What You Need to Know About Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT: Features, Sound, Performance, and Compatibility
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT: A Review
If you are looking for a realistic and versatile acoustic guitar library for your music production, you might want to check out Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT by Native Instruments. This is a sample-based instrument that features a vintage steel-string acoustic guitar played with fingers and plectrum by a studio session pro. You can perform 194 picking and strumming patterns in real-time, plus get a dedicated second instrument for melodic playing. You can also dial-in your sound with three different microphone setups and an extended effects section.
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT
In this article, we will review the main features, sound, performance, and compatibility of Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT, as well as the pros and cons, alternatives, and recommendations for this product.
Features
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT is more than just a sampler, it is a shapeshifting platform that allows you to create authentic acoustic guitar sounds and performances with ease and flexibility. Here are some of the key features of this product:
A pattern-based instrument that lets you choose from a huge library of picked rhythms, arpeggios, and strummed patterns, covering a wide range of playing styles and genres.
A melodic instrument that allows you to play open or muted, or with meticulously sampled flageolet and tremolo articulations each playable with fingers and plectrum.
A carefully sampled 1973 Martin 00-21 guitar, which is a small-bodied, Sitka sprucetopped guitar, perfectly suited to melodic and finger-picked playing styles.
Three different microphone setups that give you different tonal options for your sound Condenser (AB) for a natural, modern-sounding stereo image; Dynamic (MS) for a vintage rock and folk sound with a strong mid-range; and Ribbon (Blumlein) for a rich, warm, vintage sound with pronounced low-end.
An extensive effects section that includes a 3-band EQ, a compressor, a delay, a reverb, a chorus, a flanger, a phaser, and an amp simulator with four different models.
A performance view that gives you access to the most important parameters and controls for playing and tweaking your sound in real-time.
A pattern view that lets you edit and customize the patterns, change the tempo, swing, and humanize settings, and create your own variations and transitions.
A song mode that allows you to arrange different patterns into complete songs with intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro sections.
A KONTAKT instrument that runs on the free KONTAKT PLAYER or the full version of KONTAKT 6.4.2 or higher.
Sound
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT sounds amazing and realistic, thanks to the high-quality sampling and scripting of the guitar and the microphone setups. You can hear the subtle nuances and details of the finger and plectrum playing styles, as well as the natural resonance and dynamics of the guitar body. You can also adjust the volume and pan of each microphone setup to create your own mix and balance.
The patterns and songs are also very well-crafted and diverse, covering genres such as folk, rock, pop, country, blues, indie, and more. You can easily find something that suits your mood and project, or create your own patterns from scratch. The patterns are synced to your host tempo and can be played in different keys and modes.
The effects section is also very useful and powerful, allowing you to shape your sound further and add some character and depth to it. You can use the EQ to boost or cut the lows, mids, and highs; the compressor to control the dynamics; the delay and reverb to create some space and ambience; the chorus, flanger, and phaser to add some modulation and movement; and the amp simulator to add some grit and distortion.
Performance
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT is very easy and fun to use, thanks to the intuitive interface and controls. You can play it with your keyboard or MIDI controller, or use your mouse to click on the virtual fretboard. You can switch between the pattern-based instrument and the melodic instrument with a single button, or use both at the same time for more complex arrangements.
The performance view gives you access to the most important parameters and controls for playing and tweaking your sound in real-time. You can select the pattern or song you want to play from a drop-down menu or use key switches; you can change the key and mode of the pattern with a knob or use key switches; you can adjust the tempo, swing, humanize, accentuation, damping, release noise, fret noise, pick noise, and strum noise levels with sliders; you can switch between finger and plectrum playing styles with a button or use key switches; you can activate or deactivate the effects with buttons; and you can use the mod wheel to control the dynamics and expression of the sound.
The pattern view gives you more control and customization over the patterns, allowing you to edit and create your own variations and transitions. You can change the chord voicings, inversions, and extensions; you can add or remove notes, rests, accents, slides, and hammer-ons; you can adjust the velocity, length, and position of each note; and you can save and load your own patterns.
The song mode gives you the ability to arrange different patterns into complete songs with intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro sections. You can drag and drop patterns from the pattern view to the song view, or use key switches to trigger them. You can also change the order, length, and repetition of each section, and export your song as a MIDI file.
Compatibility
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, and requires a minimum of 4 GB of RAM and 17 GB of free disk space. It runs on the free KONTAKT PLAYER or the full version of KONTAKT 6.4.2 or higher, which means you can use it as a standalone application or as a plugin in your DAW of choice. It also supports NKS (Native Kontrol Standard), which means you can use it with any NKS-compatible hardware controller, such as the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards or MASCHINE devices.
Pros and Cons of Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT
As with any product, Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT has its pros and cons. Here are some of them:
Pros
Realistic and versatile sound: The guitar sounds amazing and authentic, thanks to the high-quality sampling and scripting. You can also choose from different microphone setups and effects to suit your taste and project.
Easy and fun to use: The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, giving you access to the most important parameters and controls for playing and tweaking your sound in real-time. You can also edit and customize the patterns, create your own songs, and export them as MIDI files.
Huge library of patterns and songs: The product comes with 194 picking and strumming patterns in various styles and genres, plus 31 songs that showcase the potential of the instrument. You can easily find something that matches your mood and project, or create your own patterns from scratch.
