Kirk Hunter Studios’ range of Kinetic sample libraries focus on the creation of ostinato, offering dedicated timelines for each instrument section that allow users to quickly program sophisticated patterns. The latest addition to the series, Kinetic Woodwinds Plus, offers all of the content of the previous Kinetic Woodwinds library, but introduces a range of additional patterns, GUI enhancements and improved CPU performance.
A total of 14 instruments are provided by the library, consisting of pairs of piccolos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bass clarinets, bassoons and contrabassoons. Instruments are divided into four sections, and can be placed onto individual timelines which contain 64-note step sequencers that can be split into four regions. Different ostinato patterns can be assigned to each timeline or region, and a wealth of parameters are available to customise the resulting parts.
With the release of this latest Plus version, all of the 64 steps in each timeline now benefit from their own velocity control, with new options allowing velocity to be scaled globally or independently. Transposition has also been improved, with each timeline’s events now equipped with options that allow them to be transposed up or down by anything from a half step to a full octave. A total of 41 new rhythm patterns have been added, and for those who’d like even more control, it is now possible to step record custom patterns into any position on each timelines.
A mixer section offers control over the level of each timeline’s part, and three microphone signals (Close, Mid and Far) are provided to allow for some fine-tuning of the overall sound of the instruments. The section also offers some built-in processing options, including a three-band parametric EQ and a reverb processor.
Despite the new functionality, the company say that the library is easier to understand and use than ever thanks to a simplified GUI, and its use of system resources has been greatly improved, allowing it to offer up to double the CPU efficiency of its predecessor.
Compatibility
Kinetic Woodwinds Plus requires the full version of Native Instruments’ Kontakt 6.6.1 or higher, which is supported on PCs running Windows 7 and above, and Macs running macOS 10.9 or later. The latest version of Kontakt (7.3.2) requires Windows 10 or 11, or macOS 10.15 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Kinetic Woodwinds Plus is available now, and is currently (20 June 2023) being offered for an introductory price of $99.99, reduced from its full cost of $249.99.
