Some Kontakt bargains

Of course the big NI news is the release of Komplete12 with platform updates to Kontakt and Massive. I may wait for the 50% sales but, in true NI fashion, the updates are a bargain. I figured that included instruments/libraries/plugins in the Ultimate12 Update worked out to be $9-10 each, whether it was a simple Massive expansion or VST processor or Symphony Strings2 Pro or Kontakt6 or MassiveX. Not a cheap package but still a bargain bundle when you consider the included content. I can say from experience that you get a lot more than you expected and you will have fun exploring and using the instruments and plugins for years---and it doesn't hurt to wait for the sales.

Being always at the top of the game, Sample Logic's offer of XOSPHERE is hard to pass up when its price is reduced by 66% (now $99 with coupon code XO66OFF until ???). Every time I open up a Sample Logic library with a definite purpose in mind I'm done in no time. Then I decide to just fool around. Then I look up and it's hours later.
XOSPHERE | Sample Logic LLC.

Kontak Hub has a number of good deals going on:
A lot of Kontakt synth for <$10: Tronsonics System1000. Over 500+ presets, 45 multis, randomization, nice performance features, responsive controls, tweaking quickly yields results.
System 1000M | Kontakt Instruments | Kontakt Hub

Not the deepest reductions ever offered but, still, 50% off of all Audiofier instruments. Great features, sounds and value---they're bargains at full price and a steal on sale (SEQui2R EX especially so). N.B.: For whatever reason, you will save substantially by passing up the Randomiser Series bundle and purchasing its content (Vesper, Abstrung and Aerkord) separately.
Audiofier | Kontakt Instruments | Kontakt Hub

Angel Cano libraries are reduced 60% until the end of the month.
Angel Cano Kontakt Guitars

Imagik Sounds came out Profundo (on sale for ~$12), with a stronger aleotoric effect than their very inexpensive Soave Sordino Strings (~$7). I didn't like the bizarre GUI at first but the two-page user manual makes it simple as smack-yourself-in-the-head pie. Definitely not in the meolodic category: you're never quite sure what note you'll get when you press a key---or hold it, for that matter---which is the hook of this dark sound generator. Holding down even a single note can generate seemingly endless, evolving soundscapes. The included patches all seemed way too quiet but the author alludes to this in the manual as a precaution for sub content. I started out not liking it but after I turned up the volume I found myself still playing with it an hour-and-a-half later.
Imagik Sound - Kontakt Instruments

SzcZ has released Sawmill, another maniacal instrument from someone who I thank God is not making WMDs. If you previously purchased Orchestrata Enigmata you can get a 30% discount with the code sawmill-30-enigma.
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/sawmill-7-osc-synth-kontakt

If you are not familiar with the back end of Kontakt via the monkey wrench (spanner; sorry, mates!), you might be interested in Spooky Chorus (~$3) as a learning tool for Kontakt's arpeggiator, a feature which is available for all those libraries that you thought didn't have an arp---as long as the developer doesn't lock you out of the back end. Contrast the unusual front page of Spooky Chorus with its arp page, which looks and functions exactly like Kontakt's arp tab---which many don't know is there and wouldn't know where, or even to, look for it. Spooky Chorus keeps it standard and makes it very accessible. I didn't find anything overtly exceptional about the sounds but using the arp opens up new possibilities. Do try the Hold Modes if you go there.
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/spooky-chorus-kontakt/


Zero-G has Ian Boddy's Odyssey on sale for $35 until 10/1. This is a collection of eight open-format Kontakt libraries with documentation, nearly 3000 standard/basic (Kontakt GUI only) nki patches for sounds, drums, percussion, effects, pads, kits, etc. Usually a category folder contains an "All" file, kind of a construction kit of every sound in the folder. A real bargain even if you have little or no experience with using Kontakt's back-end (monkey-wrench) to further tweak/modify the patches.
https://zero-g.co.uk/products/odyssey


If you're into the Trap/EDM/HipHop/Dance (probably all outdated, recategorized and subdivided terms by the time I post) side of things, you might want to sign up for MVP Loops newsletter for their sales on samples and construction kits for Kontakt (often referred to by them as Multi Format).
https://www.mvploops.com/

Channel Robot is offering a $9/month subscription service: all of their products and a new library/instrument each month (timeline already published). I come across more posts from those who use Channel Robot instruments as sequencers to drive their other libraries. I'm making some inquiries about possible discounts on their collaborations with LoopMasters, Zero-G, Divergent Audio Group, and Audio Reward. For more info:
http://channelrobot.com/about-everything-4-ever/

Thoughts, prayers and contributions for the victims of Hurricane Flo.

Paj
8^)
 
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8DIO Studio Percussion Auxiliary (previously known as Aura Studio Percussion) Flash Sale $48 Returns Back to $298 On September 28th 12 Noon PST. This one is clocks in at about 33GB.
Aura Percussion VST-AU-AAX - Kontakt Instruments & Samples

Speaking of drums/percussion, Muletone Audio products are reduced 40% for the next trhee days or so (until 10/1):
Muletone Audio - Kontakt Hub

Sampleism and Kontakt Hub are having Autumn sales. For whatever reasons, when on sale you can often save more buying the individual items than the bundle, so compare.
https://www.kontakthub.com/current-deals
Old Timer - Creative Kontakt Builds
https://www.sampleism.com/format/kontakt

FWIW: I always try to check out my Kontakt libraries on my old 32-bit 4GB and, while an occasional registered/factory library won't run or load, it's been uncommon for me to encounter open-source/third-party libraries/instruments that won't/wouldn't (I'm going to have to stop/quit doing that) run/load (LOLAM/SMH). A notable exception for me was Gothic Instrument's DRONAR series, so I'm happey to say that their latest omnibus Kontakt-Player version, DRONAR Master Edition, opened and ran just fine on the older system. It's not cheap but Gothic Instruments and Time+Space give generous loyalty discounts based on the number of DRONAR modules you previously purchased.
https://www.timespace.com/products/gothic-instruments-dronar-master-edition

Soundiron has an intro offer on Adey($59), the first volume in their "Voices Of Wind" modular female solo vocal series .
https://soundiron.com/collections/new-releases/products/voice-of-wind-adey

Still: Thoughts, prayers and contributions to the Hurricane Flo victims.

