How to download
A new and improved version of our ProjectSAM Downloader application will be available in the coming weeks. Until then, please download your purchase through your browser by following the steps below.
#1 – Where to find your download?
A full download of the latest version of the library is made available to you after:
- purchasing a downloadable library on our website, or:
- registering a downloadable challenge code on our website, or:
- buying a download token to convert your boxed registration into a downloadable registration
To find your download, log in to your ProjectSAM account. You will then be redirected to Your libraries. On this page, you will find purchased ProjectSAM licenses, as well as your downloads and updates.
#2 – Downloading & unzipping
Scenario 1: Single ZIP file
Our smaller libraries (< 20 GB) are offered as a single ZIP file download. This ZIP file can be unzipped using your operating system’s native software, so you don’t need any additional tools.
Example of a single file download (1 ZIP file)
Download the ZIP file by clicking on the purple button. This button also shows you the download size. Although it is not required, we recommend using a download manager plug-in for your browser, which will give you more control over the download process. By default, you’re offered 5 downloads per file. If you need additional downloads, please contact us.
After downloading the single ZIP file, open it by double-clicking it. Depending on your operating system, the ZIP file will now either automatically unzip (uncompress), or require you to start this action by clicking an Unzip/Extract button or drag the ZIP file’s content onto a different window.
(scroll down to continue)
Scenario 2: Split RAR files
Our larger libraries (> 20 GB) have been split up into multiple RAR files to keep the download manageable. To open and extract these RAR files and merge their content into one, complete library folder, a third party RAR tool is required. There are numerous free RAR tools available for both Mac and Windows. Our suggestions are The Unarchiver for Mac and WinRAR for Windows.
Example of a split file download (3 RAR files)
Download the listed RAR files for your library by clicking on the purple buttons. The buttons also show you the download size. By default, you’re offered10 downloads per file. If you need additional downloads, feel free to ask us.
Note that the RAR files are numbered: part1.rar, part2.rar, part3.rar and so forth.
Open part1.rar in your prefered RAR application (see our suggestions above) and choose to extract the files. The RAR application will starting extracting the files inside part1 and will automatically resume with the other parts.
#3 – The Library folder
You now have a product folder ending with “Library”. For example, the product folder for Symphobia 1 is named “Symphobia 1 Library”. If you haven’t done so earlier, feel free to move this folder to a location of choice, eg. a dedicated solid-state drive that you use for sample libraries.
Screenshot of an unzipped Lumina Library folder. The Instruments folder has been opened, showing the Instrument subfolder tree inside.
Native Access and Kontakt will identify the Library folder using the “.nicnt” file (see screenshot above). It is important to leave this file in place and not to have multiple “.nicnt” files in the same folder. The Instruments and (optional) Multis folders contain the actual instrument presets that will appear in Kontakt’s browser after the library has been activated. The Samples folder contains the audio files for the library; the “sample pool”.
The files from the Instruments and Multis folders refer to the audio pool from the Samples folder. If you rename or move any of the folders, Kontakt won’t be able to automatically link the instruments to the samples and will ask you to locate the files.
#4 – Making a backup
It is important to make a safe backup of your purchase. While you get 5 downloads per library by default and are allowed to request additional downloads if needed, the fastest way to restore a Library installation is to have a local backup.
To make a backup, either copy the ZIP file(s) or the unzipped Library folder to a safe backup location, such as an external HD or network drive.
It is now time to install and activate the Library so that you can start using it in Kontakt.
