Native Instruments unveils 9 new products and updates (biggest release in 22 years)

Native Instruments, the leading company for music production and DJing, today announces the biggest release in its 22-year history: Nine new production and performance products and three major online platform updates. The releases mark the latest step towards realizing the company’s vision of a connected ecosystem of creative tools that enables anyone to freely express their musical ideas.

The announcement encompasses five new hardware releases across KOMPLETE, MASCHINE, and TRAKTOR; four new software releases including KOMPLETE 12, KONTAKT 6, and MASSIVE X; and major updates for the company’s online platforms. Sounds.com exits beta, continuing its global rollout with an updated pricing plan and free trial subscriptions; Metapop relaunches with a new look and upgraded features; and boutique sample store The Loop Loft, the most recent addition to the NI family, receives a major web redesign.

“This announcement marks a new chapter in NI history,” said CEO Daniel Haver. “For music-makers of all styles and abilities, there’s now an ideal entry point to the NI ecosystem – from inspirational starter kits that guide first experiences to pro-grade products that enable our users to push the boundaries of music production and performance. With these new releases, as well as updates to our existing products and online services, we hope to empower creators of all genres and abilities to express the music within themselves.”

The hardware releases kick off on September 18th with the next generation of MASCHINE MIKRO. Together with the new KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards and an Mk3 update to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 DJ system, the MIKRO rounds out a new family of entry-level NI hardware. These powerful controllers aim to widen access to hands-on music production, performance, and DJing by bringing innovative features and deep software integration from flagship NI hardware down to new, lower price points.

Fall 2018 also brings major updates to NI’s professional-grade products for music production: The flagship S88 keyboard receives an Mk2 revision, while the biggest ever KOMPLETE update – KOMPLETE 12 – adds new instruments and effects to the collection, as well as Expansions sound packs for the very first time. Included in the suite is KONTAKT 6, which brings new sounds and developer tools to the industry-standard sampling platform. Also included is MASSIVE X – available from February 2019. This completely new synthesizer builds on the 11-year legacy of its predecessor with next-generation sound, state-of-the-art DSP components, new effects, and powerful new modulation options.

 The much-anticipated return of TRAKTOR sees new TRAKTOR PRO 3 software along with Mk3 redesigns of the KONTROL S4 DJ system and the aforementioned KONTROL S2. The new S2 is a 2-channel DJ system that lets users easily create powerful sets with effects, samples, and more, at an accessible price point. The next-generation S4 introduces a unique new way to mix with revolutionary Haptic Drive™ technology – motorized, touch-sensitive jog wheels that provide tactile feedback to DJs as they perform

The news comes on the back of major updates to NI’s online platforms including The Loop Loft, Metapop, and Sounds.com. In July 2018, Sounds.com introduced three new subscription tiers and began the process of global expansion by rolling out to 21 new countries. It also became the only service of its kind to offer a full-access free trial, encouraging creators of all styles, backgrounds, and abilities to sign up and experiment. Metapop and The Loop Loft – both recent Native Instruments acquisitions – today launch major web redesigns, enabling powerful new features and improved usability for music-makers.

Commenting on the announcement, Chief Innovation Officer Mate Galic said, “Tearing down barriers like cost, product complexity, and interoperability has always been our focus, and with this release, we address each of these hurdles for amateurs, hobbyists, and professionals alike. The launch of Sounds.com in January 2018, and with it the integration of online services into our ecosystem of software and hardware, was a pivotal moment for NI. Now, with these new building blocks in place, we are perfectly positioned to realize our vision of democratizing and unifying the music creation process.”

Through continued investment in new digital services, core product innovation, and integration with 3rd-party products via technologies like Native Kontrol Standard (NKS), Native Instruments is fast becoming a platform provider for the wider music creation and performance industry. Today, the company’s broad range of products exists within a connected ecosystem that empowers millions of creators – from first-time DJs to seasoned sound designers – to find their voice in music.

New entry-level hardware

A new generation of entry-level hardware for production, performance, and DJing – bringing pro experiences down to unprecedented prices.

MASCHINE MIKRO

A compact beat-making companion that quickly takes users from a creative spark to the finished beat.
Available September 18, 2018

€249,- 

TRAKTOR KONTROL S2

A DJ controller built for the beach, the bus, the airport, and anywhere else you can take a backpack.
Available fall 2018

€299,-

KOMPLETE KONTROL A-SERIES

A new line of affordable keyboards with a best-in-class NI keybeds and informative OLED displays.

Available October 23, 2018

A25: €149,-
A49: €199,-
A61: €249,-

Updates to flagship production tools

A new generation of pro-grade hardware and software to shape the future of sound.

KOMPLETE 12

The world’s leading production suite receives its biggest update ever: New synths, new sampled instruments, new effects, and, for the first time ever, Expansions sound packs.

Available October 1, 2018

KOMPLETE 12 SELECT: €99,-
KOMPLETE 12: €599,-
KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE: €1,199,-
KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION: €1,599,-

MASSIVE X

The forthcoming sequel to NI’s legendary virtual analog synth is more extreme, more expressive, and more expandable in every way.

Available February 2019

On its release, MASSIVE X will be made available as a free download to owners of KOMPLETE 12, KOMPLETE 12 ULTIMATE, and the new Collector’s Edition. Pricing for crossgrades and individual purchases will be announced at a later date.

KONTKAT 6

The sixth generation of the industry’s leading sampling platform adds new builder tools and brand new instruments.

Available October 1, 2018

€399,-

Update for owners of KONTAKT 1-5: €99,-

KOMPLETE KONTROL S88

Mk2 version of NI’s flagship keyboard controller: Fully-weighted hammer-action Fatar keybed with Light Guide and hi-res color screens.

Available September 27, 2018

€999,-

TRAKTOR KONTROL S4

New TRAKTOR PRO software and a new generation of 2 and 4-channel DJ systems, including the introduction of Haptic Drive™ motorized jog wheels.

TRAKTOR KONTROL S2

A DJ controller built for the beach, the bus, the airport, and anywhere else you can take a backpack.

Available fall 2018

€299,-

TRAKTOR PRO 3

Two decades after TRAKTOR conquered the club, TRAKTOR PRO 3 brings punchier sound, powerful one-knob Mixer FX, and a sharper, clearer interface to the booth.

Available October 18, 2018

€99,-

Online platform updates

NI’s strategy to open up music-making at all levels comes to life as Sounds.com exits beta and recent acquisitions Metapop and The Loop Loft are revamped and relaunched. 

SOUNDS.COM

Changing the world of music is a huge ambition. In order to achieve it, Native Instruments is creating a dynamic, integrated, and curated ecosystem that incorporates both NI
products and services and those of third parties. This strategy is built around Sounds.com – an online platform for loops and samples that gives music creators of all genres access to over 700,000 of the best quality sounds from more than 250 partners.

THE LOOP LOFT:

The Loop Loft joined the Native Instruments family of online platforms in January 2018. Founded by drummer, producer, and loop guru Ryan Gruss, this boutique sample shop offers a range of collections for drums, percussion, guitar, bass, saxophone, and more, all performed by renowned musicians – such as Jack White drummer, Daru Jones, or legendary keyboardist Larry Goldings – and expertly recorded by some of the world’s best engineers. Everything in the store is 100% human, and 100% royalty free.

METAPOP:

A Native Instruments brand since March 2017, Metapop is the place for music-makers to share, connect, and collaborate with like-minded creators. The newly updated and improved platform makes it faster and easier for producers to get feedback on tracks, join groups, chat, and win prizes with regular remix competitions. Membership is free, there are no upload limits, and the community is home to some of the best producers in the business.