Kontakt 5.6 Free Update. Opinions?

[4damind]

Besides this 2D interface and the replacement for the service center... IMO loading of libraries is now quicker and this is for me an important point.
No problems so far. I disabled this "calling home" feature and changed in the Access app the default path for the installation. That's all

[noiseboyuk]

Dear NI! Please back Purge ALL (Global) function!!

Can't believe they took it away. That is insane.

This is the iPhone 7 release, isn't it? Shiny, and so much better because of all that clutter they took away. Like headphone jacks, legible text, memory saving etc.

[Teksonik]

Where did the Purge button for the Multi go?

Unfortunately it was removed. I am also not happy with that change.

Thanks for the information. The Purge button is important here as I work mostly with Multis so I won't update.

[sjm]

I'd assume at the end of the day they will be looking at aggregated non-personal information. At any rate, they can't collect any personal data without your express permission and telling you what they are using it for, or they will fall foul of German law.

Which is all nice and fine, except that it also then becomes a parasite that works for them and not directly for us. Who pays for the ever accumulating little pieces of upload bandwidth to do this? When has it been programmed to upload this data (Murphy's Law would put it right around the point where we're trying to record audio). l not only turn off the internet, but remove the connection... and it is the single most reason I won't allow anything that uses PACE on my system. I know their usual argument, "it doesn't use much", but neither does a tick spreading lyme disease and the fact that it uses anything at all is something those companies just don't seem to get are a complete non-sequitur in why we buy our systems. Most of us won't even allow the OS to track either, and that is the system. They really need to figure out a better way to go about it: more transparent, less intrusive and without using a single bit of the consumer's resources.

I think you're missing the real picture here and conflating several issues. I'm not sure where you got the idea from that this is a copy protection scheme a la iLok, because that isn't the case at all. As has since been posted, this is about collecting anonymous information about your system and usage of the software.

As I haven't actually programmed the software, I obviously can't answer your questions about how exactly it's implemented. I'd assume that they collate a set of data and send it in one package rather than doing it in the middle of a session though. Continuously sending data wouldn't really make sense IMO.

Anyway, I doubt that the bandwidth is an issue for those of us with decent internet connections and no data limit. Now I'm no fan of software that sends data without your permission, and obviously there are people who have less than stellar internet and usage caps, so I think it's important that these things are optional. If I'm understanding things correctly, you can opt out and not send anything, so it's hardly a big deal. And yeah, the files are going to be miniscule by today's standards, they aren't going to be sending HD videos.

I personally have no issue with software that allows you to choose to send this sort of data, because there actually is a benefit to you, the end user. Whether I agree to send data or not depends on how much goodwill I feel towards the company and how big I think the benefit is. The basic benefit to you, the consumer, is that it provides the developers and testers with useful information about what systems are out there in the wild. Remember when NI released their Xmas freebie that used OpenGL for the UI? It worked pretty well for most of us AFAICT, but some people had issues with the graphics. Knowing what graphics cards people are using and what driver versions are in use will actually help testing/QA be able to check the software on the similar hardware with the same drivers BEFORE shipping. And the developers will know what hardware to target, particularly when it comes to DSP optimisation.

Another example is that at some point there is going to be a cut off point for 32-bit support. When that cut off point happens will be dictated by how many people are using 32 bit operating systems and DAWs. There will be a point when releasing and testing new versions compiled for 32 bit is simply no longer worth the effort.

I regularly participate in the steam system surveys that fulfill much the same purpose. It's really useful for game developers to know what graphics cards people are using, how much system RAM they have, what OS they are running etc. It benefits me because it tells the devs what hardware I have and therefore what to target and test on. The ideal result = more reliable software, at least on the most popular hardware configs. And there's an additional benefit too - you can look at the data as a consumer and use it to inform yourself about what hardware you want to buy. If everyone has an nVidia graphics card, you might not want to get an ATI card, as devs will be focussing on nVidia. Or vice versa.

If you don't want to send this data, just say no, and everything will be OK.

[Teksonik]

I have well over 200 commercial plugins. Imagine if all of them were data mining. What if you have a project with 30+ plugins and all of them were tracking "Data about your interaction with the software (e.g. actions you perform or audio interfaces you connect). I understand you can opt out of tracking in Kontakt but this is a troubling concept that I would not like to see become an industry wide norm.


The following data will be transmitted by Usage Data Tracking:

* System profile
* Current location (country and city)
* Data about your interaction with the software (e.g. actions you perform or audio interfaces you connect)

[Orbit-50]

You know, sometimes my music blows. They're going to keep track of this?

[Astralv]

No idea how sharing my location can improve the quality of Kontakt so I opted out of Usage Data Tracking.

So they can show graphic charts demonstrating which countries have most NI-users in board meetings.

