- Considering Native Instruments are primarily producers of software, they've built their fair share of hardware devices, like the X1 and S4 controllers for Traktor, and various soundcards, including the Audio Kontrol 1. The combination of software and hardware expertise results in some great bundles (the S4 packs a full version of Traktor 2 Pro); in these packages NI are able to give users greater integration, and better value for money. As well as the S4, NI have now updated their soundcards, with the Komplete Audio 6 USB audio/MIDI interface replacing the Kontrol 1.
The package includes the interface, a USB cable, a printed manual, a €25 e-voucher for use on the NI store and three discs—Cubase 5 LE, an Audio 6 installation disc and Komplete Elements (with 3.69gb of content and 1,000+ presets). Even the LE version of Cubase adds serious DAW functionality, so if you just bought your first computer and Komplete Audio 6, you'll have everything you need to produce your own songs (except maybe a MIDI keyboard). Traktor 2 LE represents NI's flagship DJ product in a slightly restricted form—minus the sample and instrument decks, and most of the audio effects.
Komplete Elements is the major software item here (which explains the name of the bundle); it's not an individual piece of software in itself, instead collecting together some of NI's other applications. The Kontakt 4 Player includes a selection of vintage and modern synths, along with some drum loop production kits, and edited highlights from the Vienna Symphonic Library Orchestra, Abbey Road Early '60s Vintage drums, and Kontakt World instruments. Reaktor 5 Player features six Reaktor synths, and Guitar Rig 4 Essential includes a selection of guitar amp and effect presets, including six amps, 19 cabs and 27 effects. All of these applications run as standalone instruments, or as plug-ins, and there's a complete workflow in evidence: Guitar Rig and Komplete into Cubase, then into Traktor for live DJing with your finished tracks.
The Audio 6 is encased in a metal wrap-around over bottom, front and back, with heavy-duty plastic covering the top and sides; it feels solid and looks cool. Measuring 52 x 159 x 122 mm, it inherits the Kontrol 1's characteristic big top knob, functioning as a volume control for outputs 1/2. The front panel hosts two combination XLR -1/4" inputs, with line/instrument selector and gain control for each; a headphone output with separate volume control and a selector switch to monitor channels 1/2 or 3/4, and next to that, a monitor volume knob, with selector and mono switches. The rear panel has a 48v phantom power switch, USB connection (no mains power for this baby), MIDI in/out, SPDIF in/out, 1/4" jacks for outputs 1/2/3/4, and for inputs 3/4. All analog connections are balanced.
I used a MacBook Pro 2.66 GHz, 4GB RAM running OS X 10.6.7 for this review. After completing the lengthy installation (plus the Service Centre updates), the Audio 6 was available to GarageBand, iTunes, Live, Logic, Reason, et al.; it's totally open, and there's no dongle-type relationship with the NI software.
Recording setup is simple: plug into the front inputs, select line or instrument levels, and adjust the input gain knob. The top-panel LEDs give extra visual feedback regarding input/output activity, and monitoring status. Latency was almost undetectable with guitar or vocals going into Ableton Live. If you do experience latency problems you can use the monitor control to blend between the direct-in and computer-out sources, meaning you can listen to a dry, direct, guitar input at the same time as hearing the backing tracks coming from the computer. Alternatively you can hear the guitar input post- any computer effects, with the backing tracks, or you can mix between the two, so you hear a bit of dry and a bit of processed guitar. When the monitor button is held down, it cycles between sending the monitor signal to outputs 1/2, 3/4 or 1/2/3/4—the top LEDs show the current status. The monitor mono switch is for use with mono sources such as guitar, or a single microphone.
Audio quality is claimed to be superior to previous NI hardware. I haven't previously owned one of these earlier models, although compared to the large number of USB cards I've heard from other manufacturers the Audio 6 is clearly one of the best-sounding out there. My subjective feeling was that it didn't sound as sweet as the more expensive and feature-limited Duet, but did sound deeper and less harsh than other USB cards. To record simple, high quality inputs from guitars or mic, I'd stick to the Duet, but for live and field use, and times when you need extra connections, the KA6 will do the job very well.
At first glance, the KA6 doesn't look as sleek as the Apogee Duet, or the RME Babyface, for example, but their streamlined looks are undermined by clunky breakout cables that you must use to get them to do, well, almost anything, while the KA6 successfully keeps it all within one box. As far as build goes, the compact, strong design seems to have paid off as the KA6 lived rough in my bag for a few days...and nothing fell off. If you just want to DJ you'd be better off with NI's Audio 2, for an ultra-mobile cueing setup. If you do a bit of everything, though—and want a great-sounding card in a road-worthy package—this is a fantastic bet.
Ratings
Cost: 4/5
Versatility: 5/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Ease of use: 4/5