I don't think I've seen a vid on the whole Play series so props for doing this (and demoing, rather than just talking about them.) I think you have to look at what this does for you as a producer to see what the benefit is and then decide whether it works for you. As you say in the video, it almost feels like "Play" is as much an instrument as Kontakt or Maschine, so maybe one day they will split this out into its own bundle with Playbox. I notice that Arturia have somewhat copied this idea with their Augmented series, which is interesting given that they have been exclusively synthesis based until this point. It's also not a long way off the concept of something like Arcade by Output. I like the Play series because (and this is just my workflow) I tend to get a basic song idea down with stock instruments like a basic Piano, and then search for a vibe to finish things off. Play series is a really good and quick way to do that. The mood based browsing really helps filter the sounds. I think what I like most about this is that these sounds often end up being "wrong" but right in your mix. For example I make a lot of house music, but I use Deft Lines all the time, even though it's supposed to be for Drill. That I think is the main success of the Play Series. Good vid!
@@xantux I like to try and find other combinations yeah - that's one of the nice things about it. They make it really easy to quickly audition the different sounds, so once you get to know the presets, it can be fun to mix and match elements. I think some are so well designed (Ethereal Earth, Hybrid Keys, Deft Lines, Ignition Keys are my favs) that it's hard to improve on what's there. One example: open Melted Vibes (this is the one I struggle with the stock sounds the most!) Dusty Vibe preset. Turn down Melt. Change Layer 2 to Neon Hum. I think that sounds pretty good with minimal changes. So in a way you can split the Play instruments into those where you don't need to mess around too much, and others where it does take a little time to get it right. Also one not in Komplete 14 is Duets, which is a really solid option, and I bought that as it felt like a cut down version of something like Pharlight. Play seems to be NI's focus now and despite a lot of pushback from some producers, I really like the concept. I'd love them to do a few more vocal based packs, and I'm also interested in the 2 from this year on Trance & House.
I too don't get the Play series.. I've collected a few over the years through free offers.. i think they look amazing and very enticing but when we actually start playing it, it feels a little disappointing..
Excellent video! Exactly what I was looking for... I’ve had Komplete 13/14 for 3 years and was debating whether to dig in and learn these Play Series instruments. It’s hard to say if these sounds are any more accessible than presets in the 15 synths or the sampled instruments in Komplete standard. It’s a confusing strategy. Are the Play Series designed to be easier for non-synth musicians? Just noticed Utopia is free via KRV. Is it worth getting?
I usually try to grab offers like this, even if I don't end up installing or using them... Just in case 😅 I played around with Utopia a bit yesterday and had fun, but I don't know if it will make it into any production of mine soon or ever
The whole idea of the Play Series is that you have two soundsources to mix. So really, to make a sound with virtual synths, you need two different ones. So I don't get your complaint of why there are sampled synths in this. This is why. They work great with the eight knobs on your Komplete Kontrol keyboard! As for why there are Play Series Drums. Yeah. Well. Let's call them Play Drums. I mean, you didn't choose to include them here as well.
Fair point. I'm not generally opposed to synths being included, just out of Libraries like Soul Session, Lo-Fi Glow, Stacks... I would have hoped to see more samples besides synths.
@@xantux I've thought about it some more. I do get your point of more non-synths, but in the late 80s / 90s we had quite a few of samplebased instruments. This is an E-Mu Orbit 9090 with controller full of samples- including samples of synths (1996) --> czcams.com/video/t-heHTYbScQ/video.html
I don't think I've seen a vid on the whole Play series so props for doing this (and demoing, rather than just talking about them.) I think you have to look at what this does for you as a producer to see what the benefit is and then decide whether it works for you. As you say in the video, it almost feels like "Play" is as much an instrument as Kontakt or Maschine, so maybe one day they will split this out into its own bundle with Playbox. I notice that Arturia have somewhat copied this idea with their Augmented series, which is interesting given that they have been exclusively synthesis based until this point. It's also not a long way off the concept of something like Arcade by Output. I like the Play series because (and this is just my workflow) I tend to get a basic song idea down with stock instruments like a basic Piano, and then search for a vibe to finish things off. Play series is a really good and quick way to do that. The mood based browsing really helps filter the sounds. I think what I like most about this is that these sounds often end up being "wrong" but right in your mix. For example I make a lot of house music, but I use Deft Lines all the time, even though it's supposed to be for Drill. That I think is the main success of the Play Series. Good vid!
