LAST CALL for NS_Kit 7 Commercial (Drumkits)

[Argitoth]

Homepage: http://naturalstudio.co.uk/

Sample Library: http://naturalstudio.co.uk/sampled.html

Some usermade stuff: http://www.naturalstudio.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=487

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NaturalStudios has announced its final remanufacturing of the ns_kit7 library. It will never be available in this in-depth, comprehensive manner again, so here's your last chance to be amongst the elite few who own and cherish this specialist drum sample library.

What is ns_kit7?

ns_kit7 is a multi-gigabyte single-strike drum and cymbal sample library with highly extensive velocity layering and articulation options, allowing for the ultimate in realism and performance.

Features at a glance

• 18GB of data (5 DVDs)
  
• 20,000 samples
  
• 48KHz/24bit
  
• Over 300 presets for Kontakt 2 and HALion 3
  
• 9 snares
  
• 4 sets of toms
  
• 5 kicks
  
• 3 rides, 3 crashes, 2 splashes, 2 hi-hats and a china
  
• 2 cowbells, tambourine and a full set of congas
  
• click here for detailed instrument list.
  
• Performed with sticks, mallets, brushes and hands/fingers, all with both left and right hands
  
• Snares on or off.
  
• Extensive articulation options, including rim-shots, hit-and-grabs, rolls, rims etc.
  
• access to the naturalstudio members' resource.
  
• If it's possible on a real kit, it's possible on ns_kit7!
  

ns_kit7 - Background

There were a number of "ideals" I felt ought to be finally realised with ns_kit7, not least the following:

1. The user should be able to play ns_kit7 live as a full drum kit.
   
2. If it's possible to play something on a real drum kit, it should be possible to play on ns_kit7.
   
3. ns_kit7 should sound utterly convincing and the end-user should feel they actually own the source instruments.
   
4. Like our previous sample libraries, it should be usable "straight from the box".
   
5. ns_kit7 should represent extreme value for money.
   

Further to the above, a concept that has been at the core of naturalstudio since its inception: the user should forget that he or she is triggering samples and feel like they are playing a real instrument. This is achieved through close attention to detail, a thorough knowledge of the instrument being replicated and incisive sampler mapping.

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[Geoffrey Taucer]

Anybody here used this? How is it? How does it compare to, say, DFH Superior?

[Moseph]

I have neither Kontakt, nor HALion, but man, 18 gigs of samples for a hundred bucks ...

I may have to just buy it and just save it for when I get the equipment to use it.

[Argitoth]

Anybody here used this? How is it? How does it compare to, say, DFH Superior?

You should register at www.KVRaudio.com and bring that question up. Check out my new description, it might answer a few things. Also, go to the homepage.Go and download the ns_kit7 manual: http://www.naturalstudio.co.uk/pdf/ns_kit7manual.pdf [right-click, save as]

I took a look at DFH Superior and it looks dang detailed. You're really going to have to compare features. ns_kit7 isn't a closed sampler engine like DFH superior so that may or may not be an advantage. ns_kit7 also doesn't have mic positions. You really got to do your own research because very few people (maybe 400) own ns_kit7 so you might not find anyone with both libraries. As for articulations, drum sample detail, etc, I don't think DFH has any clear advantage, if it even does. Of course DFH probably has a bigger drum selection.

Does DFH have brush sweeps on snare and cymbals? Because ns_kit7 definitely covers that. It sounds really good, check out the "brooshez" demo at the website. Also, I read somewhere that ns_kit7 has cymbal hit-and-grab samples that are triggered based on the velocity of the previous cymbal sample.

[The Legendary Zoltan]

I guess this is different from the NS Kit 7 that you can get for free from the website? I have that and it's less than 200 megs. This is a different one right? To be honest I thought my old drums samples sounded better. And I just downloaded the thing a couple days ago. However, Tensei san is using it for his Bloody Tears Metal remix and they sound really nice. Hmmmm.

[Argitoth]

You should listen to the demos, this link has individual kits: http://www.naturalstudio.co.uk/ns_kit7audiodemos.html

However, Tensei san is using it for his Bloody Tears Metal remix and they sound really nice. Hmmmm.

If you want to hear some more of ns_kit7 in a mix, try this: http://www.naturalstudio.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=487

actually, just download this mp3: http://www.metroidmetal.com/metroid_mp3/mp/metroidmetal_spacepirates.mp3 [right-click, save-as]

Matter of fact, check out this YouTube video:

[The Legendary Zoltan]

Those are indeed some nuts sounding drums in that you tube video. the level is totally different from what I heard in Tensei san's remix, actually. It must be the difference between the free and not free version.

[SnappleMan]

As far as samples go, NSKit has great sounding ones. But what I don't like is how the ambiance is all mixed in. I prefer DFHS because I can mix it however I want. NSkit is still a great product worth well over what they charge for it.

If you want complete freedom of mixing the kit, get DFHS, if you want pre-mixed bleeding and ambience, go with NSKit.

Also, DFHS comes with brushed hits, mallets, rods, three different drum beaters, snare wire on/off. And it comes with a complete hand percussion set, and a complete cocktail kit. There is nothing NSKit can do that DFHS can't do better, but it takes more work because DFHS is completely dry and completely unmixed.

[Argitoth]

There is nothing NSKit can do that DFHS can't do better

oookayyyy....

[Tensei]

Those are indeed some nuts sounding drums in that you tube video. the level is totally different from what I heard in Tensei san's remix, actually. It must be the difference between the free and not free version.

