Kontakt 'shared' layer creating a complete duplicate on import song

VST Live
1

A couple issues with my setup…
Firstly, I want to create some global layers using Kontakt. But, I need to automate certain parameters of each global layer:
MIDI channel
Transpose
Octave
Layer volume

How can I automate these? I’ve tried creating an automation track and routing it to the global layer, but the only parameters available are Audio Volume, Audio Pan and Mute. Why so few parameters???

I’ve tried to point a new song’s layer to this ‘shared’ version of Kontakt, but if I close that song down and import it at another point in time, that new layer creates a complete duplicate of the first instance of Kontakt! It’s bad enough having to wait for VST Live to pre-load 16 Kontakt libraries, but to then have to wait an eternity for the next loaded song because of this is really bad.

Is the ‘shared’ function only available for synths within the actual song I’m working on? If not, then why is the imported song creating a duplicate of Kontakt? This is why I’d be happier creating global layers for each instance of Kontakt, then automating the parameters above for each new song. I’ve tried it using new parts, but the global layer ignores them.

Please help! I’m pulling my hair out here…

UPDATE…
The duplication happened when I switched the layer pointing to the ‘shared’ instrument layer’s controls from MIDI to audio. Will that create a duplicate??? Either way, it’s now not happening. Very strange!

2

Why not save each Kontakt setup as a preset and call that up from a MIDI track? This way you can treat Kontakt as an external instrument and can instigate it as a single instance using a Global Layer. Of course you may still get delays when switching but that will be Kontakt, not VL.

Yes - automation is limited. They recently added the ability to control the Quick Controls of a Layer but you have to map them first within the Layer. You can still use a MIDI track if all else fails.

Yes - Shared Layers are within a Song and intended to be shared between Parts. Each Song is treated as a unique entity - it can use Globals and its own Layers/Stacks but cannot access those in other Songs because only one Song is loaded at any time.

1 Like
3

It’s ok, I’ll just use the instances of Kontakt as shared instruments from a ‘template’ song and change MIDI channels with each new part/layer. The duplication only occured when I switched the new layer to audio controls instead of MIDI. I don’t need to do that anyway, so all good. At least we now know that it does that! haha