[OLD - SEE DESCRIPTION] Ultimate Kontakt Library Organization (2019)
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- Опубликовано: 23 июн 2019
- UPDATE: There is a newer version of this video available: • Ultimate Kontakt Libra...
I no longer recommend the technique showed in this 2019 video, because it's turned out that macOS's support for aliases is difficult or impossible to update when migrating to a new computer or when rescuing a failed drive.
PREVIOUS DESCRIPTION FOLLOWS:
daviddas.com -- This is a vital video for all Native Instruments Kontakt power users who struggle with managing a large sample library and using it effectively in the course of composing music. I present the system that has worked best for me while working on my Mac.
Useful link to Keyboard Maestro (macro automation software): www.keyboardmaestro.com
Complete list of my personal category folders:
Ambient, Textures, Rhythmic
Bass
Choir and Voices
Drums and Perc - Acoustic
Drums and Perc - Electronic
Drums and Perc - Ethnic
Drums and Perc - Loops
Drums and Perc - Small Percussion
Ethnic
Guitars
Horns and Brass
Mallets, Toys, Folk Instruments
Misc Faves
NOT CATEGORIZED YET
Orch - Brass
Orch - Mixed Ensemble Collections
Orch - Percussion
Orch - Spitfire and ProjectSAM
Orch - Strings
Orch - Woodwinds
Pianos, Electric Pianos, Keyboards
SFX and Sound Design
Specific Styles or Genres
Synths
Trailer Material
The AppleScript I use (which resizes the window and puts it into column view) is this:
tell application "Finder"
tell front window
if current view ≠ column view then
set current view to column view
end if
end tell
end tell 
Видеоклипы
I’ve got well over 8TB of Kontakt Libraries content- and Dave…this is the BEST video for guys like me. You did a SUPER job, and I’m grateful for your sharing.
I'm so glad this was helpful. Important note: I've updated my process now and no longer use aliases (mainly because they are problematic when you try and port them to a different computer), and I now use Finder tags instead, to achieve the same thing. I'm planning to make a new video about this soon.
@@daviddas That’s great. You did mention tags somewhere, and I know what you mean. I just transferred over 8TB onto my new OWC Accelsior 16TB 4M2 model - samples load like lightning! I’m actually at about 60TB for my video and audio work. THANK YOU, David … you’re great!👍🏻
David, Steve Vai here. This video is golden. Thank you infinity for making it. Really brother! Now I'm off to search for more of your videos. I've been trying for years to find a way to organize my Kontakt library, since Kontakt first came out! And the workflow you introduce here is a true gift!!! You rock.
Glad to help Steve. I've actually changed my mind on this (slightly) because the technique shown above (Finder aliases) is not super portable to future computer or drive setups due to Apple limitations. I've now updated to a better way (using Finder tags) but haven't yet had time to make a new video showing this. I will do so soon. Meanwhile, consider Finder tags as a better, more future-proof way to do this.
@@daviddas Thanks David. I'm on a mac too so I'll keep my eye out for your video on this. Great stuff!
Steve Vai, you rock
Are you THE Steve Vai? Grammy Winning Steve Vai? Frank Zappa Steve Vai?
@@vicfirth1 Yup
This video has touched me deeply. :) Every single thing you said at the start (except starting from Kontakt 1) is exactly my struggle as well. I just finished doing this for all my plugins, with multiple folders that could contain a multi-purpose plugin, but I was NOT looking forward to attacking my massive collection of Kontakt libraries. I didn't think about folder aliases. Great thinking!
Now to begin the long process......
Thanks!
Glad to hear it, because likewise it really revolutionized my own sample management and therefore my composing workflow.
This reminds me of my Dad’s art studio - he was a commercial artist. His drawing table was surrounded by dozens of T-squares, bleachers of markers, pencils, compasses, etc. All his tools were within easy reach. This is what all craftsman do - they find a way to have their tools at their beck and call so they don’t waste time finding them. The library organization is great, but the next step is to create you own Multi Instruments. If you use FL Studio, you can create Multis with up to 64 different instruments (using BRSO articulate and Midi Extend). It works great with Kontakt 5, but Kontakt 6 seems to have a problem with stuck notes. With Multis you can have a single instance of Kontakt with numerous Kontakt instruments from ANY library. Just make sure to purge all samples when you create the Multi. The advantage of the Multi is that it allows you to access numerous instruments at one time from any of your libraries simply by loading in one file.
