Kore 2 Software Edition Announced

[Jeremy Lumsden]

Quick Headz Up: Native Instruments have announced Kore 2 Software Edition

[mrfracas]

Wow, that's pretty good. Though I think they could do more to advance the hardware. I'm just getting into using the hardware more than relying on the mouse at present.

When Kore was first announced - and I had done little reading up - I was attracted to the hardware, assuming it was something of a powerhouse on which DSP versions of their plugins would work. How very wrong I turned out to be! In fact, Kore was little more than a software 'host' plugin, with a personalised (and very restrictive) controller-cum-audio-interface.

But I've found benefits to the package. I've already explained this on other threads; but Kore is a great plugin if you want to use VST plugins in Pro Tools. It's also really simple to create control maps with plugins that are otherwise difficult to interface with.

At £170, I think this is definitely a much better investment for those who are a little skeptical about the controller.

I daresay Native Instruments have got a good update to come for Kore 3; but whether or not it'd be backwards compatible with the Kore 1 and 2 controllers is speculation I wouldn't confide in at this time. I only hope that they will make the controller more worthwile; the updates more reasonably priced; and the bonus features and performance spec plentiful.

[Wilty]

I was always a little confused by the Kore system. I don't live close enough to a store to check it out and noone I know has it. The theory behind it looks great, but I don't own enough of the NI instruments to justify having it and can't work out how I'd fit it into my methodolgy. And there are rather mixed veiws on it wherever you look.
Having a unified library of sounds would be fantastic though as trying to remember where everything is can be difficult (I'm still right at the start, or a NoOb if you rather). Do the sound engines produce sound based on the respective instrument they're based on or does it just mark a compatibility with them if installed?

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by Wilty

I was always a little confused by the Kore system. I don't live close enough to a store to check it out and noone I know has it. The theory behind it looks great, but I don't own enough of the NI instruments to justify having it and can't work out how I'd fit it into my methodolgy. And there are rather mixed veiws on it wherever you look.
Having a unified library of sounds would be fantastic though as trying to remember where everything is can be difficult (I'm still right at the start, or a NoOb if you rather). Do the sound engines produce sound based on the respective instrument they're based on or does it just mark a compatibility with them if installed?

The sound engines are limited versions of Native Instruments plugins; they are limited in that they can only be used within Kore, and you are unable to create your own patches as you can with the full plugins themselves - though you can modify the patches and save them as additional Kore presets.

Earlier, you state you don't own enough of the NI instruments to justify having Kore; but it's compatible with all 3rd party plugins, so you needn't worry. Like I said above, it has it's benefits; but if you want my honest opinion, don't buy it, unless you're satisfied it can do what you want it to do.
That said, download the demo here and find out for yourself.

Let us know how things go, or if you want to know anything else.

[Wilty]

Thanks man. I don't know why it never occured to me there may be a demo available.
Just dippy I guess.

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by Wilty

Thanks man. I don't know why it never occured to me there may be a demo available.
Just dippy I guess.

Not dippy... just inquisitive!

[sphelan]

I don't think I would ever have bought Kore 2 if it hadn't been part of the DV Komplete 5 + Kore 2 offer.

Now that I have it, I have a very sexy pieces of hardware sitting in front of me but I have yet to use it to it's capabilities. The software is useful like you guys said as a unified plugin "rack". I really need to get into it more but I prefer to just load up the vsts in Komplete directly in the DAW and tweak what I want there.

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Lumsden

Quick Headz Up: Native Instruments have announced Kore 2 Software Edition

A very good move by NI.

Although I think they would have had a much faster and a potentially more lucrative uptake of KORE, had they offered this version from the start as of v.1. It's perhaps not too late but IMO it's at least a bit late.

Steinberg IMO might have affected the sales of KORE v.1 a bit with their very similar built in Media bay (which includes Soundframe) in Cubase 4 which followed the release of the first version of KORE.

Steinberg clearly and quietly 'borrowed' the idea from NI (SOS Mag stated that NI were not contacted during Soundframes dev). Still, I actually think Steinberg took the idea much further than NI. Media Bay and Soundframe are much deeper and more flexible than KORE as they should work with any VSTi not just NI offerings.

Ironically, I suspect one could even save, tag and categorise presets for NI plugs in Steinbergs Media bay with more flexibility than KORE.

Anyway, if the interest levels I have seen for NI's KORE Sound packs is anything to go by...maybe a focus on software offerings is best for NI. They are certainly not short of very high quality products.

Kontakt 3 for instance must be the clear standard now for sampling with Giga suprisingly falling off the software map completely.

The free KORE player was a very good idea and probably kick started interest in KORE again IMO. I suspect the Software only commerical version of KORE will do the same.

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by Monarch

Media Bay and Soundframe are much deeper and more flexible than KORE as they should work with any VSTi not just NI offerings.

Uh, Kore does work with other 3rd party plugins.

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by mrfracas

Uh, Kore does work with other 3rd party plugins.

Indeed it does mrfracas. Thanks for the correction on that.

[mutilatedlip]

I'm a bit confused here - I thought Kore 2 was available as a free download anyway via NI?

The idea being that once people download the free engine, NI sell shedloads of their magnificent soundpack range.

[terminal3]

Originally Posted by mutilatedlip

I'm a bit confused here - I thought Kore 2 was available as a free download anyway via NI?

The idea being that once people download the free engine, NI sell shedloads of their magnificent soundpack range.

No, it's the Kore Player that's free - that will only play back soundbanks with a very few manipulation features. The actual Kore 2 software is more complex, allowing plug-in usage, optional hardware integration, amongst other things..

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by Monarch

Indeed it does mrfracas. Thanks for the correction on that.

NP. Though, now you mention it, I might search for my own comparisons to Media Bay; I haven't heard of it before. Thanks for bringing it up. It's always good to have comparisons to go by.

[mutilatedlip]

Originally Posted by terminal3

No, it's the Kore Player that's free - that will only play back soundbanks with a very few manipulation features. The actual Kore 2 software is more complex, allowing plug-in usage, optional hardware integration, amongst other things..

Ah, I see. Well either way, that's good that they allow a free download, so you can at least get the soundpacks for presets if you're that way inclined.

Good products overall - I like the idea behind it.

[sphelan]

Originally Posted by mutilatedlip

Ah, I see. Well either way, that's good that they allow a free download, so you can at least get the soundpacks for presets if you're that way inclined.

Good products overall - I like the idea behind it.

A mate of mine is going that route. He reckons he'll have enough to keep him busy with the Kore Free library and can then add to that with the Soundpacks according to his needs. I on the other hand got Kore 2! HeHe! LOL