How to Route Kontakt to Multiple Outputs in Digital Performer

When using multiple instruments loaded in Kontakt, you may want to route them to separate channels in Digital Performer. For example, if you wish to use different insert/send effects or apply the Digital Performer volume and panorama controls to each instrument individually. Follow these instructions to configure KONTAKT and Kontakt Performer for multi-output use:

Note: These instructions apply to all recent versions of Kontakt. If using Kontakt 6, simply choose the plug-in labeled "Kontakt" and follow this guide.

Configuring Kontakt's Outputs Section

  1. Load Kontakt as a Stereo plug-in instance:
    Project > Add Track > Instrument Track > Native Instruments > Kontakt (stereo)
    Add_Track.png
  2. Once Kontakt is open, enable Outputs in the Workspace menu to make the Outputs area visible at the bottom of Kontakt's interface.
    TickOutputs.png
  3. The Outputs section is now displayed in the lower half of the Rack space.
    Click the '+' button to display the Outputs options dialog.
    Add_Channels.png
  4. Select the Quantity of new master channels you want to add by clicking the Quantity field and dragging the mouse up or down. Number of channels lets you choose the channel configuration of all new Outputs, e.g. 1 for a mono configuration, or 2 for a stereo configuration. In our example, we want to route Kontakt to a total of 8 stereo output channels, so we choose a Quantity of 8 and set Number of channels to 2.
    Quantity_and_Number_of_Channels.png
  5. In the Soundcard / Host output drop-down menu, select st. 1 [1].
    1st_Pair_of_Outputs.png
  6. Finish by ticking these remaining boxes:
    - Ascending output assignment (assigns each new channel to the next available outputs).
    - Delete existing channels before creating new ones (creates all new output channels).
    - Make this your default configuration (saves setup for future Digital Performer projects).
    - Click OK to confirm.
    Ascending_Output_Assignment.png
  7. If the steps above have been carried out correctly, you will now receive a message confirming the Output Configuration was saved as default. Press OK to proceed.
    DAW_MSG.png

Kontakt's Outputs Section now shows the 8 Master Channel Outputs, each routed to a different stereo output of Digital Performer.
Outputs.png

Creating Instrument Output Channels for Kontakt in Digital Performer

  1. Open the Mixing Board view in Digital Performer.
  2. Create 7 new Aux tracks in Digital Performer:
    Project > Add Track > Aux Track
    Add_Track.png
  3. Assign the input of each Aux track to a respective Kontakt output channel in ascending order.
    DP_Aux.png

Routing the Instruments to Separate Outputs in Kontakt

  1. Route all Instruments loaded in Kontakt's Instrument Rack to separate Outputs. When loading Instruments in the Rack, they are routed to the first stereo output st. 1 by default. Select the desired Output for each Instrument from the Instrument's Header. In this example, we route a Retro Machines Instrument to the second stereo output named st.2 [2 ch. routed 3|4].
    Retro_Maschines_Outputs.png
  2. Repeat this procedure for all Instruments loaded in the Rack, choosing one available stereo output after the other.

Now, when you play an instrument in Kontakt, its audio signal will be routed through the respective Digital Performer Aux track its output is assigned to.

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