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Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT: An Epic Percussion Powerhouse for Your Music Production
If you are looking for a potent collection of aggressive soundtrack drums and cymbals for your music production, you need to check out Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT by Soundiron. This library is an epic percussion powerhouse built for efficient workflow and incredible sound, with over 40 different drums, over 100 articulations, deep dynamic layering and 8 round-robin variations per velocity.
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT is a slimmed down version of the 25 GB Apocalypse Percussion Ensemble library by Soundiron. It focuses on a close/stage stereo mic position and standard single-stroke multisampled articulations. It works with the free Kontakt Player, Komplete Kontrol and the S-Series Keyboard platform by Native Instruments.
In this article, you will learn about the features and specifications of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, how to use it in your music production, tips and tricks for getting the most out of it, and some frequently asked questions about it.
Features and Specifications of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT offers a wide range of drums and cymbals that can add power and impact to your music. Here are some of the features and specifications of this library:
Solo and Ensemble Drums
Swirl: The circular motion on the drum or cymbal
Choke: The dampening of the drum or cymbal after the hit
Mute: The hit on the muted drum or cymbal
Stick: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the stick tip or side
Brush: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the brush tip or side
Mallet: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the mallet head or side
Hand: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the hand palm or finger
Finger: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the finger tip or nail
Nail: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the nail tip or side
Slap: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the hand slap or snap
Tap: The hit on the drum or cymbal with the hand tap or flick
Rub: The rubbing motion on the drum or cymbal
Bend: The bending of the drum or cymbal after the hit
Scrape: The scraping motion on the drum or cymbal
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT also features deep dynamic layering and 8 round-robin variations per velocity for each articulation. This means that you can play with a wide range of volume and expression, and avoid the machine-gun effect of repeating samples. You can control the dynamics by using the modulation wheel on your keyboard or MIDI controller, or by adjusting the velocity curve in the user interface.
User Interface and Controls
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that gives you easy access to all drums, key-mapping customization, sound shaping parameters, and MIDI loops. You can see a screenshot of the interface below:
The interface consists of four main sections:
The Drum Browser: This is where you can select and load any of the drums in the library. You can also mute, solo, and purge each drum to save memory.
The Key-Mapping Panel: This is where you can customize the key-mapping for each drum. You can drag and drop each articulation to any key you want, as well as change the color and name of each key.
The Sound Shaping Panel: This is where you can adjust the volume, pan, tuning, attack, release, transient offset, velocity response, and EQ of each drum. You can also apply global settings to all drums at once.
The MIDI Loop Panel: This is where you can browse and drag-and-drop over 400 MIDI loops into your DAW. You can also preview, sync, and transpose each loop.
The interface also has a master volume slider, a master effects rack button, a preset menu button, and a help button.
Compatibility and Requirements
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT is compatible with the free Kontakt Player 5.8.1 or later, Komplete Kontrol 2.0.4 or later, and S-Series Keyboard 1.9.4 or later by Native Instruments. It is also NKS-ready for seamless integration with NI hardware and software.
The library requires 4 GB of disk space and 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended). It supports 44.1 kHz / 24 bit audio quality and works with Windows 7 or later (32/64 bit) and Mac OS X 10.10 or later (64 bit).
To install Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to download it from your Soundiron account page, unzip it to your desired location, and add it to your Kontakt library using the Add Library button in Kontakt.
How to Use Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT in Your Music Production
Now that you know about the features and specifications of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, lets see how you can use it in your music production. Here are some steps to get you started:
Loading Presets
To load a preset in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to open Kontakt in your DAW or standalone mode, and go to the Libraries tab. Then, click on the Apocalypse Elements icon and select one of the presets from the drop-down menu. You can choose from the following presets: - Standard: These are the default presets that load all the drums, cymbals, and gongs in the library. You can select a specific category (such as Bass Drums, Snares, Toms, etc.) or a mix of all categories (such as Ensemble All, Ensemble Drums, Ensemble Cymbals, etc.). - Lite: These are the lighter presets that load only one articulation per drum, cymbal, or gong. They are useful for saving memory and CPU resources. You can select a specific category or a mix of all categories as well. - Custom: These are the presets that you can create and save yourself by using the key-mapping panel and the sound shaping panel. You can name them and load them anytime you want. Playing Drums
To play the drums in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to use your keyboard or MIDI controller. Each drum, cymbal, or gong is mapped to a specific key on your keyboard or MIDI controller. You can see the key-mapping on the interface or by pressing the Help button on the top right corner of the interface.
You can play different articulations of each drum, cymbal, or gong by using key-switches. The key-switches are located on the lower part of your keyboard or MIDI controller, usually from C0 to B0. You can see the key-switches on the interface or by pressing the Help button as well.
