Native Instruments has released Vertikal, a new Kontakt piano instrument developed with Galaxy Instruments in collaboration with German composer and pianist Nils Frahm. Released on November 5, 2026, the library is built around Frahm’s custom 4.5-meter vertical concert grand, recorded in his Saal 3 studio at Berlin’s historic Funkhaus complex. It includes two piano variations and the Particles 2.0 generative sound engine.
A Custom Vertical Grand Piano
Vertikal is built around a custom 4.5-meter (14.7-foot) vertical concert grand, with strings measuring up to 3.9 meters (12.7 feet). Recorded in Nils Frahm’s Saal 3 studio at Berlin’s Funkhaus complex, the instrument’s samples also capture the room’s acoustic character.
The library includes two instruments: Vertikal Pure and Vertikal Felt. Pure has a warm, clear tone, defined attack, deep bass, and natural resonance. Felt offers a softer, slightly muted sound with a gentler attack and a darker, more intimate character. Both versions provide distinct tonal options for piano parts and atmospheric arrangements.
Particles 2.0 Adds Rhythmic and Textural Layers
Vertikal also includes Particles 2.0, the successor to the sound-generation engine in Native Instruments’ Noire. It generates additional notes with variations in pitch, timing, dynamics, and stereo position.
The engine has two operating modes:
- Rhythm Mode: Generates tempo-synchronized patterns with an adjustable number of steps and individual step velocities.
- Play Mode: Makes the particle sound sources playable directly from the keyboard.
Particles 2.0 also features LFO-based motion and modulation, with performance control via the mod wheel and polyphonic aftertouch. Two independent sound sources have separate Pan and Timbre controls and can draw on tonal, percussive, and textural material. Four assignable effects slots provide further sound-shaping options.
These features extend Vertikal beyond conventional piano sampling, giving composers and producers additional tools for creating rhythmic patterns and layered textures for ambient music, cinematic scoring, and sound design.
Compatibility and System Requirements
Vertikal runs in the free Kontakt Player or the full version of Kontakt 8. Native Instruments specifies Kontakt 8.13.1 or later. Supported plug-in formats include:
- macOS: VST3, AU, and AAX, with standalone operation through Kontakt.
- Windows: VST3 and AAX, with standalone operation through Kontakt.
The library requires a 29 GB download. Native Instruments lists 4 GB of RAM as the minimum, with 6 GB recommended. It also includes more than 150 snapshots and over 100 Particles presets, along with NKS support for compatible Native Instruments hardware.
Check macOS compatibility before installing. The Vertikal product page lists macOS 13, 14, and 15, but newer Kontakt releases have stricter operating-system requirements. Users installing the latest version of Kontakt should check its current system requirements rather than relying solely on the Vertikal product page.
Pricing and Availability
Vertikal is available as a digital download for $149 through Native Instruments. It runs in the free Kontakt Player, so purchasing the full version of Kontakt is not necessary.
With its sampled vertical grand piano and Particles 2.0 engine, Vertikal combines acoustic piano sounds with tools for generating rhythmic patterns and layered textures. This makes it relevant to composers and producers working with piano-based arrangements, ambient music, and cinematic sound design.
