Freelance Soundlabs NKS News October 2023

Hello  

NKS2 / Komplete Kontrol MK3 Compatibility? 

You may have heard in the last few weeks there is a new MK3 keyboard and a new version of Komplete Kontrol around the corner and of course this has bought on questions about compatibility etc. So here are the questions I am being asked at the moment: 

Are current NKS libraries compatible with the latest MK3 keyboards, are any updates needed? 

Yes, 100% compatible with no updates needed (mostly)

The new keyboards offer some nice features but more importantly, are completely backwards compatible and will support all previous NKS libraries. These will continue to work just as they do on the current range of keyboards but due to the new single display, a new artwork image will be needed and this will be created for each library in time and downloadable as a separate option to update fore the MK3. New libraries will release with the updated artwork moving forward. 

Will the current NKS libraries be updated with new NKS2 features? 

Current NKS libraries will be updated with some additional artwork soon to display on the new keyboards but as it currently stands, there is no way to update or for users to make NKS2 supported features without the SDK from Native Instrument's as these are aimed at "vendor features". However, we will be closely investigating these new features down the track and if anything can be found to be updated we will be looking further into it so be sure to stay tuned on this. 

Is it worth updating to an MK3 if I already have an MK2? 

Well this is kind of up to the individual, however my own opinion is there is just not enough in terms of new features at the moment to really justify the update and there is also the addition of having to use the new version of Komplete Kontrol which may or may not be to one's liking. At the core of both MK1/MK2/MK3 they all work just fine in finding sounds and getting into producing fast. 

Another consideration is Maschine integration as currently, the new MK3 does not integrate with Maschine at all. 

For more answers and info check out the Info Page I have created on the subject

RELEASED: Cherry Audio Harmonia NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/harmonia

Harmonia from Cherry Audio NKS library now available. Includes all 350+ factory presets fully tagged, detailed controller map, artwork files and sound previews. Interesting sounding wavetable synth with a decently big sound for the size.

Library supports VST3 only, no plans (unless it is desperately needed) to support VST2.

RELEASED: UVI Synth Anthology 4 NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/synthanthology4

This is a complete step up from the previous SA2 and SA3 releases, a whole new interface, new layering and new presets so this was not able to be converted at all from previous libraries, it is basically a whole new instrument.

There is a custom template for both the dual layer and single layer presets and since UVI instruments are limited to only allowing a max of 128 mapped automation controls, the single layer presets for all the machines have more in-depth control with the dual layer presets having hopefully enough control for the 2 layers.

I have specifically modified these files to allow them to load in both VST2 and VST3 versions of Falcon/Workstation (UVI supports migration so I made certain it would load the VST2 version and migrate to VST3) making sure users who still use VST2 can use these libraries, you do however need the latest versions of Falcon/Workstation for this library.

I would like to look at more character tagging, all presets are tagged with type tagging and I have done a scan for common character tags in presets to assign some tagging but some serious time is needed to step through 4000+ files and assign tagging by hand so that might be something I do down the track depending on how popular this one is.

RELEASED: UVI Augmented Orchestra NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/augmentedorchestra

UVI Augmented Orchestra NKS library now available for both VST2/3 and Falcon/Workstation compatible.

Fully tagged with previews and includes a full controller map, tho UVI is limited to only 128 parameters for control there is a different template for the dual layer and single layer presets to offer extra control for single layer patches.

RELEASED: UVI Falcon Expansion Fluidity

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/falcon

NKS library for Falcon's Fluidity now available. Falcon expansions are a pain to make libraries for, this one no exception. Each preset has a completely different set of controls and labels so each preset has been saved by hand with all controls labelled for each preset. Makes using expansions so much better.

RELEASED: UVI Attack EP88 NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/attackep88

Nice hybrid piano instrument, fully mapped with allcontrols accessible from the keyboard controls. Works in UVI Falcon/Workstation and supports both VST2 and VST3 plugin versions. Comes fully tagged with sound previews and artwork. Also includes artwork for the MK3 keyboards!