You can control the dynamics of each drum, cymbal, or gong by using the modulation wheel on your keyboard or MIDI controller, or by adjusting the velocity curve in the sound shaping panel. The modulation wheel allows you to crossfade between different dynamic layers of each articulation. The velocity curve allows you to change how sensitive each drum, cymbal, or gong is to your playing velocity.
Editing Sounds
To edit the sounds of each drum, cymbal, or gong in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to use the sound shaping panel on the interface. The sound shaping panel allows you to adjust the following parameters for each drum, cymbal, or gong:
Volume: The overall loudness of the sound
Pan: The left-right position of the sound in the stereo field
Tuning: The pitch of the sound in semitones
Attack: The time it takes for the sound to reach its maximum volume
Release: The time it takes for the sound to fade out after being played
Transient Offset: The amount of delay before the sound starts playing
Velocity Response: The amount of change in volume based on your playing velocity
EQ: The equalization of the sound in terms of low, mid, and high frequencies
You can also apply global settings to all drums, cymbals, and gongs at once by clicking on the Global button on the top left corner of the sound shaping panel.
Applying Effects
To apply effects to each drum, cymbal, or gong in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to use the master effects rack on the interface. The master effects rack allows you to use the following effects for each drum, cymbal, or gong:
Reverb: The simulation of the sound in different acoustic spaces, such as rooms, halls, chambers, etc.
Delay: The repetition of the sound after a certain amount of time, creating an echo effect
Distortion: The alteration of the sound by adding harmonic or inharmonic content, creating a gritty or fuzzy effect
Chorus: The duplication of the sound with slight variations in pitch and time, creating a fuller and richer effect
Flanger: The modulation of the sound by a delayed copy of itself, creating a sweeping and swirling effect
Phaser: The filtering of the sound by a series of notches, creating a phase-shifting and moving effect
Rotator: The simulation of the sound rotating around a speaker cabinet, creating a doppler and spatial effect
Filter: The attenuation or amplification of certain frequencies of the sound, creating a brighter or darker effect
Compressor: The reduction of the dynamic range of the sound, creating a more consistent and balanced effect
You can access the master effects rack by clicking on the FX button on the top right corner of the interface. You can then select the effect you want to use from the drop-down menu, and adjust its parameters using the knobs and sliders. You can also turn on or off each effect by clicking on its name.
Using MIDI Loops
To use MIDI loops in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to use the MIDI loop panel on the interface. The MIDI loop panel allows you to browse and drag-and-drop over 400 MIDI loops into your DAW. The MIDI loops are categorized by tempo and style, such as 90 BPM Epic, 120 BPM Rock, 140 BPM Metal, etc.
You can access the MIDI loop panel by clicking on the MIDI button on the top right corner of the interface. You can then select the category you want to use from the drop-down menu, and preview each loop by clicking on its name. You can also sync each loop to your DAW tempo by clicking on the Sync button, and transpose each loop by using the Transpose knob. To drag-and-drop a loop into your DAW, simply click and hold on its name and drag it to your DAW track.
Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT is a versatile and powerful library that can enhance your music production with epic percussion sounds. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of it:
Mixing Drums
To mix the drums in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to balance the levels and panning of different drums in your mix. You can use the volume and pan knobs in the sound shaping panel to adjust each drum individually, or use the global settings to adjust all drums at once. You can also use your DAW mixer to fine-tune each drum track.
A good rule of thumb is to keep the bass drums and snares in the center of your mix, and pan the toms, cymbals, ethnic drums, and fx drums slightly to the left or right. You can also use stereo width plugins to create more separation and space between different drums.
You can also use EQ plugins to cut or boost certain frequencies of each drum, depending on your mix needs. For example, you can cut some low frequencies from the toms and cymbals to make room for the bass drums and snares, or boost some high frequencies from the ethnic drums and fx drums to add more brightness and clarity.
You can also use compression plugins to control the dynamic range of each drum, depending on your mix needs. For example, you can use a fast attack and release to make the bass drums and snares more punchy and consistent, or use a slow attack and release to make the toms, cymbals, ethnic drums, and fx drums more natural and expressive.
Layering Drums
To layer the drums in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to create thicker and richer sounds by layering different drums together. You can use the key-mapping panel to assign multiple drums to the same key, or use your DAW to stack multiple drum tracks.
A good rule of thumb is to layer drums that have different characteristics, such as pitch, tone, timbre, and decay. For example, you can layer a low bass drum with a high snare to create a powerful impact sound, or layer a warm tom with a bright cymbal to create a hybrid sound.
You can also use different articulations and dynamics for each drum layer, depending on your sound needs. For example, you can use a center hit for the main drum layer and an edge hit for the secondary drum layer to create more variation and texture, or use a high velocity for the main drum layer and a low velocity for the secondary drum layer to create more contrast and depth.
Automating Parameters
To automate the parameters in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to automate the sound shaping parameters for more expression and variation. You can use the automation lanes in your DAW to record or draw automation curves for each parameter.
