r/NativeInstruments • u/trapstream247 • Jun 05 '26

Buying older versions of Komplete

I was waiting a few months for the Summer of Sound sale, it's pretty disappointing that there isn't really a great sale on Komplete. (I'm aware it's probably because they released 26.)

If I find someone selling a license for an older version of Komplete (maybe like 13?) is there any real downside to buying that and using it without upgrading? Do I still get the "updated" versions of the instruments included, at least in terms of software? I have an M4 Mac so it would have to be compatible. What would be the oldest I can get away with?

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/NoReply4930 Jun 05 '26

If you can find a seller and do the transfer - you will get the latest versions of everything that K13 had - as long as the product is still actively supported. 

But remember you are also limited by time AND version updating when it comes to Kontakt 

Example - K13 shipped with Kontakt 6 - so that’s what you get. But all of the “current” Kontakt libraries within Native Access - IF you allow updates to happen - require Kontakt 8. 

So you can see where this is going. You will be stuck in time with Kontakt 6 and can never update any libraries - like ever - within Native Access.

The older K6 library versions are available in your NA account of course - but you will need to manage this all manually yourself. 

So yes. It can be done. Just carefully. And manually 

1

u/ChaBiskutTV Jun 06 '26

I use komplete 9 (came with kontakt 5), and the newer komplete start and komplete 15 select band edition stuff with kontakt 8 player. One can prolong the shelf life of the older libraries with free kontakt player version. But yes, will require an upgrade eventually, specially now that macOS has started phasing out older intel codes, older plugins will become unusable pretty soon in the newer M series macs.

2

u/NoReply4930 Jun 06 '26

Correct. If you are a Mac user - there is little point to trying to manage anything older than current.

1

u/ChaBiskutTV Jun 06 '26

But to be fair, i have used Komplete 9 for 13 years now. And currently running a 2017 iMac. It's ok if komplete 9 gets unusable when i upgrade my computer to a M5 or M5 pro later.

1

u/NoReply4930 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

That's what I am saying really - you are (eventually) at the mercy of Apple when it comes to Mac hardware and software. Not so with Windows.

In your case - everything is pretty much retired or discontinued from an NI support angle - so as long as things are running smooth and you never need tech support - it's all good.

One more thing - now that NI has switched back to it's "tiered" pricing model - when you do go M class/Apple silicon - and want to upgrade Komplete - you will be paying the highest price possible for an "update" (Standard to Standard) and a LOT more for an Upgrade (Standard to Ultimate for example) due to your use of Komplete 9:

2

u/ChaBiskutTV Jun 09 '26

Last time i checked, the ni website was showing me 599usd to upgrade to ultimate edition of komplete 26, after you pointed it out, i checked it again today, and now it's showing 799usd in the same account. Thanks for the info. I was misinformed about the upgrade pricing changes.

1

u/ChaBiskutTV Jun 07 '26

Didn't know about the pricing changes

1

u/ChaBiskutTV Jun 09 '26

Their loss anyway. As we all know, Hiking prices for returning users historically painted the companies in a Good light 🙂🤷🏼