DAMAGE GUITARS 2 & DAMAGE ROCK GROOVES 2 BY HEAVYOCITY
KK-ACCESS.COM REVIEW
I did a double take when I checked the original release date for Damage Guitars 1, and was surprised to discover that it was almost two years ago in May 2023 when it was launched!
Alarmed as I increasingly seem to be these days by the rapid passage of time, I was nevertheless pleased to see the release of a sequel to this popular Heavyocity library.
Existing fans will be reassured to find more of the same in terms of the gritty, punchy, heavy dirt & grime they know and love, but there is plenty of new dark, edgy, and aggressive driving rock guitar mayhem to be had, which should satiate the demands of both existing and also potential new owners alike.
DAMAGE ROCK GROOVES 2
In common with the first iteration, DG2 also arrives with an optional companion library in tow, Damage rock Grooves 2, which incidentally you can get free during the introductory period if purchased at the same time as Damage Guitars 2.
Damage Rock Grooves 2 contains sets of loops that are perfectly matched to the phrase based content of DG2, and depending on how you like to work, or how much creative freedom you prefer, can certainly work out to be a very useful time saving partnership.
TECH SPECS
Damage Guitars 2 requires Kontakt 7.10.5 or higher, either the full or free Kontakt Player edition to run.
Conversely Damage Rock Grooves 2 is happy to use Kontakt 6.7.1 or higher.
Both products will also be compatible with all versions of Komplete Kontrol provided it is hosting the above spec version of Kontakt.
7.95GB is required to install DG2, whilst DRG2 needs 2.32GB of disk space.
The NCW lossless compression format is used for DG2’s in excess of 3,470 Samples.
In terms of presets, there are 5 master Kontakt NKI presets that cover the various sections of the DG2 library.
Each of these also have a further selection totalling 151 Kontakt NKSN snapshots related to them, which are nested within the snapshot folder structure.
Damage rock grooves 2 has a single master Kontakt NKI preset, with a total of 43 NKSN snapshots equally divided between 3 main categories, whilst the dedicated DG2 content provides a further 18 NKSN snapshot presets.
DOWNLOAD & INSTALLATION
Download and installation comes via the Heavyocity Portal, which does have some unlabelled buttons which may initially challenge screen reader users, however it was not too much of a problem to work things out and get the download ball rolling.
Once downloaded and unpacked, you can move the full library folders to your location of choice, and then use the same serial code to register the libraries within Native Access, where you will also need to confirm the locations.
Once done, just load up Komplete Kontrol and both products will be added to your factory browser in Komplete Kontrol land!
FULL KOMPLETE KONTROL PLUG-IN EDIT NKS PARAMETER MAPPINGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THIS REVIEW, AFTER THE MEDIA LINKS
ACCESSIBILITY
The NKS mapping template for Damage Guitars 2 remains similar to the first library in this series.
When I say similar, there has unfortunately been a bit of a step backwards, namely that the mixer per channel controls have been removed for all but the Damage guitar 2 Designer based presets. The page still exists within the page template, they just don’t work.
As we have mentioned previously, Heavyocity seldom if indeed ever, make changes to their NKS mappings after a series is launched, so this seemed a little strange, and all of the master NKI presets & their snapshot derivatives now share the same NKS mapping template.
The NKS mappings for Damage Rock Grooves 2 do thankfully still remain unchanged from the first version.
For accessibility purposes, there of course still remains a general wish list, high on the list is being able to access the user interface browser in order to load our own choices from the central sample pool, which is a key element to making use of the DG2 designer.
It is always likely to be a difficult task to implement accessibility for certain advanced UI features such as the modulation sequencers, however basics such as ADSR, ‘expand source to keys’, sample offset, or simply turning on or off the sync for the LFO, should all ideally be a part of a useful NKS template.
With Komplete Kontrol 3 & NKS2, we do at least also have the fallback that anything not intentionally mapped for NKS should still be able to be reached through a DAW parameter list, provided that the controls have been made automatable within Kontakt itself in the first instance.
MAXIMUM DANAGE
DG2 & DRG2 provide users with content distributed equally among 3 distinctive categories, these being Metal, Damage, & Hard Rock.
In this respect, the content gets included across all 3 sections, however the primary differences here is in the processing of the signal chain output, which is unique to each of the specific category genres.
For Damage Guitar 2, which is based around a 3 layer Kontakt sound engine, there are tonnes of Riffs, Melodic Phrases, Chords & Motifs, Leads, Transitions, Trills, Sustains, and associated Bass Phrases, all available in the keys of A, D, & F Sharp.
Lower octave keyswitches will also allow you to transpose any of the per note phrase assignments, so you will not be entirely restricted in to using just those keys.
PLAYABLE & SOUND DESIGNED PRESETS
As always Heavyocity have set their team loose on coming up with some wonderful sound designed material, derived from the original sample sources.
