Native Instruments are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Session Guitarist series with Electric Ruby Deluxe, a new addition to the range that captures the warm, resonant sound of a popular hollowbody electric guitar.
The company say that the latest offering channels the warm and woody richness of a hollowbody guitar with stunning realism. Two distinct variants of the library are provided: a pattern-based engine loaded with hundreds of grooves played in an array of different styles, and a melody-focused instrument designed for programming expressive, note-by-note performances.
Alongside the new member of the family, Native Instruments have also rolled out free updates that add updated Riff and Phrase modes, MIDI drag-and-drop support and next-gen NKS support to all existing Session Guitarist products.
Key Features
- Iconic Sound: The depth, airiness and punch of a hollowbody electric guitar with single-coil pickups.
- Dual-Instrument Design: Includes a pattern-based instrument for chords and a melodic instrument for expressive lead parts or layered performances.
- Extensive Articulation Set: Features slides, muted notes, harmonics, flageolet and more, across both Pattern and Melody modes.
- Advanced Pattern Browser: Hundreds of curated patterns are searchable by rhythm, feel, articulation and playing style, with MIDI drag-and-drop.
- New Amplifiers and FX Chains: Includes the Reverb Delight, a classic mid-60s amp, and a score of Guitar Rig-powered pedals, amps and effects.
- Kontakt 8 & NKS Integration: Offers plug-and-play functionality with Kontakt 8 and is fully compatible with the NKS hardware and software ecosystem.
Kontrol 2.0 Firmware
The company have also released a firmware update for their Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboard that delivers improved DAW integration and enhanced accessibility for blind and visually impaired users.
The controllers now include a unified plug-in view that makes it possible to load and control both NKS and non-NKS plug-ins directly from the onboard controls. With the version 2.0 firmware installed, the following five DAWs benefit from tighter integration:
- Ableton Live: Ableton Instrument Racks are now displayed as container plugins that can be expanded or collapsed from the keyboard. Up to 16 macros per Rack can be controlled directly from the MK3. Customise plug-in mappings via Configure Mode.
- Logic Pro: Up to eight Logic Smart Controls are automatically mapped .
- Cubase: Customise plug-in mappings with the Cubase Remote Control Editor
- Bitwig Studio: Bitwig Browser / preset navigation, named pages, and fully customisable mappings via Remote Controls are available in Bitwig Studio. Furthermore, there’s an extensive library of user contributed pre-mapped plug-ins available on the NI forum.
- Digital Performer: Preset navigation.
Support for Pro Tools, FL Studio, Studio One, and Reaper are all planned in the coming months.
The update also introduces support for Native Instruments’ redesigned Accessibility Helper application, offering improved support for blind and visually impaired users, such as:
- Voice Feedback: Descriptions of all physical buttons, encoders and navigation can be read out loud by the Kontrol MK3.
- Training Mode: All buttons and controls can be read out loud without triggering them, helping musicians learn the layout of the keyboard.
- DAW Integration: All new firmware 2.0 features are fully accessible, making non-NKS parameter control accessible for the first time.
- Hardware Synth Support: By loading a MIDI template onto a Kontrol S-series MK3 controller and using the Accessibility Helper, hardware synth parameters are spoken aloud, providing an industry-first accessibility path for outboard gear.
- OS Integration: The feature respects language, speed and other system speech settings from operating system accessibility preferences.
Native Instruments say that they will be soon be releasing a Getting Started Guide for Accessibility Features that will offer more details on the new features.
Compatibility
Electric Ruby Deluxe runs in the free Kontakt Player and requires version 8.5.0 or higher, which is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and higher. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Session Guitarist Electric Ruby Deluxe is available now, priced at $149£129 including VAT. As the release marks the 10th anniversary of the Session Guitarist series, and Native Instruments are celebrating by offering a series of discounts across the range. Until 28 August 2025, the company are offering a 20% discount to those purchasing any two Session Guitarist offerings, 30% on any three and 50% on four or more.
www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/instruments/guitar
