Is there a non-keyboard alternative to Komplete Kontrol?

[kovacs]

OK guys, thanks for your help so far.

I have managed to raise about $600 from selling some gear (including the Keystation). I now only have a Novation Launchkey mini on my desk.

Keep in mind that what I want to do is get better control of DAW + plugins without using the screen too much.

I went to a local music instrument store and got to try the KK S49 mk2 for a little while, however it was only hooked up to a PC with a host I did not recognize, so I did not get to test DAW controls. I think it had Komplete 11 Select installed so I did get to try the browsing/preview features. It seemed to be quite fast and intuitive. A bit overwhelming with the amount of buttons, but I guess it will take slightly more than 10 minutes to learn it.

I also looked at the AKAI Advance but I must admit I did not like the software plugin that much. Maybe I am a bit slanted towards NI since I really like their plugins a lot.

Some questions:

1) Can the KK S49 mk2 control the Kore software (so that I don't have to buy a Kore 2 unit)?

2) Is it possible to create custom patches with previews now? Or has it been announced? (I saw an older post saying it was not possible).

3) As a former Kore user who abandoned it due to NI simply cancelling support for it - is it "safer" now to buy NI hardware? Do you think it will be supported for years to come? (I am a bit weary of dropping so much cash on NI hardware).

[kovacs]

I caved in and bought a Komplete Kontrol S49 mk2. What a wonderful controller it turned out to be.

[aMUSEd]

I caved in and bought a Komplete Kontrol S49 mk2. What a wonderful controller it turned out to be.

Cool - in answer to your questions

1) Can the KK S49 mk2 control the Kore software (so that I don't have to buy a Kore 2 unit)?

Yes to an extent using midi cc - I am using it instead of my Kore hardware to avoid having to disable SIP on Sierra. It's not as good but I can live with it. can control knobs and the XY, but can't browse patches so have to use mouse for that.

2) Is it possible to create custom patches with previews now? Or has it been announced? (I saw an older post saying it was not possible).

It is possible but takes some effort - check our user NKS thread at NI to see progress - we gradually figured out how to do pretty much everything 'official' NKS partners can do (all except control the lightguide but not many plugins do that anyway) - and the user library now has many banks with user created previews

3) As a former Kore user who abandoned it due to NI simply cancelling support for it - is it "safer" now to buy NI hardware? Do you think it will be supported for years to come? (I am a bit weary of dropping so much cash on NI hardware).

Who knows - got burnt myself but I prefer to make the tools I use work the way I need them to rather than allow myself be limited by other's failures - that includes not allowing NI's limitations to stop me using tools the way I want them to rather than the way they want us to (hence working out how to make NKS work for users)

[topaz]

You could always take the keyboard out

[jrides]

I wish native instruments would come out with a separate controller box. However, I am scheduled to probably get the S series at some point. We will see if they go on sale this summer. Actually hoping for MK3 to show up this year.