How to Install Kontakt Libraries from Impact Soundworks

This guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing instruments for Kontakt (including Kontakt Player) purchased from Impact Soundworks. No worries if you don't yet have the Kontakt plugin (VST, AU, AAX) installed, we'll walk through that.

Step 1. Kontakt vs. Kontakt Player?

Before proceeding, check if your purchase is a Kontakt Player instrument, or whether it requires the full version of Kontakt (simply called "Kontakt").

  • On our product page, scroll to the "Requirements" section
  • If it says "Kontakt Player," your library is compatible with the free Kontakt Player
  • If it says "Kontakt Full Version," you'll need to purchase the Kontakt plugin first
    • Major version updates (i.e. Kontakt 7 to 8) still require paying an update price; newer versions will otherwise open as Kontakt Player.

Step 2. Set Up a Native Instruments Account

Steps 2-4 are for users who are new to Kontakt.

If you already have Kontakt/Native Access set up, please skip to Step 5.

If you've never used Kontakt, you'll need to create an account with Native Instruments.

  1. Visit native-instruments.com
  2. Click "Register Now" in the upper right corner, after clicking the person icon
  3. Create an account (you can use Google sign-in if preferred)

You'll need this account to download and register Kontakt itself.

Step 3. Download Native Access

In order to set up Kontakt Player, as well as finish installing any Kontakt Player libraries, you will need to set up Native Access first. To do so, please follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Kontakt Player page on the Native Instruments site
  2. Click "Free Download with Komplete Start"
  3. Follow the prompts to download Native Access

Native Access is the platform Native Instruments uses to distribute and update its own plugins, such as Kontakt / Kontakt Player.

Step 4. Install Kontakt Player via Native Access

With Native Access downloaded, you then need to run its installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to put it in the location of your choice.

Once you open it, you'll be prompted for a user name and password. Input the Native Instruments account you created earlier.

Click on the Library tab within Native Access and find Kontakt Player (or the full version, if you purchased it), and click the Install button.

 

Step 5. Install Pulse Downloader

Much like how Native Access is used to manage Native Instruments' tools, Pulse Downloader is the platform we use to distribute our products and keep them updated.

It's used by a wide variety of music software developers, making it easy to manage a catalog of potentially hundreds of sample libraries and plugins!

  1. Download Pulse from their website
    • There are separate installers for Apple Silicon and Win 7/8. Hover your mouse over the Windows/Mac buttons to get the full list of installers.
  2. Install and open the application
  3. Create a new account by clicking "Register"

Step 6. Download Your Impact Soundworks Instrument

First, you will need your product code, which is shown after finishing checkout, as well as in your email after you've made your purchase (subject: "Your Impact Soundworks Order Is Now Complete").

Highlight (click and drag) then copy (Ctrl+C on Windows, CMD+C on Mac) your code. Once you've copied your code:

  1. In Pulse, click "Add a Product" in the upper right
  2. Paste (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) your code and click "Redeem"
  3. Choose where to download the instrument. We recommend setting up an easy-to-find, dedicated folder. Avoid using the Downloads folder, or the Desktop.
    • Internal and external drives are both usable with our libraries; if you use an external disk, we recommend using one with a high read/write speed (such as a Solid State Disk).
  4. Click "Download and Install."

Step 7. Activate in Native Access (Kontakt Player Instruments Only)

The following steps only apply if you purchased a Kontakt Player library.

If you purchased a library for the full version of Kontakt, please skip to the section titled "For Full Kontakt Libraries"

  • In Native Access, click "Add Serial" in the bottom left
  • Paste the same serial number you used in Pulse

  • Click on the "Available" tab at the top
  • Find your newly activated product
    • If you don't see it, click "Refresh" or restart Native Access

  • Click the three dots (⋯) and select "Locate"
  • Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the instrument via Pulse
  • Select the folder and click "Confirm"

Step 8. Use the Instrument in Your DAW

The final step is simply using your purchase! Regardless of what DAW you use (FL Studio, Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton Live, etc.) the procedure is the same.

For Kontakt 7:

  • Go to View → Rack View
  • Click on the Kontakt logo
  • Select the Libraries tab
  • Find your library and click the Instruments button
  • Double-click or drag and drop the instrument

For Kontakt 8:

  • Click on View → Classic View
  • Click on the Kontakt Player logo
  • Find your library in the list on the left
  • Click Instruments
  • Double-click or drag the NKI file

For Full Kontakt Libraries:

These don't appear in the Libraries tab. Instead:

  • Go to the Files tab and navigate to the download folder, or
  • Drag the instrument file directly from Windows Explorer/Finder, or
  • Use Kontakt's Quick Load feature (View → Quick Load)

Tip: If you don't see the keyboard at the bottom of the screen, go to View and make sure "Keyboard" is checked.

Conclusion

In summary:

  • Start by checking if your library is for Kontakt Player or the full version of Kontakt.
    • If the latter, make sure you own the needed version, otherwise you need to pay for Kontakt / upgrade your version.
  • If you haven't used Native Access or Kontakt before, your first step is to create a Native Instruments account, and download Native Access.
  • Once that's done, set up Pulse Downloader and then add your product code to download your files.
  • If your library is intended for Kontakt Player, your next step is to return to Native Access, and click Add a Serial.
  • Paste your code in - Your library will now be in Library -> Available.
    • If it isn't displaying, click the Refresh button in the top right corner.
  • Click the (...) on the far right, then indicate the filepath that Pulse downloaded to.
  • If your library is intended for Kontakt full version, instead of registering your code in Native Access, you'll use one of the described methods above to load it into Kontakt directly.

Congratulations! Your Impact Soundworks instrument is now ready to use. For future purchases, you won't need to reinstall Pulse or Native Access - just log into the accounts you created, and then add new products using the same process.

If you encounter any issues, our support team is always available.