Answered[Solved] how do I make Kontakt louder than 127?

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Matt
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2014/02/06 15:03:34 (permalink)

[Solved] how do I make Kontakt louder than 127?

I can't believe I never noticed this before... it just didn't come up I guess until I'm working with a really soft sample.
 
With Sonar set to "127":

 
The corresponding Kontakt instrument is set to "0.0":

 
So how could I set the Kontakt instrument to say "+4.0"?  As soon as I hit play in Sonar it will get the volume=127 message and revert back to 0.0.  I know I could either try to edit the Kontakt instrument or send it out it's own port and boost the audio volume within Sonar.  But let's just say it's mixed in with a bunch of other loud sounds, is there any way to send Kontakt a +4.0 message?
post edited by Anderton - 2014/02/06 20:24:45
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Guitarpima
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:23:49 (permalink)
Your going about it the wrong way. Lower your midi values and bring up the volume using the audio portion of Kontakt's outputs.

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Sidroe
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:26:55 (permalink)
There is a setting in Options that allows you to add some decibels of loudness if the volume is maxed out. It's on the audio tab if I remember correctly.

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Sidroe
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:28:08 (permalink)
I'm sorry! That's Options on Kontakt.

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Matt
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:41:46 (permalink)
Guitarpima
Your going about it the wrong way. Lower your midi values and bring up the volume using the audio portion of Kontakt's outputs.


This is a good point I never thought of that.  But I have dozens and dozens of samples that I've been using for so long I know exactly the level I want them in my mix... like for a certain cymbal swell the difference between how volume=70 and volume=75 will sit in the mix.  I would rather not re-learn all these numbers if possible.
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dcumpian
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:43:43 (permalink) ☼ Best Answerby Matt 2014/02/06 15:50:52
Change the output in Kontakt, from "st. 1" to Custom output. Then, open the "Outputs" pane in Kontakt and pull the fader up for your new Custom output.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

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Matt
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:48:33 (permalink)
Also... I can't crank Kontakt audio high enough for this sample!  To make the other instruments on the same output a comparable level I would have to set most of them to volume=40 in Sonar... which turns down the Kontakt volume by -20.0.  But I can only turn the output level up another +6.0.  So now everything is just soft!
 
Sidroe I can't find what you're talking about in the options menu... anything more specific?
 
 
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Matt
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 15:53:59 (permalink)
dcumpian
Change the output in Kontakt, from "st. 1" to Custom output. Then, open the "Outputs" pane in Kontakt and pull the fader up for your new Custom output.
 
Regards,
Dan
 


This is perfect thanks!  I boosted that instrument +12.0 now I have it set to volume=110 in Sonar which even gives me room to turn it up a bit if I need to and it is a similar volume to everything else.  Thanks again!
I guess it was really a Kontakt question not a Sonar question...
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robert_e_bone
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 16:11:44 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Matt 2014/02/06 16:12:08
While you are in there, using the Output Section, this is a hopefully helpful tip.
 
For whatever the worth, I always use the Output Section, as I always load up whatever instruments I will be using, (Piano, Bass, Strings, Organ, etc.), then use the batch function to clear the output section and create separate outputs for each loaded instrument.  This gives each instrument its own stereo output, but the names are goofy  - Kontakt uses a mashed up version of the preset name.
 
So, to make the output section channel names more readable, which is useful to fix prior to setting input routing assignments on the audio tracks, I rename each of the output channels, so that instead of something goofy - like 'Bechstein Mood', I end up with Piano, Strings, Bass, etc.  Doing this makes it much easier to see what is what when I look at inputs on channel strips in the Console.
 
Each loaded instrument then has its own output section fader, to give you more volume when needed.
 
I hope you find the above to be helpful, 
 
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John
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 17:42:18 (permalink)
Not sure if this has been mentioned but each instrument has  tool header and to the right is a volume control just below the meter. 

