Bitwig

c-wave · Post by **c-wave** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:16 pm

Any plans to integrate NI Komplete Kontrol S-series? i.e. at least in the same manner as Arturia got integrated?
Thanks

freakydj · Post by **freakydj** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:54 pm

That will be very cool

, I just got a S49.

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:12 pm

Search the forum, we discussed it already and I wrote a preliminary script.
The gist being: most of the (not so many) controls are only available to the Komplete Kontrol VST, not to any third party (and that part works with my script already).
But no "christmas tree" light access, most buttons don't send anything (you don't even know in the script when presets/scenes are changed) etc..

So basically you have good keys with transport control and 8 knobs for quite a lot of money. May make sense if you rely on Komplete for most of your work, otherwise I personally find it the the least attractive controller I've seen in a while. If you want a serious controller with lots of options, knobs, pads, faders, go for something else.
If NI doesn't open it up at one point, it will be pretty much a one-trick-pony.

Cheers,

Tom

freakydj · Post by **freakydj** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:33 pm

I agree with you Tom, I think I am probably going to return my S49, I am very disappointed with it. I am just going to use the Arturia KeyLab 49

c-wave · Post by **c-wave** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:35 pm

ThomasHelzle wrote: So basically you have good keys with transport control and 8 knobs for quite a lot of money.
Tom

LOL.. I have hoped for an open API. wishful thinking I guess.
Thanks Thomas.

sardaukar · Post by **sardaukar** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:48 pm

This is a shame. Seems so much of a waste. I hope NI open it up eventually.

c-wave · Post by **c-wave** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:53 pm

sardaukar wrote:This is a shame. Seems so much of a waste. I hope NI open it up eventually.

I think NI have crippled this one on purpose.. Simply as a first generation product. We can take clues from their other hardware. Maybe they will add sliders and pads (and open the API?) in future generations, while lowering the price of the current models. Interesting to watch.

TeotiGraphix · Post by **TeotiGraphix** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:57 pm

c-wave wrote:
sardaukar wrote:This is a shame. Seems so much of a waste. I hope NI open it up eventually.
I think NI have crippled this one on purpose.. Simply as a first generation product. We can take clues from their other hardware. Maybe they will add sliders and pads (and open the API?) in future generations, while lowering the price of the current models. Interesting to watch.

Knowing NI, its probably there already and just not enabled in their driver.

Just like their Maschine bone they are throwing saying they are "enabling touch knobs" in the November update. Wow Ni, that is awesome!

I am writing the Bitwig Maschine integration scripts right now and you should SEE THE HOOPS I have to jump through to get it on par with what Moss and I have done with the Push. it's ridiculous the little things they "don't have enabled".

Mike

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:10 pm

Honestly, even with a totally open API I am not really sure I would dig this controller, even for Komplete.
As a live controller it's way too limited and too screen-oriented.
But even in the studio I am unsure how 8 knobs would excite anybody.

And: When I had it here for one or two days, I always had to laugh at the cheesy christmas-tree LEDs, not my style.

The 25 key version I had here is 489.- Euro at Thomann.
For 399.- Euro you get the Studiologic SL-990 Pro, 88 Fatar keys and nothing else.
For the remaining 90.- Euro you can put some nice small controller on top of it and have much more keys and probably more control.

And of course this is just my private, personal view.

Cheers,

Tom

TeotiGraphix · Post by **TeotiGraphix** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:12 pm

Well its a Maschine minus everything except the knobs and navigation buttons plus keys.

Mike

taoyoyo · Post by **taoyoyo** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:48 pm

ThomasHelzle wrote:Honestly, even with a totally open API I am not really sure I would dig this controller, even for Komplete.
As a live controller it's way too limited and too screen-oriented.
But even in the studio I am unsure how 8 knobs would excite anybody.

To be fair though it hasn't been marketed as a generic midi keyboard controller but specifically designed to integrate with Komplete (and soon Maschine).

ThomasHelzle wrote:And: When I had it here for one or two days, I always had to laugh at the cheesy christmas-tree LEDs, not my style.

... This starts to make more sense when see the Lightstrip used with something like Rounds (where you can control the 'mini-sequences' from lower keys whilst playing the instrument). Also with Battery, where different drum types are color-coded (been wanting something like this for years even though I pretty much have GM-Midi standards memorized!)

I definitely agree that if you're not a heavy Komplete or Maschine user buying one of these doesn't make a lot of sense. They are not cheap (although the build quality and keys are really good... at least 2 x better than the Arturia Keylab 25 that usually sells for half the S25).

ThomasHelzle · Post by **ThomasHelzle** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:57 pm

Yeah, I know about the uses and it makes a lot of sense, but my aesthetics are adverse to LED colours.

Sorry, I know it's personal, I just had expected better from NI.

Cheers,

Tom

taoyoyo · Post by **taoyoyo** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:12 am

No worries, just different strokes for different folks!

c-wave · Post by **c-wave** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:16 am

ThomasHelzle wrote:Honestly, even with a totally open API I am not really sure I would dig this controller, even for Komplete.
As a live controller it's way too limited and too screen-oriented.
Tom

That's in fact was the selling point for me to buy a Nektar Panorama. The generous 3.5" graphical screen with sliders and knobs represented right on the screen. That was a great choice; without it my eyes will stay glued on the screen. The only gripe I have is that in order to access more than the first set of 8 knobs I have to dig 2-levels deep in the menu to reach the second set of 8-knobs.. Anyways, I can't wait to put my hands on the next iteration of their driver based on the 1.1 API.

Speaking of, I have noticed on the Komplete Kontrol S-series videos, their key action were producing the same mechanical clicks and ticks when the player was releasing his fingers (i.e. on the way up after pressing an arpeggio). Anybody had a chance to check that keybed vs. the Nektar's ?
Just curious, to see if another company had to take the same path in order to come up with the same quality key action.
C-Wave

Ogopogo · Post by **Ogopogo** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:18 am

My idea for the ultimate keyboard controller: 61 key keyboard, 8 endless rotary knobs, oled touchscreen covering the whole top panel, and the ability to script your own interface (I dunno if bitwig goes that deep). Basically a tablet keyboard combo that you could use like your very own custom keyboard workstation. Make it as complex or simple as you like, since it's oled all the space you aren't using would just be dark. Way better than a bunch of blinky lights. Maybe add a few dedicated button like arrow keys too if that's easier.