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Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

Kontakt Player, now upgraded to Kontakt 8 Player, is a software sampler that runs Native Instruments’ latest instruments and thousands of third-party libraries. It provides tools for generating musical ideas, including Chords, Phrases, and Patterns modules, as well as loop playback via Leap. It's included in the Komplete Start bundle, which contains thousands of sounds totaling over 20 GB of storage space.

Kontakt 8 Player operates as a standalone sampler or within a digital audio workstation, focusing on sample playback, instrument hosting, and integrated musical pattern tools for musical arrangement and audio production. It plays thousands of compatible instrument libraries.

Sampler studio

Kontakt 8 Player manages instrument loading, playback, and memory allocation. Instruments can be triggered with a MIDI controller or a digital audio workstation. It supports multiple instrument types, including keyboards, strings, percussion, and synthesized sounds. It also enables playback with layered instruments, multi-sample mapping, and dynamic response adjustments. You can store instrument presets and configurations for easy reuse. However, advanced editing and instrument creation are not available.

You can utilize its modules, such as Chords and Phrases, to trigger preset chord progressions or melodic sequences, providing musical ideas. The Patterns module enables the programming, modification, and layering of rhythmic and melodic loops. Leap provides loop playback for sequencing audio media segments. All modules integrate with loaded instruments, facilitating real-time arrangement, sequence editing, and pattern playback within the sampler framework.

The sampler is included in the Komplete Start bundle, which adds over 20 GB of sounds and instruments. You can expand your library with official downloads from Native Instruments or third-party developers. It also manages sample access, playback routing, and instrument selection in a centralized interface. Instrument configurations, presets, and custom mappings are stored for repeated use, supporting structured musical arrangement and sample management across multiple sessions.

Enlarged image for Kontakt Player
Kontakt Player 0/1
  • Pros

    • Hosts large sample libraries and third-party instruments
    • Includes Chords, Phrases, and Patterns modules
    • Supports loop playback via Leap
    • Integrated with Komplete Start bundle
  • Cons

    • No instrument creation

Bottom Line

Music idea engine

Kontakt 8 Player provides sample playback, instrument hosting, and integrated pattern modules. It includes Chords, Phrases, and Patterns, as well as loop playback through Leap. It also hosts thousands of Native Instruments and third-party libraries. Included with the Komplete Start bundle, it works as a standalone sampler or DAW plugin, focusing on playback and sample management. However, advanced editing and instrument creation are not available.

What’s new in version 4.1.1

  • Updated to Kontakt 8 Player
  • Added leap and piano uno


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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
4.1.1
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 7
Additional Requirements
None
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
66,593
Downloads Last Week
53

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Last Updated


User Reviews

3.5/5

6 User Votes


Developer’s Description

Play and produce music via virtual instrument plug-in.

Kontakt Player is a free, expandable software instrument that can be used both standalone and as a plugin in any popular music sequencer. It is based on the powerful Kontakt software sampler that has become a standard with professional musicians, producers, and composers. Kontakt Player can also be expanded with a wide range of affordable download packs that accommodate various musical styles and genres - ranging form authentically emulated grand pianos, electric piano, acoustic bass, strings and drums to cinematic soundscapes and special effects for game and movie scores.


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