I upgraded to KOMPLETE 15 (from KOMPLETE 13) because I needed to be able to test the new version of Kontakt.
Gotta say I’m extremely underwhelmed by it. Apart from a few new libraries, Kontakt8 seems just like Kontakt 7 and Guitar Rig 7 is pretty underwhelming, particularly when compared against TH-U
Anyone else get this upgrade yet?
Kontakt 8 has the Chords and Phrases tools, which to some people could be useful.
I think the days of a new Kontakt being revolutionary are over. Kontakt 6 was/is probably the pinnacle for all intents and puposes.
And I ran the Kontakt 8 standalone, clicked on a few places and it just crashed.
Really not a good start
Thread 34 Crashed:
0 Kontakt 8 0x10eddf57f std::__1::__function::__func<(anonymous namespace)::getTranslationCallback(std::__1::function<void (std::__1::unique_ptr<ni::kontakt::product::Product, std::__1::default_delete<ni::kontakt::product::Product> >)>)::$_44, std::__1::allocator<(anonymous namespace)::getTranslationCallback(std::__1::function<void (std::__1::unique_ptr<ni::kontakt::product::Product, std::__1::default_delete<ni::kontakt::product::Product> >)>)::$_44>, void (ni::commons::UPID const&)>::operator()(ni::commons::UPID const&) + 159
1 Kontakt 8 0x1101f8684 ni::cloud::native_access_rpc::dispatch(std::__1::basic_string<char, std::__1::char_traits<char>, std::__1::allocator<char> > const&, std::__1::function<void (ni::commons::UPID const&)> const&, std::__1::function<void (ni::commons::UPID const&)> const&) + 148
2 Kontakt 8 0x1101f7d37 ni::cloud::native_access_rpc::RpcClientImpl::receiveAndProcessMessages() + 167
3 Kontakt 8 0x1101f8548 void* std::__1::__thread_proxy[abi:v15006]<std::__1::tuple<std::__1::unique_ptr<std::__1::__thread_struct, std::__1::default_delete<std::__1::__thread_struct> >, ni::cloud::native_access_rpc::RpcClientImpl::listen()::$_0> >(void*) + 72
4 libsystem_pthread.dylib 0x7ff81c3d54e1 _pthread_start + 125
5 libsystem_pthread.dylib 0x7ff81c3d0f6b thread_start + 15
The biggest change is the ‘flow-chart’ on the right, which makes it easier. Nice but not a game changer.
I am disappointed. Like with new Arturia controllers. They innovate including chords, scales, arpeggiator. To help DJs and kids who don’t know chords and scales. Leap is another tool to put together already made loops of included packages to make a song.
I am not playing and composing that way. Maybe I am too old for that.
But I see no innovation to make new sounds or to interact with them. So I am probably not upgrading since more than ten years.
I remember when NI offered Vintage organs, Vintage e-pianos to Pro53, Absynth: it was the best sound making software I have ever seen.
Those days are gone.
I went ahead and upgraded since the lowest upgrade price was for Komplete 8 through Komplete 14 and I was still on Komplete 9. I have individually upgraded Kontakt from 5 to 6 to 7 and now to 8 (via Komplete 15). I found the UI change from 6 to 7 kind of irritating, but I’m used to it now (yes, I know you can make 7 look like 6). I’m liking the simple UI workflow updates in 8.
@dhj Were you running v8.0, or the quickly released patch to v8.01 when it crashed? I haven’t had any crashes yet (on Windows).
Yep 8.01
i think they are trying to turn Kontakt into a one shop fits all.
They appear to be getting away from standalone dedicated vst synths like Massive. I think they are working towards making Kontakt like a Falcon/Arcade. i get the feeling that NI is downsizing though or has already faced the effects of it.
It is a cool upgrade but Komplete in itself is an underwhelming upgrade.
10 years ago, we would have gotten updates to existing products, new products, new effects, new sample libraries. It was hard to make anyone upset back then because you were getting a variety of new stuff.
Now we get an update to just one product and sample libraries with a huge focus on loops.
So anyone who wants a new update to Massive X, FM8, Reaktor, you are SOL.
The disturbing thing Kontakt was the focus for two upgrade cycles. I think Massive X was also released last cycle but it wasnt the focus and it clearly isnt now.
In the 2000s NI was the innovators in synths and Samplers.
The 2010s they diversified even more adding effects and grooveboxes to the line while still competing in the former (although there were signs of them losing steam).
The 2020s they seem to be just a sample library company that used to make synths.
I still only own the Komplete Ultimate 12 and I don’t feel like I need a newer Komplete…
I think I’m on v13 but I feel the same.
You probably don’t. I don’t need it either for my shows but in my role as one of the GP developers, we kinda have to check out any updates to major plugins.
Just curious, did NI fix the convolution reverb issue that plaqued Kontakt7 (and maybe earlier versions) that caused the first note played in Kontakt to not sound?
Not planning on upgrading to 8 or Komplete 15 anytime soon, but was just curious as to how long they plan to keep this “feature” in Kontakt.
In any case, they have known about this feature at least since Kontakt 5.
Some weeks later…
I joined the NI world with Komplete 14 some time ago. This includes Kontakt 7 which is running - well not so OK. I have some quiet glitches when I load a library (e.g. Alicias Keys) when playing within the first 5 seconds. Even if the rackspace is loaded for 20-30s, as soon as I start to play there are glitches, then everything is OK for ‘hours’
Also some libraries like Session horns showed up with delayed first notes like a 30ms latency when playing first time, then also after 2-3 more notes everything OK.
I’m on macOS, M1 Pro. Latest Kontakt 7.10.7.
Anybody experiencing the same? What about the current Kontakt 8.2.0.?
I don’t think that I will upgrade to Komplete 15, but I could imagine updating to Kontakt 8 if these problems would disappear
I know there have been some discussions about Kontakt 7 here in the past, and some of you are still on 6 - where I don’t have access to 
Any other ideas how to get Kontalt reliably usable for live? Any tweks/settings I could check (besides switching off sharing usage data generally)?
Which seemed like Kontakt 6 and 5 
- I think this is standard practice for NI, they have these annual updates whether they have things worthy of a major update or not.
I’d say both are utter garbage producing megatons of aliasing with a hint of guitar tone, I’m not sure anyone really uses GR for guitar. Its main use case is adding “guitar fx” to synths and samples, where crappification of sound is the goal.
With delayed notes in Kontakt7 I face the same issue.
If that is the same with Kontakt8 I do not know.
Thankfully with advice from this forum I learned to stay away from Kontakt 7 and 8.
I do have Kontakt 6 full version and that seems to work good.
But 7 and 8 player free version because some plugins only work in the player version (some free ones I think).
Still scared to use them inside GP 5.
For those interested: I also started a discussion in the NI community: Kontakt 7 issues under macOS — Community
I’m not having any problems with Kontakt 7 either standalone or with GP5. I use the Noire Piano and I run this on a MacMini M4 with the latest Sequoia OS
There were issues with Kontakt 7 and a few earlier versions, with the use of the convolution reverbs in the internal effects of Kontakt, that caused first notes to be delayed. I usually disable the convolution effects and add a third party effect (Melda convolution reverb) on the output.
Never upgraded to Kontakt 8, but I assume this is still the case (NI must see this as a feature instead of a bug).
Try disabling any convolution effects in Kontakt and see if that is the cause of your issues.
Let us know.
Good luck.