KVR Audio

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:20 am

Can anyone diagram the signal flow in Kontakt?
I'm just learning the software, and being an Audio guy it would help me immensely to see a physical diagram.

Len9 · Post by **Len9** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:58 am

try this:
http://www.native-instruments.com/filea ... flow_2.gif

cheers
Len

ToneDunce · Post by **ToneDunce** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:00 am

When the keyboard is triggered, the "source" module is what plays a sample. It has modes on it such as "sampler", "tone machine" and so forth, which all have to do with treating the audio from the sample in different ways to either time-strech it (pitch up and down the keyboard without changing the speed of the sample) or resample like oldschool samplers did (slows down the audio or chipmunks it, you know the sound).

I imagine the signal then goes straight into the filters (if you've added any on the source module).

The source module lets you add some effects such as flange etc. Those work on the audio after the filters...

The amp module just under that has volume and pan controls which can be modulated (changed in an automatic and continuous way) by LFOs or envelopes which you can tack onto the amp/rack.

Then you can also tack on effects onto the amp which process the audio coming from the above and can have lots of very fancy modulation going on (same idea as above, but more controls to modulate).

The reason that these are separate is because in Kontakt each sample can have its own effects on it (using the source module), or "instrument"-wide effects (using the amp effects) or both of them at the same time.

That's basically all there's to it!

WillieJenkins · Post by **WillieJenkins** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:02 am

There is a nice signal flow in the manual, just crack it open and check it out.

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:11 am

EricRichmond wrote:There is a nice signal flow in the manual, just crack it open and check it out.

So I've heard. I have a demo of Kontakt in anticipation of a client coming in. I am a noobie in regards to how it is suppose to work. Tweaking the demo doesn't help me since I am kind of stupit in regards to soft synths.

However it looks like from a previous post, and from what you have said the only way I am going to *get a clear understanding* is by buying Kontakt and using the on line tutorials and manual. Would you agree?

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:14 am

Len9 wrote:try this:
http://www.native-instruments.com/filea ... flow_2.gif

cheers
Len

Thank you Len. If you wouldn't mind, is it in your opinion that Kontakt would make the best all around sampler for a project studio? NI seems to be right on the ball with their products...I have NI's B4 which is really nice...and clients like it a lot.

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:22 am

ToneDunce wrote:When the keyboard is triggered,
That's basically all there's to it!

I thinks that's all it is to you...However...it would appear that you understand Soft Samplers much better than I.<G>
I understand your description of the signal flow, but don't understand how the samples can interact with each other.

IOW How does the filter ( or AHDSR, or LFO or whatever it is called) on one sample affect a sample on another key? Like with Hi-Hats? How does one key (lets say C3) cause another key (say D3) to stop playing, or switch to a different tone? Would I get a better understanding of it by studying the signal flow? Or is this the wrong tack for what I want to know? Please excuse the noobiness of my questions...

ToneDunce · Post by **ToneDunce** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:50 am

I think that in Kontakt, a filter (which is set up on the "source" module) always affects only one sample. However that sample could span one key or several, that's up to you!

Things are different with the effects set up on the "instrument" level, through the amp module. These effects work on all the sounds that the given Kontakt instrument produces (you can have several instruments in the rack, as you probably know anyway).

To do what you say with the hats is a bit trickier and has nothing to do with signal flow; this is where you'd need to dig into the manual for details. Unfortunately I can't for the life of me remember how that's done in Kontakt right now (or indeed if I ever did it in Kontakt). I'd look for something like "mute groups" in the manual.

Gut feeling says it's doable though. It should be somewhere in the keyboard mapping screens that this is achieved.

WillieJenkins · Post by **WillieJenkins** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:20 am

Kontakt's latest version is 1.5.3, and I think the demo is still 1.1... so you're missing about 50% of its functionality using the demo unfortunately.

bluedog, unfortunately the best response is 'it comes down to your needs'

Currently I have giga160 and Kontakt, and I *never* use giga160 anymore, as Kontakt fufills all my needs. Its a very deep sampler with almost limitless routing options, but unfortunately so are Mach5, SFZ+, EXS, Halion, and Giga

ToneDunce has spelled alot of it out tho, you can apply individual effects on a sample or group level, or apply effects on a instrument level. Its really up to you.

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to post them, I"ll answer as best I can.

-Eric

WillieJenkins · Post by **WillieJenkins** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 4:30 am

bluedog5773 wrote: IOW How does the filter ( or AHDSR, or LFO or whatever it is called) on one sample affect a sample on another key? Like with Hi-Hats? How does one key (lets say C3) cause another key (say D3) to stop playing, or switch to a different tone? Would I get a better understanding of it by studying the signal flow? Or is this the wrong tack for what I want to know? Please excuse the noobiness of my questions...

there are ways to have groups turn off other groups, in regards to your hi-hat questions. I have not programmed stuff like that, but many drum kits out there utilize it, so I know it can be done.

-Eric

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:18 pm

"EricRichmond"]Kontakt's latest version is 1.5.3, and I think the demo is still 1.1... so you're missing about 50% of its functionality using the demo unfortunately.

I just noticed that discrepency. For one thing I can't do Disk Streaming with the Demo. That is a very important feature for me. On the positive side I called NI and they were most helpful at matching my needs with their product. I think that Kontakt is going to be one of a few NI purchases.

Currently I have giga160 and Kontakt

Giga Studio is out for me. From what I have read, Kontakt does a better job at integration into the Host application.

One of the challenges I have with trying to purchase software is the resistance of developers to share product knowledge prior to purchasing the product.
NI is a closed door in that regard. Although after talking with them I understand why. Thanks for responding. It has been very helpful.

bluedog5773 · Post by **bluedog5773** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:23 pm

To do what you say with the hats is a bit trickier and has nothing to do with signal flow;

I bought the DKFH package, and downloaded the free Natural Studio Kit. Both of them have already mapped out the hi-hat mute piece. I am just going to look at the parameters to see how it is done. On the positive side of things, NI said that if I purchased Kontakt, that their on line tutorial details how you do this exact thing.

One thing though...the demo I have is Ver 1.1, the latest is 1.5xx and apparently has many more features. Most importantly 1.5xx does Direct Disk streaming which is a must in my book.
Anyway...thanks again for the help. You post are very informative.

WillieJenkins · Post by **WillieJenkins** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:30 pm

yeah bluedog, when you get 1.5.3 you will freak out

it has many more features than 1.1, is 10x more stable than 1.1, and looks smoother than 1.1

-Eric

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:30 pm

Kontakt 1.5.latest is definitely the sampler to have, imho.

Kontakt Signal Flow