Native Instruments has announced an upcoming expansion of its recently established Kore Soundpack line, with four additional high-quality libraries scheduled for release in March. The new sound packs will offer a wide selection of inspiring, production-ready sound material for various musical applications and styles, ranging from state-of-the-art synthesizer sounds to highly authentic horns and versatile acoustic drums, all specifically optimized for use in Kore 2 and in the upcoming free Kore Player.

Based on the powerful Kore Sound format, the Kore Soundpack libraries make full use of the advanced capabilities of Kore 2, the innovative host system and designated "super instrument" from Native Instruments. By utilizing its multiple integrated synthesis and sampling engines, innovative sound morphing, convenient preset categorization, powerful internal effects and more, Kore Soundpacks effectively take the concept of sound libraries to the next level.

Complementing the four Kore Soundpacks already available, the upcoming new libraries include:

• Massive Expansion Vol. 1, which contains 200 production-ready leads, basses and pad sounds based on the powerful Massive wavetable engine.
• Best of Absynth with 200 soundscapes, pads and keyboard sounds from the library of Native Instruments' acclaimed semi-modular synthesizer.
• Pop Drums, featuring studio-grade acoustic drum kits specifically engineered for pop productions, and equipped with an extensive collection of MIDI grooves.
• Kontakt Sax & Brass, a library of highly sophisticated trumpet, saxophone and trombone instruments, recorded by renowned sampling specialist Chris Hein and designed for Jazz, Funk and R'n'B styles.

Thanks to the upcoming free Kore Player software with its basic playback and sound management features, all Kore Soundpacks are effectively "ready to play", for immediate use in any host sequencer or as self-contained standalone instruments. For more demanding musicians and producers, the Kore 2 system opens up additional Kore Sound functionality with its advanced sound editing and hardware control features. The "Massive Expansion Vol. 1" can also be used with the individual Massive synthesizer, while "Pop Drums" includes additional versions of the kits for use in the Kontakt 3 and Battery 3 samplers.

Native Instruments is determined to establish the Kore Soundpacks line as the most valuable, diverse and inspiring range of sound material for studio and stage, and is aiming to release over a dozen additional Kore Soundpacks over the course of 2008.

The new Kore Soundpacks will be available for download purchase on the NI website beginning March 2008 for a price of $59 / €49, with "Pop Drums" being priced at $79 / €69.