Native Instruments Komplete 15: Which Edition Should You Buy?
Introduction
Native Instruments Komplete has long been regarded as the industry standard for music production and arrangement software suites. Since its inception in 2003, Komplete has evolved from a single version to seven distinct editions with the release of Komplete 15. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each version, helping you decide which one best suits your music production needs and budget.
The Evolution of Komplete
Native Instruments has consistently expanded its flagship product over the years:
- 2003: Komplete 1.0 launched with just one version
- 2011: Komplete 8 introduced the Ultimate Edition
- 2016: Komplete 11 added the Select Edition
- 2018: Komplete 12 introduced the Collector's Edition
- 2024: Komplete 15 divided the Select Edition into three specialised packs, resulting in seven distinct versions
Komplete 15: All Versions Overview
1. Komplete Start (Free)
Best for: Complete beginners, students, and those wanting to test the waters before investing.
Get It Here: Native Instruments Official Website (click)
Komplete Start offers an impressive 6.5GB of free sounds and instruments. Combined with NI's occasional free giveaways (like the "Hypha" instrument), beginners can access over a dozen GB of professional sounds without spending a penny.
For newcomers to music production, this free version provides more than enough to start creating without experiencing "choice paralysis" from too many options. It includes 7 plugins that form a solid foundation for music creation.
2. Komplete 15 Select (£89/€99 each)
With Komplete 15, Native Instruments split the Select Edition into three specialised packs, each priced at £89/€99 — half the price of previous generations. Each pack contains 7 instruments plus 6 effects, tailored to specific musical styles:
Komplete 15 Select - Band Pack
Best for: Live performers, jam session musicians, band members, and acoustic-oriented producers.
Exound Price: £69 - 22% OFF (Save £20), click to see details.
This pack focuses on realistic instruments and contains Guitar Rig 7 LE for guitar processing. It's ideal for those primarily working with live instruments and band setups.
Komplete 15 Select - Electronic Pack
Best for: Electronic music producers, EDM artists, and synth enthusiasts.
Exound Price: £69 - 22% OFF (Save £20), click to see details.
Specialising in electronic music production with synthesisers and electronic sounds, this pack delivers the essential tools for creating dance-floor-ready tracks.
Komplete 15 Select - Beats Pack
Best for: Modern pop producers, trap beat makers, and hip-hop producers.
Exound Price: £69 - 22% OFF (Save £20), click to see details.
The Beats pack caters to contemporary mainstream trap and pop music styles. According to Native Instruments, this is the recommended choice for pop music producers, reflecting current trends in both Western and Chinese pop music.
Which Select pack should you choose?
- For traditional pop music production: Beats Pack
- For rock band arrangements: Band Pack
- For dance and electronic music: Electronic Pack
- For genre-fusion styles like Nu Metal (e.g., Linkin Park): Consider both Beats and Band packs
- For electronic rock: Consider both the Band and Electronic packs
3. Komplete 15 Standard (£539/€599)
Best for: Professional producers seeking versatility across multiple genres.
Exound Price: £479 - 11% OFF (Save £60), click to see details.
The Standard Edition represents a significant upgrade from the Select packs:
- 95 plugins (compared to ~20 in a Select pack)
- 50,000 sounds (compared to ~10,000 in a Select pack)
- Full versions of premium instruments like Kontakt (not just the Player edition)
- Guitar Rig Pro instead of the LE version
For serious music producers working across multiple genres, the Standard Edition offers the best value-for-money ratio and can meet most production requirements.
4. Komplete 15 Ultimate (£1,079/€1,199)
Best for: Film and TV composers, professional producers requiring cinematic sounds, and creators of cultural and regional genres.
Exound Price: £959 - 11% OFF (Save £120), click to see details.
Ultimate builds upon Standard with these key additions:
- 18 cinematic sampling packs (compared to just 4 in Standard)
- East Asia collection for authentic oriental instrumental sounds
- Expanded sound libraries across all categories
The Ultimate Edition is particularly valuable for those scoring for visual media or requiring authentic East Asian sounds. However, if you ONLY need the East Asia collection, purchasing the Standard version and adding the East Asia pack separately (which costs $25 after applying the included voucher) might be more economical.
5. Komplete 15 Collector's Edition (£1,619/€1,799)
Best for: Professional studios, sound designers requiring niche sounds, and producers seeking the absolute maximum variety.
Exound Price: £1459 - 9.9% OFF (Save £160), click to see details.
The Collector's Edition adds:
- 15 additional plugins beyond Ultimate
- Expanded classical string libraries
- Specialised sound expansion packs by renowned producers
- Niche genre-specific sound collections (e.g., Fusion Tape, Laid-Back rhythms)
With a staggering 150,000 sounds, the Collector's Edition would take over 200 days to audition completely if you spent 2 hours daily listening to each sound for 10 seconds.
Making Your Decision
For Beginners
Start with the free Komplete Start. Focus on creating complete tracks rather than accumulating plugins. Once you've outgrown these tools, consider a Select pack that aligns with your primary musical style.
For Intermediate Producers
If you're focused on a specific genre, one or two Select packs might suffice. However, if you work across multiple styles, the Standard Edition offers significantly better value despite the higher initial investment.
For Professional Producers
The Standard Edition covers most production needs, but the Ultimate Edition becomes worthwhile if you:
- Create music for film/TV/games
- Regularly produce regional or specifically East Asian music
- Need extensive orchestral libraries
For Studios and Sound Design Specialists
The Collector's Edition makes sense for professional studios serving diverse clients or specialists requiring the widest possible palette of sounds.
Why Choose Licensed Software
While pirated software might seem tempting (but illegal), there are several important reasons to purchase legitimate copies:
- Avoiding system complications that can affect other software
- Preventing situations where system reinstallation becomes necessary
- Ensuring reliable updates and online functionality
- Supporting the creators whose tools help you make money
- Avoiding legal disputes arising from the production of works
You‘d better consider investing in a legitimate license if:
- You earn money using this software
- You use the software regularly, even daily
- The cost doesn't exceed your monthly income
Available at Exound Pro Audio
All versions of Native Instruments Komplete 15 are available at Exound Pro Audio with a "Step-By-Step Setup Guide". We hope this article can help you determine which version best suits your production needs and budget.
If a higher edition of Komplete 15 catches your eye, and you currently own an active Komplete or Kontakt license, please keep in mind that you can always upgrade your Native Instruments collection with Komplete 15 Cross-Edition Upgrade Packs.
Special Offer💡: S-Series MK3 Controller owners can upgrade to Standard or Ultimate Edition with a specific half-price discount!
🔥 All Upgrade Packs Available Here: Click to Explore 🔥
These options can save your budget significantly while expanding your production toolkit from Select/Kontakt to Standard, Ultimate or Collector's Edition.
Conclusion
Native Instruments Komplete 15 continues to set the standard for comprehensive music production suites. With options ranging from free to premium collections, there's a version suitable for every type of music creator.
The significant price drop for the Select packs makes entry-level professional tools more accessible than ever, while the Standard, Ultimate, and Collector's Editions provide incredible depth for serious producers.
Final Tip: While having more sounds offers greater creative possibilities, the most important goal is to complete your music projects. Choose the version that provides the tools you need without overwhelming you with options you'll never use :)
Visit Exound Pro Audio today to explore all Komplete 15 editions and receive an exclusive discount on your essential music production bundles.