Right from the go I related to every issue lol. I used your system and have to say it feels much cleaner. Thank you so much
Great video David and just at the right moment for me!
Renaming multiple items just blew my mind. I can't believe I've never noticed that. 7:53
So helpful! Thanks I've been struggling with this aspect of my workflow for years.
I thought I was the the cat’s pajamas when I discovered the rename trick, I use it so often, especially when using old samplers that may only except imported samples with a specific naming system (like the electribe es1). But that Alias trick!!????? Insane. You are the cats pajamas and his Sunday shoes!!
Excellent! My new Komplete 13 Ultimate is on its way, and with over 1TB of data your tips are going to be very helpful.
great video David, thanks for your time.
Great video David, I’m going to give this a shot. Thanks!
Glad to see I'm not the only neat freak guy! Thanks for this. Will attack the daunting task.
excellent info.
great, natural delivery too.
Thank you! Kontakt has always frustrated me and this is going to help immensely.
After making this video I switched to another method which works better: Finder tags. FYI. Video coming at some point in the future about it.
Genius idea David. Thanks!
So many thanks David, this is huge help :)
Wow this super greatful and super ultimately a great tool to stay organized 🙏 Thank You For this process
Stunning. Thanks!
truly ultimate technique
Great tutorial man, very clear and understandable
Thanks David!!!
Great tutorial 👏
Great organization process! For easier process without Automator, Create Folder instead alias, and put alias instruments files inside. Now you can go back directly into Kontakt
Great info as usual!
Some great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
I really love this ocd organizing. 12-29-22
Thanks so much David, this one saves hours of my life :)
Stay tuned...I'm going to do a new 2020 version of this showing a newer improved system. (I've now switched to using Finder tags, which are a tad more clunky, but are much more portable to future systems.)
Thank you! That was awesome.
This is great! Thank you!!!!!!
Really helpful stuff.
Thank you Thank you!!! I have been going nuts for too long trying to come up with a good system. Excellent!!! Can't wait to dive in.
A Kontakt question? do you have any thoughts about Kontakt's snapshot feature?
Thanks, very inspirational. In fact I tried it today. I also hide the sidebar on the window: after the "end if" I add "set sidebar width to 0".
Thanks David, this was a very informative video! I might see, if I can do something similar in Windows with AHK.
For Windows? Check out KonDB -> kondb.sourceforge.io
@@JuanMartinez-nq3on Doing Dave's method of dragging shortcuts directly in Kontakt won't for me on Windows 10 and I can't even use the Quick load because my NI folder is read-only and I can't find a way to make writable (keeps reverting to read-only) but your app bypasses all these issues! Muchas Gracias! Now I wish there was a way to create folders but very useful and usable as is! Thanks again
Perfect! Thanks!
"Ultimate Kontakt Library Manager by ultimate midi plugin" looks good for window users
This is a work of genius!
Stay tuned for an update to this video -- I've changed my technique -- now using Finder tags instead, which is a more robust system.
@@daviddas Hey David, when could we expect this updated version? I'm looking forward to it!!!!
great video David with some excellent tips . I just started doing this recently and organizing them in my quick load with instrument type folders . You mentioned you were not a fan of quick load just wondering what you didn't like about it. ?
Good question. I had some comments about it that were ultimately removed from the final cut of the video. My objections to QuickLoad are: (1) it slows down as it gets bigger. It sometimes takes a while to load, and a while to reveal some of its nested folders. Whereas the Finder is pretty much instant. (2) I use a mouse with a horizontal and vertical scroll ball, and Kontakt doesn't support scrolling horizontally. So it's a real pain to try and go left-right. (3) QuickLoad obscures part of the Kontakt instrument rack, which I like keeping visible for other reasons. I find that, when using QuickLoad, I'm constantly hiding and showing it, which slows me down.