Paj
8^)
 
Rigid Audio continues to give away the store by offering the Ambiloop (I & II) Bundle for $4, Space Bundle for ~$4, Electronic Producer Bundle for $5, Synferno for $8, and Hypernode for $15---basically the whole sound store for $36 (it wouldn't surprise me that you'd get it all for less if you emailed them). As for the Ambiloops, these are the precursors to Synfero and Hypernode---like 4-channel construction kits: Bass, Pad, Ambient and Groove (The first three are pitch-keyed for an octive; the Groove is pitch-keyed for an octave and also keyed for an additional two octaves for sliced variations). While they lack the randomization, loading/swapping of individual layers, sequencing, and deep tweaking of Synferno and Hypernode they still offer a lot via old-school use of multis and MIDI-learn automation---and tweaking the phaser knob and the filter knob will quickly yield a ridiculous variety of timbral, rhythmic and sweeping variations for each individual layer in any given patch/nki (100 nki files come with each version). The Kontakt backend (with the notable exception of sequencer/arpeggiator) appears to be accessible. I've had them for years and I enjoy using Ambiloop libraries every time I open one up. I always have fun exploring the new stuff you can get out of them. If you're in the mood/market for something different but quickly applicable, the Rigid Audio items are bargains you shouldn't pass up. I would be remiss in not warning you that you may get a "Missing Samples" message/window from Kontakt and to remedy this I suggest: "Find Folder", then pointing to the RA_AMBILOOP_VOLx folder, then doing a Batch Resave to "permanently" solve the problem. The Electric Producers bundle contains four, common interface, triple-layer hybrid ROMplers which deserve exploring (I underestimated them the first few times I tried them out).
Rigid Audio Berlin | KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS | PRODUCTS | AMBILOOP BUNDLE

I wanted to mention that, after picking up Vir2 BASiS at Time+Space for a very low $40, I had problems authorizing it since it depends the no-longer implemented "Add Library" feature of pre-5.8 Kontakt, and Vir2 older authorization scheme poses authorization issue that Native Access (or even Service Center) can't completely get around to install it other than install it as a DEMO. Time+Space support came through in less than 24 hours and solved the problem with an apropriately-formatted serial number.

I recently picked up Audio Reward's Quarantine on intro sale at Kontakt Hub. While I don't enjoy Dark-grey on black GUIs (hint: alt skin, please), it does combine neat features from its Channel Robot and Audio Reward predecesors (Formation, Recirculate, Seurat, Brood, Orchestrata, Phenomena) and, in a genre that's rapidly becoming very crowded (the "constantly-evolving" ambient/underscore/cinematic/efx dual-layered arp/seqencer hybrid ROMpler), manages to bring a sample set with some of its own character and tilt (love the Atom-Hub-like things running around in some of the sounds).
Quarantine - Futuristic Alien Sound Design

As do many of you, I await the Black Friday sales.

Paj
8^)
 
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PulseSetter Sounds is offering a 2+ GB Kontakt Library for free with coupon code PSKV100. Jump on this one---it has a lot to offer. A lot of stuff pops up from patch to patch. More info at:
KVR: Pulsesetter-Sounds releases Epic Babies – Unique Hybrid Scoring Sample Instruments for Kontakt - Free for a limited time

Speaking of freebies: There are some nice Kontakt freebies (donations accepted) at 99Sounds, some from well-known commercial developers (e.g., Particular Sound, The Unfinished). All of the libraries, be they sample, Kontakt, etc., can be found here (and there are other things to check out on the website, including info on the libraries and the developers). :
Free Sound Effects (24-bit WAV) | 99Sounds
I went through the listing and found the ones with Kontakt patches, mappings, or GUIs. Some of the libraries are narrowly specialized but others (e.g., the "Project" and "Cinematic" ones) offer a usable, combined variety and I have seen some developers selling a lot less for more. They just might serve your needs:
Project Exodus: GUI and nice sounds
FREE Kontakt Library Project Exodus | 99Sounds
Project Pegasus (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso; nice sounds)
Ambient Pads For Kontakt 5 (Free Download) | 99Sounds
Simply Space (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso; mapped samples)
Free EDM Pad Samples By Nigel Good | 99Sounds
Cinematic Loops (mapped loop GUI, 3 nkis and 99 multis)
http://99sounds.org/cinematic-loops/
Mangling Audio (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso; drum & efx kits)
http://99sounds.org/mangling-audio/
Garage Foley (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso)
http://99sounds.org/garage-foley/
Kick Drum (GUI: AD, pitch, HP/LP, resos; non-mod efx)
http://99sounds.org/kick-drum/
MGF Audio (basic patches, mapped and tonal)
http://99sounds.org/mgf-audio/
Samples Of Tenalach (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso, verb. delay, dist; mapped samples)
http://99sounds.org/samples-of-tenalach/
Percussa Toolbox (basic patch, mapped)
http://99sounds.org/percussion-samples/
Magnetic Fields (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso)
http://99sounds.org/magnetic-fields/
White Noise SFX (basic patch, mapped)
http://99sounds.org/white-noise-sfx/
Vinyl Noise SFX (basic patch, mapped)
http://99sounds.org/vinyl-noise-sfx/
Bass City (simple GUI: ADSR, Filter Cutoff/Reso)
http://99sounds.org/bass-city/
Cinematic Sound Effects (simple GUI: AR, Filter HP/LP Cutoffs)
http://99sounds.org/cinematic-sound-effects/
The Warehouse (basic patch, mapped foley/found sounds)
http://99sounds.org/the-warehouse/

