Using Raw Samples in Kontakt to Create Expressive Custom Instruments

This is a great video tutorial on how you can use raw samples in Kontakt to create your own expressive custom instruments!

The very first thing to mention with this particular video tutorial is that although Kontakt 4 is the version being use, everything shared in the lesson is absolutely applicable to the current version of Kontakt 5. Evan Sutton kicks down some great knowledge and several tips and tricks throughout this video in an effort to share how unique and original instruments can be created from simple raw samples in Kontakt with very little time or extensive effort. It begins with loading a new instrument, rather than loading a sample preset from a library, but do not worry this is still easy enough for just about anyone to follow along with and it shows you some of the potential that Kontakt offers to those willing to dig deep for their own sounds. After all, who says a sampler can’t be used for sound design?!

Clicking on the small wrench icon on the blank instrument in the rack will open up the configuration windows and allow you to begin setting up the instrument to your exacting needs. A brief overview of this part of the interface is given before he shares how to load your raw samples in Kontakt to begin building your instrument. Once you have a sample selected, you can load it by dragging it into the Mapping Editor. Here you can assign samples to either individual pitch and velocity values, or across a range of keys and velocity together. Setting the Root note helps to ensure you will have the delivery (playback speed, etc) you desire. If you set the instrument to run in Time Machine mode, you can break the link between pitch and playback speed of your raw samples in Kontakt. This is the first key to making an expressive instrument from scratch.

The Wave Editor is where you can set your start and end point for the sample playback. Setting up a Sample Loop is a nice way to allow your raw samples in Kontakt to be sustained when you hold and note, rather than simply playing back the original duration. Now that you have your basic sound created, you can begin shaping it with filters and effects. For every effect, filter or other parameter added, you can add a modulator (or several) to make it more expressive and gain more control over how it behaves and affects your instrument. The more natural movement and character you impart upon your instrument, the more expressive it can become! The last big step in this process os to make sure your new instrument is in tune. Simply load another patch that you trust is in key and manually adjust the tuning of your instrument until it is perfect. That’s it!