KVR Audio

BitFlipper · Post by **BitFlipper** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:10 pm

I did a quick search in the forum to see if this has been discussed yet but did not find anything. Or did I miss it?

Anyway, I have Kontakt 1.5 and was wondering how good Kontakt 2 is compared to it? Specifically, I was not too impressed with the 1.5 library, and only use a few samples from its library.

Since I'll need to pay $170 to upgrade to v2, is the new library good enough to warrent that? I am really looking for a good library since I gave up completely on SamplteTank 2 LE, and would need to pay $200 to upgrade to the full version of ST2 if I want to work around the limitations of ST2 LE.

Oh, and typically any new major release of Kontakt is quite buggy. Have they fixed all the new issues with patches already?

BitFlipper

Vocalpoint Studios · Post by **Vocalpoint Studios** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:24 pm

2.02 is the latest...but K2 is still a bugfest with new problems now reported from suddenly being unauthorized (after applying the new update)....to on-going output issues (after the HUGE claim that the output options were finally working) to my favorite - trying to load libraries like GPO or Artist Drums only to have K2 tell you that the libraries are not licensed. Even tho they work just peachy in 1.53.

My advise - do what you can and do what you must in 1.53 and have a look at K2 when you just wanna poke around and see what it can and cannot do. K 2 will need at least one more patch for me to care enough to make it my "go-to" app...

BitFlipper · Post by **BitFlipper** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:37 pm

Vocalpoint Studios wrote:2.02 is the latest...but K2 is still a bugfest with new problems now reported from suddenly being unauthorized (after applying the new update)....to on-going output issues (after the HUGE claim that the output options were finally working) to my favorite - trying to load libraries like GPO or Artist Drums only to have K2 tell you that the libraries are not licensed. Even tho they work just peachy in 1.53.

My advise - do what you can and do what you must in 1.53 and have a look at K2 when you just wanna poke around and see what it can and cannot do. K 2 will need at least one more patch for me to care enough to make it my "go-to" app...

Thanks for the great info. I will wait a little longer till the next patch comes out and try to figure out if it's a good time to get it then.

BTW, were you at all able to listen to the new libraries? How good are they compared to the 1.x libraries? For the amount of hype surrounding the 1.x libraries, I was surprized to find so few actual instruments in it, and most were uninspiring...

BitFlipper

Vocalpoint Studios · Post by **Vocalpoint Studios** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:46 pm

Well...I held off installing K2 at all since I received my upgrade discs a couple months back. The very first K2 release was a complete disaster...as soon as the reports started coming in...I immediately filed my discs in the rack and ignored it.

Then a couple weeks back...when news of 2.0.2 broke...I got excited...installed and was promptly let down again by output problems...authorization crap...etc etc as noted above. So again - the app is installed - but I cannot see any point in using it until it gives me at least the same output config options and of course, the ability to load my Kompact/Eastwest libraries like I can in 1.53.

As far as the new library goes - before I snapped and got pissed off with 2.0.2 - I think I checked out one patch from the new library (A rhodes piano) and it was quite good.

Ocean Zen · Post by **Ocean Zen** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:32 pm

I'm using K2 in quite a basic way in Logic 6.4.3 under Panther & Tiger, works fine for me.

ghost072 · Post by **ghost072** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:50 pm

The new library is infinitely better than the one that came with Kontakt 1.5. Ok, that's not saying much...how about it is actually pretty good? The orchestra is pretty damn nice; not like having a real orchestra library, but not a bad substitute. The instrument samples, like the guitars, pianos and basses are much better and there are some nice drum libraries, too. Overall, it is a real library, not the hodge-podge joke that came with 1.5.

Is it worth $170? Yes, I'd say so, especially compared with sample CD prices, or if you look at it as a standalone VST instrument. Plus, you'll have the ability to use the new KONTAKT EXPERIENCE which looks like it will have some super cool stuff in it (of course, that'll cost another $119, but at least you'll have the option).

On a side note, I haven't had any technical issues with 2.0, but I have heard a lot of people complaining.

zircon · Post by **zircon** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:05 am

Kontakt 2 is AMAZING. Best sampler I've ever used, I love it. Well worth the money to upgrade. Absolutely no problems in FL5 (haven't upgraded to 2.02)

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:05 am

I personally like the new library. 15GB any way you slice it, half being from the VSL, is pretty good. And what I like is that it gives you nice usable instruments, unlike older versions and also Halion.

Yeah, there are a few bugs, but I haven't noticed too many. The issue with loading other libraries is true though.

Koolkeys

koolkeys · Post by **koolkeys** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:06 am

Also, the new routing and scripting options put K2 above the rest. Feature-wise, no other sampler comes close.

Koolkeys

drjohnny79 · Post by **drjohnny79** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 5:32 am

Some people say "I have no probs with K2", some say "It´s a nightmare".

Is this because of different s/w combinations (K2 + seq)? Or h/w? Or maybe the way people use it (some operations are more buggy) or depends on which samplelibraries people use etc?

I´m also trying to decide if waiting or buying is the best choice.

Johnny

Is Kontakt 1.5 to Kontakt 2 upgrade worth it?