1. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
2. Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
3. Native Instruments Komplete 11
4. Ni Komplete 13
5. Native Instruments Komplete Start

KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE Collector’s Edition is the flagship production suite from Native Instruments, including premium cinematic and orchestral libraries, instruments and effects, specialized scoring tools, and sounds covering any genre for professional artists, composers, and sound designers.

There are 4 variations of Komplete 13 to choose from these days, so picking out the one that works for you is a little more tricky - plus the larger variations are most definitely “SSD Eaters” (the collector’s edition clocks in at a whopping 1 TB). There are a few plugin updates, like Guitar Rig, but this review is going to focus on the new instrumental content. Strap in, there’s a lot!

Native Instruments' Komplete 6 is the juggernaut of the softsynth and production world: if you want to make noise, Komplete has that noise and 20 variations on it. Before I begin the review I want to say one thing: after upgrading my DAW with a 2TB hard drive I went out and bought Komplete 6. Before I upgraded I had around 100-200 VST plug-ins. Apple has announced the release of macOS 11 (Big Sur) for November 12th, 2020. We are currently conducting systematic tests with the release version of macOS 11 (Big Sur) in order to offer full compatibility of our soft- and hardware products as soon as possible. Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2. Studiologic Numa Stage. Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3. Native Instruments Komplete. KOMPLETE 11 adds to this prestigious series including a copy of REAKTOR 6, REAKTOR Blocks, and Native Instruments’ brand-new synthesizer FORM. There are also new sample-based instruments including UNA CORDA, INDIA, STRUMMED ACOUSTIC, and KINETIC METAL, as well as new effects like the powerful and versatile delay REPLIKA.

Reality Bytes

Okay, can we first stop for a second to appreciate the genius of that section header? Because the realistic instruments taking up valuable bytes of hard drive space and… oh, fine.

The sampled instruments see a significant upgrade this time around with the inclusion of Noire, Stradivari (I tested the Ultimate edition which came with the violin), Mallet Flux, Mysteria, and Session Guitarist.

The interesting thing about these instruments is their propensity to offer two complete paradigms. Mallet Flux, for examples, offers some truly inspiring mallet instruments that sound absolutely stunning. They are meticulously sampled, and have a level of polish that feels wonderful. Add a mix interface that allows you to play back activated rhythm patterns on each instrument, and you’ve got an incredibly useful engine for generating realistic sounding mallet patterns.

This holds true with the other sampled instruments. Noire would be an excellent piano instrument on its own. There are 16gb worth of samples and dynamic layers, it sounds rich and playable. Add the ability to insert a felt dampener between the hammers and the strings and now you can get a truly mellow piano tone that really sits way back in the mix. The particles engine doesn’t just add ‘pads’ to your piano, but it actually adds rhythmic textures and swirling motion behind the piano in a way that makes you want to explore every preset (which, I’ll admit, I did).

The Session Guitarist instruments are very much worth the investment in time it takes to learn them. The guitar loops provided are diverse, and putting the guitar in ‘melody mode’ truly gives you the flexibility to get guitar tracks that are nearly indistinguishable from an actual player. Having access to so many different guitar articulations at the press of a keyswitch really allows you to bring out the natural sound in the samples and make it very convincing.

I found Mysteria to be fun for crafting vocal textures, but I am not completely convinced I want to put aside 30gb of space for it. It definitely has its place in cinematic sound design, but I definitely categorize this one in the ‘you already know if you need it’ classification.

The Stradivari Violin was truly awe-inspiring. The size is huge, but this solo instrument was so good I instantly regretted not getting the entire quartet and splurging for the “Collector’s Edition”. Orchestral composers, if the other 3 instruments in this acoustic string collection are anything like the Stradivari Violin - this is the new collection to beat.

So Unreal

In terms of the synths provided, there are a few fun ones to check out. Super 8 is a new synth that has its own plugin as opposed to running in Kontakt or Reaktor. It has a very ‘big’ sound to me, which makes sense because it uses its own combination of dual oscillators plus FM synthesis. I found the plugin easy to navigate (although it definitely has a Reaktor ‘look’ to it) and the presets are ample. The modulation routing and mapping for Komplete Kontrol owners is well thought out and makes playing Super 8 with a well-equipped controller fun and simple.

There are three additions to the ‘play series’ and my favorite of them is Butch Vig Drums. I was ready to write off BVD as something I wouldn’t use much as I have a TON of drum instruments already - but BVD is something special. The combination of well played and powerful grooves with the synth / filtered / effected elements make this a wonderfully useful tool for quick modern production. It also looks amazing (I know, we’re not supposed to care about that, but… it does!)

The synth patch expansions give you a ton more use out of Reaktor, Massive X, and Battery 4. It was fun to pull up Battery, a plugin I hadn’t delved into for a while, and hear Indigo Dust kits integrated and give a fresh sound to a plugin that wasn’t getting a lot of use for me.

Straylight and Pharlight both load up in Kontakt and are excellent additions to the lineup. Granular instruments typically excel at creating haunting textures and atmospheres, and these two are no exception. While they both have a really unique sound, I found Straylight to be unlike anything I had ever heard before. The macro controls allow for realtime manipulation of the ambient textures, and this felt far more ‘playable’ than a lot of other ‘ambient libraries’. I could definitely see those that work in scoring for film and media getting a LOT out of this instrument.

Conclusion

The instruments of Komplete 13 are truly unique and excellent additions to the lineup. As far as value, I definitely feel they are worthy of the upgrade (I have not always felt that in my 13 versions of purchasing Komplete software updates). From realistic sample libraries to out of this world synths, there is something for everyone with Komplete 13. Check out our separate review of Guitar Rig 6, as well!