Rigid Audio continues to give away the store---everything is still on sale. I recently revisited the libraries in the Producers Bundle (Atomicron, Tropical Breeze, Electro House, and Lightyears) and was impressed by some of the things I previously missed or glossed over: Three-layer common-GUI ROMplers with nice samples, a nice formant feature, and nice adjustments. The sequencer time bases are global and no user manuals---but they're mostly straight-forward (N.B.: 1st . . . 3rd are how you select your levels) and if you get one you got 'em all. The sale-price value makes it a shame not to have them in your arsenal. You'll probably get one of these free, along with a 20% discount on your first order, if you just sign up for the Rigid Audio mailing list.
http://www.rigid-audio.com/index.html

If you signed up for 8DIO's newsletter, you probable just received a coupon code for 50% off anything at the 8DIO website, ending 11-30.

If you have previously purchased the Montclarion Hall Grand Piano from Soundiron, an upgrade is available for a ridiculously low amount if you contact Soundiron with a proof-of-purchase.

If you previously purchased Soniccouture's Haunted Spaces, you should be receiving an email intro offer (also in your account under "Products") for November Sky, a nice snapshot expansion from The Unfinished.

The intro sale (£20) on Fracture Sounds' Frozen Percussion: Crotales ends 11-9.
https://fracturesounds.com/product/frozen-crotales/

Also: Puremagnetik has their Foundation X Bundle on sale for $10 (9 Kontakt libraries, 1 Ableton-only library).
https://puremagnetik.com/products/foundation-x

Paj
8^)
 
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Didn't spring for the intro offers on Sample Logic's Xosphere 2? Here's a $6 (until the end of November) consolation prize on a 3GB Kontakt instrument that's definitely not run of the mill (not many at any price do wave/voice sequencing). If you sign up for the Rigid Audio newsletter you can even get another 20% off.
Cinematrix is, as far as I can tell, Synferno with a new set of sounds/kits---and more of them (350 as opposed to Synferno's 300). YouTube the Synferno Walkthrough to get an idea of the capabilities and features. From my experiences: Note that Cinematrix, like Synferno, is fun to use but likes ASIO and likes more resources than might be alotted by Kontakt in a 32-bit environment to run all four voices simultaneously. You can get around this in Kontakt by selecting: Settings->Engine->CPU overload protection->disabled. Worst case scenario: A 2-core CPU bounces around 50%.

Rigid Audio Berlin | KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS | PRODUCTS | CINEMATRIX

Paj
8^)


Just in: 70% off all AudioThing Kontakt libraries at Kontakt Hub:
AudioThing | Kontakt Instruments | Kontakt Hub
 
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If you want to sign up for Sonokinetic's 12 Days of Christmas offer notifications:
Subscribe to 12 Days of Christmas Sale - Sonokinetic - Sample libraries and Virtual Instruments
In past years they have offered free orchestral strings and brass libraries for free on a first-come-first-served basis, so you have to be aware they are being offered.

Rigid Audio continues to sell out the store and has a new ambient-focused Synferno-engine offering: SUPINE ($6 or less with email/sign-up discount). It's not Cinemorphix or Xosphere2 (Sample Logic) but, then again, it's only ~1% of the cost and it, along with the previously released CINEMATIX (and SYNFERNO), are distinctive bargains. Read my previous posting for some operating info.
Rigid Audio Berlin | KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS | PRODUCTS | SUPINE

VSTbuzz has a number of Kontakt libraries still on Black-Friday sale (Barrage, Vesper, Pads Bundle, Underscore, Orchestral Bundle, and Aurora Choir) but only until Tuesday evening (12-4). Most of the deals are secreted away under the 'Previous Deals" link at the bottom of the webpage.
Products Archive - VSTBuzz

Most of the sales items at Kontakt Hub are back to regular prices but there is one item on sale that I found to be good-sounding, quick and easy (especially if you are familiar with the two-layer, subtractive ROMpler format). It just seems to have the right stuff and has a nice intro price (~$20, until 12-7).
Volt - Electrifying Kontakt Library

8DIO is having a series of "25 Days Of Surprises" specials, starting with their 15-instrument Misfit Bundle for $98 (until ~noon, 12-4). The specials each last two days. They also are having a scoring contest for a $2000 8DIO voucher. I should also mention that The New 1928 Scoring Piano ($178) is being added for free to any order over $98 for the next two days (looks like this offer expires the morning of 12-5, EST).
12-4: Just added 8DIoboe ($8)!
8Dio

Paj
8^)
 
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Homegrown Sounds has started the Circular fo Kontakt Group Buy ($20) with the potential to deliver 15 products and it's already close to level 2 and a third product. Always a notable bargain---I'm still being whelmed by the Cassetto Group Buy from two years ago. In addition to targeted, newly-developed Kontakt instruments this group buy has levels that allow you to select a product from a not-to-shabby list---Kontakt instruments, synth presets, samples, and VSTs. Treat yourself.
Circular for Kontakt GROUP BUY 15 Products | Homegrown Sounds