On the flip side, another reason I really like using a Finder window for this is that it's a separate window, so I can move it around as necessary (and even close it -- knowing it's one keystroke away from re-appearing).
Great video, thank you. I would like to know how that all would work with Komplete Kontrol instead of Kontakt 6, (its a system run via both a local and remote VE Pro setup?) Though Komplete Kontrol doesn't have advanced features via VE Pro ethernet, it does show key zones by color. For that ability to SEE key zones alone , I was thinking of setting up VE Pro on my remote computer with KOMPLETE plug ins and not standard Kontakt 6. Any thoughts you have on how I would utilize your fantastic organization plan inside Komplete Kontrol would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work! It's really great of you to spend time making these like you do. :)
Fantastic! Gonna give this a try. Thanx!!
I've since superseded this system with a better, more robust system. Video coming soon. (tl;dr: using Finder tags instead of aliases, because aliases are less portable)
@@daviddas Excellent. In that case I'll wait:)
Hi David, great video, and brilliant organization techniques. Have you ever used Logic and its User Patches, to create folder structures there?
Can't help here, sorry, as I'm not a Logic user!
Very nice tip! Thanks a lot!
Appreciate it. I plan to revise this video shortly and show a better way of doing it. FYI. There are some drawbacks to using the above system that can be done better.
@@daviddas Ah ok. Then I have to wait for your updated tipp before I organizing all my libraries :) Luckily you wrote me that before I started!
I'm curious about your new way. Cheers
I thought it was just me not knowing how to use kontakt properly, but it seems that it’s just pretty archaic in the way it handles libraries!
Thanks!
Hi David, met you at NAMM a few years ago... wondering if you could do a video on your work flow... It looks like you have a smaller kontakt keyboard... do you use an 88 key as well? do you mix yourself? use any other gear for producing?
I mainly use a larger, 88-key keyboard. Your questions are rather broad, so in order to be helpful, you may want to search for more specific tutorials then ask more specific questions. :)
Very nice, thank you for this. One question though - you mentioned Foley. Can you recommend any Foley libraries for Kontakt? TIA.
There aren't many. (I misspoke slightly there.) Most people who work in foley don't need them mapped to keys nor do they need typical sampler features. They just need to drop them in as audio files where they're needed. (You can, of course, take WAV/AIFF foley libraries and drop them into Kontakt if you wish.)
Thanks. That explains why I find it hard to find foley libraries
Nice way to speed up workflow 👍
Very useful and inspiring, but, I am new using Kontakt, so I have a question that might be silly. I see you did this with libraries you load into Kontakt by dragging files into the Kontakt files window. Should I also tranfer those libraries that load automatically into the Kontakt Libraries window? Thank you for your advice.
The Kontakt libraries tab is reserved only for commercial Kontakt Player libraries that have licensed the Kontakt engine. So you can only add those particular libraries there.
There are at least five different ways to load patches into Kontakt. I use each of them at different times, but in this video I show them simply dragged in from the Finder, because I feel like that's actually one of the most straightforward.
hello i need help while i organise my kontakt lib in kontakt player it shift position like for example i keep all my pianos on top around 5 lib but when ever i open my kontakt my libraries are shifted some of them below some of them in between like its never in order how i placed it please help me how can i fix this issue
Great video. With Native Access updates, does that break the alias-links you created?
No, it doesn't break, so it should be OK. However, make sure to read the description. I no longer advocate for using aliases as described in the video. I've made a new video detailing a better method: ruclips.net/video/i7T8_-LI3cA/видео.html
@@daviddas Thanks Dave ! I'll check it out. My wish-list includes a SoundDiver type program for VI's . Back in the 90's, I set someone up who 50 hardware MIDI modules and dumped all the patches into SD. Took a minute but it worked and was very empowering solution.
i already have quickload set up but obviously can't stand the endless hang time and spinning cog-wheel when you instantiate kontakt. i was wondering why the aliases created by quickload can't be dragged into kontakt in the same way you're doing. i mean isn't an alias an alias? maybe it's because the actual files are aliased rather than folders like in your example..? so frustrating because it would mean being able to skip the organisational step, which I've done once already with quickload! incidentally, i'm an alfred guy rather than keyboard maestro and managed to emulate your settings in there. great video!