I know the comment was tongue in cheek, but they already know that from your IP. Chances are they are interested in what hardware people are using and maybe things like what functions Joe Schmo uses most.
I work at a company where our products have this option and it really just helps with decision on where to focus resources. Is there no info anywhere on what data they collect? I'd assume at the end of the day they will be looking at aggregated non-personal information. At any rate, they can't collect any personal data without your express permission and telling you what they are using it for, or they will fall foul of German law.

Which is all nice and fine, except that it also then becomes a parasite that works for them and not directly for us. Who pays for the ever accumulating little pieces of upload bandwidth to do this? When has it been programmed to upload this data (Murphy's Law would put it right around the point where we're trying to record audio). l not only turn off the internet, but remove the connection... and it is the single most reason I won't allow anything that uses PACE on my system. I know their usual argument, "it doesn't use much", but neither does a tick spreading lyme disease and the fact that it uses anything at all is something those companies just don't seem to get are a complete non-sequitur in why we buy our systems. Most of us won't even allow the OS to track either, and that is the system. They really need to figure out a better way to go about it: more transparent, less intrusive and without using a single bit of the consumer's resources.

This is not that serious. I will let them track. I have PACE as well. If you have reasonably good computer, it should not matter. The only function I disable is to let other computers use my updates and let my computer download updates from other computers. But I have Akamai session running- cant remember what exactly it does- had to install it for some valid reason. I am on line and I have Antivirus installed and running at all times. You sound paranoid.

[Integratron]

Did the 5.6 update install the VST dll on your computer?
These are missing for me after updating.

with Native Access it's got it's own settings for the vst folders - ignores what was previously set in service centre. On windows that defaulted to "c:\program files\native instruments\vstplugins 64 bit" and "c:\program files (x86)\native instruments\vstplugins"- I had to change it to where my daw was looking (or I guess I could have added it to the vst search path)

Odd - I don't have the folder located for the 64-bet version ?????

[Astralv]

I never used Purge. But I remember the issue with not being able to get rid of Multy view if I accidentally open Multy instead of .nki file. Now that there is no Purge, may be there is a way to just close Multy?

With the change in the colors of the keys it looks like they trying to make it look like Komplete Kontrol keyboard. The question is: Can Kontakt now read .nks? My guess is- it still can not. Which defeats the purpose of virtual keyboard that looks like Kontrol keyboard. I have hardware Kontrol keyboard with the pretty lights (love them- especially how they light up the room at night in the dark). I have to load Kontakt in Kontrol software to make use of lights. If Kontakt 5.5 was loaded as VST or freestanding, the color coded keys of virtual keyboards would not affect the hardware key light. I would have 3 colors on virtual keyboard but key lights on hardware would stay blue, unless I use Kontrol and load Lontakt in to Kontrol. So I am wondering if there would be a way to make Kontakt light up hardware lights on hardware Kontrol without Kontrol software.

[Elektronisch]

Simple hands-on Transpose & Key switch disable buttons for each instrument. That would be so handy!!!

For first, you can use a multiscript that's available along with Kontakt. For second, that is not quite possible especially if keyswitches are scripted - Kontakt has no way of knowing which keys to hide in that case.

Thought so about key switches. But no you are wrong you cant do first one because using multiscript is not simple and hands on

[EvilDragon]

I am not wrong - transpose is possible and I told you a possible way of doing it. There is also MIDI transpose for each instrument in Instrument Options. Multiscripts are really simple to use.

[EvilDragon]

I never used Purge. But I remember the issue with not being able to get rid of Multy view if I accidentally open Multy instead of .nki file. Now that there is no Purge, may be there is a way to just close Multy?

Files->Reset Multi. Been there for ages.

[morelia]

Will have to contact support but trying to run it throws up a variety of missing file errors.

You should get reply to install all updates for Windows 8 or upgrade to Windows 10

On OSX 10.10 k5.6 works without any problem

I'm on x64 Win 7 though.

Anyone know of a way to install without uninstalling first?

[Elektronisch]

I am not wrong - transpose is possible and I told you a possible way of doing it. There is also MIDI transpose for each instrument in Instrument Options. Multiscripts are really simple to use.

No you are not wrong, i know how to do transpose, but its not an easy way Going to instrument options and transposing is not easy way.

By easy way i mean is an example of sample tank. Just 1 click and you are in the area where you can transpose in kontakt you have to do 3 clicks, also its not obvious because of pop up screen, you have to read manual to learn the transpose

[Tearing Riots]

Will have to contact support but trying to run it throws up a variety of missing file errors.

You should get reply to install all updates for Windows 8 or upgrade to Windows 10

On OSX 10.10 k5.6 works without any problem

I'm on x64 Win 7 though.

Anyone know of a way to install without uninstalling first?

Fwiw update went fine for me, W7 64