KONTAKT Explained

Make KONTAKT! Watch DAW guru Eli Krantzberg break down one of the most vast and powerful soft samplers ever made, Native Instruments KONTAKT. From beginning to end, it's all here, waiting for you to use to get the most out of Kontakt.

Getting Started
Kontakt Overview (09:23) - Learn how to set the Audio and MIDI preferences when launching Kontakt 4 in standalone mode. Explore the main areas of the interface including the control panel buttons, the browser, rack and keyboard sections.
Instrument Header Basics (06:46) - Discover the instrument header and see how to control basic visual and playback parameters.
Architecture Basics (08:53) - Explore how the architecture of Kontakt 4 instruments are set up, and how to save and create instruments, samples, multis, and banks.
Instrument & Edit Mode Headers (09:15) - See some of the advanced Instrument Header functions and explore the different windows and areas available in Edit Mode.
Instrument Options (09:14) - Watch how the 'Instrument Options' window can be used to affect instrument playback parameters, as well as how they look in the rack.
Tips and Tricks
Top Ten Browser Bits (08:48) - Learn about ten cool features and workflow techniques available from the browser’s 'Files' tab.
Importing Other Formats (07:24) - Discover how to import and do batch conversions of sampler instruments from EXS 24, Giga and AKAI formats.
The Database (09:53) - Explore how to search, sort and set file metadata in the 'Attribute and Results' list found in Kontakt 4’s database.
Advanced Control
The Monitor & Modules Tab (08:52) - See how to view and control multiple groups and zones and their various parameters with the 'Monitor' tab in the browser. Also learn how to use the 'Modules' section to add and control group and instrument effects.
Automation (08:04) - Discover Kontakt 4’s MIDI and host based automation from within Logic Pro 9. You can then apply the info to your DAW.
Quick-Load (07:40) - Watch how Kontakt’s Quick Load features can be used to organize frequently used multis, instruments and banks in a directory tree set up in a horizontal arrangement of columns.
Routing Revealed
The Outputs Section (08:53) - Learn how to set up signal routing destinations in the Outputs section of Kontakt.
Multiple Outputs (04:18) - Discover to how to set up multiple output routing in the Outputs section of the plug-in version of Kontakt while it's hosted inside Logic Pro 9. You can then apply the info to your DAW.
Advanced Editing
The Group Editor (12:11) - Peer into the belly of the beast and see how Kontakt’s Group Editor can be used to control various aspects of an instrument’s playback.
The Mapping Editor Pt. 1 (08:25) - Explore how to build an instrument from scratch by importing samples and turning them in to Zones in the Mapping Editor.
The Mapping Editor Pt. 2 (10:05) - See how to edit zones graphically with both the mouse and key commands, as well as with the Mapping Window’s 'Control Strip'.
Wave Editor Controls (09:32) - Learn about the 'Wave Editor' tool bar, and see how the controls can be used for setting loop points and other various utility and transport functions.
The Grid Panel (07:43) - Discover how to use both Fix and Auto modes in the Mapping Editor’s grid panel to create slice markers in rhythmic loops.
Working with Loops
Sample Loops (07:49) - Explore how to set up loop regions within a sample in order to loop specific portions in either forward or reverse direction.
Syncing & Slicing (08:57) - See how the 'Sync / Slice' tab in the wave editor is used to sync loops to tempo, as well as map the individual slices to separate MIDI notes.
Working with Groups
Zone Envelopes & Sample Editor (11:02) - Discover how to use zone envelopes to modulate parameters on a zone-by-zone basis within a group, as well as how the sample editor is used to constructively process portions of a sample permanently.
The Source Module (10:56) - Explore the six group playback modes available in the Source Module: Sampler, DFD, Tone Machine, Time Machine, Time Machine ll and Beat Machine.
Using Effects
Signal Processing (10:26) - Learn how to add signal processing modules at either the group or instrument insert level, as well as setting up send effects for individual instruments and entire multi's.
Modulation Mechanics (07:46) - Discover how modulation routing is set up in Kontakt, and what types of signals can be used to animate parameters over time, as well as where and how to set them up.
Mod-You-Elation (11:45) - See and hear some real world modulation routing examples including cutoff and pan routed to LFOs synced to tempo, cutoff on a pad sound modulated with a 'flexible envelope', and a 32 step modulator modulation source applied to a percussive sound’s panning.