Sup fam!
I’m back with another review, checking out a new product from Native Instruments.
This is the Retro Machines mk2
let’s check it!
So what is Retro Machines mk2?
Well first off, it’s the follow up to their original Retro Machines product (never had it, can’t compare it lol)
It’s a large collection of 16 sampled synth and vintage instruments for Kontakt/Kontakt player.
Has it’s own special interface with some cool features like an Arp and Chord player built in.
You get control over sound, fx, and performance
Quick Specs
- content: 3.9GB
- format: Kontakt 5, Kontakt 5 Player
- price: $79
How does it sound?
Sometimes a sample just sounds nice, there’s a way that samples capture the bottom end of a synth that’s just plain cool.
I will admit when I first heard about it, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I just thought “uhhh oh, another ‘retro’ library”
What I will say is that I was definitely surprised by this one. I didn’t expect to like it. But it sounds great.
Not only are the sounds and presets great (though I wasn’t too hype about the ep sounds….) The way you can manipulate your sounds so quickly is awesome.
The interface and controls really allow you to shape your sound. You have a “fat” knob that adds some depth to the sound, thickens it up, would be cool if you could control the detune amount as well. Or maybe just a detune switch that would automatically detune each oscillator as you “fatten” the sound up.
The chord feature is probably my favorite and what really made me fall in love with the library, that mixed with the arp gives it a really flexible sound.
Everything is recorded in pristine quality and captures the different characters of the various machines.
So what’s the bottom line?
This is a great inclusion in Komplete 8, I considered it just to be a last minute “extra” but it’s really a great instrument library in it’s own right.
Even without owning Komplete, at $79 it’s hard to find something that will match it’s sound, ease of use, and flexability for tweaking without being overly complex.
I give this library 4.5 out of 5 subs, it’s really a great sound and fun library that can stand on it’s own as a go to synth library, or in addition to your other tools.
Definitely go on over and checkout the demos http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/powered-by-kontakt/retro-machines-mk2/
If you already own Komplete 8, stop waiting and download this. Don’t dismiss it like I almost did!
Hi SJ, nice sound, indeed. But… yet another kontakt version?
@angelinni, yeah it’s cool. What do you mean “yet another kontakt version”?
Products will always update, can’t stay the same forever. This is a good thing.
@saintjoe, they actually did some good improvements from version 3 to 4, adding lossless compression, 64 bit support and other stuff. BUt now they just add a few filters and put it as a new release. I can be wrong, I just read the news, but it seems to me that it should be a subversion, not a new one. But it was totally offtopic. Sorry, my fault.
@angelinni, 37 new filters, solid eq, solid bus, tape saturation, transient master, time stretch pro which is way better than the previous versions. Plus you get Retro Machines mk2 with it for free. Plus stuff I don’t touch that’s made for developers building libraries and such lol…sounds like an update to me 🙂
Nice, i like this alot. definitely gettin this one.
@xavier.p, thanks for checking it out, it’s pretty cool
when you use the chord feature are you playing chords with one finger? Also is this purchase on NI a download or they send you the product?
Thanks in advance for help and I love your site keep up the Good Work!
@Jim Everett, yeah man it’s one finger chord lovin! lol hahaha, yeah, I dig that lol. Thanks for the comment!
SJ…NI has brought a nice interface & great sounds with this new release. Thanks for the peep…
@Baddboy2000, no doubt fam, thanks for checking it out!
Hate it’s not 24 bit!
@LuvLuv, I can’t hear the difference between 24 bit and 16 bit. Especially when both are at 44.1K….but it’s cool I know some can 🙂
What up Joe,
I haven’t really used RetroMachines much since I’ve had it but it’s a nice sound library to have. Personally I never know what sounds will inspire me to make a track so it is always good to have a different set of tools to work with (and you can’t beat free, right?). This is way off topic but my brotha I was wondering when you will bless us with a MOTU MachFive 3 review. Just got it last week and I’m liking what it can do and how it sounds 🙂
Great video as always Fam keep doing what u do.
@Madbull Studios, No doubt I feel you bro! And yes I will be showcasing MachFive, it’s a beast. I’m gonna have to split it up into multiple videos, probably do some on each main instrument then the synth engine, etc. YOu know I’ve always loved the motu/uvi sound, but they went next level with MachFive man, joint is insane and easy to program to if you want to get into that.
Joe….What up? Thanx again for the product review. Like some of those sounds. did you say this comes with Komplete 8? Hope so, I’m finally gonna throw down the money and get it tomorrow. also, became a new member of the MaschineTutorials family…..been addicted to that site man. lots to learn. I’ll never sleep now.
@KRK, Yeah fam it comes with k8 so you’ll get the download link I believe. Welcome to the fam!
Seems pretty cool but only 16 bit huh. I thought all N.I. Libraries were 24 bit for some reason?! Could be wrong I guess. Thanks for showing though it Joe.
@Thomasgreco, I guess I don’t see a problem 16 or 24 bit, I use both, they sound the same lol.
Ya for sure if it sounds good it’s good. Are all N.I. libraries 16 bit?
@Thomasgreco, I don’t believe so, never paid attention though lol. I think the george duke I paid attention because they provided actual wave loops with it as well. I think they were 24 bit.
Hey Joe does N.I. send me a link after activating K8 or how do I find this thing?
@Thomasgreco, yeah, but can take a while, took me a lil bit, like a couple weeks lol. But you can hit up their service desk, they may send you the link right away.
Cool thx man.