Native Instruments Schema Dark

Cinematic pulse engine

• Create, dark, driving patterns and pulses with a unique, new sequencing engine
• Layer expertly sound-designed variations of orchestral, synthetic, and field-recorded loops
• Go deep with editable patterns for each layer, intuitive macro knobs, mix controls, and studio-grade effects

Deep, dark patterns and pulses

For some stories, only the darkest sounds will suffice. Pairing the all-new SCHEMA Engine with a far-reaching array of the deepest, heaviest, and most twisted sound design imaginable, SCHEMA: DARK propels your sonic narrative to unfathomed depths.

The SCHEMA Engine

SCHEMA: DARK is built around a 16-step sequencer unlike any other: start with four tempo-synced loops of two bars each, toggle up to 16 steps for each layer to create unique rhythmic patterns, then vary the density of your creation using the mod wheel. Get instantly satisfying results or dive in to explore polyrhythmic trickery, uneasy ambience, high-intensity walls of sound – and every point in between.

Full-spectrum darkness

From curated field recordings to modular synth sequences and expertly captured orchestral recordings from the renowned Sofia Session Studio, SCHEMA DARK’s 1700 unique loops are united only by a pitch-dark tonality and your project’s tempo. Keep drones, basses, synths, and orchestral sounds in key using your MIDI keyboard, and pitch drums and SFX to taste with the dedicated Tuning knob.

Take it further

Each loop comes in four sound-designed flavors: Version A is the original – captured pristinely and sweetened to taste with high-end outboard gear. Versions B, C, and D push things even further into the shadows with bespoke processing chains – from boutique pedal distortion to esoteric modular patches and rare, rack-mounted compressors.

Dial in, develop, or go deep

SCHEMA Dark comes with 343 professionally designed presets to get you up and running right away. Each one consists of four loops, each with their own switchable patterns, playback modes (including reverse!), envelopes, effects, and more. For further tweaking, filters, decay, volume, and pitch are all editable per step, pattern lengths can be set independently for polyrhythmic fun, and six studio-grade effects are assignable across two send slots.

Roll the dice

If you’re feeling spoiled for choice, each of SCHEMA: DARK’s four loops can be randomly selected for an instant jolt of inspiration. From there, each of the 16 slices for each loop can be randomly reordered, and the sequencer patterns themselves can also be decided by the roll of a dice. With the SCHEMA Engine, you’re never more than a few clicks away from somewhere entirely unexpected.

Watch SCHEMA: DARK in action

Having created sounds for dozens of the biggest franchises in TV, Hollywood, and videogames, Robert Dudzic is no stranger to plumbing the depths of sonic oblivion. So who better to put SCHEMA: DARK through its paces? Watch him get to grips with the SCHEMA: Engine and show off some of what it can do in the hands of a sound-design master craftsman.