How to Install Native Instruments on External Hard Drive

Here are the steps to install and run Native Instruments Komplete on an external drive using Native Access:

1. Connect your external drive to your computer.

2. Open Native Access, which can be downloaded from the Native Instruments website.

3. Log in to Native Access using your Native Instruments account credentials.

4. Click on the "Not installed" tab in Native Access to view all the products you own that are not currently installed.

5. Locate Komplete in the list and click "Install".

6. In the "Install Location" section, click the "Change" button and select your external drive as the installation location.

7. Click "Install" and wait for the installation to complete.

8. Once the installation is finished, you can run Komplete from your external drive by connecting it to your computer and launching Native Access. From there, you can launch Komplete by clicking on the "Installed products" tab and selecting it from the list.

Why Put Komplete On An External HDD

There are several benefits to running Native Instruments Komplete off external drives:

1. Increased storage capacity: Native Instruments Komplete is a massive collection of software instruments, effects, and sample libraries that can take up a lot of space on your computer's hard drive. Running it off an external drive allows you to expand your storage capacity and keep your computer's internal storage free for other applications and files.

2. Improved performance: Running Komplete off an external drive can improve the performance of your computer. The software can be demanding on your computer's resources, and running it off an external drive can reduce the strain on your computer's CPU and RAM, resulting in smoother operation and faster load times.

3. Portability: Running Komplete off an external drive makes it easy to take your music production setup with you wherever you go. You can connect the external drive to any computer and have access to your entire Komplete library without having to install it on every computer you use.

4. Backup and recovery: Running Komplete off an external drive provides an additional layer of backup and recovery. If your computer's hard drive fails or becomes corrupted, you can simply connect the external drive to another computer and continue working without losing any of your data.

Any downsides?

There are some potential downsides to running Native Instruments Komplete off external drives:

1. Speed: Running Komplete off an external drive may be slower than running it off your computer's internal hard drive. This can result in longer load times and slower performance, particularly if you are using a slower or older external drive.

2. Reliability: External hard drives can be more prone to failure than internal hard drives, particularly if they are moved frequently or subjected to physical shocks. This means there is a higher risk of data loss or corruption if your external drive fails.

3. Compatibility: Some computers may not be compatible with certain external drives, particularly if they use older connection protocols such as USB 2.0. This could result in compatibility issues and slower performance.

4. Cost: External drives can be expensive, particularly if you need to purchase a large-capacity drive to accommodate the entire Komplete library. This could be a significant expense if you are on a tight budget.

Overall, while there are some potential negatives to running Native Instruments Komplete off external drives, many users find the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Ultimately, the decision of whether to run Komplete off an external drive will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Recommended drives

The specifications of the hard drive you choose to run Native Instruments Komplete off of will impact its performance and reliability. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting a hard drive:

1. Capacity: Native Instruments Komplete is a large library of software instruments and sample libraries that can take up a significant amount of storage space. As a result, you will want to select a hard drive with enough capacity to store the entire library. You may also want to consider future expansion and choose a hard drive with additional capacity to accommodate future purchases.

2. Speed: The speed of the hard drive can impact the load times and overall performance of Native Instruments Komplete. A faster hard drive with a high RPM or solid-state drive (SSD) technology can result in faster load times and improved performance.

3. Connection Interface: The connection interface of the hard drive can also impact its performance. USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt connections offer faster transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0.

4. Brand and Quality: Selecting a hard drive from a reputable brand with a proven track record of reliability can help ensure the long-term performance and stability of your Native Instruments Komplete library.

In general, a high-capacity, fast, and reliable external hard drive with a USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt connection is recommended for running Native Instruments Komplete. An SSD drive will typically offer faster performance than a traditional spinning hard drive. Additionally, it is important to regularly back up your external hard drive to protect against data loss or corruption.

My Personal Choice

I use the LaCie Big dock The updated one they sell now is essentially the same, Mine simply has the old thunderbolt connectors rather than USBc