That, and probably because they're using NI's Battery as well. In my experience NSkit7free is workable, though it took me a huge amount of processing and layering with different soundfonts to get something that sounded more or less acceptable, and I'm still not very content with it, so I presume the full version will have a lot better sample quality.

[SnappleMan]

oookayyyy....

I would love to hear your argument for the contrary.

[Argitoth]

I haven't owned either (yet) of course I'm getting ns_kit7 by October 20th hopefully. What I can do is post a review made by someone who has used many sample libraries. One thing I personally could probably tell you is that there's not a library that can compete with ns_kit7 congas. It sounds amazing in the demos.

You should check it out and even buy it, it's for download for like 12GBP, but free for ns_kit7 owners: [link]

here's the review: [link] The review mentions DFH.

the DFH series -- sounds real good on first impression, especially C&V, but eventually ends up sounding musically "flat" on repeated listens; the BFD series -- sounds pretty good overall, but no real "oomph," takes quite a bit of tweaking to fit in a mix, and it isn’t going to fool any real drummers;

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Ooh, I may well get the congas.

[SnappleMan]

I haven't owned either (yet) of course I'm getting ns_kit7 by October 20th hopefully. What I can do is post a review made by someone who has used many sample libraries. One thing I personally could probably tell you is that there's not a library that can compete with ns_kit7 congas. It sounds amazing in the demos.

You should check it out and even buy it, it's for download for like 12GBP, but free for ns_kit7 owners: [link]

here's the review: [link] The review mentions DFH.

Oh, okay. So mikews99 knows more about professional sounding drums than the professionals do. You win!

Think logically, NSkit is the same as DFHS, except, it's already mixed and someone use their own effecs on it. If I want an NSkit style library, I'll make my own using DFHS.

[Argitoth]

It is impossible for two libraries to be so similar that you could say you could get the exact same results with either library. That's not to say that DFHS isn't versatile enough to be used in any project. Practically, any ns_kit user will have a different sound to their music than any DFHS user. DFHS users among DFHS users will even have their own sound.

ANYWAY! Point is, I am choosing ns_kit7 over DFHS because I see features that DFHS potentially doesn't have and the fact that ns_kit7 is such a good deal financially I can put the extra money toward other projects. Also... for freaken sake it won't be available forever! I might as well get a copy! As for the review, it's simply an opinion as is yours.

[SnappleMan]

yes, but you never told me of these features.... :\

[dannthr]

What I need is a drum library that can yes, do all the rock stuff, etc, etc, but I also need a drum library that has not just brush hits, but brush STIRS!!!

Neither NS_kit7 nor DfH:C&V have demos showing this as a sample asset. Doesn't anyone do jazz anymore?

Only JABB seems to have a brush stir and I'm not too fond of JABB's sound.

[zircon]

Battery 3 has some kits for that.

[Argitoth]

Neither NS_kit7 nor DfH:C&V have demos showing this as a sample asset. Doesn't anyone do jazz anymore?

What is a brush stir? Is that another word for brush sweep? Because ns_kit7 does have some very good jazz demo mp3s on the website with nice circular snare sweeps. Cymbals also have quick sweeps. Go here: http://naturalstudio.co.uk/ns_kit7audiodemos.html

For some reason the playlist isn't working for me soo hopefully it's working for you. You could also try the pdf manual. It explains brush sweeps (staccato, legato, and circular). Sorry if stir does not equal sweep. http://naturalstudio.co.uk/pdf/ns_kit7manual.pdf

[dannthr]

Yeah, their circular sweep seems to be the same as a stir, but there aren't any demos

Battery 3 sounds pretty good.

[Argitoth]

Yeah, their circular sweep seems to be the same as a stir, but there aren't any demos

Battery 3 sounds pretty good.

...you just gotta be kidding me.

Battery 3 is a sampler, not a sample library. It comes with a sample library, but damn you'll never fool anyone with that. I can't even believe your ears would even consider Battery 3 to meet your jazz percussion needs.

Anyway, im going to get a hold of the jazz demos of ns_kit7 for you.

[dannthr]

All I'm listening to with Battery is that one, individual sample--for which there is a demo.

And it sounds better than JABB's.

[SnappleMan]

DFHS, DFHC&V and NSKit all have brush sweeps and everything else you could possibly need. I don't know about NSKit, but when you select "Brushes" as your drumsticks in DFHS, the entire kit you chose is loaded with brushed samples, snare, toms, hihat, ride and cymbals. Though you have to pick a set that actually has brushed samples (not all 20 snares have brushed samples).

Also, if you want something truly different, look into Scarbee Imperial Drums. There's some really innovative programming in that library that integrates the modulation wheel to change positions of the player hand on the drums and all that.

[dannthr]

Yeah, the SID guy left Scarbee:

http://www.chocolateaudio.com/

But they're still for sale.

[zircon]

...you just gotta be kidding me.

Battery 3 is a sampler, not a sample library. It comes with a sample library, but damn you'll never fool anyone with that. I can't even believe your ears would even consider Battery 3 to meet your jazz percussion needs.

Anyway, im going to get a hold of the jazz demos of ns_kit7 for you.

You're a moron. Stop making huge judgments of products you don't even own. I've had Battery for years and it's an amazing plugin; the built in sample library is very impressive. As good as DFHS? No. But I've used it in a variety of songs and from personal experience I can say it's very good.