A good rule of thumb is to automate parameters that have a noticeable effect on the sound, such as volume, pan, tuning, attack, release, transient offset, velocity response, and EQ. For example, you can automate the volume of a drum to create crescendos and diminuendos, or automate the pan of a drum to create stereo movement.
You can also automate parameters that have a subtle effect on the sound, such as reverb, delay, distortion, chorus, flanger, phaser, rotator, filter, and compressor. For example, you can automate the reverb of a drum to create more space and ambience, or automate the distortion of a drum to create more grit and edge.
Creating Custom Presets
To create custom presets in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to save your own presets with your preferred settings and key-mapping. You can use the preset menu button on the top left corner of the interface to save and load your custom presets.
A good rule of thumb is to create custom presets that suit your music style and genre, such as epic orchestral, rock metal, ethnic world, etc. For example, you can create a custom preset that includes only bass drums and snares for an epic orchestral style, or a custom preset that includes only ethnic drums and fx drums for an ethnic world style.
You can also create custom presets that suit your music mood and emotion , such as angry, happy, sad, etc. For example, you can create a custom preset that includes only distorted and aggressive drums for an angry mood, or a custom preset that includes only bright and cheerful drums for a happy mood.
Exploring Other Soundiron Libraries
To explore other Soundiron libraries in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you need to expand your sonic palette with other Soundiron libraries that complement Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT. You can use the Soundiron button on the top right corner of the interface to browse and purchase other Soundiron libraries.
A good rule of thumb is to explore other Soundiron libraries that offer different types of percussion sounds, such as orchestral, ethnic, industrial, cinematic, etc. For example, you can explore the following Soundiron libraries that work well with Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT:
Apocalypse Percussion Ensemble: The full version of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, with 25 GB of content, 3 mic positions, and more articulations and effects
Apocalypse Percussion Micro: The compact version of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, with 2 GB of content, 1 mic position, and fewer articulations and effects
Olympus Elements: A symphonic choir library with male and female voices, legato, staccato, and sustains
Requiem Light: A professional symphonic choir library with soloists, phrases, effects, and polyphonic true legato
Venus Symphonic Women's Choir: A female choir library with soloists, phrases, effects, and polyphonic true legato
Mars Symphonic Men's Choir: A male choir library with soloists, phrases, effects, and polyphonic true legato
Voices Of Gaia: A vocal soloist library with four singers from different genres and cultures
Voices Of Rapture: A vocal soloist library with four singers from classical and operatic styles
Voices Of Rage: A vocal soloist library with four singers from metal and rock styles
Voices Of Wind: A vocal soloist library with four singers from ethereal and ambient styles
Sick Series: A collection of horror and sci-fi sound effects libraries
Rust Series: A collection of industrial and junk percussion libraries
Bamboo Stick Ensemble: A bamboo percussion library with sticks, poles, and logs
Cylindrum: A tuned percussion library with metal tubes and pipes
Emotional Piano: A grand piano library with a warm and rich sound
Glass Beach: A glass percussion library with bottles, bowls, cups, and more
Kalimba: An African thumb piano library with a plucky and melodic sound
Lakeside Pipe Organ: A church pipe organ library with a majestic and powerful sound
Mimi Page Light & Shadow: A vocal atmospheres library with pads, phrases , effects, and more
Montclarion Hall Grand Piano: A concert hall piano library with a bright and clear sound
Motor Rhythms: A metal percussion library with car parts, tools, and machines
Shake: A shaker percussion library with rattles, pods, beans, beads, and more
Steel Tones: A steel tongue drum library with a metallic and harmonic sound
Street Erhu: A Chinese fiddle library with a soulful and expressive sound
Temple Drums: A ceremonial drum library with frame drums, bowls, bells, and more
The Drinking Piano: A honky-tonk piano library with a vintage and quirky sound
Tuned Micro: A toy piano library with a plinky and nostalgic sound
Waterharp: A waterphone library with a haunting and eerie sound
These are just some of the Soundiron libraries that you can explore and combine with Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT. You can find more libraries on the Soundiron website or on the Kontakt library browser.
Conclusion and FAQs
Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT is an epic percussion powerhouse that can add power and impact to your music production. It offers a wide range of drums, cymbals, and gongs, with over 100 articulations, deep dynamic layering, and 8 round-robin variations per velocity. It also has a user-friendly and intuitive interface that gives you easy access to all drums, key-mapping customization, sound shaping parameters, and MIDI loops. It works with the free Kontakt Player, Komplete Kontrol, and S-Series Keyboard by Native Instruments.
In this article, you learned about the features and specifications of Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, how to use it in your music production, tips and tricks for getting the most out of it, and some frequently asked questions about it. You also learned about other Soundiron libraries that complement Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT.
If you are interested in Apocalypse Elements v1.5 KONTAKT, you can purchase it from the Soundiron website for $99 USD. You can also download a free demo