: Avoid over-quantizing the MIDI data for percussion like the Tabla or Talking Drums. The human feel of world music relies entirely on subtle micro-timing variations.
Before discussing the “repack,” we must honor the original. (often stylized as RA ) was co-produced by renowned sample guru Nick Phoenix (now of Heavyocity and Audio Imperia fame). The concept was simple yet revolutionary: capture the raw, emotional power of rare acoustic instruments from five major regions:
The version of RA appeals to producers for several specific reasons:
: Ethereal film scoring, video game soundscapes, and roots/folk music.
It often includes custom wallpaper artwork so users can add it to the Kontakt "Libraries" tab via older setup tools or Quick Load. east west quantum leap ra repack kontakt library
Standouts include the harp-like Kora and the Kalimbas .
Disclaimer: Ensure you are obtaining virtual instrument libraries through legal and authorized channels, such as the EastWest Sounds official website, to ensure quality and support. Share public link
The producers behind this project included award-winning producers Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, who brought in co-producers Pacemaker and Tony Austin. They scoured Los Angeles—an ideal location due to its ethnic diversity and institutions like Cal Arts—to find the best world instrument musicians. This effort resulted in a collection that goes beyond solo instruments to include authentic ensemble performances, such as African drums, bagpipes, Gamelan orchestras, and Middle Eastern string sections—textures that could not be convincingly simulated by layering solo instruments.
Native American flutes, banjo, and mandolin. Europe: Bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, Irish whistles, and gadulka. Far East: Pipa, erhu, koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi. Middle East / India: Sitar, sarod, oud, ney, and duduk. Pacific: Didgeridoo and Hawaiian lap steel guitar. Why Do Producers Seek the Kontakt "REPACK" Version? : Avoid over-quantizing the MIDI data for percussion
: Official EastWest libraries are no longer natively supported in modern versions like Kontakt 7 or 8 unless specifically bridged via NKS or using older license-registration methods. Instrument Categories by Region Region Featured Instrument Types Africa Bells, drums, pit percussion, plucked instruments, shakers Americas & Australia Percussion, wind, and various solo tribal instruments Far East & India Sitar, various flutes, and traditional percussion ensembles Europe Traditional folk instruments and historic woodwinds EastWest RA Walkthrough
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Ra was revered as the creator of everything and the god of the sun. Choosing this name for a sample library was a bold statement, and one that EastWest and Quantum Leap aimed to live up to with their ambitious collection of rare and ethnic instruments. First unveiled at the 2005 Winter NAMM Expo and later re-released with EastWest's proprietary PLAY engine, the library's goal is audacious: to be the definitive virtual instrument for world music.
While the official East West PLAY version is the standard, the format is popular for several reasons:
The East West Quantum Leap RA Repack for Kontakt is the best way to experience a classic. It strips away the technical frustrations of older software engines and leaves you with pure, evocative musical inspiration from every corner of the world. Whether you need a subtle ethnic texture or a driving tribal rhythm, RA delivers. (often stylized as RA ) was co-produced by
The story of EastWest Quantum Leap RA is one of . On one hand, it is a masterpiece of sampling, capturing the soul of global music in painstaking detail through vintage microphones and world-class studios. On the other hand, its legacy is tarnished by the widespread availability of repacked, unauthorized versions that undermine the industry.
is a massive virtual instrument library dedicated to rare and ethnic instruments from around the globe, covering Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe, India, the Far East, and the Middle East.
When Quantum Leap RA was first released, EastWest licensed Native Instruments' technology. The library shipped with a stripped-down, dedicated version of the Kontakt engine (Kompakt). Because of this shared architecture, the original sample pools and .nki instrument files were completely compatible with full versions of Kontakt 2, 3, and 4. 2. The Move to PLAY / OPUS
This article explores the features, sonic quality, and instruments included in the EWQL RA library, explaining why it remains a staple for world music production. What is East West Quantum Leap RA?