Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Synthesizer

Kontour

Native Instruments

Where to get itAvailable from Native Instrumentsnative-instruments.com

Kontour is an expressive FM synthesizer by Native Instruments that uses two sine oscillators with phase modulation, wave shapers, and a polyphonic comb filter resonator to create complex, acoustic-like sounds. Based on pure sine waves and a radical, symmetric signal architecture, it combines a 2-operator FM core with versatile filtering and a comprehensive feedback system, making it a powerful instrument for sound design despite its elegant simplicity.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

012-operator FM synthesis with sine oscillators and phase modulation
02Polyphonic comb filter with tunable delay, all-pass filtering, and resonance control
034-pole state variable filter with serial/parallel crossfading and low-pass/bandpass/high-pass modes
04Wave shapers with fold-back, asymmetry, and independent mixing in multiple signal paths
05Comprehensive feedback routing between oscillators, shapers, filters, and effects
06Four macro controls (DRAMA, COLOR 1, COLOR 2, LOUDNESS) with Motion Recorder for automation
07Five-effect chain: Cabinet, Gap Filter, Flanger, Echo, Reverb
08ADBDSR envelopes for amplitude and modulation control; AD pitch envelope

Things to Try

  • 01Use the Comb Filter GATE parameter at 100% to damp the decay time on note-off for shorter, punchier resonant tones
  • 02Set the State Variable Filter SPREAD parameter to different semitone offsets to create two-formant responses similar to vocal resonances
  • 03Route the DRAMA macro to increase FLANGER DEPTH and ECHO MIX simultaneously for evolving spatial width on held notes
  • 04Drive the wave shapers with COLOR 1 macro controlling DRIVE amounts while adjusting ASYM and FOLD for real-time harmonic richness
Formats
VSTVST3AUAAX
User Manual↗

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