8.1Great
Atlas 2 is a sample organiser and drum machine combined that uses AI to scan and categorise drum samples for beat making.
Plugin comparison
Atlas 2 vs Kontakt 8
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which sampler 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 | Atlas 2 | Kontakt 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 | $299 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.1 | 8.7 |
| Formats | Standalone, VST, VST3, AU (Audio Unit), AAX | Standalone, VST3, AU (macOS), AAX |
| Type | Sample organiser and drum machine | — |
| Architecture | 64-bit only | — |
| macOS (Intel) | macOS 10.13 High Sierra and above | — |
| macOS (Apple Silicon) | macOS 11 Big Sur and above (Native & Rosetta) | — |
| Windows | Windows 7 and above | — |
| Linux (beta) | Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04 (other distros untested) | — |
| Authorization | Internet connection required to authorize; runs offline once authorized | — |
| 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.