Hi. Thanks for your very usefull vid. Just rebuilded your Setup. The only problem that figured out is: Ableton is in front (full screen) and the Kontakt-Instance is open. When I press my trigger-key the finder window does appear, but the Kontakt plugin closes instantely. So I cant drag my instruments from the Finder to my Kontakt. Any solution for that habbit? Thanks alot.
Good question, don't know. This would be an Ableton-specific thing since Ableton probably uses floating plug-in windows. Not sure what the best approach might be, or if there might be an Ableton pref to make plug-in windows non-floating (?) Some DAW's offer that.
That's a great idea! I was hoping to do this but Kontakt won't open a shortcut to a nki file on Windows 10. Not sure if it's because I'm using inside VE Pro. Anybody else has the same issue?
Thanks for this video. But still it's a lot of work. NI must come up with a simpler solution which I believe they can easily do with the metadata info they have about every library and patches they have ever released and organize them into different folders with just a single click.
I think they won't do that , once we get organized we will realize that each one of us have enough plugins for our entire lifetime which will affect their business model :)
I noticed you have libraries that are supposed to be used in EastWest PLAY. Do those actually work In Kontakt or are those older versions of EastWest instruments?
They are the old, original versions of the EWQLSO, which was made in Kontakt Player format back in the early 2000's.
@David Das Thx for the video but I don't use Kontakt in standlone mode, only in plugin version in Ableton… & it doesn't work. Everytime that I drag the alias in a midi track or in a kontakt panel inside a midi track,, Ableton freeze. I tried also to create a folder inside of Ableton but the DAW doesn't see the alias inside the folder :-(. This method works also with kontakt in Plugin mode ?
Can't wait to see how you manage with tags ;-).
Really strange to hear. I also use Kontakt in plug-in mode (within DP) and drag-and-drop works fine.
I'm a little confused by you saying you "drag and drop aliases" -- you would only use drag and drop of aliases while in the Finder and while you create your organization. After that, to actually use patches, you wouldn't drag and drop *aliases*; you would drag and drop NKI's into Kontakt's window (whether standalone or plug-in). As I said, dragging and dropping NKI's into the Kontakt plug-in works normally for me in DP.
@@daviddas Thks for this quick reply. Sorry for my explanation. Finally it works if I drag the NKI's in the Kontakt window but Live get freezed if I try to drag straight in the track or in the "kontakt live rack" window. Info for Live users ;-). Anyway, thanks, super cool tip (but I'm wondering if I should wait for your new tag tip before to dig into my libraries… ?
Hello. I have a organized all my librairies in a specific order. I want to copy paste this organization to another computer which has the same librairies. Is it possible ? Where is the file which manage this ? Thaaaanks in advance ! Great video !
Using the alias system, I don't know if it can be transported to another computer. That's one of the mysteries of aliases; they're so under-documented by Apple. Since making this video, I've switched systems over to using Finder tags instead, which seem to be more portable as well as fixable and customizable. I will make a new video on this at some point.
Hey David! Great video and great tip to organize a large instrument library. So I tried your tip using aliases (I'm on High Sierra with Kontakt 6.5.2) and unfortunately, even after renaming the aliases, Kontakt still shows "instrument" as name folder. Renaming the alias in the Finder in a comprehensive name changes nothing, "instrument" is always displayed in Kontakt. Obviously I did that with Kontakt not running. Any idea? Thanks in advance and sorry for bad english, i'm French! :)
Not sure. This is hard to diagnose without seeing what you're doing. Perhaps post a screen video? I will say that I no longer recommend the alias method detailed in this video (because aliases are difficult/impossible to update when moving computers or changing drives). I now recommend a similar method using Finder tags, which ARE more portable and therefore future-proof. However, they're not super-renamable...
