7.9Good
Forma Labs Filament is a real-time orchestration plugin that hosts up to 64 instruments and turns one keyboard performance into multi-part arrangements.
Plugin comparison
Forma Labs Filament vs Kontakt 8
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which midi tool to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.7Great
Kontakt 8 is Native Instruments' software sampler platform for hosting and building virtual instruments, available as a plugin or standalone app.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Kontakt 8 comes out ahead (8.7). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Forma Labs Filament | Kontakt 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 | $299 |
| Dubspot Score | 7.9 | 8.7 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, standalone | Standalone, VST3, AU (macOS), AAX |
| Type | Real-time orchestration engine / plugin host | — |
| Hosted instruments | Up to 64 VST3 or AU plugins per instance | — |
| Formats | VST3, AU, standalone | — |
| Platforms | macOS and Windows | — |
| Price | £149 regular; launch promos have offered £99 | — |
| Activations | Up to three machines (per vendor policy at launch) | — |
| macOS formats (64-bit) | — | Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Windows formats (64-bit) | — | Standalone, VST3, AAX |
| Factory Library 2 | — | 40 GB ready-to-use instrument toolset included |
| CPU / RAM | — | Intel Core i5 or equivalent / Apple Silicon; 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended) |
| Disk space | — | 2 GB free; 52 GB for complete installation |
| Free Player version | — | Kontakt 8 Player hosts NI and third-party Kontakt instruments at no cost |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.