Native Instruments Intros Massive, Absynth 4, Battery 3, FM8, Komplete 4

September 12th, 2006 at 3:00 PM - News by Brad Cook

Native Instruments on Wednesday introduced five products set to ship next month: Massive, Absynth 4, Battery 3, FM8, and Komplete 4, which includes Absynth 4, Battery 3, and FM8, along with Akoustik Piano, along with eight other applications. The sampling instruments Intakt and Kompakt are no longer part of the Komplete collection.

Massive, Absynth 4, Battery 3, and FM8 are all Universal Binaries. Akoustik Piano is due for a Universal Binary update in November, along with Native Instrumentsi Bandstand, B4, Elektrik Piano, Pro-53, Vokator, and NI-Spetkral Delay products. Guitar Rig, Kontakt, Reaktor, and Traktor DJ Studio will be updated in October.

Massive is a software synthesizer based a new high-resolution audio engine and featuring Wave-Scanning synthesis along with oversampling up to 192kHz internal resolution. Its three Wave-Scanning oscillators draw on 82 multi-wavetables that have been enhanced through FFT resynthesis. It also includes 420 preset sounds. Pricing will be US$339, with free copies available to users who buy Komplete 4 and Kore after Sept. 13 but before Dec. 31.

Absynth 4 offers extended sound design and performance capabilities through a new customizable signal flow; additional oscillator, waveform and envelope features; and a completely revised modulation concept. Usability improvements include a new KORE-compatible sound browser. It ships with over 1,200 preset sounds. Upgrades from Absynth 3 are $119, while the full version will be $339.

Battery 3 is a new version of the companyis drum and percussion sampler that adds time-stretching and advanced loop capabilities, a new "Beat Mode" for better loop-handling, a powerful master effects section, an integrated wave editor, and more. Upgrades are $119, while the full version is $219.

FM8 is a new version of the FM software synthesizer that features an enhanced high-resolution audio engine, intelligent sound morphing, added performance features and a new KORE-compatible preset manager. It includes over 900 preset sounds. Pricing is $119 for upgrades or $339 for the full version.

Komplete 4 is a free update for owners of Komplete Care 2006, the update program that will not be extended because Native Instruments has changed its product release policy. The company will now consolidate relevant product releases in the annual revision to Komplete. The full version of Komplete 4 will be $1,499, while owners of Kore or two qualifying products will be able to upgrade for $1,149. Komplete 3 users will be able to upgrade for $339.