Sonokinetics 12 Days of Christmas starts today (12-12) at 11:00am EST. Past specials have included at least one free orchestral give-away---but these were offered to, say, the first 500 respondents so watch the clock. You can sign up for notifications at:
Subscribe to 12 Days of Christmas Sale - Sonokinetic - Sample libraries and Virtual Instruments

8DIO continues to daily provide libraries at highly reduced bargain prices, even occasionallyadding a free bonus libraries for purchases of at least $99. If you haven't already, subscribe to the newsletter to get timely notifications of offers.
8Dio

The Unfinished storewide sale includes, among many synth patch deals, five Kontakt (synth percussion) libraries (Algorhythm 01, Drumstruck1-4---separately or bundled) until 12/28, with the code THEWOLVESARERUNNING.
Christmas Sale 2018 – The Unfinished

If you don't have a Sample Logic Rhythmology-type library, Expeditions is a good deal at AudioPlugin.Deals until the evening of 12-12.
Expeditions | Sample Logic LLC.

BigWerks is still having a 48%-off sale, ending very soon (use code HOLIDAY).
https://bigwerks.com/

Loops De La Creme is having a Create Your Own Bundle sale (20%-40%). You can get details at:
https://www.loopsdelacreme.com/bundles/

Zero-G is having its Winter Sale with up to 65% off sale until 1-4-2019.
https://zero-g.co.uk/

I don't own it but Audiofier just came out with something interesting and I've never been disappointed in their products. I always found them to be creative and a cut above in sound quality:
http://www.audiofier.com/riffendium/

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT:
Having a degree in the natural sciences, I've been experiencing the "information explosion" for (oh, God...) over 50 years and now, with the manipulation, foisting, and unjuried acceptance of opinion via social media, the volume and awareness of information seems to be expanding like the Universe---because it is. All this is to say that we probably all have our own time-consuming favorites on YouTube, so I hesitate to suggest any---but if you want an informed walkthrough/review of Kontakt orchestral libraries, developers, and Drum VST instruments/libraries, you might want to add some of these videos to your research:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ShaloksMoshVids/videos
He might initially come off as someone who drives his Bugatti to his Bently to retrieve the caviar from the glovebox cooler but that's just because he just might be a really knowledgable class act---and what working musician isn't really working their posterior off while actually maintaining an image that belies the fiscal realities of being a musician? If you check out the videos he does for, say, Auddict products, you'll witness balanced, informed reviews based on the value, features and performance of the products---with some nice orchestration thrown in. His walkthroughs can humble the developer's own promo.

Paj
8^)
 
8DIO has Symphonic Shadows on 90%-off flash sale (12-14, $28). It's a susbstantial orchestral effects hybrid that deserves consideration (videos/soundtracks on the website). 8DIO continues to daily provide libraries at highly reduced bargain prices, even occasionally adding a free bonus libraries for purchases of at least $99. If you haven't already, subscribe to the newsletter to get timely notifications of offers.
8Dio

Day two of Sonokinetic's 12 Days of Christmas saw a few thousand copies of newly-released Ostinado Woodinds offered for free, and the website endured various degrees of swamping and 504 errors for the last 4 of 5 hours of free giveaways. An email this morning informed me that duplicate serial numbers may have gone out, so if Native Access won't accept your serial (or none was provided in their confirmatory email), they ask that you contact support. They do take care of their customers, and, please, be patient. I'm sure they will be politely dealing with support tickets like "Do I need Kontakt to run a Kontakt library?" and I would hate to see them stop this generous tradition
12 Days of Christmas Sale - Sonokinetic - Sample libraries and Virtual Instruments

Sound Dust is having a 30%-off holiday sale but also, in a frightening move, has joined forces with Szcz to offer Cracklefield and Sawmill Dust at 50% off (~$33, each). The latter is a SoundDust version of Sawmill, available for one week only.
Sound Dust

Soniccouture is offering 7 Days 7 Sales (12/14-21/18). Sign up for their newsletter if interested.
Soniccouture | Virtual Instruments

A while back I posted info about a nice freebie offer (Epic Babies) from PulseSetter Sounds. They have just released Pulsor for Kontakt, a version of one of their Zebra libraries and, from the vidoes, targets cinematic pulses, pads and efx and it looks to be nicely-featured. Intro priced at a slightly-reduced $35.
Pulsor I for Kontakt | PulseSetter-Sounds | Cinematic Sound Design

I just received a posting that informed me of a up-to-70%-off sale at KeepForest.
https://keep-forest.com/

Homegrown Sounds' Circular fo Kontakt Group Buy ($20) has reached level 2 and a third product. Always a notable bargain---I joined and have already garnered a Kontakt synth and over three-thousand PadshopPro patches. Any ReAni- instrument offered is worth multiples of the buy-in cost, and two are planned. Treat yourself.
https://hgsounds.com/product/circular-for-kontakt/

Paj
8^)

P.S.: I should have mentioned that Kontakt Hub is having its Christmas Sale, with about two dozen developers' products reduced 50% or more---and is offering a free Atom Hub library (Mechaniano) via your (free) Kontakt Hub account.
https://www.kontakthub.com/current-deals
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/mechaniano-kontakt/

Also: Rigid Audio has reduced their prices even more (you could get all of their Kontakt instruments/libraries for a total of ~$42 [or less with the sign-up discount]), at a time when, and I won't say who, one of the popular webstores is selling Rigid's Hypernode for ~$250.
http://www.rigid-audio.com/

