The flagship sampler with a vast ready-to-play instruments library.
37 People rated this product : 7 out of 10
11 People wrote reviews









10 out of 10
Feature:
Kontakt 3 is a beast, and has the power to show it. The level of depth one is able to get to working with sounds is staggering. Hardware samplers, out of the way!
Quality:
Many buyers below express their frustration with Kontakt's glitches, however I have yet to encounter any at all. Please though, for the love of St. Cathrine, don't use this on an older computer or God forbid, a Dell. You will have headaches to no end. It's a well furnished product, and looks very professional.
Value:
For a hardware sampler with this much capability and half the sound library, you will pay 2000+ dollars, so the value here is immense. Highly recommend getting the Komplete package for full effect though.
Desirability:
Love at first sight would be the cliche of choice here. Ideal for use with any keyboard. Recommend Sonar 7 as it can utilize Kontakt as a VST, meaning easy use and access.
Sound:
The samples here are wonderful, sure, they aren't perfect out of the box, but a few tweaks and adjustments, and you're ready to rock. The orchestral library is a killer.
Ease of Use:
Kontakt has a learning curve, this is for certain. But do your homework, read the online resources. Download the demo and use it to learn before actually purchasing the product, it should make things easier.
Support:
Ah, this is where I have to dock you NI. It's true, Native Instruments support experiences are highly variable. While the e-mail route was a failure, the over the phone support was fast, efficient, and pleasant. Registration can be a pain, but it wasn't for me.
Overall:
Kontakt is not a child's toy. This is something that will only reward you if you take the time and patience to learn about it. I doubt I will look ever for another sampler, only samples, ha ha. Please though, download the demo, test it, see if it's right for you.
Submitted: 1/22/2008
Style of Music: Electronic, classical, and jazz.









8 out of 10
Feature:
Good features, you can do a lot within the sampler itself.
Quality:
Again, quality here depends on what sample you are using.
Value:
The grand piano alone is worth the money, try recording a steinway then compare, they did a really good job here. The flute (if you need one) is amazing. I have yet to fool anyone with the strings though.. bit lack luster here in the professional world. I will keep trying as I have not done a lot of effort in trying to fool anyone with the strings. One listen and you know your agaisnt the 8-ball. It is a battle to avoid a "synth pad sound" here as most of the strings are in ensemble form. Sort of sticking you with a pad sound out of the gate. I would MUCH prefer if they gave us solo instruments then we could lay down mutli tracks of our own to get an ensemble if we need.
ONE thing I do want to mention here.. YOU CAN RESELL Native Instruments products, they don't screw you in that fact. IF you find it isn't what you want there is a good chance someone else will. Which is WAY cooler then most software companies where, you buy it, you have it for life.. like herpes. HAHA
Desirability:
I own it... I guess it looks cool when loaded on the computer.../shrug
NOT near as cool as an Old Strat or a Les Paul though. haha
Sound:
After using Kontakt 2 and 3 extensively I can tell you there are awesome sounds and some others are not so great. Some will fool the harshest critics, this I know for a fact!! (fooled a couple pros already with it, believing the sample was a live recording) this does not come without a smidge bit of effort though. Realism does not come easy with most samples.
Ease of Use:
compared to some other samplers it isn't bad for ease of use.
Support:
I have had AWESOME dealings with their support... and horrible dealings. I believe it really depends on how busy they are at the time (ie... how bad did a programmer screw it up this time and is EVERYONE calling??) and who you get as your "helper"
Overall:
Be ready to be a bit overwhelmed if you are new to software samplers. This package comes with a lot and has a fair amount of tweeks available from within. You will have to learn this (like any quality sampler) as if it is an instrument on it's own.
Submitted: 1/15/2008
Style of Music: many styles
Buy Kontakt Version 3 and we will throw in a Peace Love Productions DDU1 Sample Library download, select New with Free DDU1 Sample Library Download option.
Native Instruments products cannot be returned once the manufacturer's seal has been broken. Any defective merchandise must be dealt with directly through Native Instruments. If a product is found to be defective, you must contact Native Instruments customer support at 866-556-6487 for service. details
"Fast shipping, incredible prices. Love love love it!" - customer on August 15, 2008
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