Berlin-based software and hardware developers Native Instruments have announced the forthcoming release of updated versions for the Komplete and Kontakt series of programs. Komplete 8, the new version of the all-encompassing bundle of the company’s virtual instruments and effects, comes with the latest versions of 27 pieces of software (including Absynth, Reaktor, FM8, Massive, and more), 11,000 presets, and over 100 GB of samples. The company will also be releasing a product they are calling Komplete Ultimate for the first time. The “Ultimate” package is an even more comprehensive version of Komplete 8, coming loaded with 50 Native Instruments products,13,000 sounds, and 240 GB of sample content on a dedicated USB 2.0 hard drive. Both Komplete and Komplete Ultimate will include a new version of the sampling software Kontakt. The fifth update to the widely used program is said to feature “enhanced sound shaping through a host of new high-quality filters and studio-grade effect algorithms, superior time-stretching, vintage sampling modes, and more,” as well as a 43 GB factory library with eight separate instrument collections. Kontakt 5, Komplete 8, and Komplete Ultimate 8, will be available starting in September. Check the Native Instruments site for more details.