FREELANCE SOUNDLABS NKS NEWS APRIL 2026

FREELANCE SOUNDLABS NKS NEWS APRIL 2026

Redacted from the FSL subscribers newsletter

 
This months updates and releases include Arturia Analog Lab Pro, Cherry Audio DS-2, Rhodes Pianology and TAL J-8X 
 
Upcoming libraries I am working on include IK Multimedia library updates, Steinberg library updates among some of the main ones. Seeking any interest to look into further ToonTracks Superior Drummer, EZ Drummer or EZ Piano plugins or any other possible libraries and updates you would like to see. 

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NKS Library: Arturia Analog Lab Pro / Pigments

For the last 10 years I have been maintaining Analog Lab NKS support due to user requests as many users like the simplified and uniform way Analog Lab offers browsing of presets over multiple different instruments with the same set of simplified macro controls. 
 
This NKS library has now just been updated to reflect the change in name from Analog Lab V to Analog Lab Pro, which essentially is just a rebadge on the surface as the actual plugin is still ‘Analog Lab V’

This update also brings the content compatibility up from the previously covered content in Arturia V Collection 8 / 9 to the latest V collection 11 adding over 5000 new NKS presets and 16 new instrument libraries while also updating over 20 of the existing libraries with new content too. 

Now I get asked quite often about the fact the NKS library I offer seems to include a lot more presets than Analog Lab lists as available, around 2000 more presets in fact and the reason for this is because as Analog Lab has changed over the years from Analog Lab 3/4 it included a lot of presets that have since either been removed, updated to new versions using the new effects system or shifted into paid expansions.
However all these presets still work in the latest Analog Lab plugin and have been maintained to give some extra functionality. 

Here is what is new and updated from the previous Analog Lab V NKS library release: 

NEW LIBRARIES

• Acid
• Augmented BRASS
• Augmented GRAND PIANO
• Augmented MALLETS
• Augmented STRINGS
• Augmented VOICES
• Augmented WOODWINDS
• Augmented YANGTZE
• CP-70
• DX7
• Farfisa
• Jup-8000
• MiniBrute
• MiniFreak
• Pure Lo-Fi
• Synthx
   
  NEW FREE EXPANSIONS
• MiniBrute Funk
• Synthetic Trap
• Vintouch Vol 1
• JSPA
• Past To The Future
   
  UPDATED LIBRARIES
• B-3
• Buchla Easel
• CMI
• CS-80
• CZ
• Emulator II
• Jun-6
• Korg MS-20
• Matrix-12
• Mellotron
• Mini
• Modular
• OP-XA
• Piano
• Prophet-5
• Prophet-VS
• SEM
• SQ80
• Solina
• Synthi
• Synclavier
• VOX Continental
• Wurli
   
  This was quite a challenge to update the existing libraries since it was required to essentially scan each existing NKS library to check if presets existed and save them out if they did not as well as tag the files. The method used takes some time to complete to this was a few weeks of automated work to work through and while every effort has been made to make sure all content is covered, there may be the odd preset that was missed but in the scheme of over 17,000 presets already it shouldn’t even be noticeable however if you happen to find a preset missing please let me know. 

The previous Analog Lab V library is still available and will work just fine in the latest Analog Lab plugin. If you own Arturia V Collection 8 or 9 then you likely will not have access to the latest instruments in V collection 11 so can choose that option however if you own V collection 10 / 11 then updating to the new Analog Lab Pro library will offer access to all the latest presets. 

Please also note that with this new library comes new artwork and database files for your NKS browser. If you are upgrading from a previous NKS library release, please be sure to copy and MERGE the new ‘image’ and ‘dist_database’ folders being careful to select MERGE for the folders and to replace/update the existing files. For you macOS users, pay close attention since macOS offers you the ability to replace a folder with another and this results in all the existing content being erased which is NOT what you want to do. Always merge the folders and replace the files!

For owners of the previous Analog Lab 4 or V NKS libraries you will receive an upgrade discount in your cart when adding the new library. Please also note that this library now requires approx 4.7GB of space to install. 
 

NKS Library: Cherry Audio Crumar DS-2

A library for the latest Cherry Audio Crumar DS-2 synth is now available. 

This library contains NKS compatibility and browsing for all factory and artist expansion presets included with DS-2 with full control of all synth parameters, excluding FX which are modular and difficult to add NKS support for however control to switch the FX section on/off and adjust the FX mixing controls is available. 

Presets have been fully tagged by hand to include detailed attributes to assist with browsing.

 
NKS Library: Rhodes Pianology

A new NKS library for Rhodes Pianology is now available. 

This library contains NKS compatibility and browsing with bank switching for all 3 piano model presets. All presets have been tagged and include sound previews. All available parameters have been configured into a useful template with just 1 parameter
I am not able to map for the Grand piano to open/close the lid, sadly this is not available for automation. 

Because the GUI size is stored with the preset there are 2 different plugin scale libraries included. The 1.0 library shows a smaller interface suitable for macbooks and 1080 displays while the 1.3 scale library is a larger scale for larger displays. 

Feedback is welcome, just email a comment. 

 
NKS Library: TAL J-8X

A new NKS library for TAL J-8X is now available. 

This library contains NKS compatibility and browsing for all presets included with the TAL J-8X synth. Presets are fully tagged by hand and include sound previews and a full controller map covering all available parameters for deep control of the synth from the keyboard. 

The J-8X is an emulation of the Roland JX-8P and includes all factory banks browsable from the NKS bank selector along with a selection of expansion preset banks for over 700 quality presets, all browsable from the Komplete Kontrol keyboard and Maschine controllers. 

Banks available with this release:

Factory

• Factory Bank A
• Factory Bank B
• Factory Bank C
• Factory Bank D

Expansions

• Electric Himalaya
• emptyvessel
• FMR
• Heat Audio
• Saif Sameer
• Sound Author
• TAL
• VIC-20
   
  This is another quality synth from TAL that sounds great and is very efficient with performance, Fast loading, light on resources and offers everything you need to get those classic sounds from the original hardware synth. You can never go wrong with TAL Audio synths. Find this plugin HERE

Did You Know?
download_update_browser
Downloads & Update Browser
 
In your account you will find, In addition to your quick downloads where all your purchased libraries are listed, there is also a complete download browser area that lists ALL available libraries on the website and options with download links for the ones you own. 

Libraries are listed with the version / date of the current updated library along with info about upgrades that may apply to update to a new release or cross grade to a bundle and links to the product page.  
 
Use this area to see if you may be missing a library that could be of use or if a library has been updated recently or to quickly see what is available.