Are you tired of pulling from the same old sample library? Has your virtual instrument collection grown a little uninspiring? Does your plugin folder deserve a much-needed refresh?
Native Instruments is here to change that with Komplete 26, the latest and largest version of its flagship production suite, with over 190 premium instruments and effects, more than 150 Expansion sound packs, and upwards of 180,000 sounds. If you’re a musician or producer searching for a creatively stimulating set of tools to reinvigorate your workflow, this is the only bundle you’ll ever need.
From the tightly focused toolkit of Komplete 26 Select ($99) to the sonic universe that is Komplete Collector’s Edition ($1,949), there’s a Komplete tier for everyone, and each one offers unparalleled value compared to the collective MSRP of what’s inside. And if you own earlier versions of Komplete, there are discounted update prices on offer too.
Included in all tiers from Standard ($549) upwards are several of Native Instruments’ most iconic plugins, including the recently relaunched Absynth 6, a versatile semi-modular soft synth that draws on granular, FM, wavetable and subtractive synthesis to produce otherworldly sounds that are truly unique.
Also featured in the bundle is Massive X, the successor to the enduringly influential synth that shaped the sound of late-’00s EDM, and Kontakt 8, the industry-standard sampling platform platform that’s been given a new lease of life in its eighth edition with generative MIDI tools that offer an inspiring way to create chords and melodies.
These three instruments alone are packed with enough potential to keep even the most demanding producer busy, but Komplete 26 goes so much further. Also featured in Standard through Collector’s Edition are six essential plugins from iZotope, one of music tech’s most respected developers, including Elements editions of three AI-powered mixing and mastering tools – Ozone 12, Neutron 5, and Nectar 4 – that are staples in the workflow of professional producers and engineers across the globe.
Joining these versatile processors are a variety of more focused tools from Brainworx for precision sound-shaping, including bx_glue, a dynamics shaper that combines the flexibility of multi-band processing with the snappy sound of vintage VCA compressors.
Move up to Ultimate ($1,249) and Komplete 26's orchestral and cinematic capabilities are the star of the show. LCO Producer Strings puts the genre-defying sound of the London Contemporary Orchestra in your DAW, while Claire captures the rich tonal character of one of the world's largest grand pianos.
The Scene series, Erosia, and Cremona Quartet Ensemble bring depth and personality for composers and sound designers working to picture, and the Expansion library opens up a diverse soundworld stocked with more than 100 packs. The Brainworx lineup expands here too, with bx_clipper and bx_XL V3 bringing mastering-grade dynamics control to the table.
With more than 180,000 sounds inside, Komplete 26 Collector's Edition is Native Instruments' most comprehensive bundle to date, adding up to a total value of more than $27,000 – at $1,949, that’s a saving of over 92% on the combined cost of everything included.
Among this collection are a handful of exclusives that deserve spotlighting: Circular transforms simple chord inputs into evolving soundscapes, and Odes is a rhythmically-driven orchestral instrument that brings scenes to life with the eclectic and textural sound of exotic instruments like the shakuhachi and nyckelharpa.
Alongside these experimental tools are more familiar sounds too – the Definitive Electric Keys Collection spans six meticulously sampled vintage keyboards, and the Stradivari Violin harnesses the inimitable tone of a centuries-old instrument from the world’s most renowned violin maker.
For those wanting a more streamlined collection, Komplete Select ($99) offers three genre-focused editions (Beats, Band and Electronic) each curated with a generous selection of instruments, effects and Expansions tailored to a specific style of production. And let’s not forget that the free Komplete Start is there for anyone who wants to explore the Native Instruments ecosystem with no commitment at all.
With so much on offer across its four tiers, Komplete 26 is the kind of bundle that just keeps on giving. The Standard tier alone packs in enough instruments, effects and Expansions to transform a production setup, and the deeper you go, the more rewarding it gets.
Ultimate and Collector's Edition open up a creative toolbox that would cost thousands of dollars to build up individually, while the accessible entry points of Select and the free Komplete Start ensure that nobody is left out. For producers that feel like they've exhausted what's already on their hard drive, Komplete 26 is the ultimate reset button.