Great thoughts! Very nice to read you comment. Do you ever dig into the sample selection and create your own sounds with it?
@@xantux I like to try and find other combinations yeah - that's one of the nice things about it. They make it really easy to quickly audition the different sounds, so once you get to know the presets, it can be fun to mix and match elements. I think some are so well designed (Ethereal Earth, Hybrid Keys, Deft Lines, Ignition Keys are my favs) that it's hard to improve on what's there. One example: open Melted Vibes (this is the one I struggle with the stock sounds the most!) Dusty Vibe preset. Turn down Melt. Change Layer 2 to Neon Hum. I think that sounds pretty good with minimal changes. So in a way you can split the Play instruments into those where you don't need to mess around too much, and others where it does take a little time to get it right. Also one not in Komplete 14 is Duets, which is a really solid option, and I bought that as it felt like a cut down version of something like Pharlight. Play seems to be NI's focus now and despite a lot of pushback from some producers, I really like the concept. I'd love them to do a few more vocal based packs, and I'm also interested in the 2 from this year on Trance & House.
This was really helpful, thank you!
I just got Komplete. This video was helpful.
Great video, thank you so much. Only change I would make is moving cloud supply up a bit. I personally use that one often. 🎹♥️
Thank you! Interesting - what genre do you use cloud supply for?
@@xantuxI’m a Smooth Jazz producer for myself and many other artists. I often fuse it with r&b, funk, pop, hip hop, and latin. 🎹♥️
Subbed. Hopefully you hit 1k by the end of the year.
We did it!
@@xantux Awesome
I too don't get the Play series.. I've collected a few over the years through free offers.. i think they look amazing and very enticing but when we actually start playing it, it feels a little disappointing..
Excellent video! Exactly what I was looking for... I’ve had Komplete 13/14 for 3 years and was debating whether to dig in and learn these Play Series instruments. It’s hard to say if these sounds are any more accessible than presets in the 15 synths or the sampled instruments in Komplete standard. It’s a confusing strategy. Are the Play Series designed to be easier for non-synth musicians? Just noticed Utopia is free via KRV. Is it worth getting?
I usually try to grab offers like this, even if I don't end up installing or using them... Just in case 😅
I played around with Utopia a bit yesterday and had fun, but I don't know if it will make it into any production of mine soon or ever
The whole idea of the Play Series is that you have two soundsources to mix. So really, to make a sound with virtual synths, you need two different ones. So I don't get your complaint of why there are sampled synths in this. This is why.
They work great with the eight knobs on your Komplete Kontrol keyboard!
As for why there are Play Series Drums. Yeah. Well. Let's call them Play Drums. I mean, you didn't choose to include them here as well.
Fair point. I'm not generally opposed to synths being included, just out of Libraries like Soul Session, Lo-Fi Glow, Stacks... I would have hoped to see more samples besides synths.
@@xantux I've thought about it some more. I do get your point of more non-synths, but in the late 80s / 90s we had quite a few of samplebased instruments. This is an E-Mu Orbit 9090 with controller full of samples- including samples of synths (1996) --> czcams.com/video/t-heHTYbScQ/video.html
@@PendelSteven This does sound very nice indeed!
Mine is almost upside down lol
Damn! 😅 which are your favorites?
Thank you- So I am not dumb. Its really almost total garbage... ;-)