How to Route Kontakt to Multiple Outputs in Reaper

When using multiple instruments loaded in Kontakt, you may want to route them to separate channels in Reaper. For example, if you wish to use different insert/send effects or apply the Reaper volume and panorama controls to each instrument individually. Follow these instructions to configure Kontakt and Reaper 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 the Kontakt VST plug-in in Reaper:
    Track > Insert virtual Instrument on new track
    01_-_Add_Track.png
    In this example, VSTi: Kontakt (Native Instruments GMBH) (64 out) has been selected. Use the search bar at the bottom of the plug-in menu to quickly access Kontakt.
    02_-_Add_Plug-In.png

    Note: Once the Kontakt VSTi is inserted, Reaper will display this Build Routing Confirmation window (below). This is not recommended here, as it will prompt Reaper to create over 50 Audio Channels in its Mixer. For this example, click No.

    03_-_Build_Routing_Confirmation.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.
    04_-_Tick_Outputs.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.
    05_-_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.
    06_-_Quantity_and_Number_of_Channels.png
  5. In the Soundcard / Host output drop-down menu, select st. 1 [1].
    07_-_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 Reaper projects).
    - Click OK to confirm.
    08_-_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.
    09_-_DAW_MSG.png

Kontakt's Outputs Section now shows the 8 Master Channel Outputs, each routed to a different stereo output of Reaper.
10_-_Outputs.png

Creating Instrument Output Channels for Kontakt in Reaper

  1. Open the Mixer view in Reaper.
  2. Create 8 new Reaper tracks:
    Insert > Multiple tracks...
    11_-_Insert_Multiple_Tracks.png
  3. The Reaper Mixer now shows 8 new channels, in addition to the Kontakt software instrument track / channel.
    12_-_Reaper_Mixer.png

  4. Important: Open the Routing menu on the Kontakt instrument track/channel, and disable (un-check) the Master send box. This is only required on the Kontakt software instrument track.

    13_-_Kontakt_Track_and_X_Master_Send.png
  5. Assign the input of each new audio track to a respective Kontakt output channel. The Routing tab of each new audio track opens a Routing dialog box. Use the Receives section to assign Kontakt as the audio source.
    14_-_Routing_Receive_From_Kontakt.png
  6. An Audio drop-menu now appears in the Routing dialog box. Use this to route each available Kontakt output channel to the new Reaper audio tracks. 
    15_-_Routing_Kontakt_Outputs_to_Reaper_Tracks.png

    Note: The Kontakt output channels (e.g. 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, etc.) may be selected from the Routing dialog box (shown above) from the Stereo Source or (New Channels on Sending Track) > Stereo source sub-menus. Be sure to check in both areas.

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 Reaper Aux track its output is assigned to.

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