Playbox Kontakt instrument by Native Instruments sample and chord interface

Playbox: Randomizing Kontakt Instrument for Chords and Samples

Rated 4.9/5 on Plugin Boutique (8 ratings)

Playbox is a Kontakt instrument from Native Instruments that generates musical ideas with over 900 samples, more than 200 chord sets, and randomizable sounds.

REQUIRESKontaktHost player sold separately

Kontakt

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

Playbox is a Kontakt instrument built for finding new starting points. Its six cubes hold samples in categories such as synths, instruments, bass, voices and noises, and you can randomize them or build layers one note at a time. The developer describes it as a tool for beatmakers, composers, hobbyists and sound designers. It requires Kontakt, either the free Kontakt Player or Kontakt 6 version 6.7 or higher, and the download is about 1.2 GB.

Best for

Overcoming writer's block
Chord progression ideas
Layered pads and stabs
Sound design starting points
Reusing old sample libraries

Developer: Native Instruments
Category: Kontakt Instruments
Requires: Kontakt
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Over 900 samples arranged in six cubes
More than 200 chord sets that can be randomized and tweaked
Import MIDI files or play custom chords in piano mode
Export generated chords for any instrument in your DAW
Load up to 450 of your own samples into the User cube
Up to 14 onboard effects with adjustable processing order
Arp, Strum and Grain effects for rhythm and texture
Humanized velocity and timing with assignable modulation

03In depth

Samples and Chord Sets for Generating Ideas

Playbox organizes its sounds into six cubes: Synths, Instruments, Bass, Voices, Noises and User. The Synths cube offers deep pads, shimmering stabs, dynamic pulses and multilayered swells. Instruments covers acoustic sampled sounds such as bowed and plucked strings, organs, pianos and treated percussion. The User cube lets you load up to 450 of your own samples.

The instrument includes over 200 chord sets. You can randomize them or tweak individual notes, import MIDI files, or play custom chords in piano mode. Chords generated in Playbox can be exported for use with any instrument in your DAW.

Effects, Modulation and Workflow

Playbox includes a set of onboard effects in one interface. The XY pad supports simple sound design, and the Arp, Strum and Grain effects add rhythm and texture. The Ambience collection contains over 50 samples, including forest sounds, busy stations and vinyl crackle.

You can choose up to 14 effects and change their order in the processing chain. Humanized velocity and timing controls and assignable modulation sources let you shape how the sounds move.

04Specs