 
 
I often setup my Kontakt with 16 outs in the mixer of Kontakt. Then I set each instrument to go to its own mixer channel and that is set to its own Sonar track. 

Best
John
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 19:30:02 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Matt 2014/02/06 20:11:42
Matt
 
Sidroe I can't find what you're talking about in the options menu... anything more specific?
 


Click the wrench icon in the upper left corner and if you're using a full version of Kontakt you'll find a button to open options, where you see several tabs and one of them allows you to adjust gain (-6dB, 0dB, +6dB, etc.)

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Matt
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/06 20:12:26 (permalink)
Got it.  Thanks.
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/07 08:05:51 (permalink)
John
Not sure if this has been mentioned but each instrument has  tool header and to the right is a volume control just below the meter. 

 
 
I often setup my Kontakt with 16 outs in the mixer of Kontakt. Then I set each instrument to go to its own mixer channel and that is set to its own Sonar track. 




Doesn't work if you adjust the fader in Sonar. Sonar's fader is tied to this volume control and will reset the control when you press Play. The Output section, however, is not controlled by Sonar (be default).
 
Regards,
Dan
 

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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/07 09:14:38 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Matt 2014/02/07 10:44:43
FWIW Matt, I never set the volume of soft synths, and particularly Kontakt, from the fader on the MIDI track. For me it's just too easy to foul up. Instead, I turn the fader all the way down, right-click on the MIDI fader and choose "disable control" which causes the fader to stop adjusting the volume of it's associated MIDI instrument. At that point you can just set the volume of the instrument in K5 and it will stay where you put it. It will start affecting the instrument again if you move the fader (you'll need to "disable" again if you do), but at long as you don't click on the fader again it shouldn't cause you problems.
 
Good luck,
Dean

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Matt
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/07 10:48:04 (permalink)
That's good to know, I didn't know that you could disable the volume control.  Though for me I prefer to do it via midi because all my Kontakt instances run on external computers so to adjust the volume I would have to click over to remote desktop and then click on the correct computer and then click on the right instance of Kontakt and then find the sample.  Having it all right there in Sonar is better for me personally.
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konradh
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2014/02/07 11:11:43 (permalink)
I was having a similar Kontakt problem because 127 apparently defaults Kontakt to 0 db.  Moving the Kontakt slider did not good because the controller would reset it.  This is good news.

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JohnSawoski
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2016/06/10 17:46:43 (permalink)
Try this: in Kontakt plugin, click the wrench on the instrument(s) you want to have responding louder. Then click "Instrument Options." For MIDI controller #7 range, select negative infinity to 0 dB, or negative infinity to +6 dB.
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robert_e_bone
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Re: how do I make Kontakt louder than 127? 2019/01/15 08:18:32 (permalink)
I just now stumbled across this.  I found content from some long ago forum post, that I have used ever since, to alter the behavior of most/all Native Instruments plugins, like Kontakt, Battery, FM8, etc... with regard to the volume fader within each synth getting reset after I would change it.  QUITE frustrating.
 
SO, what I learned to do, is when I insert an NI plugin, like Kontakt, for each instrument I load, I immediately click on its 'wrench' and click on Instrument Options, then click on Controller, and then remove the check for the box for option: Accept Standard Controllers for Volume and Pan.  This seems to stop that behavior or resetting the instrument's volume setting in Kontakt.
 
Give it a try - if the altered behavior is to your liking, you can save the instrument - (whenever I do this, like if I do this change and/or adjust key switches), I save the instrument with a new name in the same folder as the original, usually adding my name to the front, like saving 'String Ensemble' as 'Bob's String Ensemble').
 
Hope the above helps - I also tend to do this with Battery and FM8, in addition to Kontakt, as these are likely my most used NI plugins, Kontat for sure being number one, for live performance.  (I tend to use EastWest Composer Cloud Plus libraries for studio work, 24-bit samples with 5 mic positions, and well over 12,000 instruments).
 
Bob Bone
 

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