize chords, import MIDI, and export your perfect progressions.
Playbox brings simplicity and versatility to your music production workflow. The sounds are shown in various shapes and textures like plastic, fur, sprinkles, candy pieces, bubbles, and more. Each sound has its own unique shape or texture representing it visually. This visual style makes exploring and selecting sounds fun and engaging.
Purchase Here
Action Strings 2
Action Strings 2 is an impressive revamp and collaborative effort between Native Instruments and Sonuscore, combining their expertise to deliver a top-notch product. At its core is a 31GB sample library featuring a full orchestral string section recorded by the Hungarian Studio Orchestra, praised for its realistic, balanced, precise, and dynamic sound quality. The innovative performance engine simplifies string arranging, making it easy to create expressive compositions with faster note passages, ideal for up-tempo action or drama cues.
While the full string ensemble sounds great for quick sketches or layering, the real strength of Action Strings 2 lies in its powerful composition tools. Users can quickly craft authentic string phrases from a versatile range of articulations using the Phrase Editor. The built-in arpeggiator and MIDI drag-and-drop functionality further enhance the workflow. Notably, crafted phrases can be instantly exported as MIDI to any other instrument, maximizing the library’s potential beyond just the solo string ensemble.
Purchase Here
The Definitive Piano Collection
The Definitive Piano Collection promises to elevate your productions with three meticulously sampled pianos – The Maverick, The Gentleman, and The Grandeur. This comprehensive library delivers ultra-realistic piano sounds, with up to 18 velocity zones and additional resonance samples for dynamic character. Each instrument offers exceptional playing control with half-pedal, re-pedal functions, and adjustable hammer, pedal, and string noises for an authentic touch. The sampling process even includes nine velocity-layered key releases, ensuring realism down to the finest details.
The Grandeur shines as a rich, hyper-detailed concert grand piano perfect for pop to classical genres, offering dynamic expressiveness. The Maverick is an expressive vintage grand meticulously captured to deliver distinct vintage character suited for pop, rock, urban, and jazz. Meanwhile, The Gentleman provides a balanced, lush tone as a classic vintage upright piano. With this diverse trio and a wide range of tweakable parameters, The Definitive Piano Collection brings an unparalleled level of realism and versatility to your piano compositions.
Purchase Here
40’s Very Own Keys
Native Instruments’ 40’s Very Own Keys is a genre-defining virtual instrument masterminded by producer Noah “40” Shebib, renowned for his work with artists like Drake. This unique collaboration offers 150 presets of signature electric piano, grand piano, and classic synth sounds tailored for hip-hop and pop. Recorded at 40’s studio, the sounds capture his distinctive style and vibe.
Beyond the inspiring presets, 40’s Very Own Keys provides deep customization with a Sound Editor for tweaking individual sound sources and an Effects Editor for crafting custom effects chains per preset. Effects like the dedicated “40” macro for “underwater” vibes allow shaping evocative textures. The intuitive Play Series interface offers real-time control via six assignable macros and a flexible 16-step sequencer.
Part of the appeal lies in the seamless blend of Shebib’s production aesthetics with NI’s sound design prowess. With an intuitive workflow, transcendent presets, and profound customization options, 40’s Very Own Keys empowers producers to imbue their music with the signature vibe that defines contemporary hip-hop and pop hits. The r/NativeInstruments community praises its unique and inspiring sounds.
Purchase Here
Output Exhale for Kontakt
Output’s Exhale is an innovative and powerful vocal instrument that offers a fresh approach to vocal processing for modern music production. Described as the “first truly modern vocal engine,” Exhale delivers rich, stylized vocal sounds tailored primarily for hip-hop, pop, R&B, and EDM genres.
At its core is a unique engine that divides samples into three distinct modes – Notes for chromatic playing, Loops for looping vocal elements, and Slices for sliced vocal phrases. With over 500 presets spanning these modes, producers can explore diverse vocal textures. Exhale’s intuitive interface allows deep customization, with custom FX chains, macros, and snapshots per preset. The Engine section provides precise control over effects like pitch, EQ, envelopes, and more.
Beyond the initial library, expansions like Barely Vocals and Ambient Vocals expand Exhale’s creative palette with processed vocal soundscapes. Output’s commitment to regular updates ensures the instrument remains relevant, adapting to evolving music trends.
Purchase Here
Output Analog Strings for Kontakt
Output’s Analog Strings blurs the boundaries between traditional orchestral strings and vintage synths, fusing them into a truly innovative sonic palette. At its core is a unique dual-layer engine combining a 60-piece string orchestra, 22-piece ensemble, and soloists with analog synth tones and sound design elements.
