Bob Moog Foundation and Native Instruments Release MODULAR ICONS For Kontakt

Berlin, May 09, 2019 - Native Instruments today releases MODULAR ICONS, the latest member of the Play Series instruments for KONTAKT. Developed in conjunction with the Bob Moog Foundation, MODULAR ICONS lets users tap into the fun, creative energy of modular synths. It includes sounds from acclaimed artists such as Jean-Michael Jarre, created using their very own vintage hardware.

Imagine all of that in a Kontakt instrument...

Legendary synth sounds

MODULAR ICONS gives users an easy way to access the highly coveted sounds of vintage modular synths - instruments used in everything from prog rock and ambient recordings to modern EDM and film scoring. Through a collaboration with the Bob Moog Foundation, MODULAR ICONS was built on the sounds of renowned artists and their instruments. Contributions from Jean-Michel Jarre, Steve Porcaro, Mark Isham, Michael Boddicker, Jeff Rona, Benge, Walter Holland, Robin Rimbaud, Dan Goldstein, Kurt Ader, Paca Thomas, and EMEAPP provide the foundation for a diverse collection of 150 preset patches.

Presets draw on samples of incredibly rare instruments including Keith Emerson's iconic Moog modular and a wide variety of other vintage Moog modular synthesizers, as well as Buchla, ARP 2500 and 2600, Roland System 700, Polyfusion, Serge, EMS, EML, plus the legendary TONTO, made famous by Stevie Wonder, and reputed to be the most famous modular synth in the world.

Each preset features two blendable sound sources and eight pre-assigned macros, allowing fast expressive sound creation, performance, and editing.

Say hello to Modular Icons

MODULAR ICONS comes intelligently mapped to MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL, but users can also map parameters to any other MIDI controller to modify sounds when playing live or recording.

To support the development of tomorrow's icons, Native Instruments is donating over 50% of sales to the Bob Moog Foundation - a non-profit organization dedicated to innovating, inspiring, and igniting creativity.

Did you ever wonder how Kontakt instruments are created? If so, you’ve discovered the right course! Learn everything you need to know about creating your first sample instrument in this advanced Kontakt course by Scott Freiman.

Building your first Kontakt instrument begins with learning all the ins-and-outs of sampling. In this initial course in our new advanced Kontakt series, trainer Scott Freiman breaks down the process of building a sample instrument while demystifying the art of sampling. First you see how a Kontakt instrument is constructed starting with the samples themselves. From there Scott explains how you inject all those audio recordings (samples) into Kontakt. You then learn how to map a simple sample across the keyboard using the Mapping Editor. But this is just the beginning... Scott explains how to batch load multiple samples and then AutoMap them! You also learn about the Group Editor and alternating between different sample groups to achieve more realistic performances. OK, now it's time to start tweaking... Next up is a section of tutorials that zoom in on the art of looping. Scott explains all of Kontakt’s advanced looping and editing tools and how to use them to create perfect, seamless looped samples. By the time you complete this course you will know what building a simple sample instrument involves and how you can get started building you very own collection of Kontakt instruments. And stay tuned, because there are more Advanced Kontakt courses on the way!