@@daviddas Thank you for your quick answer. My method is super simple : drag&drop "Instruments" folder with option+command (for the alias) within another folder, then renaming the alias, then select this other folder in the Files tag of Kontakt, nothing really special here. I will try the Finder tags method as you suggest, I will probably have more chances. Unfortunately I don't know how to join a video or screenshot in my answer for your better understanding, sorry for that. FYI, using symbolic links does not solve the problem neither, the displayed name in Kontakt is still the original folder name, meaning "Instruments". Thank you anyway for your answer, it's highly appreciated!
@@philippemaurel4346 You say you "select this other folder in the Files tag of Kontakt" -- I don't believe Kontakt handles these folders very well, as I detailed in the video above. I personally end up creating a shortcut to display my big organized Kontakt folders in the Finder, then drag them from the Finder into Kontakt. (That way, I usually don't use Kontakt's Files tab, which is more cumbersome.)
I think this will still work fine for PC users.
Hi David, I keep reading that you talk about a technique for managing libraries via finder tags but I can't find where you you explain this technique in detail. Could you explain it to me?
Thank you very much,
Giovanni
I haven't done it yet, but I hope to make a video about this soon.
@@daviddas Thank you for your reply David. My problem is that I don't know how to organize the libraries at the moment. I googled for hours but there is no good solution. And I really like your method presented in this video but it has a flaw that makes it problematic: that is, if I drag the alias of an .nki from the finder onto the Kontakt window, it doesn't load it. So I have to right-click on the Alias file every time and ask the finder to show me the original file. Then drag that to kontakt. And that makes it all too cumbersome
@@giovannifrison New video finally posted! @
I've decided yours is the best method, and I'm about a third of the way through organising. A couple of things I wanted to ask:
1) how do you treat multis? Just lump them in with the nki's? separate folders? a whole parent folder system?
2) do you duplicate libraries to different categories if you think they fit more than one? for example, "Epic Toms" is a great orchestral percussion library, but it's equally at home in an epic pop/rock arrangement. if i put it in my "Orch Perc" folder, i might not think to look there next time i'm considering drum sounds for a non-orchestral project.
Important note: since making this video, I've come to realize that aliases aren't the best way of handling this, because aliases aren't portable to future machines or future hard drive configurations. They can be re-connected, but only one-at-a-time, making the process extremely tedious. (I researched for a way around this and can't find one.) Therefore, I'm about to make a new video showing a better way: using Finder tags. It's a similar system, but using Finder tagging instead is a better way to preserve the organization you want.
1) I personally don't use multis often so I'm comfortable with lumping them in with NKI's, however, you could do whatever you want.
2) Yes indeed; I liberally put libraries into multiple categories which correspond to where I think I would look for them. See 6:27 in the video above.
@@daviddas Thanks for the info. I'm tempted to finish organising with your system nonetheless, as when I've replaced drives in the past and copied the data across (or restored from Time Machine) they've worked fine. The alisases are on the same drive as my libraries, so I can't really foresee a scenario where they become disconnected. Perhaps there's something I'm not considering...?
1) I don't use multis often either, except for with LASS, so I'll do the same. In fact, their being next to the instruments might actually encourage me to try them now and then.
2) Makes sense. I guess it's just my minimalist OCD that causes me anxiety having duplicates. I'm sure I'll get over it! Thanks!
@@daviddas Did you ever make this video showing a better way using Finder tags?
@@foxvernon2202 Thanks for your patience. I literally taped the new video today. Give it a couple of days for editing and it'll be ready to upload!
@@foxvernon2202 Yes, finally published: @
HI. Great video:-) Is it possible that you can copy and paste the AppleScript command and leave it in the description of the video?:-)
tell application "Finder"
tell front window
if current view ≠ column view then
set current view to column view
end if
end tell
end tell
@@daviddas Thank you.-).
Great idea - now I just need to figure a way to port that concept to Windows. Thanks!
Ooh. Great point. I was only thinking of Mac-centric application. If you have Windows notes, please send them over.
