Download speeds extemely slow - Install process cumbersome

Jean-Marc BOULIER · 2025-06-07T18:20:50+00:00

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Hi,
I’ve just completed a major studio computer upgrade, including a fresh OS installation, and everything is running smoothly. My computer is in excellent condition, and I have an extremely fast, wired internet connection (download speeds averaging 6000+ Mbps, thanks to a great ISP and an SPF+ network adapter with an optical connection directly to my PC).
I recently purchased Komplete 15 Ultimate and have started downloading and installing everything. However, I’m very concerned about the incredibly slow download speeds. For example, downloading "The Grandeur" initially showed an estimated time of 15 to 16 hours, and at this rate, it looks like installing the entire library could take over a month—this is extremely frustrating and feels unacceptable.
I contacted support, and they suggested downloading the files from the website instead. While this is faster (though still not impressive), it’s a tedious process because I’m receiving .iso images that I then have to manually mount and install. This is something that I had to figure out for myself since at no point in the process did they explain that to me.
I’ve installed many plugins and virtual instruments before, including large libraries like the Superior Drummer 3 expansions, and I’ve never experienced a download or installation process as slow and cumbersome as this.
Am I just unlucky, or is this kind of performance typical for Native Instruments?
Thanks in advance for your insight!

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Stephen Bish

Welcome to the real world. It is a world where some have no problems and others like you and me have a slow mess. It's really fun when after hours of downloading most of the file the connection drops out and needs to start again.

It seems there are 2 factors, though they are probably interconnected. First the surge of download demand after major sales events. Second your proximity to upload sites.

This has been an issue as long as Native Access has been a thing. There is another issue where Native Access want to "Update" files, but really wants you to re download and replace. Check they work first. I think this is a Native Access issue rather than an installation issue. I am upgrading from 10CE to 15 CE and it tells me lots of large files (35+ gig) need to be "updated", IE: replaced, but they function perfectly.

The solution for me is to down load a bit at a time. Test to make sure it works. Then move on to the next.

The real issue here is that some have this problem and some do not. The ones that do just seem to get a lot of customer blaming from both NI and those who don't.

OH, and really good tip. I have found that various files download at way different speeds. I think this may have to do with demand on the upload site at that moment. I try one at a time. If it seems to be downloading at a reasonable speed ( a relative thing) I leave it running. If really slow I stop it and try another.

The fact that some downloads work OK is a total rebuttal of the suggestion it is something to do with my computer or connection. It is entirely upload speed.

FWISW I am in Australia. I don't know where on earth I am downloading from but suggest it is a very long way away.

Gladiator

whatever way you look at it your buying a product which is hit and miss. I paid over £1000.00 including the the S61 and it don’t work and therefore not fit for purpose. For this money it should be thoroughly tested and operate as expected. Can’t see this is the case.

Jojo123

@Jean-Marc BOULIER

"downloading the files from the website instead"

This has only been very recently added, a feature that many of us have begged for, for a long long time. Trust me this is waaaaaaay better by orders of magnitude than the reprehensible google drive, which 1/2 the time you get an error because NI's download quota has run out and you're told to come back later. Worse, you're told to improve your chances by logging in to google account. Are you kidding me. I dont have a damned google account. Infuriating.

Slow download speeds is a common gripe around here, and also common unfortunately is the accusation that its your fault, usually from those who say they've NEVER had a problem and they'll rake you over the coals insinuating its gotta be your fault because they've never had a problem. There's a small group of regulars that do this becasue they've got nothing better to do. Thankfully we're not all like that and actually try and help others.

Im on ADSL (no other reasonable choice) and it took me IIRC 12 hours to download Omnia and Lores each. I count myself VERY fortunate as others had issues galore. So the story goes NI throttles their servers so everybody gets a fair go, so it doesn't matter how fast your connection is there'd be little difference, unless of course youre dragging the chain like me on ADSL. Lol.

PK The DJ

IMO it certainly does matter how fast your connection is, and there is a definite difference.

People having issues tend to imply that the problem is with NI, so forum members who say their downloads work OK are simply saying that logically the problem cannot be at the NI end (or it would affect everyone). When people solve it by using a VPN this also shows it's not an NI issue.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/233140#Comment_233140

Fast connections are of course - ideal. But your location, your ISP and especially proximity (how many hops does it really take to hit an NI node) - far outweigh any amount of hardware you can throw at this.

One thing is for sure - NI is not standing around at headquarters - purposely knee capping specific users with slow download speeds in order to guarantee them a horrible experience.

Pretty certain NI would like everyone to get their product and rock on as fast as possible.

But in the end - this is basic internet networking and we are all subject the physical limits of the real world at one point or another.

LostInFoundation

@Jojo123 You called them…here they are 😂

BIF

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/233147#Comment_233147

You made me think of a question, VP.

Does anybody know of a tool that could be used to show how many "hops" are in any particular connection?

Preferably free, because it "might" help us to help people having download speed issues with NA.

BIF

Also, ISPs can and do throttle certain activity at certain times of the day so that they don't have all the NetFlix users calling in and complaining at 7 pm in every timezone when they want to watch their fave series or movies. I wonder if it might be possible that NA activity is being labeled differently from just some dude downloading stuff with a web browser.

It's just a guess.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/233851#Comment_233851

Run tracert (with a destination IP) at a Command Prompt in Windows.

The IP (ideally) should be the IP address of the destination NI node.

Should show you exactly (from your router to NI node) where the breakdown (if any) is occurring.

This is the penultimate test of a problematic ISP and/or secondary connection down the line (from the ISP) that is causing the slowdowns for many a user.

VP

BIF

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/233853#Comment_233853

Thanks! I'll try this over the weekend. Right now I'm actually installing the CineSamples libraries to my old Windows laptop, so I'm just chilling while that runs. Seems to be running just fine.

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