Kontakt Tip: Set up a virtual "band" as a template

stayflyeatfries

One thing I like to do with NI Kontakt is create a template in my DAW with a set of different instruments, and treat it like a studio band.

By making a template ahead of time, I can process each instrument in a certain way (washed out guitars, a hazy pitch-modulated synth, a dry sounding 70s drum kit, etc.), and even do some basic mixing (sidechaining the kick to the synth, for example). Then, when it comes time to compose new music, all of my tracks will have a similar sonic starting point, to make everything sound a bit more cohesive. From there I can take individual songs into different places with unique instruments, processing, or samples – but they'll still all have a cohesive sound when grouped together on an album or EP, or even as a series of singles.

It's a nice break from the feeling of starting with a completely blank slate, which can sometimes be overwhelming. And it doesn't have to sound like an acoustic "band", either – it can sound as artificial as you'd like; the sky's the limit.