UPDATE: Soundspot Union NKS Library VST3 Update

Some Updates / Releases From Last Month

RELEASE: GForce M-Tron Pro IV NKS Library

RELEASE: Halion Sonic 7 NKS for Cubase \ VST Live

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/halionsonic

After some requests and investigation there is now a new version of the Halion Sonic library available for users who only have the Cubase/VST Live version. One of the difficult things with Halion is there is Halion 7, Halion Sonic 7 and Halion Sonic SE, all different plugins and each also offers different bundles of instruments with different software so it's quite a minefield especially figuring out what comes with what.

Halion Sonic 7 Cubase / VST Live Edition is supplied with the following libraries:

• Flux
• Trip
• Verve
• Halion Sonic SE Artist
• Halion Sonic SE Basic
• Halion Sonic SE Hybrid
• Halion Sonic SE Pro

These are now included in a single library bundle and I also have this done for the full Halion 7 but have not added these to the site yet so reply to this email if you are interested in Flux, Trip or Verve as separate libraries for Halion 7

UPDATE: WA Production / CubicAudio Ascension [VST3]

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/ascension

Ascension and all expansions have been updated for VST3 compatibility for both PC and Mac. Additionally, an additional expansion is also available "Factory 03".

For M1 compatibility you need to be running v1.5.1 of Ascension and will need the latest NKS library files. There are separate files included for PC and Mac as the plugin differs between systems and needs specific system library files which are both included, just unzip the ones needed.

Previous owners of the VST2 version have a small update cost for the factory library but all expansion libraries have been added to your download area for free. The previous VST2 files are no longer available in the download area, however if required just message me.

UPDATE: Plugin Boutique VirtualCZ VST3 Update

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/virtualcz

Update available for the VirtualCZ library for VST3 support.

Also a bit of a template update to make it a little more usable and sound previews have also been updated to address some incorrectly rendered sounds.

RELEASE: IK Multimedia SampleTank 4 NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/sampletank4

I am finally happy to release this massive library available for SampleTank 4. This is offered as 3 separate libraries: 

• SampleTank 4 Factory Content
• SampleTank Total Bundle 3.5 Expansions
• SampleTank Syntronik Expansions

This was a huge amount of work with a number of difficult challenges but will now open up all instrument presets for browsing and control from both Komplete / Maschine and will work in the latest VST3 version of SampleTank 4 on both PC and Mac. You will find content stored in banks to make browsing easier.

Note that due to the amount of time it took to create this library Total Studio bundle 4 has just been released which adds several new expansions for SampleTank 4. These are not included, only the Total Bundle 3.5 content is available. The upgrade costs are quite expensive for the few extra libraries but once there is a sale available I may consider the additional content if there is demand for it.

RELEASE: IK Multimedia SampleTron 2 NKS Library

https://freelancesoundlabs.com/nks/sampletron

Sampletron is now fully NKS ready. All factory presets are browsable with a full controller map, detailed tagging and support files (artwork, database files).  

VST2 / VST3 Library Compatibility Status List

Check this list for the latest VST3 library compatibility updates, what libraries support VST3 and what has been updated from VST2 to VST3:

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/1256/#Comment_1256

Donations

While you are under no obligation to donate, purchasing our libraries and supporting the work is thanks enough we do very much appreciate donations as there are a lot of costs and time needed to maintain such a large number of libraries.

Update News / Facebook / Forum

The New forum thread for all discussions related to any Freelance Soundlabs NKS library can be found Here: 

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/305/release-freelance-soundlabs-3rd-party-nks-libraries-for-komplete-kontrol-maschine#latest

You can also follow my Facebook page for the latest news and releases:

https://www.facebook.com/freelancesoundlabs

I release all news on updates and latest releases on these channels so if you are keen to know immediately when updates and releases are available then please follow these channels. I typically send this update email at the start of each month. 

Feedback / Requests / Questions? 

If you have any issues with any libraries, feedback about how useful/not useful these libraries are or any instruments/plugins to request NKS for simply reply to this email with your suggestions as the more we receive on certain products, the more likely they will be considered tho we cant invest in them all. I typically reply to every email but can occasionally miss one so don't hesitate to get in contact again.