“Kosmos Infekted Collection for NI Kontakt” by HGSounds

“Kosmos Infekted Collection for NI Kontakt” by HGSounds
Who ever wanted to call the sound of the legendary Virus synth from Access his own for small
money, got the chance right now. If the sounds are as “infectious” as the name suggest, we will check
out right here.
The soundlibrary „Kosmos Infekted“ by HGSounds is a collection of sounds which only contains
samples of the current flagship of Access, the Virus TI. The library is designed for use with the
Kontakt 5 sampler by Native Instruments. It contains over 500 multi-sample based instruments (NKI)
for the “Kosmos v2” sequencer as single and multi-sounds, as well as the same number of single
instruments without the “Kosmos v2” interface. The individually available "Starburst K" collection is
already included.
Installation and requirements
After purchasing of the library on the website of HGSounds you obtain a serial number and the
download of the library can be added to your personal user account. The installation package for
"Infekted" is available as RAR archive and is nearly 2 GB in size. The installation itself is pretty easy.
There is no installer, but the library is easily unzipped to any folder and then opened via the file
browser in Kontakt.
And as simple as the installation is, there is unfortunately the first of only a few points of criticism on
the library. It's not a licensed NI Library. Due to this, the library can only be reached via the file
browser, and cannot be included as "Library" in contact. And therefore it can only be used unlimited
in the full version of Kontakt. In Kontakt Player its use is limited to the usual 30 minutes demo mode
unfortunately. So the only requirement given for using it is a full version of NI's Kontakt 5.
(With Kontakt 3 and 4 the use of the library is restriced as there are some functions missing.)
Feature overview
What do you get for your money?
So, right away:
This is not just a "simple" collection of various multisamples and presets. Rather, "Kosmos v2" as
frontend and complex step sequencer is a major component of this library. That's why I'm going to
introduce it separately later on. But so much for now: it involves an elaborately designed VA
synthesizer frontend and a step sequencer with 7 sequences, of which 5 can be assigned freely to
more than 30 modulation destinations available!
Kosmos single- and multisounds
The singlesounds consist of a multisampled sound of the virus and are equipped with the simpler
interface of the Synthesizer "Kosmos v2" with at least three LFOs. For the modulation with
modulation wheel and aftertouch there are vibrato, cutoff and resonance available. In addition there
are two permanently assigned envelopes as well as a minimally designed FX section in which the
main effects are available. Very interesting is the filter section, which provides next to cutoff also a
good working resonance section and not just the standard filter types, but also some more exotic
filters such as low pass ladder, which can produce quite dramatic sound changes. There are a total of
six different filters to choose from. In a DAW the LFOs can be tempo synced.
All parameters have in common, that they can be set via a random generator, with the depth of the
random change adjustable, as well as the selection of all parameters or to have only individual
parameters changed. Also you can choose from thirteen presets for sound shaping itself for the
singles by "Quick Style", where i.e. the envelopes and the effect routings are stored.
The sounds are divided in the categories „Infekted Bass“ (138 Sounds), „Infekted Leads“ (143),
„Infekted Synths“ (138) and „Starburst“ (110).
The multisounds provide a total of 10 instruments, with 5 as multisample (MS) and the identical 5
again as singlesample (SS) instrument. In these multisounds the samples of the singleinstrument are
completely summarized in one (ALL) and then summarized each once in the categorires of singles.
The multisounds are using the more complex interface of the "Kosmos v2".
There are available 2 oscillators that can be freely mixed. The "Wave" control allows one of the
samples of the singlesounds to be set as source. Unfortunately while changing the source the sound
must be retriggered each time to make the change audible. The continuous selecting or changing the
selected wave by LFO is not possible. However, this is owed to the architecture of Kontakt, because
remember, a sample is selected and played.
Compared to the singlesounds there are more modulation destinations available, and the interface of
the sequencer of "Kosmos v2" differs significantly from that of single sounds.
With the effects it's the same number of choices available as for the single instruments. Who needs
more precisely adjustable effects, must hold back on the effects section of Kontakt, internally are
only rudimentary possibilities offered, but I don't think it's a disadvantage.