@@daviddas Symbolic links or junctions. Very simple, you can do it through CMD or even download an easy right-click menu option. AutoHotkey instead of Keymaestro. SCripting will be different though
@@daviddas Awesome vid! A real quick search lead me to autohotkeys.com/. It's a little more convoluted to get set up but the app comes with FAQ and examples. The user creates code similar to what is in your example i.e.:
^!x::
Run, C:\MyMusicFolder
return
@David Das The above script assigns Ctrl+Alt+x to open "C:\MyMusicFolder". AHK can also do the string appends/replacements in Windows File Explorer as you demonstrated on the Mac. Thanks again for sharing!
Thanks everyone for these replies. I'm debating if it's worth pulling this video (since it's brand new) and adding a mention about Windows equivalents. Or just adding it to the description. However, I'd still need someone to walk me through it (specifically, the alias'ing part of it, and making sure it works the same way). The macro utility is fairly simple and I'm sure there's multiple ways to do it on Windows.
Cool idea. Just too many libraries out there. I use custom library loaders divided many ways you do.
Custom library loaders? (Do you mean that hack whereby you can use the Libraries tab for anything you want?)
@@daviddas don't know if it is a "hack" but it is something an assistant came up with years ago.... Just about every composer I know has them. JXL has his Mad Max, 300, etc for each movie (I do too). It's just how we work and stay organized.
Just don't get on the subject of breaking some "license deal" or whatever. It really doesn't matter with custom private stuff you are not trying to sell. I want my tools to work for me and not have to find funky work-arounds where I work for them. Do what cha gotta do. Just don't try to sell it or make a profit off the software company "license" since that is how they charge sample libraries for the royal treatment of a library tab.
I'll stay off the legalities of it, but my more major concern is whether that kind of workaround would continue to work in the future. Whatever organizational method you use, it's worth investing serious time into the setup, so I would want to make absolutely sure that it will work quasi-forever. I feel confident about using Finder aliases because (1) that's how QuickLoad works, and (2) Kontakt currently loads patches dragged from the Finder just fine, so I can't see any reason NI would break that in the future, so this should always work no matter how Kontakt changes in the future. But with that Libraries tab workaround, who knows if NI will shut it down in the future.
@@daviddas Kontakt won't be our future (hopefully). It is not ideal or even has the best sound. Frankly MachFIVE sounded better by far but it just is not used by all DAWs.
As long as Kontakt supports "library loaders" (which I am certain their 30k per library income) will... my method will work. It is not going anywhere with the amount of money NI gets from it. You can guarantee that.
Same for Pc? Mac just has alias correct?
I'm not sure what the Windows equivalent would be.
is there a way to do this in windows?
Utimate Kontakt Library Manager by ultimate midi plugin
I am something of a novice to all this but it seems like these organizational issues are what the Akai VIP software is trying to address.
I had to get a drive just for kontakt alone. These libraries are massive. Komplete 12 Ultimate the special Edition is 650 gb plus.... Ridiculous.... Not to mention all the other 3rd party stuff. Don't get me wrong its worth it but they gotta find a way to shrink the size of these files thats really my only complaint.
Slight difference of opinion...drives are relatively cheap nowadays and you can install only the stuff you want. I'm GLAD we have so much choice! (The only place I wish sample library developers were a little more considerate is when they include 14 mic positions of the same thing when they're not really necessary.)
@@daviddas Regularly drives are cheap not SSD's. $200 will get you one or two terabytes. I only buy 10 terabytes and up. My Komplete 12 Collectors Edition along with 3rd party Libraries will eat up 2 terabytes easy and then some. There has to be a better way. Management of my Kontakt libraries is a job in itself. Its a love hate relationship. The product is good but the upkeep can get tedious. Remember this is just Kontakt alone I have over 4 Terabytes. I have Omnishere, Trillian and all my other plugs that need attention also. Kontakt is a space hog but its a necessary evil.... Its a must have it's an industry standard.
1. Download and unpack this archive.
cloud.mail.ru/public/H1jK/e2yyqncsg
2. View the contents.
This is an exact copy of the structure of my Mega collections.
Files in this archive are not sized.
This is what a library organization should look like.
I removed protection from all libraries that require registration.
When using licensed Kontakt registration of libraries is not required.