Compatible with KONTAKT PLAYER and NKS: The product runs on the free KONTAKT PLAYER or the full version of KONTAKT 6.4.2 or higher, which means you can use it as a standalone application or as a plugin in your DAW of choice. It also supports NKS (Native Kontrol Standard), which means you can use it with any NKS-compatible hardware controller, such as the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards or MASCHINE devices.
Cons
Large file size: The product requires 17 GB of free disk space, which might be an issue for some users with limited storage capacity.
Limited articulations for melodic playing: The melodic instrument only offers open or muted notes, plus flageolet and tremolo articulations. Some users might wish for more articulations, such as bends, slides, vibrato, etc.
No nylon-string guitar option: The product only features a steel-string acoustic guitar, which might not suit some musical styles or preferences. Some users might prefer a nylon-string guitar option for a softer and warmer sound.
Alternatives to Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT
If Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT is not exactly what you are looking for, or if you want to explore other options for acoustic guitar libraries or plugins, here are some alternatives you might want to consider:
Other acoustic guitar libraries for KONTAKT
Strummed Acoustic 1 & 2 by Native Instruments: These are two complementary products that feature different types of acoustic guitars played with a plectrum in various styles and genres. They offer a similar pattern-based approach as Guitarist Picked Acoustic, but with more options and variations for strumming patterns and chords. They also include a second instrument for melodic playing with different articulations and effects.
Session Guitarist Picked Nylon by Native Instruments: This is a product that features a nylon-string acoustic guitar played with fingers in various styles and genres. It offers a similar pattern-based approach as Guitarist Picked Acoustic, but with more options and variations for picking patterns and chords. It also includes a second instrument for melodic playing with different articulations and effects.
Evolution Steel Strings by Orange Tree Samples: This is a product that features a steel-string acoustic guitar played with fingers and plectrum in various styles and genres. It offers a more realistic and expressive approach than Guitarist Picked Acoustic, as it uses an advanced scripting engine that adapts to your playing style and technique. It also includes a comprehensive effects section and a strumming engine that lets you create your own patterns and chords.
Other acoustic guitar plugins or software
Ample Guitar M Lite II by Ample Sound: This is a free plugin that features a Martin D-41 acoustic guitar played with fingers. It offers a simple and easy-to-use interface, with basic controls and effects. It also includes a strummer mode that lets you play chords with different rhythms and patterns.
RealGuitar by MusicLab: This is a plugin that features various types of acoustic guitars played with fingers and plectrum. It offers a realistic and expressive approach, as it uses an advanced modeling engine that simulates the physical properties and behavior of the guitar. It also includes a pattern manager that lets you create and edit your own patterns and chords.
Guitar Pro 7 by Arobas Music: This is a software that allows you to create, edit, play, and print guitar tabs and scores. It features various types of acoustic guitars, as well as other instruments, effects, and sounds. It also includes a realistic sound engine that lets you play back your tabs and scores with high-quality audio.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT is a great product for anyone who wants to add some realistic and versatile acoustic guitar sounds and performances to their music production. It features a vintage steel-string acoustic guitar played with fingers and plectrum by a studio session pro, plus a huge library of patterns and songs in various styles and genres. You can also customize your sound with different microphone setups and effects, and tweak your performance with various controls and parameters.
We recommend Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT to anyone who:
Loves acoustic guitar music: If you are a fan of acoustic guitar music, you will enjoy playing and listening to the sounds and patterns of this product. You can easily create authentic and beautiful acoustic guitar tracks with this product.
Wants to save time and effort: If you are not an expert guitar player, or if you don't have access to a high-quality acoustic guitar or recording equipment, you will appreciate the convenience and simplicity of this product. You can get professional-sounding results with minimal effort and hassle with this product.
Needs some inspiration or variety: If you are stuck in a creative rut, or if you want to spice up your music production with some different sounds and styles, you will find this product useful and inspiring. You can explore different genres and moods with this product, and discover new ideas and possibilities for your music.
If you are interested in buying Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT, you can get it from the official Native Instruments website for $99 USD. You can also download a free demo version to try it out before you buy it.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT:
How much does Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT cost and where can I buy it?
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT costs $99 USD and you can buy it from the official Native Instruments website. You can also download a free demo version to try it out before you buy it.
How many patterns and songs are included in Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT?
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT includes 194 picking and strumming patterns in various styles and genres, plus 31 songs that showcase the potential of the instrument. You can also create your own patterns and songs with the pattern view and the song mode.
What kind of guitar is sampled in Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT?
Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT features a 1973 Martin 00-21 guitar, which is a small-bodied, Sitka sprucetopped guitar, perfectly suited to melodic and finger-picked playing styles.
Can I use Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT with other instruments or effects?
Yes, you can use Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT with other instruments or effects, as it runs on the free KONTAKT PLAYER or the full version of KONTAKT 6.4.2 or higher, which means you can use it as a standalone application or as a plugin in your DAW of choice. You can also use the effects section of the instrument to add some character and depth to your sound.
How can I learn more about Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT or get support?
If you want to learn more about Guitarist Picked Acoustic v1.0 KONTAKT or get support, you can visit the official Native Instruments website, where you can find more information, tutorials, videos, manuals, and forums. You can also contact the customer service team via email or phone if you have any questions or issues. dcd2dc6462