Guitar Rig 3, Kontakt 3

Native Instruments on Monday announced a new, simplified pricing structure for its software instrument products as well as the availability of Guitar Rig 3, Kontakt 3, Komplete Synths, Komplete Classics and Komplete 5 in stores worldwide. The new Komplete bundles combine Native Instruments software instruments and effects into affordable collections for musicians and producers of all styles and genres. This includes the fifth revision of the Komplete package -- which contains new product versions -- as well as the new Komplete Synths and Komplete Classics bundles that combine the software synthesizers and vintage emulations from Native Instruments.

The new pricing, the company says, unifies prices across the diverse NI product range, and makes many of the acclaimed synthesizers and samplers even more affordable. NI says that many of its titles will now be available for a unified suggested retail price of $230/€200, including Absynth 4, Akoustik Piano, B4 II, Battery 3, Elektrik Piano, FM8, Massive and PRO-53. The company's flagship Reaktor 5 and Kontakt 3 titles will be available for $450/€400, while Bandstand is now priced at $120/€100. In addition, the new pricing structure for individual products is complemented by the all-in-one Komplete 5 bundle for $1150/€1000 as well as the new Komplete Synths and Komplete Classics bundles for $450/€400. According to the company, all other products, including all guitar and DJ product, remain unchanged in their pricing.

Guitar Rig 3 is the next generation of Native Instruments' award-winning digital guitar studio. This third version now offers more amps and effects, powerful new live features, a completely reworked tone library complete with improved preset handling, and a redesigned Rig Kontrol pedal board with optimized control and audio interface functionality. Both a "Kontrol Edition" with foot pedal ($560/€500) and a software-only "Software Edition" ($340/€300) of Guitar Rig 3 are available now.

Kontakt 3 ($450/€400) is the latest version the company's software sampler that offers a high-resolution audio engine, comprehensive sound shaping capabilities, unique KSP script programming, and universal sample format compatibility. It is designed for music production, live performance and sound design. The new version is centered around a highly sophisticated next-generation instrument library that expands the musical scope and adds a wide range of new functions and refinements in all areas of the software.

Komplete 5 builds on the all-in-one collection for contemporary music production, live performance and sound design, adding the acclaimed Massive synthesizer as well as the latest versions of the high-end sampler and digital guitar studio, Kontakt 3 and Guitar Rig 3. Other products included in Komplete 5 are Absynth 4, Akoustik Piano, Battery 3, B4 II, Elektrik Piano, FM8, PRO-53 and Reaktor 5.

The new Komplete Classics package specializes on vintage emulations and contains Akoustik Piano, B4 II, Electrik Piano and PRO-53, while the new Komplete Synths combines Absynth 4, FM8, Massive and PRO-53. Both bundles allow for a discounted upgrade to the Komplete 5 package at any time.

by MacNN Staff