Pretty new to Kontakt I'm kind of confused about how to keep and store my libraries. To be able to access them fast & easy I have copied the content of the ISO files to a folder on my hard disk. Not able to keep 2 copies of the same library (Due to storage space) I then delete the ISO file and keep my library in a folder.

It's practical and easy to use them this way but my question is:
Do you also keep your original iso (Two copy of your libs)?
How do you guys store your Kontakt libs? Aren't they vulnerable to damage and alternation Outside of an ISO ? I'm afraid to alter them from the original factory state by accidental changing of a setting etc..

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2022

I use only one folder where all my kontakt library's are, on ext. Drive. organizing easy with the library organizer of bob dules tools for kontakt. Keeping no copies. Waste of space. I can download everything again, if needed. Same with plugins. I never keep the installation files. But what i have is a folder where i keep keygens, serials and licencefiles

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2022

I have two copies of my libraries on two internals SSDs and an additional copy on an external drive. I don't keep ISOs around.
I've never used the Kontakt database, I load everything using the instrument's NKI/NKM files.

I use 'rsync' to keep the libraries in sync. 'rsync' is readily available on Linux, BSD and MacOS. It's also available for Windows, but is probably very tedious to set up there.

I've used FreeFileSync and SyncThing for the same purpose on Windows in the past with good success.

I always make a backup copy of ALL .NKI/.NKM files that I keep in a separate 'backup' folder inside the instrument's own folder.
That way you can make changes to the instrument without fear of irreversibly screwing up. (Provided you don't delete the sample files or GUI :P)

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If the instrument is a single big NKI file, I first load up the NKI file, then go to 'Save as...' (grey menu bar), change the save mode to 'Patch + Samples / Lossless Compressed' and re-save the instrument under a new name.

Then I check if the new instrument works, make a backup of the new and tiny NKI and delete the original single file.

 

This is what I call luxury storage I would love to have 3 copies but out of question for me right now

Thanks a lot for the tip. I am going to do this right now

 

1: For playing I have several SSD HDs on my desktop where I store them - I dont use external SSDs for this because they´re to slow loading.
2: Backup on SSD harddiscs - if something should go wrong.