"Presets" vs. "Snapshots" – difference(s)?

dcollett

Hi, everyone. I'm new to Kontakt 7, and I have the following question:

In the NI article #360013557778, it states that the terms "Snapshot" and "Preset" are referring to the same thing. (Note: I inserted the link here, but got a warning that "You have to be around for a little while longer before you can post links. Hence the number of the article.)

However, in the Kontakt 7 manual, the description and instructions for Presets is on p 43-45, and for Snapshots on p 71-75, so it seems that these are not the same.

Are presets and snapshots exactly the same thing?

If so, why does the first article and the manual contradict each other?

Thanks for your help! 😀

David

Kymeia

Kontakt uses multiple types of preset (as does Reaktor but different ones). If you think about it in synth parlance, a preset is simply a saved instrument state that captures, saves and enables accurate recall of a specific sound (or process if an fx preset). If you look at an instrument library such as the Kontakt factory library you can see a list of 'instruments' but essentially each of these instruments is a preset too. Snapshots were added by NI because each of these instruments can in itself have numerous potential configurations, so snapshots enable these to be captured and recalled as well (so they are more a form of 'sub-preset'). Some Kontakt instruments also allow for saving and recalling other types of preset such as chords presets in Playbox or FX presets in some instruments. So presets and snapshots are the same and different - like sparrows and hawks are both birds so the same from one perspective but also different types of birds from another.

Kymeia

Well it's correct in a sense but an over simplification. Saying '"Snapshot" and "Preset" are referring to the same thing' is correct in the sense that snapshots are a kind of preset, but then so are instruments (and in Reaktor it gets even more complicated). The relationship is hierarchical though, a snapshot is a kind of preset (or sub-preset to be accurate) but a preset isn't a kind of snapshot (as used in Kontakt) unless you are using the term snapshot generically.

Sunborn

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/15205/presets-vs-snapshots-difference-s

They are not exactly the same. Snapshots offer a way to save variations of a Kontakt instrument (including it's presets) for easy recall.

dcollett

Thank you for replying, but can you please explain more about the differences?

As an example: in the "Twenty Five" library, the browser displays a list of "152 presets" for it.

When you load that library and click on the snapshots (camera) icon, all 152 of those "presets" are there (organized into folders).

So, on one page, it calls them "presets" but on the other page, they are called "snapshots."

So, if you click on one of these snapshots, how is this different from a preset – and why is N.I. referring to them with different names?

Also, why (in the N.I. article #360013557778) does it say "Note: In KONTAKT Library nomenclature, the terms "Snapshot" and "Preset" are referring to the same thing." ?

I appreciate your help.

Kymeia

Kontakt uses multiple types of preset (as does Reaktor but different ones). If you think about it in synth parlance, a preset is simply a saved instrument state that captures, saves and enables accurate recall of a specific sound (or process if an fx preset). If you look at an instrument library such as the Kontakt factory library you can see a list of 'instruments' but essentially each of these instruments is a preset too. Snapshots were added by NI because each of these instruments can in itself have numerous potential configurations, so snapshots enable these to be captured and recalled as well (so they are more a form of 'sub-preset'). Some Kontakt instruments also allow for saving and recalling other types of preset such as chords presets in Playbox or FX presets in some instruments. So presets and snapshots are the same and different - like sparrows and hawks are both birds so the same from one perspective but also different types of birds from another.

dcollett

Sunborn and Kymeia – thanks very much to you both for taking the time to help.

Clearly, N.I. needs to change some of its documentation!

I appreciate your help and explanation.

Kymeia

Well it's correct in a sense but an over simplification. Saying '"Snapshot" and "Preset" are referring to the same thing' is correct in the sense that snapshots are a kind of preset, but then so are instruments (and in Reaktor it gets even more complicated). The relationship is hierarchical though, a snapshot is a kind of preset (or sub-preset to be accurate) but a preset isn't a kind of snapshot (as used in Kontakt) unless you are using the term snapshot generically.

dcollett

Kymeia, that makes sense. I wish N.I.'s documentation was as clear because this is very confusing for people (such as me) to understand. Your explanation is much better than N.I.'s. Thanks! 😀