KOMPLETE 14 SELECT Review! [Synths, Effects, and EXPANSION Edition]

Hello!
Following the first part, I’ll be sharing an overview and my experience with the instruments and effects included in KOMPLETE 14 SELECT (referred to as ‘SELECT’ hereafter). I’ve also included some recommended presets for the instruments.
Since this is quite a long review, I’ve split it into two parts.
In this second half, I’ll be focusing on synths, effects, and EXPANSIONS, covering products that operate outside of KONTAKT.
By the way, there are many EXPANSIONS (collections of audio materials and presets) included in KOMPLETE, and the content is too vast to fully explore in one article, so I’ll only be listing the product names in this review.

Synthesizers

These are not KONTAKT-based instruments. While KONTAKT plays back pre-recorded sample instruments, the products in this category are synthesizers that allow you to create your own sounds.
Although they offer greater freedom in sound design, they can be tricky to master. That’s why I recommend taking full advantage of the rich variety of presets.

MASSIVE

Alongside KONTAKT, MASSIVE stands as one of NI’s flagship software synths. Although it’s losing ground to competitors like SERUM and AVENGER, many people still use and love it.
MASSIVE’s biggest strength is the sheer volume of information and presets available. Being at the forefront of soft synths for so long, there are plenty of tutorials and articles on how to use MASSIVE and design sounds with it. You can also find numerous preset packs, both paid and free, from various sources.
Personally, I rely mostly on presets, especially liking the synth pads and pluck sounds.
While it may not be the go-to synth these days with so many high-end alternatives, it remains a solid choice for those who don’t own many other synths.

★Recommended Presets: Bladerunner Strings, Ping in Motion

REAKTOR 6 PLAYER

This is a platform for running synthesizers. In SELECT, you can use it to run MONARK and PRISM, among others.
REAKTOR can be used like a modular synth, giving you the ability to create custom synths and effects—a feature for enthusiasts.
However, I’m not very skilled with synth programming, so I often skip REAKTOR and use presets that I find via NI’s Komplete Kontrol Software (KKS) instead.

MONARK

This synth is a modeled version of the iconic Minimoog analog synth, and can be used in REAKTOR or KKS.
Since it’s monophonic, just like the original, it’s great for lead and bass sounds. Many of the presets are geared towards these sound types, and I often use them.
It may not be the most versatile synth, but that’s part of its analog charm.

★Recommended Presets:Basix, Straight PWM

REAKTOR PRISM

As I mentioned, I’m not very skilled with synths, so I rely on presets for PRISM as well. When a sound doesn’t quite fit into my track, I tweak the filters or reverb. PRISM is a beautifully sparkling synth, and many of the bell-like presets have rich harmonic content.
Though it’s an older synth, I love the stylish UI, especially the central display that shows the waveform (I think?).

★Recommended Presets: Wah Wah Crystals, flux Converter

Effects

SELECT includes not only instruments but also four effects. However, since the number of effects is limited, it’s difficult to complete a full mix with just these tools.
These effects are more about sound design than fine-tuning mixes.

PHASIS

From the MOD PACK modulation effects series, PHASIS is a phaser effect.
It offers more parameter control than your typical guitar pedal phaser, but sound design isn’t overly complex. The strength of the effect is visually represented by the diagonal line at the top of the UI, making it easy to adjust.
There are plenty of presets available, so you can simply select your favorite and tweak the mix to easily incorporate phaser sounds.

SOLID BUS COMP

This is a bus compressor from the SOLID Series, which is modeled after SSL hardware.
As the name suggests, it’s ideal for gluing together elements on the mix bus. I often use it on drums and guitar buses.
While the sound won’t change drastically, since it models analog gear, it does impart a certain character.
Using just the presets will already give you a clear, forward sound, so I highly recommend it.

REPLIKA

This is a delay effect with three modes: Modern, Vintage Digital, and Diffusion. The Diffusion mode, in particular, creates a reverb-like dreamy sound.
What I love most about REPLIKA is its ease of use. By simply adjusting the central parameters on the UI, you can easily tweak delay times, feedback, and even ping-pong delay. Whenever I need delay, I often turn to REPLIKA for this reason.
There’s also a more advanced version called REPLIKA XT, but sometimes the simplicity of REPLIKA is all you need. That said, analog and tape delay modes are only available in XT.

RAUM

This is an algorithmic reverb. Although it’s marketed as a ‘creative reverb’, it can also be used like a traditional reverb plugin.
Rather than being simplistic, RAUM is designed for fine-tuning, and it can be a bit resource-heavy. I see it being more useful for sound design than for adding subtle space in a mix.
RAUM’s standout feature is its three modes: Airy, Cosmic, and Grounded. Switching between these modes drastically changes the reverb’s character, so be sure to experiment. Personally, I like Grounded mode.

EXPANSIONS

EXPANSIONS are products containing audio materials and presets for synths like MASSIVE. They’re tailored for specific genres, making it easy to create cohesive beats.
Since I primarily work with live instruments, I don’t use EXPANSIONS often, but I do occasionally add one-shots for accents or layer percussion loops beneath the main rhythm.

• Backyard Jams
• Deep Matter
• Lilac Glare
• Neo Boogie
• Mother Board
• Solar Breeze
• True School
• Velvet Lounge

Example of Usage

Here’s a track I made using SELECT products. While the range of music you can create with only SELECT is somewhat limited, combining it with other instruments and live guitars allows for diverse arrangements.

● SELECT products used in this track:
Scarbee Mark I, The Gentleman, Vintage Organs, Soul Sessions, Drum Lab, Massive, Solid Bus Comp, Replika

That wraps up my two-part review of all the products included in KOMPLETE 14 SELECT.
Even though I haven’t fully mastered every single product, I’ve had many moments where I was glad to have KOMPLETE.
If you’ve been eyeing KOMPLETE but feel it’s a bit pricey, you might want to consider starting with SELECT. Keep an eye out for sales, and I hope to see you join the KOMPLETE community!
Thanks again!

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