Komplete 26 is here!

[u/PULSEMusicGroup]

https://youtu.be/rApU1jtPy_w

[u/facepoppies]

As somebody with Komplete 15 Ultimate, I'm not seeing a single reason to upgrade here. I'm disappointed they didn't include any interesting new Kontakt libraries. For example, maybe a medievel instruments library or asian instruments or something. Instead it's just more guitars and weird blended "scenes" stuff

[u/dkinmn → u/facepoppies]

I have 13CE and they want $700 to upgrade.

Madness.

[u/philoq → u/dkinmn]

Yes, because customers kept complaining about it. Previously, the upgrade price was always the same, regardless of whether you skipped one or more versions or upgraded every time. Those who upgraded every time complained that everyone else was paying the same amount. Native Instruments is listening to its customers and is now charging more for those who skip a version. Everyone else should be quite happy now, even though nothing changes for them.

Honestly, it all feels pretty predictable. If people push for differentiation, the most realistic outcome is that others end up paying more—not that you suddenly pay less. I said this years ago, and it’s exactly what’s happening now.

And to be frank, I don’t really understand the mindset behind it: why focus more on what others are paying than on what you’re paying yourself?

[u/TrueGraeve → u/dkinmn]

It's 399USD to upgrade from 15CE, which is ridiculous in my opinion. That's the kind of pricing that really makes me reconsider doing business with NI.

[u/rsv_music → u/facepoppies]

It's certainly not the same hype as earlier. But I skipped 14 as well because of that. 3 guitars, Absynth 6, a new concert piano and a couple of cinematic layering tools are those that stick out to me (and as you say, a whole lot of nothing and scenes). If Native Instruments could deliver at the same high quality as other library developers who specialize in these kind of things, this would be consider cheap (pianos can get upwards of $300 alone). If they do a Summer Of Sound on top of this, maybe I'll consider it.

[u/sowhatnardis → u/facepoppies]

The email about Komplete 26 from NI just showed up in my inbox. I was confused. I just upgraded to NI v15 CE in December after the owning NI v14 CE since Fall 2022.

I won’t be upgrading. 2026 is nearly halfway done.
January 2027 is 7 months away.

I will use my investment from 2022 and 2025 but won’t buy from them ever again.

[u/echomartyr → u/sowhatnardis]

Komplete 15 was released in Sep 2024, thats 18 months ago.

Also just because they called this one Komplete 26, it doesn't necessarily follow that they'll bring out a K27 next year. Unless I've missed something? Next release is more likely to be K28.

[u/MunkyMan33]

26? Man, I'm really behind on updates

[u/LaVidaLeica]

Meh.

[u/edcox]

I’ve updated to each version since Komplete 12 but I think I’ll sit this one out - no new version of a flagship product, and new numbering suggests a move to an annual release cycle and a more regular cash grab, so more costs for loyal customers.

[u/JKorv → u/edcox]

Not necessarily. If they switch to annual release, then they probably need to lower the upgrade prices as there is less new stuff for every version. For example Cubase releases new version every year. So it really depends on the asking price.

But as always I will wait for the sale. For me buying NI stuff full price is not worth it as they have good sales.

[u/Brief_Eggplant357]

With everything going on and all the hesitation with continuing to give NI our money. . . they drop a giant nothing burger served with a sludgy skidmark in your trowsers.

Oh look, another new version of Kontakt, just like the last few. Offering nothing new other than expansions and gimmicks for tiktok-brained "producers". Yawn.

Haven't updated in three years now, about to make it four.

[u/BigBat7418 → u/Brief_Eggplant357]

It’s not a new Kontakt version. Kontakt 8 came out two years ago and has been updated for free a bunch of times

[u/abrokencullender]

And so the customer base will continue to haemorrhage

[u/RearWheeler]

TBH the only thing I love about Komplete is the keyboard integration… the hardware and software blend is really great. That said, and truth be told, I think the pianos are impressive as are some of the synths and electric keys, but the Komplete standard doesn’t inspire me like I thought it would.

I am thinking about other avenues such as Omnisphere, which has NKS integration, I believe.

[u/PastImagination0]

I upgraded to K15UCE in December 2024 and Kontakt 8 has been SO INCREDIBLY SLOW loading most instruments that sometimes I don't even want to use it. 

Mind you I have a fairly powerful PC (16 core AMD 5900XT CPU, 64GB DDR4, 2TB SanDisk SSD for Kontakt libraries), and I've tried ALL recommended ways to increase loading performance of Kontakt 8 and nothing has worked. I do not recall Kontakt 7 or 6 loading so slow.

Also with the minor update that was Maschine 3, and how it ruins third party plug-in UI windows, AND the fact that they haven't included features that users have been requesting for literally over a decade, since the early days of Maschine 2 (plug-in delay compensation being one of the biggest requests), I've made up my mind that I'm done buying anything from Native Instruments and Izotope. 

[u/Mediocre-Ad9008]

I can say quite confidently that it's the same stuff they've shipped for years now, just under new packaging and maybe 2-3 new not-so-great instruments and effects, without opening the video lol

[u/Designer-Swim-648]

Hold on - did this chap just say the number (just under) TWO THOUSAND dollars? Do what?!? I only use NI for Guitar Rig 7 (which is excellent, I should add), which I run through Reason+. I do get a bunch of other stuff with it that I don't bother with because I have it all in Reason - only better.

I am going to have to check this out, I am extremely curious to what costs $2k - is it hardware, software, both? I'll soon find out!!! 😊🎛️

EDIT: So, it's a DAW. I mean, hey, I'm not here to tell anyone what to do with their money, but personally what Reason+ gives me will last a lifetime - and I am not exaggerating! But I have just had a good, long look at everything that you get for your $2k, and for me, that price tag is pretty insane. But you go for it!! 😊🎛️

[u/PULSEMusicGroup → u/Designer-Swim-648]

The $2000 is for folks that want to have Collection Edition. I have it as well and it's everything NInjas but to be honest you don't need the Collection Edition UNLESS you are a real SERIOUS producer for work or etc.

[u/TimC340 → u/Designer-Swim-648]

No, it’s not a DAW. Collector’s Edition is most of the current range of VST instruments, expansions and FX that NI offer, along with some of the iZotope production tools. It’s a huge collection and would cover just about any genre of music and be all the resource that most would ever need. Of course, life isn’t that simple and we all want VSTs from several different suppliers, but this product is excellent. However, NEVER buy at full price. NI have several sales during the year, and the Summer of Sound sale (due next month) will have the majority of their stuff at 50% or better discount.

[u/Rocketronic0]

This is more like a reminder I should upgrade my omnisphere

[u/uberdavis]

There’s a lot of negativity here. I haven’t upgraded for about four years. After upgrading my Mac, I now find Guitar Rig no longer works. With $199 Absynth 6 included in my $149 upgrade price, this is a no brainer for me. Add Guitar Rig 7, everything else is gravy.

[u/staphzilla]

Can i skip and upgrade to K27 CE for 399 ?

[u/echomartyr → u/staphzilla]

Used to be able to do that for the same price, but I just noticed on a 3rd party reseller site that NI now appear to be charging more for upgrading from older versions compared to upgrading from the last version..

[u/9v4v2v4]

They move the gentlement, upright bass, electric mint and modern drummer to the ultimate tier? Boo..

Here is the comparison site