How to Use the Nektar Panorama T Series (2): Working with Nektarine

Control Software Instruments Comfortably with the T Series and Nektarine

Following the DAW integration covered in the previous article, we continue explaining how to use Nektar's Panorama.
Here we look at working with "Nektarine", which comes with the T series.

Nektarine is a product that can load software instruments in formats such as "AU/VST/VST3" and lets you freely assign their parameters to the faders and encoders on the T series.

By going through Nektarine, you can even use VST plug-ins in Logic Pro, which uses the AU format.
All the parameters you set can be saved and recalled at any time, regardless of the song, which makes music production more efficient.

Let's get started.

Getting Ready to Use Nektarine

To use Nektarine, you need to download the installer from Nektar's website.

URL: http://support.nektartech.com

Since you created an account and registered your T series during the DAW integration in the previous article, download and install Nektarine from "My Account" on the site.

Setting Up Nektarine

After installing Nektarine, launch your DAW.

Launch Nektarine just like a normal software instrument.
It is categorized as a software synth, not an effect.

First, scan the AU/VST instruments you currently use so they are displayed.
Select "Plugin Options" from the "Setting" tab and scan the plug-in format you want.

* Loading may take some time.

When the scan finishes, the software instruments you can use are displayed like this.
When you buy or add new instruments, you need to scan again.

Nektarine is now ready to use.

Using Nektarine

Let's start using Nektarine.

Click this area to display the available instruments, then select the one you want.
Here we selected the company's synthesizer "Bolt".

If the window size doesn't fit, you can resize it by dragging the bottom-left corner.

Next, press "Edit" to check the parameter assignments.
You can see that the main parameters are already assigned to the faders and encoders on the T series (hardware).
Many major plug-ins start out pre-assigned.

To control these from the hardware, switch to "Instrument" mode.

Switching Pages also changes which parameters are assigned to the encoders, so it's handy to switch between them as you work.

You can also switch these Pages from the hardware.

Press the "Setup/Menu" button to display the page list, turn the "E1/Data" knob to select the page you want and press the "ENTER" button.

Customizing Nektarine

So far we've covered using the parameters already assigned in Nektarine, but many of you will want to customize the assignments yourself to suit your instruments and workflow.

The product is also highly customizable, and you can change assignments freely.
Next, let's look at how to do this.

Here we'll use Arturia's "Pigments", a very popular software synth right now, as an example.

Press "Edit" at the top of the screen.
Assignments have already been made, but here we'll set our preferred parameters on "Page A".

All of Pigments' parameters are displayed on the left, so find the item you want and drag it to a rotary encoder.

That's all there is to it.

Likewise, let's assign ADSR parameters to the "Fader" as well.

If you have many assignments and run out of Pages, you can add a new Page with "Add Page".
To delete a Page, select "Remove Page".

For a newly added Page, you can specify whether it is assigned to the encoders or the faders.

You can also place buttons for switching between Pages at the bottom of the window.
This makes switching Pages very smooth.

Saving Presets

Once these settings are complete, save the result.
The next time you launch the same instrument, the settings are applied automatically.

Saving Presets Including the Sound

Along with the assignments above, you can save the software instrument's sound as well.
This is also handy if you want to load every instrument in your DAW through Nektarine.

After getting the software instrument to sound the way you like, select "Browser" and click the "+" button.

The preset is saved like this.

You can save as many presets as you like, and use the buttons to delete, rename or manage tags for the selected preset.

Using Nektarine in Multi Mode

Nektarine can load up to eight software instruments and layer their sounds.
This is very convenient for creating and managing complex sounds.

Loading multiple instruments is very easy.

Click the "+" button located below the instrument.

A rack like this is added, so load a saved preset or a software instrument.

The software instruments stack vertically, so use the scroll bar on the left to move to the target and adjust its sound.
The third and subsequent instruments are added in the same way.

When multiple software instruments are loaded in Nektarine, you can use "Multi" mode from the T series.

Faders 1–8 control the volume balance of each instrument, and the encoders control the pan of each instrument.

Over two articles, we've explained the Nektar Panorama T series.
By using Nektarine, you can make the most of the T series in your production.

Together with the DAW integration covered last time, it's a very dependable product, so if you're looking for a keyboard, be sure to check it out.

Product page: https://hookup.co.jp/products/nektar-technology/panorama-t4-t6

Part 2 covers working with "Nektarine", included with the T series, which even lets you use VST plug-ins in Logic Pro, which uses the AU format!

How to use the Nektar Technology Panorama T series is also explained in our articles.
1. DAW integrationhttps://t.co/0x47UKlTpj

2. Working with Nektarinehttps://t.co/d38Dt0DqrK pic.twitter.com/1TMjbOaNgB

- SLEEP FREAKS (@SLEEPFREAKS_DTM) April 14, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does Nektarine support VST plug-ins in Logic Pro?

Yes, by going through Nektarine you can use VST plug-ins in Logic Pro, which uses the AU format. It removes the limitations caused by different plug-in formats, widening your choice of plug-ins.

Q2. What are the steps for customizing parameters in Nektarine?

After selecting "Edit", just find the item you want among all the parameters shown on the left and drag it to an encoder or fader. If you run out of pages, you can add one with "Add Page", making customization very easy.

Q3. Can I save the parameter assignments I've set?

Yes, the settings are saved and applied automatically the next time you launch the same instrument. You can also save them as presets that include the sound, and switch between multiple presets.

Q4. Can Nektarine load multiple software instruments at the same time?

Yes, you can layer up to eight software instruments. In the T series' "Multi" mode, the faders control volume balance and the encoders control pan.