Native Instruments – Kithara (KONTAKT)

A library of cinematic guitars.

Guitar Reimagined

From classical, flamenco and acoustic guitars to balalaika, cuatro and ronroco, enter a world of cinematic guitars with Kithara. Each instrument is recorded in stunning detail, creatively performed and transformed through a rich sound design. From electronic bowed string pads to granular mandolin soundscapes and rhythmic tremolos, Kithara combines raw, organic tones with modern capabilities, letting you create everything from delicate strumming to sweeping textures.

Lush, Multi-Layer Strings

Kithara’s four-layer engine gives you deep control over over 350 sound sources. The Attack layer delivers crisp plucks and short articulations like marcato, while the Sustain layers add depth with texture loops, strings, electronic bowed drones and pads. The Release layer activates as the sustain decays, delivering natural sound and adding subtle sound design elements. Each layer can be individually customized, allowing you to mix and match articulations and fine-tune sounds.

Immersive FX

Explore over 300 expertly designed presets, easily filtered by bowing, plucking, textural and rhythmic characteristics, as well as mood and instrument type. Transform the tone of each layer with carefully selected Character FX, add vintage, film-like warmth with Degrade, sharpen and distort textures with Shatter, or create a dreamlike blur with Diffuse. Each effect offers a unique sonic flavor with precise control for further refinement.

Subtle Details

The Fragments engine creates granular, fluttering effects that add intricate detail to your textures and pads. These fragments move across the sustain and release layers, creating evolving harmonic patterns that pulsate gently, adding depth and movement to your soundscapes. With precise control over movement and harmony, the Fragments engine lets you change velocity, pitch, and density, tailoring their subtle and unpredictable nature to your composition.

Create Your Soundscape

Kithara’s flexible modulation system lets you dynamically adjust volume, pan, tuning, and effects, breathing life into every parameter and changing the sound in real time. The parameters page offers advanced customization with velocity controls, aftertouch assignments, and a Tightness knob for precise timing and responsiveness. True Mapping provides seamless integration between layers, giving you full control over range and triggering.

• An eclectic collection of guitars and plucked strings from around the world
• Shape and combine up to four layers of different instruments to create exciting and dynamic soundscapes
• Create organic, grainy textures with the Fragments engine