P.P.S.: I don't want to keep making addendi to this post so, if you're interested in the orchestral, make a daily check on the 8DIO and Sonokinetic websites. Today has a pair of particularly good deals:

Sweet deal at 8DIO: Lacrimosa Epic Choir for $98 (normally $598) until Wednesday, midnight, PST. If you purchase it today (Tuesday) before midnight PST you also get CAGE Brass (trumpets, trombones and horns) as a free gift (normally $398).
https://8dio.com/

Sweet deal at Sonokinetic until Thursday at 11:00am EST: Woodwinds Ensembles 80% off: Standard Edition ~$70, Extended Edition ~$93; detailed info for each edition at:
https://www.sonokinetic.net/products/classical/woodwinds-ensembles/
 
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I wanted to remind you that a lot of bargains go off sale after today, so check out the bargains at 8DIO, Keepforest, Cinesamples, Soniccouture, Rigid Audio, Plugin Boutique, Time+Space, and Kontakt Hub. Subscription deals from ADSR, Groove3, and Ask.Video will also expire. If you took the Sample Logic survey, you'll have until January 4th to use your coupon, and deals from Muletone Audio, Audiofier, AAS, Samples From Mars, and Arturia (Pigments intro) offers will also soon be expiring.

Speaking of Kontakt Hub, one highly-reduced bargain that you should consider taking advantage of there is The Pentagon from Dark Harmony (~$8, for another 7 days). This dual-layer ROMpler comes with almost 1300 presets and has a boggling array of tweaking features, capabilities and options. At the current sale price, this joins the Cinematic/Synferno/AmbiLoops offerings from Rigid Audio as the biggest Kontakt bargains under $10.
The Pentagon | Kontakt Instruments | Kontakt Hub
Rigid Audio Berlin | KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS | HOME

Speaking of Kontakt bargains under $10, Erick McNerney's Beautiful Void Audio has two on sale: Stereo String Sustains ($1) and Traffic Design ($2.50), along with three sample sets for $2 each (and a pair of freebies). You may recognize the name from numerous library example soundfiles you came across while investigating soundware online.
Beautiful Void

Aria Sounds has upgraded Aurora Choir to v2, and Kontakt Hub and VSTbuzz have the upgrades for free for previous purchasers in the user account areas. If you are interested in a first-time purchase, Kontakt Hub has it on sale ($89) for the next six days.

Homegrown Sounds' Circular Group buy, in true HGS fashion, has blossomed into more that it started out to be, adding two more planned Kontakt instruments and re-instating the Augment Group Buy. Now cross-talleying (a buy in either one counts towards a shared total), the Circular for Kontakt and Augment Revisited Group Buys ($20, each) have reached level 3 and a fourth product. Always a notable bargain---I joined and have already garnered a two Kontakt synths and over three-thousand PadshopPro patches. Any ReAni- instrument offered is worth multiples of the buy-in cost, and two are planned. Treat yourself.
Circular for Kontakt GROUP BUY 15 Products | Homegrown Sounds
Augment Group Buy Revisited | Homegrown Sounds

Hey, everyone---may the New Year find you in the states of health, happiness, prosperity, and at peace with creation and The Creator.

Paj
8^)
 
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In response to some forum suggestions, Homegrown Sounds has pre-released Dark Matter ($20), an Advanced Loop Re-Sequencer which works with tempo synced Loops in a variety of ways. Sales of Dark Matter will also add to the Circular Group Buy totals. The Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined) has already yielded two new Kontakt instrumnets and two back-catalog picks. Bass loops/samples/instruments appear to be the current thrust of the Group Buy. It was a bargain from the get-go and has only become more so.
Dark Matter Pre-Release Offer | Homegrown Sounds
Circular for Kontakt GROUP BUY 15 Products | Homegrown Sounds

Until the end of January: Swirly Drums, an interesting drum/brushes library ($9) for Kontakt and Sforzando:
Swirly Drums - Karoryfer Samples - Karoryfer Lecolds

There is a free Middle Eastern instruments library available at Plugin Boutique but there seems to be some issue at the moment with downloading it. You can still add it to the FREE pages in your Plugin Boutique account and get it when the issue is resolved :
TAQSIM, Free Kontakt Instrument plugin, Download TAQSIM plugin, Free TAQS.IM vst plugins

Consider getting on 8DIO's mailing list; their flash sales are still going on. For example, they have a nice viola library on sale until Sunday night (12/13) for $28:
Adagio Violas VST-AU-AAX - Kontakt Instruments & Samples

If you're having trouble keeping your eyes open while you're working on your compositions, you might want to try this solo cello library. Distracting but effective---and if you do manage to drift off you'll probably have the best dreams.
https://www.bestservice.com/tina_guo_vol_2.html

Speaking of Best Service: There you can get Hypernode for $220 and Ambiloop Vols. 1 & 2 for $70---or, for $12 and $2.50, respectively, directly from Rigid Audio (still maintaining their sale prices on these items and almost everything else on the website). This is just to say that these sales have ended at Best Service (and Kontakt Hub) but are there are still great bargains at Rigid Audio.
http://www.rigid-audio.com/index.html

There's a new freebie available through your account at Kontakt Hub:
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/micro-pod-kontakt-free/

If you have ever lost the graphics for you products in the Kontakt Libraries window/tab of Kontakt (just titled, blank, grey cells instead of developers graphics), here's a quick and easy tip from NI Forum moderator EvilDragon that worked like magic for me---just delete the contents of your Kontakt LibrariesCache folder:
1) Backup the LibrariesCache folder just to be safe and use a standard Delete (not Shift-Delete) to delete the contents of the LibrariesCache folder and to have a couple ways to restore the files just in case something went wrong
2) In Win10, the directory path is:
C:\Users\YourComputer-UserName\AppData\Local\Native Instruments\Kontakt 5\LibrariesCache
(You probably can start your path by using your personal icon which is probably the top-left (first) icon on your desktop)
3) You probably won't even need to do this but there is a Refresh button (circular arrows) to the left of the Libraries tab, just in case your missing graphics are not automatically displaying.