Price: $1,199 / $399 update

Pros: Stradivari Violin was an absolute highlight. Noire was incredibly fun to play. Super 8 is going to be a top synth pick for me from now on.

Cons: I wish I got all 4 quartet stringed instruments. I think they could make the ‘what’s new’ advertisement a bit more clear

Web: www.native-instruments.com

Learn NI hardware & software: AskAudio | macProVideo

Native Instruments have long been at the forefront of what’s possible in music production. While their original Komplete Audio 1 and 2 would have been left in the cold if not for their striking looks – the new Komplete Audio 6 MkII has a little bit more to offer to make it stand out.

Komplete Audio 6 MkII overview

The Komplete Audio 6 MkII is the next installment of Native Instruments’ Komplete lineup, and it boasts several added features and greater recording quality. The unit is a 6×6 audio interface that demonstrates a high performance as well as a sleek design.

Inputs/outputs 4.0

The Komplete Audio 6 MkII is a compact 6-channel USB audio interface, featuring two XLR-1/4” combo inputs with phantom power capabilities, line/instrument switches, assigned gain controls, as well as two 1/4″ line inputs located on the rear panel.

It also comes equipped with S/PDIF stereo digital I/O and MIDI input and output to allow connections for additional digital and MIDI equipment.

Fans of the original Komplete Audio 6 will be right at home here, as much of the original design remains intact. However, the output volume knob is no longer centered on the top panel, rather it has been pushed to the right side to make room for the upgraded LED digital VU meter for convenient monitoring and gain staging.

The main thing that gives the MkII its edge is that all four of its analog outputs are DC coupled. Low frequencies and flat voltage interference will not be removed by any sort of filter – a feature normally found in most other interfaces.

In practice, this allows the KA6 MkII the ability to pass control voltages (CV) directly from software to hardware modular or even semi-modular devices. So, for any readers with a Eurorack, you’re in luck. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another interface to do this – for the price at least.

Audio/recording quality 5.0

Native Instruments’ KA6 MkII is undoubtedly a step up from the original unit, the Komplete Audio 6, which only had a maximum sample rate of 96 kHz. The interface is now capable of recording up to 192 kHz at 24 bits, which should be a huge sigh of relief for our fellow audiophiles.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol

The original model was limited – best suitable for hobbyists or lo-fi bedroom artists in need of a mic input or two. We think it’s amazing how Native Instruments has been able to reimagine the KA6 in such a way, that the unit is now a totally viable option for professional producers.

Producers and DJs can plan to utilize it during live performances as well, which simply wasn’t possible before.

Sample rate/dynamic range

This unit allows you to record up to 192 kHz at 24 bits – a huge amount of dynamic range and recording power for such a small piece of equipment. The Komplete Audio 6 MkII o​ffers users an ample amount of headroom – unlike a lot of other entry-level interfaces around the same price range.

Preamp

The built-in mic preamps of the Komplete Audio 6 MkII are reliable and solid. They’ve been remodeled to achieve a lower noise floor and higher gain.

At home/studio 3.0

The Komplete Audio MkII is small and compact, so however your setup is put together, the unit will have no trouble fitting in.

There will be a few questions you’ll need to ask yourself when buying this: do you want something with more connectivity, or do you want a cheap unit with the ability to manipulate a Eurorack or other modular devices?

For the latter question, you really can’t go wrong here. For the first, we would say that the KA6 MkII is still perfectly fine for amateurs or musicians just starting out, but veterans of the audio engineering world would probably look elsewhere.

Mobile recording 5.0

The Komplete is exceptionally light and compact, so bringing it around with you won’t be an issue. In fact, in regards to how well this interface can fare during live performances, traveling without it might not even be an option for some of you.

Build quality 5.0

As far as build quality is concerned, you won’t find much to complain about here. The Komplete Audio 6 MkII is a robust and sturdy interface. The knobs don’t wiggle, the box feels solid, for the price of the unit, nothing feels plastic-y or cheap.

Software bundle 5.0

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6

With Native Instruments being as big a name as it is in the audio production world, it should come as no surprise that the software bundle here is fantastic. The interface comes with several gigabytes of sounds and effects all from the Komplete lineup. You’ll even receive two e-vouchers – a gift card to the Native Instruments online store as well as a two-month pass for samples at Sound.com.

Komplete Audio 6 MkII vs. other interfaces

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen

While the Focusrite is roughly ten to twenty dollars cheaper, the extra I/O features on the Komplete, as well as its modular capabilities, make it the obvious choice for the price range.

PreSonus Studio 68c

The PreSonus is slightly more expensive than the Komplete, however, it offers the same DC-coupled outputs that the KA6 MkII does, and is arguably the better purchase just for how well designed it is.

Solid State Logic SSL2

At around $230, this is the cheapest option compared to the KA6 MkII. The trade-offs are drastic though, and we would rather spend an extra $20 for more connectivity.

Also, see our picks for the best budget audio interfaces, the best interfaces under $200, and the best interfaces under $100 and $50.

Final verdict on the Komplete Audio 6 4.0

Native Instruments Komplete 11

The Komplete Audio 6 MkII is a well-designed interface. Its performance is nearly unmatched at this price, and those who buy it will not regret their decision. While the price is almost double of the original models, we’d say that it’s completely worth the extra dough. The extra I/O makes it far more versatile, and the new DC-coupled outputs are a breath of fresh air.

Ni Komplete 13

• Outstanding build quality.
• DC-coupled outputs.
• High-quality audio.
• MIDI ports.

Native Instruments Komplete Start