Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 - Master Keyboard

Product Information

The company develops a wide variety of products: Software solutions such as Komplete, which hosts a huge range of virtual instruments that emulate both acoustic and electronic instruments in hi-fi quality, and Reaktor, which lets you create your own virtual instruments - through to hardware products such as beat-making and DJ controllers. The previous Komplete Kontrol features touch strips for pitch and modulation, but this MK2 has tried-and-trusted wheels and an extra touch strip! This extended plug-in format allows all developers to define the way their products integrate with NI hardware, so support for powerful features like tag-based browsing, Light Guide feedback, and pre-mapped controls now extends far beyond the KOMPLETE universe.

NKS means intuitive control over hundreds of instruments from leading manufacturers – including Heavyocity, Spitfire and Soniccouture. Further, many of the parameters that are shown to be available for modification do not adjust when the knob is moved. Once you’ve used Browser mode to target a sound you like, Plug-In Mode (with its corresponding button) lets you go further, providing access to key parameters.If you’re working with the Maschine software, you’ll find driving this much more straightforward in terms of an arrangement, whilst the buttons above the display make jumping from one section of your Maschine arrangement easier still. The included KOMPLETE KONTROL software provides unparalleled integration with KOMPLETE and NKS Instruments. The basic elements of a USB/MIDI keyboard in this class such as connections for a sustain and expression pedal, and USB MIDI and DIN MIDI functionality are all on board.

From cutting-edge synths to symphonic sample libraries, included are 139 premium instruments and effects, 62 Expansions, and more than 84,000. I can't just access a particular collected instrument, rather have to sort by patch characteristics, and that could be better. Activate chord mode to create a progression by playing single keys, then switch on the arpeggiator and turn it into an expressive musical performance. With two pedal inputs, pitch and modulation wheel, touch strip, and eight assignable buttons and knobs each, it offers plenty of controllers for extensive control tasks.

The Fatar keybed with aftertouch provides a natural and fluid playability, similar to a digital piano, for an authentic feel. The lightguides on the keys are a plus too, you have to remember that to fully get out everything from this keyboard you have to use the software Komplete Kontrol, wich is kind of a wrapper for Kontakt and a lot of VST instruments and efx plugins that conform with the Native Kontrol Standard wich automaps al l parameters inside komplete kontrol for fast tweaking, but you can use it without Komplete Kontrol and map everything yourself in MIDI Mode like any other Midi Controller out there. One of the main things it does is present presets on the keyboard for a given instrument, but some instruments don't offer their presets on the keyboard, so be aware of that. The S61 MK2 is ideal as the centrepiece of any production environment, providing a smart and easy way to control and play in your virtual instruments and samples. The only hardware issue is that encoders are very close to each other so if you have big fingers you'll have to be careful.

Capture all your ideas, directly from the keyboard itself: KOMPLETE KONTROL gives you immediate access to transport, mixing, and editing controls in Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and GarageBand, complete with visual feedback and volume metering on the keyboard’s built-in displays.Say hello to the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2, an intelligent MIDI keyboard controller that provides full access to all of your VSTs and synthesisers thanks to the flawless integration with Komplete software as well as third party plug-ins when using Native Kontrol Standard. Another new feature the unique rotary knob on the right-hand side, which acts as a sort of stick and combines a push encoder with a cursor mechanism. Whilst it hasn’t been updated since the original version of Komplete Kontrol, it’s still worth drawing attention to the aftertouch-enabled Fatar keyboard, which is pleasingly musical to play. Native Instruments KOMPLETE 14 ULTIMATE is a virtually limitless collection of inspiring tols for professional production, scoring, performance, and sound design.

Everything you need to spark new ideas and take your tracks to the finish line, from inspiring sounds and premium synths to top-notch effects, kits, and more.The S61 MK2 also comes with Light Guide technology, above each key is an RGB light that will change colour and highlight specific keys such as drum cells, scales, key switches and also chords. Being able to select and configure your VST instrument (as long as it NKS compatible) without even looking at your computer screen is a game changer and makes your workflow way better. Capture all your ideas, directly from the keyboard itself: KOMPLETE KONTROL gives you immediate access to transport, mixing, and editing controls in Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, and GarageBand, complete with visual feedback and volume metering on the keyboard’s built-in displays. Its deep integration with Maschine software and hardware as well as intuitive control over your favourite DAWs, makes the S61 MK2 one of the most versatile smart keyboard controllers on the market. Komplete Kontrol the provides a huge amount of content to create music - personally, I really like "a Gentleman" and "Massive".