With synthesis moving increasingly towards more affordable and flexible software solutions, the NAMM music show is increasingly one to watch for Mac users. Native Instruments has added to its extensive software synth line with Kontakt, “designed to be the most powerful sampler ever created.” In addition to the basics, Kontakt features realtime time-stretching and resynthesis, graphical breakpoint envelopes, an integrated loop editor, analog-modelled filters with a semi-modular architecture, visually displayed modulation, a high-performance engine and three gigabytes of included sounds to get you started.
Kontakt will support VST 2.0, DirectConnect, MAS, ASIO, DirectSound, Sound Manager, FreeMIDI, and OMS on OS 8.6 and higher, with support for samples in Battery, Akai S-1000/S-3000, SF2, Reaktor, AIFF, and WAV formats. Release is set for March at MSRP US$399. Native also showed off a volume of 256 presets for its FM7 software synth, FM7 Sounds Vol. 1, also coming in March, retail US$49.90.
