Production and DJ gear juggernaut Native Instruments announced today a series of updates and new products in a campaign they've dubbed "For the music in you." The release marks the biggest update from the firm in years and includes nine new products.
With new keyboard, pad, and DJ controllers, the release sees Native Instruments offering more affordable and accessible entry points to their product line, while updates to popular Komplete software stack offer even more creative tools for composers and producers of the world.
Komplete: Kontakt and Massive Updates
On the software side of Native Instruments' offerings, today brings announcement of updates for Komplete, an industry-leading collection of virtual instruments, effects, and other utilities. The newly announced Komplete 12 will come stock with a set of expansion packs, and also sees updates for the Kontakt sampler and Massive soft-synth.
Kontakt is well-known for the depth and versatility of its sample library, and new version 6 will include a new dual-layered instrument interface as well as three new instruments: Analog Dreams, Ethereal Earth, and Hybrid Keys. Massive X marks the next evolution of the original Massive wavetable synth and sees a refreshed sound engine with some new effects and other features. Massive X will be a free download for Komplete 12 owners in 2019.
Traktor Kontrol S2 and S4 Controllers and Traktor Pro 3
For DJs, Native Instruments has announced a third version of their flagship Traktor Pro DJ software. This update refines the overall look of the control system while improving performance.
Native Instruments is also launching updates in its DJ controller line to go along with the new software release. The Kontrol S2 is the more budget-minded of the pair and will ship bundled with Traktor software, and includes such useful features as backlit trigger pads. The Kontrol S4 has a little more functional horsepower, and with this update, will now integrate something called "Haptic Drive" in the jog wheels which gives a little physical feedback and resistence to your queuing and other actions liked you'd feel on an iPhone.
New Maschine Mikro
The smaller counterpart to the groundbreaking Maschine, the Maschine MIKRO will see its third iteration this year. With this update, the Mikro will see a refined layout, larger control pads and some other functional updates like the inclusion of a strip controller that can be used to control effects and other parameters. The new Mikro also comes in with a lowered price point at just $249/£199, which reflects Native Instruments' overall effort to lower the barrier to entry to its product line seen throughout today's announcements.
Expanded Keyboard Controller Range
For composers and producers who prefer black and white keys over pad controllers, Native Instruments is launching an entire new line of keyboard controllers dubbed the Komplete Kontrol A-series. Available in 25-, 49-, and 61-key configurations, these controllers are pared down, streamlined options designed with new users in mind.
The existing S-series is also seeing any expansion with an updated 88-key, weighted controller, the S88 MK2. This model will launch later this month with a price tag of $999/£799.