This fusion results in a diverse range of timbres from lush pads to cinematic atmospheres, pizzicato plucks, tremolo textures, and more. Producers can sculpt these hybrid sounds using a specialized toolset – assigning parameters to four macro sliders, step sequencers, arpeggiators, and rhythm generators per layer. Extensive effects like filters, EQ, distortion, and convolution reverb provide precise tone-shaping.
Despite its depth, Analog Strings remains accessible with an inspiring 500 presets for instant playability. The visually stunning 3D interface streamlines the workflow. Output’s approach blends vintage warmth with modern sensibilities, making Analog Strings remarkably versatile – capable of authentic orchestral passages or utterly unique synthwave and cinematic soundscapes.
Purchase Here
AudioThing Kontakt Bundle
The AudioThing Kontakt Bundle offers producers and composers a comprehensive collection of 26 meticulously sampled Kontakt instruments. This versatile bundle covers an impressive range of sounds, from tuned percussions like frame drums to synthesizers like the GAK150, organic string instruments, sound design tools, and unique seasonal/novelty instruments.
What sets this bundle apart is its eclectic blend of tones and vast sonic palette spanning hundreds of presets and thousands of samples. Performers can explore unconventional sources like vintage toy keyboards and beer bottles transformed into inspiring soundscapes. Yet it also provides bread-and-butter studio essentials.
Despite its creative depth, the AudioThing bundle maintains an affordable, user-friendly approach with intuitive Kontakt interfaces tailored for effortless experimentation. Each instrument is crafted to spark innovation in music production across genres.
This commitment to unique, high-quality sound design at an accessible price point has earned AudioThing’s Kontakt instruments significant praise from the production community. The bundle proves an enticing, cost-effective option to vastly expand one’s sonic arsenal with both conventional and truly original sounds.
Purchase Here
Vapor Keys 2
Explore the nostalgic vibes of the 90s with Vapor Keys 2, a collection that brings back the shiny, glitchy sounds of vintage TV ads, videogames, and iconic movie themes. Offering carefully recorded FM and analogue classics, Vapor Keys 2 allows you to create great-sounding patches effortlessly, teleporting you back thirty years in time for an authentic 90s synth experience. However, it’s not just about the past; it’s a practical tool for modern music production, especially in genres like hip hop, trap, glitch hop, lo-fi, vaporwave, and house music. Crafted by Karanyi Sounds, the collection includes highly usable patches and samples from four amazing FM, PCM, and analogue gear.
Purchase Here
VQ Drums
Explore the authentic sound of the 1964 Ludwig Hollywood kit with VQ Drums, a practical music production plugin capturing the essence of a vintage drum kit. Recorded in a wooden studio with quality mics and preamps, this kit features state-of-the-art scripting and innovative features for a great sound. With 6 velocity layers and 6 round robin samples per articulation, it offers a natural keyboard or e-drum response. The mixer section lets you control 8 microphones for precise mixing in your DAW, including load/purge switches and total bleed control. The effects feature EQ, compressors, modulation, distortion, reverb, and amp simulation. VQ Drums provides a practical and user-friendly drumming experience with a straightforward design.
Purchase Here
Slate + Ash – Cycles
Cycles is a loop manipulation plugin that allows users to deconstruct and reconstruct audio loops in creative ways. Developed by Slate and Ash, it provides an innovative approach to working with loops. The plugin features an audio looper, splicer, synthesizer, and granular synthesis engine. Users can slice loops into rhythmic segments, rearrange them, create arpeggios and melodic sequences. The granular engine breaks down loops into tiny grains that can then be reshaped into new textured sounds.
Cycles has an user-friendly interface with clear access to controls for manipulating loops, grains, modulation, sequencing patterns, and effects like reverb, delay and formants. It allows importing your own samples for creative sampling. The plugin includes over 494 loop sources divided into six packs, offering a vast library. There are 100 preset states and 189 preset patches compressed into a 2.8GB file size. Overall, Cycles enables exploring unconventional sound design possibilities while maintaining an intuitive workflow for music producers. Read more about Slate+Ash – Cycles here.
Purchase Here
Latest magazine
March 28, 2024
Magazine
- Arodes cover Interview
- Armin van Buuren: Breathing In [Exclusive Interview]
- Ibiza 2024: What To Expect
- Burak Yeter: A Day In Space [Exclusive]