These do not disappoint, and as playable pads and keys patches in granular, hybrid, & organic flavours, , they will work cohesively alongside the central guitar material to bring together and make the resulting tracks sound well polished.
SIGNATURE SOUND
The sound quality, which we almost now take for granted with all Heavyocity products, is as excellent as ever.
Radio ready, Mix ready, or DAW ready, are all maxims music tech journalists endeavour to avoid, but when pressed for an opinion, mix ready would be my personal choice.
The reason being, that there is little more to be done in terms of additional processing, as they really do sound fantastic out of the box, (whoops there’s yet another cliched trope!), but with their big, clear, and wide stereo signal, the library naturally seems to demand centre stage, and should grab the attention of any listening ears!
INTO THE GROOVE!
Damage Rock Grooves 2 as mentioned have been prepared using the same 3 processing styles as DG2, so it’s easy to pick the same genre, or even mix & match if you prefer.
The presets offer exact parallels to the Damage Guitar 2 loops, and have been carefully curated to work with the content.
This does not however, prevent creative use of the included loops, they are laid out across the keyboard octaves in low, mid, and high instrumentations.
This means you can stack a full mix of the entire loop, or choose to isolate certain sections, for example taking out the mid range, would leave just the kicks, hats, & cymbals playing, enabling you to tailor and shape the construction of your track.
There are keyswitches available with a useful stutter effect tool in various beat divisions from quarter notes up to fast 64th machine guns, which can add some rhythmic spice to the proceedings.
The sound is consistently punchy and aggressive, and matches all three styles of its sibling Damage Guitar 2 content perfectly.
The Heavyocity signature Damage Drum Kit was used in the creation of these loops, which is a separate library release, and so to be clear there are no individual user playable drum kit sounds here as they are all pre-constructed looped material.
You will find enough variety and ample extra breakout loop content to retain interest and good levels of user flexibility.
There is a wealth of excellent walkthrough content related to Damage Guitars 2 & Damage rock grooves 2, so be sure to checkout the links in our media section.
CONCLUSION
Whether or not you own the original Damage Guitars, this second in the series can either work as a fully compatible content expansion, or stand alone as an individual product if you are new to the concept.
similarly, all of the sounds will play nicely across the entire Heavyocity portfolio, so if you choose to go full throttle rock guitar hero, or just want to add a driving chugging guitar rhythm to your music, be it a high octane filmscore, game soundtrack, trailer promo, or any other project, then they have you covered.
It is unfortunate that there has been a slight degradation to the NKS mapping, although in some cases thanks to KK3 & NKS 2 these controls can still be reached through a DAW parameter list. The accessibility could nevertheless still be improved for blind & visually impaired Komplete Kontrol keyboard users with a little more attention to the NKS template.
In summary though, with plentiful factory content, and it’s immediacy of excellent sound quality, then both Damage Guitars 2 & Damage Rock Grooves 2 will not fail to please Heavyocity fans, whether old or new.
Damage Guitars 2 & Damage Rock Grooves 2 can be purchased directly from the Heavyocity website.
Damage Guitars 2 – $299 USD
Limited-Time Damage Guitars 2 Offer – $219 USD
Limited-Time Damage Guitars 2 Offer for owners of any single Heavyocity product (excluding FX Plugins, Reaktor and Free FOUNDATIONS products) – $179 USD
Damage Rock Grooves 2 – $49 USD
Limited-Time Damage Rock Grooves 2 Offer – $39 USD
Limited-Time Damage Rock Grooves 2 Offer for those who purchase Damage Guitars 2 – FREE
Damage guitars 2 Product Page:
https://heavyocity.com/product/damage-guitars-2/?srsltid=AfmBOorqe9VU32nUMMCo6Ke531mB0aMrka29RMSY-W2nSeaFH3VGtO17
Damage guitars 2 Preset Playthrough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQdwTIT-2MU
Damage guitars 2 Product Overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdUSrpnHE6k
