Tips on Using and Optimizing The Database In Kontakt

The database stores and manages information about all Kontakt related objects in your system. If you don’t keep the database in order it will be slow and difficult to find instruments. In today’s video tutorial we’ll go over tips on using and optimizing the database.

The Database stores and manages information about all Kontakt related objects on your system. It uses metadata to keep track of your files. Native Instrument libraries come pre-tagged with this metadata, but 3rd party and custom content does not. Today i will show you how to add this metadata as well how to use and optimize the database.

BUILDING THE DATABASE

First let’s add a location for Kontakt to index.

In the Browser, Click on the Database Tab. Next click the DB Options button.

In the Database Options, click the Add Button.

Browse to a folder with Instruments, Multis or Banks and click choose.
The contents of the folder have been added to the list of locations the Database will monitor, but it won’t be indexed until the next time Kontakt is opened. To update the database immediately, click the Scan Button. If you have alot of items this may take awhile. When the scan is complete the contents of the new folder will be indexed in the Database.

SEARCHING

Once your Database is populated, you can search the database by any metadata attribute. These include Author, Bank, Timbre, Type and Vendor. The Attribute List works as a filter only displaying results that matches the selected attributes. You can also limit the type of objects in results list by by using the Multi, Bank, Instr, Group, Sample and Preset type switches. Once you have results in the Results List by filtering and searching, simply double-click an entry or drag one or multiple entries to the rack to load it.

Remember to leave a comment to let us know what you think about the video, how you plan on using the techniques you have learned or if want to give us some feedback!