Also, if you are having issues with Kontakt seeing/finding the Walker 1955 Steinway D, this advice from Embertone might quickly solve it (it did for me):
Try renaming "Walker 1955 Steinway D.nicnt" to "Walker 1955 Concert D.nicnt" (or "Walker 1955 Steinway D Lite.nicnt" to "Walker 1955 Concert D Lite.nicnt" if you have the Lite version).
If this doesn't work, contact Embertone support and they will provide some additional steps.

Still having a blast with my Black Friday - Holiday purchases.

Paj
8^)
 
If you haven't followed this Sample Library Review feature, here's the link to the "Deal Compressor":
Deal Compressor: This Weeks Sales Highlights - February 11, 2019 - Sample Library Review
Don't forget to check the links below the videos.

Here are some items not (yet) mentioned:

8DIO is having a sweet Flash Sale (>80% off) on its Blendstrument line---$38 each or all five for $148. Ends 02/14 10AM PST---sorry that I didn't get this out sooner, so: subscribe to the 8DIO newsletter!
8Dio

Some sequels:
Volt II from Castle Instruments is available at Kontakt Hub for an intro price of ~$21 with an additional 25% loyalty discount for Volt (1) purchasers (code: VOLT25). This is one of those instrument series that has features, snapshots and soundsets that just work quickly and well. It can be addictive and you will regret not stopping to save your own snapshots.
Volt II - Castle Instruments

Mechia (~$14) from ChannelRobot is the third in a series of instruments, joining Recoil and Atmosia. The bad news: The GUI takes some fooling around with to get what's going on. The good news: Not pain fooling around and when you get one, you got 'em all.
Mecchia - Kontakt Drone machine
Don't forget that ChannelRobot has its own E4E library subscription service:
About Everything-4-Ever – channelrobot.com

Kirk Hunter Studios has the full-retail Kontakt version (not Player) of of Virtuoso Ensembles reduced 73% (now $80 until 2-24):
https://www.kirkhunterstudios.com/products/virtuoso-ensembles-kontakt-retail/

Homegrown Sounds has released Succession Pro ($20) and continues to unlock levels in the Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined). The Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined) has already yielded seven new Kontakt instrumnets and three back-catalog picks (I garnered over 5500 Padshop Pro presets). Bass loops/samples/instruments appear to be a thrust of the Group Buy---and of course, a la Homegrown Sounds, sequencing, arpeggiation, tweaking and randomization. It was a bargain from the start and only becomes more so. Frankly, I think the HGS group buys are over-generous. I'm still working my way through the items I got in the previous two group buys.
https://hgsounds.com/product/circular-for-kontakt/

Rigid Audio continues to boggle the market with amazingly inexpensive bargains. Aquiver (~$5) switches away from the current Synferno engine series with a different approach. I'm still exploring its Strings folder and have been able to generate some interesting and unusual orchestral sounds/cues. It's different.
http://www.rigid-audio.com/index.html

If you're in the never-enough-strings category, Box Cello (~$21) from Decent Samples is a nice addition to the arsenal (Cinesamples Tina Guo 2 still gets my vote for splash screen aesthetics).
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/box-cello-kontakt/

Speaking of Cinesamples, they just put a lot of percussion libraries on sale:
https://www.bestservice.com/deals/cinesamples_percussion_sale.html

I did pick up Spitfire's British Drama Tools ($120) during their recent Thunderbolt Flash Sale and eagerly await being able to authorize it after Native Access going south on me after its latest update, which did update a pair of NI apps and allow me to authorize a library serial but hasn't run since. This is the first time that I have had an issue with Native Access since their initial Open-GLE introductory debacle (so, I guess it's the second time), but one time is one too many for an installer/licenser. I have more thoughts on this but I'd be interested in yours.

Paj
8^)
 
If you haven't followed this Sample Library Review feature, here's the link to the "Deal Compressor":
Deal Compressor: This Weeks Sales Highlights - March 5, 2019 - Sample Library Review
Don't forget to check the links below the videos.

Here are some items not (yet) mentioned:

8DIO is offering Supercluster (almost 5GB) for $8, and a contest.
Supercluster for Kontakt VST-AU-AAX Samples

Rigid Audio is having a flash sale right now: Supine and Cinematrix, $3.33 each. Aquiver 1.1 increased to $10 but also went from 300 to 1000 sounds (update free for previous purchasers).
Rigid Audio | KONTAKT INSTRUMENTS | HOME

VST Buzz has a number of Kontakt offerings at steep discounts for their Kontakt Developers Week Sale.

