KOMPLETE 14 SELECT Review! [KONTAKT Library Edition]

On September 27, 2022, the latest version of the iconic sound bundle, "KOMPLETE 14," was released. KOMPLETE comes in four main editions (or five, if you include the hardware version). Among the standalone options, the most affordable is KOMPLETE 14 SELECT (hereafter referred to as SELECT).
In this review, I will provide a general overview of the sound sources and effects included in SELECT, share my hands-on experience, and recommend some favorite presets. To keep things manageable, I've split the article into two parts due to its length.
In this first part, titled the "KONTAKT Library Edition," I will introduce the sound sources that operate within the industry-standard sampler, KONTAKT.

　Sampler Platform　

This is the software used to run sound sources. Products referred to as "KONTAKT Libraries" are used through the KONTAKT platform.

Kontakt 7 Player

It is a limited-feature version of the renowned software sampler "KONTAKT." While it can load NI libraries just like the full version, many third-party libraries may not be compatible. However, the libraries included in SELECT are fully supported, so if you don't plan on purchasing additional libraries, the limited version should suffice.

　Play Series　

This series of sound sources is designed to easily produce the exact sound you're aiming for. The focus is on immediate playability rather than detailed sound design. Since you can use the sounds as-is without needing to fine-tune them, it’s a real time-saver. It’s especially useful when you need to quickly establish a particular genre feel.

Soul Sessions

This is a newly included sound source in KOMPLETE 14. It allows you to play the sounds of live instruments and synths that have been central to soul music over the past 50 years. With 150 presets, you can easily capture the essence of soul just by selecting one. However, it's not limited to just soul music. Thanks to the variety of presets, it serves as a highly versatile sound source that can be immediately useful in a wide range of genres. Personally, I often use the mallet sounds, which are a favorite of mine.
In my experience, many of the sounds come with deep reverb and long releases, but with some fine-tuning, they could become even more versatile.

Recommended presets: Luz Del Sol Vibes, The Bell Is Mine*

ETHEREAL EARTH

This is an atmospheric sound source that processes traditional instruments like the sitar and gong. While it may be challenging to find the right context for its use, it can be very effective when playing ethnic music scales or subtly layered as a pad. It works well in specific, focused applications.

Recommended preset: Big Dumb Organ

HYBRID KEYS

This sound source allows you to combine and manipulate keyboard and mallet instrument sounds. While it may not be ideal for use as a traditional piano, the sound quality is excellent. Although the freedom in sound design is somewhat limited due to the reliance on sample combinations, it enables you to intuitively create new sounds. One downside is that the internal effects can be a bit resource-intensive.

Recommended preset: Bed Time

　Bass　

In SELECT, there is only one dedicated bass sound source, excluding synthesizers. Even that one has a rather unique sound. If you're particular about your bass tones, you may need to consider upgrading to a higher bundle or exploring other products.

SCARBEE RICKENBACKER BASS

This is the only electric bass sound source in SELECT, a library officially licensed by Rickenbacker, making it an excellent choice for rock music. Its defining feature is the strong attack from the pick-style playing, ensuring it doesn't get lost in a mix with other instruments.
To simplify sound design, it includes NI's own amp simulator, "GUITAR RIG," with the "JUMP" amp model, which is based on a Marshall sound, making it a great fit for distorted tones. You can also output just the DI sound if you prefer.
Additionally, it supports various playing techniques like slides and mutes through key switches. While I haven’t fully mastered them yet, everything can be edited directly in the piano roll, which makes it user-friendly.

Recommended preset: The Raven

　Piano & Keyboards　

SELECT includes four different keyboard libraries. Keyboard sound sources are a category where quality often correlates with price. To differentiate itself, SELECT offers a lineup that focuses on instruments other than the highly competitive grand piano, providing more unique options at a relatively affordable price point.

THE GENTLEMAN

This is a sampled upright piano sound source and the only acoustic piano included in SELECT, making it likely to be needed in many situations. As I frequently incorporate piano into my arrangements, I use it often.
The sound can be finely adjusted, allowing for authentic acoustic instrument sound design without relying heavily on effects. For example, by tweaking the "COLOR" knob in the "TONE" section, you can easily modify the clarity and brightness of the sound.
Upright pianos typically offer fewer options compared to grand pianos, but *THE GENTLEMAN* is a convenient and accessible upright piano sound source.

Recommended preset: The Gentleman

VINTAGE ORGANS

This sound source samples five different organs, including the iconic Hammond B-3. It replicates the organ's characteristic drawbar sound design, making it ideal for rock, pop, and other genres. While the drawbars offer flexibility for those familiar with organ sound crafting, it also includes a wide range of presets, making it easy for beginners to incorporate into their tracks.
Though IK Multimedia's "Hammond B-3X" is also well-known for organ sounds, VINTAGE ORGANS is more than capable of delivering satisfying results for most users.

Recommended presets: Basic Rock 3, Keep Me Hangin On

SCARBEE MARK I

This electric piano sound source is likely a sample of a Rhodes piano. It comes equipped with essential effects for sound design, making it easy to start with a preset and further refine the sound. Although it's an older library, and may not fully match up to newer products, it still holds up well. I noticed that the volume is somewhat low, and the sound doesn't cut through unless played with force, so adjusting volume and velocity settings is essential. For those who primarily work with MIDI, this may be less of an issue.

Recommended preset: Scarbee Mark I

RETRO MACHINES MK2

This sound source features samples from a variety of synthesizers. Unlike software synths such as *MASSIVE*, which will be introduced in the second part of the review, this one doesn't allow you to create sounds from scratch. Instead, it offers an overwhelming number of presets, more than I could fully explore. If you're ever stuck while arranging, browsing through these presets might spark some creative ideas.

Recommended presets: Sub Bass 1, EP10 Piano

　Drums & Percussion　

Lastly, in the percussion category, SELECT does not include a pure acoustic drum sound source. Since drum sounds are a crucial element in shaping the feel of a genre, this is a bit of a drawback. For those looking to produce classic rock or similar styles, an additional drum sound source might be necessary.

DRUMLAB

This sound source allows you to layer acoustic drums with electronic drum sounds. The mix balance can be easily adjusted within the UI, making it a great choice for those who want to create unique drum tracks. It also includes percussion sounds like tambourines, shakers, and claps, adding versatility. However, the presets don't seem to fit well with traditional rock band music as-is.
While BATTERY is the go-to drum sampler for electronic drums, it's not included in SELECT. Depending on the sound you're after, *DRUMLAB* could serve as a good alternative.

Recommended presets: Drum Lab INIT, RnB Ballad

WEST AFRICA

This sound source from the *SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION* makes it easy to use ethnic instruments.
It includes 26 percussion instruments and 8 pitched instruments. You can play these sounds individually or use pattern presets to create an ensemble with just one finger. The built-in sequencer allows for simple customization of these patterns.
You can rely on it to bring an ethnic flavor to your beats or subtly layer it under drums to enhance the groove. It's a unique yet flexible sound source depending on how you use it.

Recommended preset: Baga Gine

So far, I've reviewed the KONTAKT libraries included in KOMPLETE 14 SELECT. In the second part of the article, I plan to cover the remaining software synths and effect plugins, as well as share a track produced using the sound sources from SELECT. Please stay tuned for that.
Thank you for reading!