The „Kosmos v2“ frontend und sequenzer
Ha, soundlibrary surprises again. Who thought to get only simple samples and sounds here has been
totally mistaken. First, there is the already introduced frontend of the "Kosmos v2" that gives far
more control and adjustment features than any other synthlibrary I've come over so far. The
"Kosmos v2" is not only this complex and almost complete VA synthesizer interface, but also at the
same time a stepsequencer, which, however, differs significantly in its possibilities for multi- and
singlesounds.
The sequencing part of the multisounds is a bit more simple than the one for the singlesounds.
Available is a play / pitch sequencer, which provides up to 32 steps, one sequencer for velocity and
one for note lengths. The highlight: the individual sequencers can operate with different step
numbers, significantly for the main timing is always the play sequencer. It therefore can produce very
complex patterns.
The sequencer works tempo synced in a DAW and there is a speed control to adjust the tempo in
note values. With mode, the playback order is determined here, where not only forward and
backward can be chosen from, but for example also "back and forth", or Random.
The sequencerpart of the singlesounds is configured similar, but serves more sequences, exactly
seven in total, up to 64 steps per sequence and 5 free assignable targets for modulation.
There are also eight storable presets A to H, which can also be found on the keyboard, as well as
several play modes that can be selected in the same way. (Colored keyboard zones)
Again, the individual sequencers are independently adjustable in their step numbers.
As assignable targets for modulation through the sequences all parameters of sound production are
available, as well as some more modes of pitching in addition to the actual pitchsequencer. This
allows realization of complex sound changes, the LFOs alone wouldn't be able to do.
In addition, there is the "Rescaler". A fine detail which can influence the playing of the
pitchsequencer in realtime interaction, so that the playing sequence is differed in a certain mood
(tuning), depending on the note played on the keyboard. There can be set, for example, that on C,
the sequence is played in a major key, but on E in the appropriate minor scale.
The two interfaces of multi- and singleinstruments have in common, that there is a little need of
getting used to program the pitch sequencer, because it works a little bit different than expected. So
there is the value of 1 for "on" 2 and 3 for 1 or 2 octaves up, 4 and 5 for the same down, and rather
starting at the value 6, it goes up in semitones then.
All together an absolutely great expansion of the pure interface for sound production.
But…
There is still more to come!
Additionally to this there are 600 more instruments (NKI), which, although composed of the same
542 multisamples and without the Kosmos sequencer available, are certainly having their own right
for being. These sounds were originally developed for Kontakt 3, but have, fortunately, also found
their way back into this library.
Again the sounds are divided in bass, leads, synths und starburst, but are coming with a way more
reduced interface than the Kosmos sounds.
Nevertheless, these sounds can also be edited by a number of parameters, but of course the depth
provided by the stepsequencer of Kosmos is missing. But again we get several preset volume
envelopes and several filter options, as well as a variety of LFOs are available again. These sounds
also come again with effects, but they are also rudimentary like in the Kosmos sounds. Anyone
looking for more control on the effects, may again get back to the Kontakt effects processor and its
way more detailed possibilities.
Instead of the Kosmos sequencer we only get a rudimentary TranceGate, with a stepsequencer for
velocity and notelength here.
To me the sounds seem much more interesting, complex, and "complete" as the sounds of the
Kosmos sequencer. Here are several samples usually layered together and give us in some cases
significantly more complex textures.
The sounds
Well then, how does all this stuff sound now?!
Ok ok, until now we just scratched the (user-)surface of all this. Let’s get to the main point now, the
sound.
The basic material of this library is samples of the virus TI. However, not as one might think the
samples of the basic waveforms and wavetables, but samples of complete sounds. These are
available in the instruments with the "Kosmos v2" frontend as individual sounds for processing, while
they are used in the older instruments without "Kosmos v2" also partially in layered style.
The sounds of the Library are divided in the categories bass, synth, lead and starburst. However, this
is only a rough categorization, since e.g. individual sounds in the category bass can be used at higher
notes as interesting pads of course, too.
Unfortunately, the individual instruments of all sections have the same name and are only
numbered. This results in a very confusing because great amount of instruments, that cannot be
quickly clicked through looking for the right sound due to the Kontakt structure. A clearer distinction,
at least in naming the instruments or the subdivision into further categories would be desirable.