Another sequel: Electria (~$14) from ChannelRobot is the fourth in a series of instruments, quickly joining Mechia, Recoil and Atmosia. The bad news: The GUI takes some fooling around with to get what's going on. The good news: Not painful fooling around with it and when you get one, you got 'em all.
Mecchia - Kontakt Drone machine
Don't forget that ChannelRobot has its own E4E library subscription service:
Unknown Domain | WPMU DEV WordPress Hosting

Homegrown Sounds has released Emergent Properties ($20) and continues to unlock levels in the Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined), which will end 3-15. The Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined) has already yielded nine new Kontakt instruments and four back-catalog picks (I garnered over 5500 Padshop Pro presets). Bass and guitar loops/samples/instruments appear to be a thrust of the Group Buy---and of course, a la Homegrown Sounds, sequencing, arpeggiation, tweaking and randomization. These are definitely not run-of-the-mill offerings. The Circular Group Buy was a bargain from the start and only becomes more so. Also, it looks like HGS products are now being offered at Kontakt Hub.
https://hgsounds.com/product/circular-for-kontakt/

Paj
8^)
 
Last edited:
If you haven't followed this Sample Library Review feature, here's the link to the "Deal Compressor":
Deal Compressor: This Weeks Sales Highlights - March 26, 2019 - Sample Library Review
Don't forget to check the links below the videos.

Here are some items not (yet) mentioned:

If you have previously purchased Impact Soundworks Shreddage libraries, you should have update offers for Shreddage 3 upgrades/updates in your account under the "Deals" link. While advertised at $20 per upgrade, additional discounts are applied for multiple upgrades (I paid $68 for four upgrades). The Shreddage 3 upgrades are now Free Kontakt Player libraries.
Homepage - Impact Soundworks

I just aquired Ecliptic Audio's Hexa Percusion Designer at its intro price ($19) at Kontakt Hub and I have to say I like it and am having fun with it. It's straight-forward, quick and killer---just one of those instruments that seems to have the right set of features and capabilities to make hours pleasantly evaporate before your ears. Worth more than the full price and maybe a class leader at its price-point. Also at Kontakt Hub, Vita Solo, another nice sounding ethnic drum library from Ecliptiq with some unusual sequencing features, is now free (formerly ~$36) to anyone who has signed up for a free account. Ecliptiq's Galactiq and Haiku are also offered free to account holders.
Hexa Rhythm Designer - Kontakt
Vita Solo - Ethnic Percussion for Kontakt
Galactiq - Free Kontakt Instrument - Kontakt Hub
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/Haiku/

Soundethers has released Dream Fields with an intro price (~$10, if you get it at the right place). It uses the Photosynthesis engine, so Kontakt's backend options/edits are available to you. Do we really need another ambient library? Well, Soundethers stuff stands the test of time and the patches are usually haunting and evolving across the keyboard, with melodic qualities. This one comes with an interesting combination of Pads, Soundscapes, and Field Recordings, with a lot of modwheel programmed into the patches.
https://www.kontakthub.com/product/dream-fields-kontakt/
Some Kontakt freebies at the website:
https://soundethers.wixsite.com/soundethers

8DIO continues to offer Supercluster (almost 5GB) for $8, and a contest. A number of 8DIO instuments/libraries/bundles go on flash-sale during the week so, if you're interested in their stuff, get on their mailing list.
https://8dio.com/instrument/supercluster/

Speaking of mailing lists, Zero-G has been having flash sales for Kontakt libraries and instruments so, if you're interested in their stuff, get on their mailing list.
https://zero-g.co.uk/

Two developers that present a case for creative insanity via the instruments they develop and commercial insanity via the low prices they charge for their group-buys/subscriptions:

Homegrown Sounds continues to unlock levels in the Circular Group Buy ($20; I joined), which will end in ten days (4-1). The Circular Group Buy has already yielded 11 new Kontakt instruments and five back-catalog picks. These are definitely not run-of-the-mill offerings. The Circular Group Buy was a bargain from the start and only becomes more so. Also, it looks like HGS products are now being offered at Kontakt Hub.
https://hgsounds.com/product/circular-for-kontakt/

Channel Robot's E4E (Everything For Ever) subscription is a another ridiculously low-priced opportunity to again garner a lot of creative Kontakt instruments---and to continue to do so on a regular basis. Despite a proposed release schedule, this developer has been delivering additional surprise releases to his subscribers.
https://channelrobot.com/about-everything-4-ever/

Happy Spring, everyone (i.e., north of the Equator)
Paj
8^)
 
Again, if you haven't followed this Sample Library Review feature, here's the link to the "Deal Compressor":
Deal Compressor: This Weeks Sales Highlights - May 28, 2019 - Sample Library Review
Don't forget to check the links below the videos. Checking out The Deal Compressor, the KVR Newsletter, and the Deals page on gearslutz.com will generally let you know most of the deals being offered.

Here are some items not (yet) mentioned:

The Sonex Studio Pro Suite ($60, not >$110 as originally stated in the KVR Newsletter)---Can you afford this one? It's not the price, it's the total size: >600GB (700GB required for installation)! Of course, you don't have to download all 15 libraries, and individual libraries are still on sale ($20, 80-90% off). The sale ends 5/31. Use the link because trying to track down the website will remind you just how badly commercialized many search engines have become.
Sonex Audio | Virtual Instruments for electronic music production.

Global Audio Tools is having a "We're Back" sale at their website to celebrate the fact that their website is back up and running. Every item is priced at $5, including their Kontakt libraries (they have about 20 Kontakt libraries available, a few for free) and VST instruments. If these types of libraries/instruments are your thing, this is a good deal. The sale ends 5/31.
Global Audio Tools | Kontakt 5 Expansion Libraries

BigWerks has a free gratitude library for subscribers (old and new). Purchasing their new Ambient Trappin' Kontakt Library (now $30) during the current sale (50% off) enters you into a all-Kontakt-libraries give-away drawing.
Fluoresce Kontakt Library (FREE) - BigWerks
Bigwerks.com - Kontakt library, Trap, Hip hop, R&B

Channel Robot continues to exceed their published release schedule for E4E (Everything For Ever) subscribers. It looks like the un-scheduled releases go on sale for a few weeks (Kontakt Hub, et. al.) and then get added to the E4E download catalog.
https://channelrobot.com/about-everything-4-ever/