DG2 Composer Overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygfk0NFh1io
Damage Rock Grooves 2 Overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tOJDZ4nqiE&list=PL6KNfOVvxo9UUifNA2Tu3ElKZaZamUw7s&index=5
Damage Guitars 2 User Manual:
https://heavyocity.com/Downloads/DamageGuitars2_Manual.pdf
Damage rock Grooves 2 User Manual:
https://heavyocity.com/Downloads/DamageRockGrooves2_Manual.pdf
KOMPLETE KONTROL PLUG-IN EDIT NKS PARAMETER MAPPING
DAMAGE GUITARS 2 MENUS, PLAYABLES, & DESIGNER NKS MAPPINGS
Page One – Macro Controls
Knob 1 – Macro Amount
Knob 2 – Modulation On/Off
Knob 3 – Modulation Amount
Knob 4 – Envelope
Knob 5 – Tone
Knob 6 – Drive
Knob 7 – Motion
Knob 8 – Space
Page Two – Macro LFO
Knob 1 – Macro LFO On/Off
Knob 2 – Rate Hz
Knob 3 – Spread
Knob 4 – Envelope
Knob 5 – Tone
Knob 6 – Drive
Knob 7 – Motion
Knob 8 – Space
Page Three – Mixer (only available for the Damage Guitar 2 Designer Presets)
Knob 1 – Random
Knob 2 – Drift
Knob 3 – Scatter
Knob 4 – Channel 1 Volume
Knob 5 – Channel 2 Volume
Knob 6 – Channel 3 Volume
Knob 7 – Mixer X
Knob 8 – Mixer Y
Page Four – Punish & Filter
Knob 1 – Punish On/Off
Knob 2 – Amount
Knob 3 – Bass
Knob 4 – Response
Knob 5 – Tone
Knob 6 – Filter On/Off
Knob 7 – Cut-Off
Knob 8 – Resonance
Page Five – EQ
Knob 1 – EQ On /Off
Knob 2 – Amount
Knob 3 – LowGain
Knob 4 – Low Freq
Knob 5 – Mid Gain
Knob 6 – Mid Freq
Knob 7 – High Gain
|Knob 8 – High Freq
Page Six – Compressor
Knob 1 – Compressor On/Off
Knob 2 – Threshold
Knob 3 – Ratio
Knob 4 – Attack
Knob 5 – Release
Knob 6 – Make-Up
Knob 7 – Mix
Knob 8 – Unallocated
Page Seven – Modulation
Knob 1 – Modulation On/Off
Knob 2 – Rate
Knob 3 – Amount
Knob 4 – Feedback
Knob 5 – Width
Knob 6 – Mix
Knob 7 & 8 – Unallocated
Page Eight – Delay
Knob 1 – Delay On/Off
Knob 2 – Time
Knob 3 – Feedback
Knob 4 – Quality: Crunch, Low, Medium, High
Knob 5 – Tone
Knob 6 – Level
Knob 7 & 8 – Unallocated
Page Nine – Reverb
Knob 1 – Reverb On/Off
Knob 2 – Pre-Delay
Knob 3 – Size
Knob 4 – Damp
Knob 5 – Modulation
Knob 6 – Mix
Knob 7 & 8 – Unallocated
DAMAGE ROCK GROOVES 2 – NKS MAPPING
PAGE ONE – Send FX, Send Modulation
Knob 1 – Send FX On/Off
Knob 2 – Level %
Knob 3 & 4 – Unallocated
Knob 5 – Modulation Send On/Off
Knob 6 – Amount
Knob 7 – Smooth
Knob 8 – Unallocated
PAGE TWO – Punish, Filter
Knob 1 – Punish On/Off
Knob 2 – Amount
Knob 3 – Response
Knob 4 – Tone
Knob 5 – Filter On/Off
Knob 6 – Cut-Off
Knob 7 – Resonance
Knob 8 – Unallocated
PAGE THREE – EQ
Knob 1 – EQ On/Off
Knob 2 – Low Gain
Knob 3 – Low Freq
Knob 4 – Mid Gain
Knob 5 – Mid Freq
Knob 6 – High Gain
Knob 7 – High Freq
Knob 8 – Amount
PAGE FOUR – Compressor
Knob 1 – Compressor On/Off
Knob 2 – Threshold
Knob 3 – Ratio
Knob 4 – Attack
Knob 5 – Release
Knob 6 – Make Up
Knob 7 – Mix
Knob 8 – Unallocated
PAGE FIVE – Saturation
Knob 1 – Saturation On/Off
Knob 2 – Drive
Knob 3 – Warmth
Knob 4 – Roll Off
Knob 5 – Output
Knob 6 to 8 – Unallocated
PAGE SIX – Delay
Knob 1 – Delay On/Off
Knob 2 – Time: 1/2 to 1/32 including Triplets
Knob 3 – Feedback
Knob 4 – Tone
Knob 5 – Quality
Knob 6 – Level
Knob 7 & 8 – Unallocated
PAGE SEVEN – Reverb
Knob 1 – Reverb On/Off
Knob 2 – Pre Delay
Knob 3 – Size
Knob 4 – Low
Knob 5 – High
Knob 6 – Mix
Knob 7 & 8 – Unallocated
(c) Chris Ankin
KK-Access.com
6TH March 2025
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Disclaimer
The author can not accept any responsibility for subsequent purchase decisions made as a result of this review,or Any inaccuracies found therein. All opinions and product functions stated are based solely on information perceived as a blind user whilst using the product and/or gathered from official factual sources such as the developer, web or supplied product manual.
About the Author
Based in Buckinghamshire, England, Chris Ankin has worked as a freelance review writer and contributor with articles published in Sound On Sound, Home & Studio Recording and ST Format Magazines.
He has also successfully worked extensively in and around the music, recording, film Soundtrack scoring, Game & media composition, the creative arts, Charitable trusts,publishing, music streaming and property investments since 1982 whilst continuously and deliberately managing to evade any mainstream recognition under his own name by the use of various pseudonyms.
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