Default Native Instruments Library Location

Most Native Instruments sample libraries (e.g. the ABBEY ROAD DRUMMERS, the SYMPHONY SERIES or pianos like UNA CORDA) are designed to be used with the KONTAKT 5 Sampler. In case you do not own the full version of KONTAKT 5, there is a free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER version which allows you to use all the features of a KONTAKT-based Instrument.

This article explains the first steps to follow when you want to use a NI sample library based on KONTAKT, including:

Library

Step 3: Getting to know your music and taking notes. Next up, either throw your new tracks into an empty iTunes playlist, or use within TRAKTOR Cruise Mode, and hit PLAY. This gives you a chance to both listen to your tracks in full, check your ID3 info, and give yourself some reminders about the music.

  1. The Sound Library contains all the sounds for the software instruments included with Logic Pro and MainStage. If you've installed Logic Pro and MainStage on the same Mac, both apps share the same Sound Library. When you move the Sound Library, it moves the Sound Library for both apps.
  2. The User Library is separate from the Core Library content so that it can be easily backed up or shared between different Live installations or computers. Default location of the User Library. When you install Live for the first time, the User Library is created at this location: Windows: Users username Documents Ableton User Library.
  1. Finding out if your sample library requires KONTAKT.
  2. Downloading and installing KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
  3. Downloading and installing your Sample Library.
  4. Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5.
  5. Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer.

1. Finding Out if your Sample Library Requires KONTAKT

To find out if your product requires KONTAKT to run, go to the corresponding product page in the NI webshop and scroll down to the AT A GLANCE section. Here you can see if your sample library has to be used with KONTAKT.

2. Downloading and Installing KONTAKT 5 PLAYER

Download KONTAKT 5 PLAYER from this page and install it. If you intend to use your product within a host sequencer, make sure to install all available plug-in formats.

Default Native Instruments Library Location Software

Note: if you own the full version of KONTAKT 5, you do not need to install KONTAKT 5 PLAYER. You can find a comparison chart of these two products here.

3. Downloading and Installing your Sample Library

If you have not already, install your NI KONTAKT-based product with Native Access.

4. Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5

  1. Open KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) standalone. By default the location of your standalone application is here:
    • Mac OS X: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.app'
    • Windows: C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.exe'
  2. The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually.
  3. Configure the Audio- and MIDI-Settings for KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
  4. Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
Default

5. Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer

Native Access

Important note: Whether you intend to use your sample library with KONTAKT standalone or within a host sequencer, you must start KONTAKT in standalone mode once before using it as a plug-in. This step is necessary for KONTAKT 5 to build its database.

To use your sample library within a host sequencer, you must first load the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in and then load the sample library into the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) plug-in:

Default Native Instruments Library Locations

  1. Open your host sequencer.
  2. Insert KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in in your host sequencer.
  3. The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually as explained in this article.
  4. Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
Default native instruments library location software

How To Move Native Instruments Library

You can search our Knowledge Base to obtain more information about how to manage and insert NI plug-ins in your host sequencer.

Default Native Instruments Library Location In Linux

You can find more information on how to operate KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) and your KONTAKT Instrument in the corresponding manuals. Manuals can be found in the installation folder under 'Documentation'.