If you have enough reward points, you can get The LO.VE. Piano for free at VST Buzz:
https://vstbuzz.com/the-vault/the-love-piano/

Loops De La Creme just upgraded its Sound Miniatures to a Kontakt instument and it's still available for the intro price (~$5) until 5/31.
https://www.loopsdelacreme.com/one-shots

8DIO continues with their weekly onslaught of deals and bargains so you might want to consider their newsletter. Because I previously purchased their orchestral Anthology library, I was offered the upgrades for all of the components of their Adagio Strings series, as each section becomes available as V2, for $8. Hard to beat.
https://8dio.com/

Homegrown Sounds Circular Group Buy, still open ($20; I joined), has reached and exceeded all of its original goals (15 Kontakt instruments and 7 bonus/catalog selections). The Group Buy will end on today (5-28). These are definitely not run-of-the-mill offerings, whether you select additional Kontakt instruments, synth presets, or samples (the offered sample collection even includes an additional 9 Kontakt libraries). If you have the full version of Kontakt, this is a complete no-brainer. Because of the 7 catalog picks, it's still a sweet deal even without owning Kontakt if you own a couple of the synths that have offered presets (ArcSyn, IRIS, Padshop Pro, Zebra 2, Spire, HALion, Virtual CZ, Dune 2, TAL Bassline, Poly KB II, Sampletank2, miniSyn'X, DSI Evolver, UHE Bazille, Linplug Spectral, and Virus TI) or you are ok with 32-bit VSTs. There is a link to the KVR Group Buy Blog so you can keep up with the progress of the delivery/development. Thinking that the HGS Group Buys are the gifts that keep on giving is a serious understatement---I'm still working my way through and having a good time with all the stuff I got in the first group buy from two years ago. Last chance to pull the trigger:
https://hgsounds.com/product/circular-for-kontakt/

Sorry that I got this info out so close to some of the deadlines but I did finally manage to get veggies (including over three-dozen varieties of heirloom tomatoes) into the ground after a very wet Philly Spring.

Paj
8^)
 
I just wanted to update some info on he Sonex Audio Studio Pro Suite (still $60, not >$110 as originally stated in the KVR Newsletter). The total size is not 600GB; Win10 is reporting 240GB for my installation. Don't know exactly why "700GB required for installation" is claimed. You don't have to download all 15 libraries at once (actually 23 downloads---the Acoustic Pianos library downloads as 9 separate piano libraries), and individual libraries are still on sale ($20, 80-90% off). The sale is stii going on. Again, use the link because trying to track down the website will remind you just how badly commercialized many search engines have become.
Studio Pro Suite

So far, the best prices I've come across for some options during the annual NI 50% sale are at Time-Space.


Paj
8^)
 
Black Friday---This pretty much nails it for me: I think the Sample Logic, iZotope, and Spitfire deals are exceptional and the others mentioned are very good.
Cut The Crap… Black Friday 2019 – The Samplecast
I think the Sample Logic, iZotope, and Spitfire deals are exceptional and the others mentioned are very good. I even bought a another copy of BreakTweaker just for the expansions---cheaper that way!

If you go for the Morphestra2 deal, you might want to pick it up here:
Black lighting deals - Audio Plugin Deals
You get matching reward bucks and they have a bunch of good flash deals going, including another Sample Logic library (Cinematic Keys). I'm guessing that Sample Logic has a bunch of Kontakt 6.2 upgrades in mind, using the sample drag-and-drop to the GUI front-end feature* but current SL libraries are hard to beat for sound, features, and quality (reasons that they can take over a mix as Rueben alluded to). I've had Morphestra (and others) for years and they're fresh every time I open them up because there are so many presets and ways to manipulate and tweak them, especially with their four-core instruments (like Morphestra2).

Of course, there are other great deals all over the place. In case you missed it, this should help---Sample Library Review maintains this Black Friday list:
2019 Sample Library Review Holiday Sales Guide - Sample Library Review
Quite an effort an much less confusing than my inbox.

Paj
8^)

*The current Homegrown Sounds Group Buy is already producing instruments like this, taking advantage of this and the wavetable synth capabilities of Kontakt 6. I'm not sure when the buy-in goes to full price ($50) but the intro price of $25 appears to still be in effect.
Serenity Group Buy | Homegrown Sounds

By the way: Visit the Sonokinetic website to sign up for this year's 12 Days Of Christmas Deals newsletter.
Subscribe to ‘12 days of Christmas’ - Sonokinetic - Sample libraries and Virtual Instruments
 
Sonokinetic just started their "12 Days of Christmas Sale" with 75%-off for their DaCapo library ($49 instead of $199).
12 Days of Christmas Sale - Sonokinetic - Sample libraries and Virtual Instruments

8DIO has a flash deals for a calendar sale, continuing their bargains from "Black November."
8Dio


If you don't already have it, I heartily suggest that you consider Morphestra 2, a top-tier library, while it's still available at the lowest price I can remember ($90). Even with upcoming libraries taking advantage of the new features appearing in Kontakt6, this feature-rich package will serve you well for years to come. You'll realize this once you start working your way through the 5000 or so presets and seeing all the things that go into them and what can be done with and to them. Treat yourself.
Audio Plugin Deals
(APD also has a bargain on a two-library bundle from Karanyi for $10)


Paj
8^)
 
Free until mid January Native Instruments RAUM reverb. Also a free $ voucher. I installed the reverb yesterday it is awsome . Check out the videos . mark
 
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