Finding new ways to use Kontakt

Hey folks,

So in reading various musician message boards, I've been seeing that a lot of people find Kontakt to be indispensable. In contrast, when I look at how I use it, its for little more than triggering drum samples.

I load in single hit samples, and trigger em via midi. I don't do all that much else.
I've done a little bit of experimenting with the different modules, but typically opt to use dedicated plug-ins within my DAW's mixer instead. I've also tried to look at manipulating loops, and have a little bit of practice with that, but my grasp of it isn't that deep.

I feel like I'm wasting my money, that I can do more with this VST than I've been doing. But the problem is I don't really know how; Not because I don't know how to use the controls, but that I don't have much for ideas, and don't know where to look for ideas. What I'd like help with is figuring out more ways I could be using this VST... Not so much HOW to use it, but what I could be doing with it.
For example, I think I might get something out of seeing how a power user had used it within their finished project. But really any avenue of gaining ideas how I might get better use of it, and add some spice to my music, would be awesome.

The context of my use is pretty much within the realm of House music, FYI.

Thanks everyone!

 

I would search the net for Kontakt vids to see what people are doing with it. Youtube is a good place to start.

Scripting is another area where you can do some amazing things.

 

I would suggest the same as a1mixman, except to maybe even purchase a training video.

That way you commit yourself to learning it, since you have invested money into it, rather than just something that you may have DL for free.

BTW I highly recommend the macprovideo.com Kontakt 105 and 205 tutorials, for a great in-depth explaination of all that can be achieved.

It's not free, but highly worth every penny.

 

Thanks for the replys.

Well, I have gone through youtube, searching out Kontakt. A couple times over the years, in fact. Thing is, I don't really need to learn how to use the program; I already know how. Tutorials do nothing for me, unless it's a very specific creative approach/technique.

What I need help with is finding out the things I ought to be trying out that push the VST's limits. I need to figure out what to do with this VST so that I utilize it more than just basic operations. I'm told that the sky's the limit, that you can do just about anything with it, but after hearing that I'm coming up blank on ideas for how to use it beyond what I'm doing now.

Perhaps people could share some of the things they use the program for, beyond just triggering percussion samples? Hopefully within a house(or related) context? I don't need to be told how; I could probably figure out how well enough. It's those initial ideas that I'm coming up blank on.

 

I use it to trigger chords from a midi foot pedal. When i'm playing bass and hit a chorus i can step on the pedal and trigger a chord, then step again to trigger the next chord in the sequence... all thru scripting.

 

...that's wicked cool. I'll think about that!

 

Askvideo.com

I've been getting a lot of new information out of a tutorial video on K4, put out by Askvideo of Canada. They have been having a half price sale, which ends today, so if you see this and are interested it's $20 US! There are sample lessons on the site so you can see what's up. https://www.askvideo.com/index.php?cPath=92

later,
John