ISW Console Manual
ISW Console Manual
ISW Console Manual
Impact Soundworks
Designed by Nabeel Ansari, Mario Kruselj, and Dickie Chapin
INTRODUCTION
Console is a modular effects rack that takes full advantage of updates and
improvements made in Kontakt version 5.7. It is available in all K5.7 instruments
created by Impact Soundworks! This technology replaces our previous “FX Rack” tab.
Console is a combination of mixer (for mics and/or pickups) and effects rack, giving you
per-channel inserts plus master inserts & sends. There are over 30 FX units available
including several custom ISW FX. As we continue to update Console for new
instruments, previous releases will be updated, too.
UI OVERVIEW
Each instrument using Console includes a different number of channels (and different
names for those channels), as well as a different logo. However, the core functionality
and interface remains static from one instrument to the next.
Channel Strips
A channel in Console is usually either a pickup (for guitars, basses, etc.) or mic
position. Channels can be completely disabled (unloading all samples) by clicking the
blue LED next to the channel name.
Each channel has its own volume slider, pan knob, solo (S), and mute (M) buttons,
which all function as you’d expect.
Above the ‘OUT’ text is the Output Menu, which is set to “DEF” (routes to Master)... by
default! Clicking this menu, you can view all available Kontakt outputs. These can then
be routed through your host (DAW) mixer.
(For more information about Kontakt output routing, check out this Native Instruments
tutorial.)
The most exciting part of Console is that each channel strip also has
its own independent FX slots.
Add new FX by clicking on a blank slot: you’ll see a dropdown with all available FX.
You’ll also see Move Up/Down options to shift the FX module order.
Clicking the blue LED next to each slot will bypass the FX in that slot, while clicking the
top-leftmost LED will bypass all FX
The Master channel does not have a routable output. Instead, it sums
all other channels that are routed to “DEF” after their individual
channel FX have been processed.
Also, the available Send FX modules are more limited than the
normal list of available FX: this is a Kontakt limitation. If and when
more FX are made compatible as Sends, we’ll add them!
Once you have added FX modules to your channels, you can select
which one to edit by clicking the name of the FX (not the dropdown
arrow). The FX currently being edited will be highlighted in white.
FX Module Editing
Each FX module has its own set of controls. The exact function of each control can be
found in your Kontakt Manual, but there are some features unique to Console as well.
The Dice icon will randomize all parameters of the module, except Dry/Wet/Link
controls. This can produce extreme values and high volume output, so be careful!
The Presets menu, similar to the Channel Strip version, lets you Initialize all controls to
default, or Save/Load a module preset. Since all presets are saved in .NKA format, you
should make sure to name your presets appropriately so that you remember which
FX they go with.
If you load a preset from a module other than the one you are editing, the preset’s
module will be loaded instead.
There are also some key modifiers which can be used when clicking on any knob or
slider.
Special FX Notes
Though almost all FX and controls (parameters) in Console are described in the
Kontakt manual, there are a handful that are worth describing further.
Cabinet Module
This FX is actually identical in operation to the Convolution Reverb FX, as convolution
is the best way to simulate various guitar or bass cabinets. The only difference between
these two modules is the list of available IRs (impulse responses).
SNESVerb
Originally created for the Super Audio Cart virtual instrument, this is essentially a very
short delay effect that emulates the ‘cheap reverb’ used by the SNES video game
system.
Console FAQ
Q. Will you add more FX like a noise gate, more pedals, amps, etc…?
A. It’s possible, but Native Instruments has to create them first!
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any problems while using Console, please visit our Support page and
drop us a line. Be sure to include what library you’re using, along with what Kontakt
version.