Native Instruments has given word of two new pieces of software in its KORE line. The first of these is the KORE Player, a greatly simplified version of its KORE 2 suite. Player is based on the ABSYNTH, FM8, GUITAR RIG, KONTAKT, MASSIVE and REAKTOR sound engines, but is designed solely to play material from KORE Soundpacks in a host sequencer, or as a separate instrument. It retains features such as preset browsing, but sound alteration is generally limited to paramater knobs, which tweak factors such as cutoff and morphing. These can be linked to a MIDI controller for easier use.

Partly to provide content for Player, NI has announced four additional KORE Soundpacks. MASSIVE Expansion Vol. 1 includes 200 leads, basses and pad sounds; Best of ABSYNTH has 200 soundscapes, pads and keyboard sounds, while Pop Drums collects acoustic drum kits meant for pop music. Finally, KONTAKT Sax & Brass is a library of trumpet, saxophone and trombone samples, meant for jazz, funk and R&B. The MASSIVE, ABSYNTH and KONTAKT packs will ship in March for $60, the Pop Drums selection costing a premium at $80. KORE Player will be released in March as a free download.