Native Instruments Kontrol S61 Mk3 61-key Smart Keyboard Controller Reviews
Since the inception of the Kontrol smart keyboard controllers, Native Instruments has embarked on an uncompromising odyssey to bridge the physical and digital divides, seamlessly integrating their cutting-edge NKS technology with nuanced, tactile control that makes any Virtual Instrument feel as real as possible. With the Kontrol S Mk3 controllers, they’ve elevated the series to new heights of expressivity, available in 49-, 61-, and 88-key options and loaded with cutting-edge Fatar keybeds developed in collaboration with Native Instruments to ensure that the highly detailed polyphonic aftertouch captures every nuance of your sound. While the S49 and S61 feature semi-weighted keys, the S88 boasts one of the world’s first widely available hammer-action polyphonic aftertouch controllers, blending worlds of sound, form, and function like never before. Producers and keyboardists at Sweetwater are amazed by this keyboard’s comprehensive control, not just for expanding the DAW integration of its predecessors to go far beyond simple transport controls, but for its future-minded design via MIDI 2.0 compatibility and USB-C MIDI.
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Highest Rated Reviews
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This is a pretty neat unit. NKS integration is nice. Plugin is displayed with hires color graphics, which after years of utilitarian VST hosts is a relief. Favorites are saved in Komplete Kontrol. If you pull up another song in your VST host and add Komplete Kontrol, the favorites will come along. Useful because scrolling through 1300 Diva presets to mark your favorite is... uh... time consuming! Typical useful knobs are displayed with labels on the bottom. Volume isn't always one of them, so a separate knobboard is still useful.
Keybed is softer bottoming than KK1. PAT is nice and is probably responsible for the soft keybed. It did take about 24 hours of getting used to, but is quick, quiet, and reliable so far unlike another PAT keybed I recently tried.
In terms of the lack of immersion issue for VSTs, I think this largely addresses that issue. Keeper.
IMPRESSIVE!
Now that I have discovered Native Instruments, I will not be purchasing any other plugin software. The keyboard makes everything seamless and easy to use, and NI software is user friendly. When purchasing software, I don't have to enter activation codes, serial numbers, pins, passwords, ilok accounts, registration codes etc etc, it's all done automatically - just button clicks!! All other manufacturers require hours sometimes, to figure out how to install and route and make work. I've purchased many plugins from other companies and most often need tech support to make them happen. Not with NI!! The keyboard feels top-quality and interfaces with Cubase perfectly. This is a whole new level of BadAss-ism. A whole new ballgame. A game changer. Hasta la Vista to all the other plugin manufacturers who have made me life hell with their user-UNfriendliness!!
Excellent for NI software
The big Takeaway from the keyboard is that it's excellent for controlling native instruments software. I can't really speak to non-native instruments. I guess you would still benefit from the keyboard itself being high-quality along with the pitch and mod wheels. I don't know what a better option would be if you're not using much native instruments software, so let's move on to say that you are:
The software package said it comes with is pretty small. I honestly think it probably should be more but I already had Komplete Ultimate before I got the keyboard. now on some level, I think this speaks to the very poor GUI design of Kontakt and most NI software, but having this keyboard really does open up a whole other world of usability. Having the edit parameters laid out so neatly in front of you with physical knobs attached to them is fantastic.
I've seen a video of some guy complaining that it doesn't have pads or faders. I assume this is because they want to still sell Maschine - but honestly I don't miss them that much. And it actually is really handy to be able to adjust DAW tracks from the keyboard. I have situations where multiple apps are open at the same time and the computer and instead of having to get to the mixer window I can just do it on the keyboard. Same goes for the transport control.
I had a very hard time with the install, because for some reason it corrupted the Audio MIDI Set up preferences. the way this manifested was the keyboard could receive signals from the computer, but the keys would not send MIDI notes. I couldn't find any answers for this on any forums or any of native instruments help resources. Is the most inhuman I've ever dealt with. It feels like the whole thing started and run by an AI. Fortunately, I figured it out for myself. You have to go to the hidden library on the Mac, navigate to the preferences folder, and then delete the Audio MIDI Set Up plist file. It will automatically create a new one. This 100% solved the issue.
I should say that the Tech support people at Sweetwater were very nice and by the second call I made, they were getting close to discovering it, but i beat them to it. This is a great example of why it really makes sense to buy from Sweetwater. Most vendors do not have this level of tech-support.
So again, the bottom line is, if you have a fair amount of native instruments software, this keyboard is fantastic, and really brings a new value to all their software.
Oh, it's also worth mentioning that it only comes with a 6 foot (2M) USB cable. right now I'm making do with that but I'm going to have to get a longer one at some point.
Super powerfull VST controller
Excellent midi keyboard with VST integration from most brands. Do NOT buy if you use Maschine software as it is not compatible. The Kontrol and Komplete Kontrol software should have been advertised to not work with Maschine. This keyboard did make me change DAWs but maybe it is for the better and I am super happy with what it can do and it will only get better.
Should have done my homework...
Being a Maschine user, I loved the commonality between my Kontrol S61 Mk1 and my Maschine Studio. The two units just worked hand in hand until the S61 stopped working. Thinking it was a compatibility issue with Komplete 14 Ultimate, I opted to upgrade my S61 to the new Mk3. The Mk3 no longer works with Maschine and NI has no plans to make it compatible in the future. I had no choice but to buy a used S61 Mk2 and I am stuck with the Mk3 until I can find someone to buy it from me. Not happy with Native Instruments on this one.
Sweetwater is in no way responsible for this issue and I will continue to purchase my musical needs from them in the future.
