Native Instruments today announced Kontakt Player 2, the second generation of its popular platform for sample-based software instruments.
Integrating the powerful functionality of the award-winning flagship sampler Kontakt 2, the Kontakt Player2 platform opens up new creative possibilities for instrument developers that benefit musicians and producers of all styles and genres.
With more than 70 instruments based on Kontakt technology, and adopted by companies like Best Service, EastWest, Gary Garritan, MakeMusic and Sibelius, Kontakt Playerhas become the most successful platform for sample-based software instruments on the market. Kontakt Player2 builds on this success and allows for innovative, highly playable instruments that leave existing technological and musical
limitations behind.
The powerful Kontakt Script Processor (KSP) of Kontakt 2 plays a
central role in Kontakt Player2-based instruments. The virtually
unlimited flexibility of KSP allows for instruments with unprecedented
functionality and musicality, including extremely authentic emulations
of acoustic instruments with their natural articulations; drum and
percussion instruments that include their own step sequencer;
synthesizers with integrated arpeggiators and chord generators; and
much more.
Further advantages offered by the Kontakt Player2 platform are
virtually unlimited polyphony and up to 64-part multitimbrality,
advanced surround capabilities, integrated effects including
convolution and master effects, a versatile library browser and
optimized DFD technology.
The first Kontakt Player2 instruments to be made available to
musicians will be “Stradivari Solo Violin” from Gary Garritan, a
breathtakingly dynamic and highly musical emulation of the legendary
violin; “Chris Hein Guitars” from Best Service, an outstanding virtual
guitar instrument that authentically recreates a vast range of typical
playing styles; and “OTTO” from Fixed Noise, a cutting-edge electronic
sound workstation designed and produced by avant-garde musician and
sound designer Otto von Schirach.
“Kontakt Playertechnology was a keystone of the success of our
award-winning Personal Orchestra”, says Gary Garritan, founder of the
software instrument company of the same name. “The new Kontakt Player2
platform is an extremely exciting basis for us to work with, and we are
looking forward to fully exploiting its musical capabilities in our
upcoming instruments, of which the Stradivari Violin is only the first.”
Kontakt Player2 is based on the latest Kontakt 2.1 engine, with the
corresponding update for Kontakt users scheduled for release in April
2006. The new version will add numerous improvements to Kontakt 2,
including an ultra-high quality interpolation mode, a new “Performance
View”, Akoustic Piano and Bandstand import, additional effects, and a
large number of performance and usability enhancements.
More information is available at the Native site.