Since this is not a licensed library for contact, unfortunately also the internal database of Kontakt is
not helpfully in sorting, too. However HGSounds has already told me on request, that they are
working on a solution. They want to integrate a sound browser in future versions of "Kosmos". If this
will be available as an update for buyers of this version, remains to be seen.
Back to the sound: Overall, we will find up some very interesting sound material. Punchy clear
basses, mystical floating pads, standard synth leads and strong stabs. Overall, lots of and very
complex electronic up to experimental sounds with some very long evolving structures of sound. In
summary, the overall result leaves the impression, that it's more the kind of material for the more
electronic music than for the rock and pop division.
Very interesting fact, all the sounds are not only short loops, but mostly several seconds lasting
samples. Interesting especially in the context, that the starting point of the samples can be
manipulated by the control dial in "Kosmos v2".
The basic sound of the entire library is very clear, punchy and high-quality. It cannot reach the sensed
punch of the original sound but there is not much of it missing. The speed of the envelopes of the
original cannot be obtained, too.
Nevertheless the frontend gives countless possibilities for modification of the offered base material,
so you can spend hours on building and modifying the sounds and it will come to the most
interesting and useful results. I was satisfied with the results in nearly all cases.
Conclusion
Nailed to the point:
I'm honestly surprised, how the Kontakt sampler has become a synthesizer here. Sure, the original
Virus may certainly sound a bit punchier and has faster envelopes and of course not all the
possibilities of the original can be given here. But hey, this is a soundlibrary! For Kontakt. And it
sounds really good, behaves better and the sounds can be edited more extensively than in other VSTi
synthesizers. And that with original samples of the Virus TI!
Sure you have to live with some limitations, for example, that you cannot fluently switch or fade
between the waves or the slightly higher CPU load when starting to play with the by "Kosmos v2"
offered bag of tricks. But it is owed to the architecture of a sampler. Even if you get over the fact of
working with a sampler sometimes, when playing around with "Infekted".
Overall, I like the whole package really well. The sounds are certainly primarily usable for the
colleagues of the electronic genre, but in my opinion that's just what they are made for. From simple
tight basses to complex ambient textures a lot can be found here, and most of all: can be created by
yourself. Because the plenty of more than 500 sounds for "Kosmos v2" only serves as basics. And not,
as with many other libraries, as final product.
This all combined with the amazing abilities of the stepsequenzer named „Kosmos v2“. Superb.
Well, of course the price moves around the region of other complete sample libraries and may be
higher than for some VSTi synth, but you get the almost identical sound of the original with extensive
sound shaping possibilities. And you know the original cost you a lot more.
And to get the bow back to the introduction:
Yes, those who seek the sound of the virus will find it and will also be very well served here, with just
a few drawbacks that arise from sampling, and of course the fact that not the pure waves and
wavetables of the virus were sampled here.
And, yes again, I am „Infekted“ :)
Pro/Cons
Pro:
+
number of samples and instruments
+
complex stepsequencer „Kosmos v2“
+
great emulation of the userinterface of a VA synth with the „Kosmos v2“ frontend
+
great value for the money
Cons:
-
unlimited use only with Kontakt 5, not the player
-
no integration as official library
-
flowing transition of waveforms not possible
-
number and sort of instruments lacks overview
Supply source
The library „Kosmos Infekted for NI Kontakt“ is available via the webpage of HGSounds only.
Payments accepted are PayPal or credit card.
Link to the manufacturer’s webpage:
http://www.hgsounds.com/product-category/kontakt/
Price: 99,- €
Demoversion
Who likes to take a look at the functions of the "Kosmos v2" sequencer by himself, check out the free
download of "Kosmonaut" from the same manufacturer. This demo also includes some of the sounds
of the "Infekted" Library for getting "Infekted".
Other libraries by HGSounds
Also available:
„Kosmos Classic“, virtually the basic package of the cosmos sequencer with 1600 samples in similar
categories for the price of 65, - €.
Similar articels at Buenasideas:
Review „Kosmology – Awakenings“ by HGSounds (written by Andreas)(only available in German):
http://www.buenasideas.de/2014/kosmology-awakenings-die-elektronische-band-fuer-kontakt-5/
about Klaus:
musician and technician: keyboards, guitars, sounddesign, sound- and
studiotechnics, computertechnics