New Expansion Paks, Komplete Kontrol, Kontakt, Ableton, errors... I'm Lost!!

GB36 · 2025-04-30T14:16:47+00:00

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New to NI. Have Kontrol S49 MK3 and the basic software that came with it, including Ableton Lite 12. I also purchased Komplete Select bundles Beats and Electronic. Yesterday got 5 Maschine expansions and 5 Massive presets during sale.

Here is what my question/confusion is: Where is everything?

I see the Massive presets but that's about it. I understand I don't have access to Maschine stuff since I don't own Maschine but where are the loops, samples, etc that came with with these expansions that are suppose to work with my Kontrol Keyboard and DAW? I thought I'd be getting stuff I can use with just my Kontrol S49 and DAW.

Googling these questions it says to open Komplete Kontrol software but I don't seem to have this on my computer. Isn't this automatically installed? Really confusing.

In the DAW I can drag Komplete Kontrol and on my keyboard I see Monarch and old Massive etc but when I try to load I get an error message (attached). I'm assuming some of the sounds that came in expansions are in there and I can't access for some reason.

(Side note question: Why do I have double of everything from NI in my DAW listed?)

Also confused why I can't play sounds on things like Massive using just my keyboard and Kontakt player 8. I have to open DAW to hear it. Is this the way it is or am I missing something. There is limited instruments listed on my Kontrol keyboard using Kontakt.

Sorry for so many questions but I was thinking this would be relatively straightforward and I'm stuck.

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Accepted answers

BJQ1972

You have 2 of everything listed because thyey are installed as both VST and AU plugins. The Komplete Kontrol plugin looks like it's installed, so Komplete Kontrol must be too.

Open Native Access and see what apps are installed etc. You should be able to open Komplete Kontrol from within Native Access.

BJQ1972

It will show the presets even if the synth is not installed. You can't play the sounds- you are hearing the previews.

As I said before based on the list of purchases from your first post, you do not appear to own Massive. You don't appear to own Prism either.

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Jeremy_NI

A couple of things to help you get going.

You should open the Komplete Kontrol standalone application. If you didn't change the install locations for applications in Native Access, it should be found here:

Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Komplete Kontrol

You should also open Kontakt and Reaktor in standalone to see if all the instruments show up.

Make sure that all NI programs, Kontakt, Reaktor, Komplete Kontrol, Massive, as well as Ableton all have full disk access: How to Enable Full Disk Access on macOS

If you see the plug-ins twice it's because they are available on both AU and VST3 format.

Make sure to check these articles:

Setting Install Locations in Native Access [VIDEO]

Which Applications do the Komplete Content Products Belong To?

GB36

Thanks for reply.
It seems I don’t have Komplete Kontrol installed and I have no clue where to get it. It’s not listed in my Native Access

BJQ1972

You have 2 of everything listed because thyey are installed as both VST and AU plugins. The Komplete Kontrol plugin looks like it's installed, so Komplete Kontrol must be too.

Open Native Access and see what apps are installed etc. You should be able to open Komplete Kontrol from within Native Access.

BJQ1972

If you have Maschine expansions, to use the non-maschine content you must have Massive (NOT Massive X), Monark, Reaktor Prism, and Battery 4. Otherwise you will only have access to the samples.

GB36

ugh. Thanks. See Komplete Kontrol in Native Access. Thanks! Was driving me nuts

so I see Massive, Monark, Prism listed but when I try to load into Ableton I get this error message. I’m using Apple M3 Sequoia 15.3.2. Everything else has been working so far

BJQ1972

Try opening Reaktor Player standalone, and check that you can use those synths in there OK.

BJQ1972

I can't see anything in your list of purchases that indicates you'll have access to those synths. You might be trying to load the presets for a synth you haven't got installed.

You should have battery 4, so you will be able to load the kits from your expansions.

Again, for everything that is available standalone, open in standalone before you try to load the VST.

GB36

ok.. thanks for your help. I'll give it a try.

So I shouldn't be buying these expansions? (Just the Massive X ones since I do have that)

BJQ1972

I wouldn't buy expansions for products that I don't own, no. In the Expansions you've got you can use the Battery kits, and the large amount of samples - the samples can be used in Ableton or in the Leap Player in Kontakt.

The other thing about NI products is they go on sale very often, sometimes with big discounts. You'll see that in six months or so Komplete 15 will likely go on sale with the standard version, which probably includes everything you've bought, plus a whole lot more, selling for around £300

GB36

thanks. yeah i definitely jumped to quick on things and also pissed that NI tells me because i have their latest keyboard and latest Mac and latest OS, I suppose to use an emulator for a big chunk of stuff i bought. That's pretty bogus. Who doesn't update their software to run on latest OS and computers?? fustrating. Not sure if worth buying any more…even at half off.

Thanks for reply.

Kymeia

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/224506#Comment_224506

You don't need to use Rosetta to run them - all these are native plugins. It just looks like you have plugins needed like Massive you have not installed for some presets.

And maybe you need to do some reading of manuals before having a go at NI for things you have not understood eg 'Also confused why I can't play sounds on things like Massive using just my keyboard and Kontakt player 8' - that's because Massive is not a Kontakt instrument

GB36

Fair point about not reading manuals but I have watched a bunch of YouTube vids from NI and other content creators. Most are very helpful but some errors…even with NI’s. Like one said once installed Komplete will show up in applications under NI folder. Mine never has after multiple tries so I have to launch through Native Access (which some on this forum suggested)

I wrote a support ticket of why I get error messages when trying to load Monark, Prism, Massive etc in Ableton (sharing the screenshot) and it was NI who replied I need Rosetta to run those on Apple silicon. So who’s right?

Massive is listed in NA as downloaded and installed so not sure why it’s not loading in Ableton

I just think for a beginner with this ecosystem it shouldn’t be so confusing. And I’m not new to steep learning curve programs after worked in Premier/After Effects professionally for years. I’m patient to learn to actually use the software but just getting it up and running shouldn’t be so strange.

One last point that’s a bit of a side point. Having worked in branding career wise, I finding the naming structure confusing as well (even some YouTubers mention this). I buy a controller keyboard called Kontrol, then there’s a host called Komplete Kontrol which gets sometimes overlapped with Kontakt in how you engage with it even though it’s has a different function. And how Maschine fits in I have no clue, but at least it didn’t start with a K.

Anyway sorry for long reply. It’s just been more than frustrating to get it up and running. I’d like to take advantage when sale starts but not sure if it’s worth it tilll I get into it more.
I’ll read the manual b

BJQ1972

Massive or Massive X?

GB36

I have both supposedly. Massive X works and loads in Ableton. Error message when trying to load Massive

BJQ1972

And if you look at your Native Access library does it say that Massive is installed? Massive has a standalone version, which you should be able to open directly from Native Access.

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