Kontakt vs 3rd party Akai import

[pschelfh]

I'm looking for the best way to convert my Akai samples into Kontakt-format. Sometimes this works fine, other times there are zones that are silent, detuned samples or filter cutoff set too low and there's no modulation.

Should I stick with the Kontakt conversion and put some work into it or sould I look for a 3rd party converter (CDXtract, Translator,...)?

Did someone already compare these methods (Kontakt vs 3rd party) or can someone point me to a comparison review of these?

Thanks,

Peter.

[DarkStar]

Also give Extreme Sample Converter a try:
http://www.extranslator.com/

[pschelfh]

Thanks for the link, Darkstar. Wow, 50% off for Wusikstation-users !!

Peter.

[chickeneps]

I'm looking for the best way to convert my Akai samples into Kontakt-format. Sometimes this works fine, other times there are zones that are silent, detuned samples or filter cutoff set too low and there's no modulation.

Should I stick with the Kontakt conversion and put some work into it or sould I look for a 3rd party converter (CDXtract, Translator,...)?

Assuming you are using Kontakt 2, by far the best thing to do is to use the Kontakt2 conversions, it's free and effective. If there's any problems that you hear, simply submit the Akai file in question to NI, as is recommended. They get back to you persoanlly and immediately. (In full disclosure, that's actually me...)

Again assuming you are using Kontakt 2, we converted thousands of Akai programs over the last few months and I would definitely say your problems are not typical at all. Most programs A-B very closely to the originals.

If you are using Kontakt 1, my recommendation is NOT to get a third party convertor but to upgrade your Kontakt and get Kontakt 2, you get a better sampler out of it plus great conversions.

This is an excellent time to do it, as not only are they coming off tons of testing, they are rounding up customer feedback as well and will update shortly.

HOWEVER...

Third-party convertors are excellent tools to have, not just for the translations, but for the ancillery features they can bring. My product, Translator www.chickensys.com, can relink or remap samples to files in bulk (great for Kontakt stuff), bulk edit parameters, can introduce effects into Kontakt files on the fly, can create Kontakt Instruments from scratch using a text editor or a spreadsheet, combine source instruemnts and make composite instruments (layered, keyswiwthced, or control switched) and lots more.

Long answer, HTH.

[pschelfh]

Thanks for the answer, Garth.

I have the latest update for Kontakt, version 2.1.

Do you think it would make a difference if I made the conversions in stand-alone mode instead of running Kontakt as a vst in Cubase SX3?

Peter.

[chickeneps]

No, it's the same thing.

Also, having sounds that come in less then optimum isn't that bad, you can always tweak to taste, wich gies you the sound you want.

But still submit the files you find don't convert well.

[aMUSEd]

Its amazing and annoying that Reaktor MAP files still cause it to crash though - they can't be that different from Kontakts format surely?

[kevvvvv]

Garth ... can I pick your brain, please?

Whenever I convert Akais, the old file structure is retained (loads of illogical folders), which is not helpful when it comes to browsing later.

Is there any way to convert an akai so that the main nkis sit in root, the ancilliary special fx-type nkis sit in a folder below, and the samples all sit in neatly grouped folders below?

thanx = kev

[chickeneps]

Its amazing and annoying that Reaktor MAP files still cause it to crash though - they can't be that different from Kontakts format surely?

The majority work, we tested hundreds of them.

Submit the trouble .map to NI! They want to see it. Email it to nisupport@chickensys.com or send it via www.yousendit.com to that email address.

[chickeneps]

Garth ... can I pick your brain, please?

Not much to pick. Try my nose, there's more there. =)

Whenever I convert Akais, the old file structure is retained (loads of illogical folders), which is not helpful when it comes to browsing later.

Is there any way to convert an akai so that the main nkis sit in root, the ancilliary special fx-type nkis sit in a folder below, and the samples all sit in neatly grouped folders below?

This question comes up every so often. I don't think the folders are that illogical. The Partition folders might be, perhaps. I thik the Volume ones are more valuable, since they are descriptive.

Plus, "folderizing" enables grouping which most of the time is a good thing.

Nevertheless, the users wish trumps everything =) so I'll see what I can do to get that into the next update.

[aMUSEd]

Its amazing and annoying that Reaktor MAP files still cause it to crash though - they can't be that different from Kontakts format surely?

The majority work, we tested hundreds of them.

Submit the trouble .map to NI! They want to see it. Email it to nisupport@chickensys.com or send it via www.yousendit.com to that email address.

I have over a hundred myself - none of them work. I can send one or two if you want as examples.

[chickeneps]

Its amazing and annoying that Reaktor MAP files still cause it to crash though - they can't be that different from Kontakts format surely?

The majority work, we tested hundreds of them.

Submit the trouble .map to NI! They want to see it. Email it to nisupport@chickensys.com or send it via www.yousendit.com to that email address.

I have over a hundred myself - none of them work. I can send one or two if you want as examples.

Yeah, please. Which Reaktor version are they? 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?

[aMUSEd]

That I don't know - I have version 5 but most of the MAP files I bought off a now defunct (but legit before you ask) sample site and don't know when they were created originally.

[chickeneps]

OK, no problem, the file versions are probably the source of the problem - NI changed the formats at different times and they don't necessarily line up to the product version numbers.

[amyhughes]

the users wish trumps everything =) so I'll see what I can do to get that into the next update.

CDExtract allows you to keep the original directory structure or not, and it allows you to specify destination folders. Very handy, but it still creates at least one too many levels of sub-folders.

What I'd like is the ability to create the structure myself, then drag samples here, instruments there, name the instruments, hit the convert button and have it put things where I've specified, named as I've specified.

Is it done, yet?