Is Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol optimized specifically for NI software or is it a generic controller?

[deaf80]

Hi, I'm trying to decide which MIDI controller to buy and I think I choose between Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32 or M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini (ooor, maybe, just maybe will go to their 49 keys versions).
What I like the M-Audio Oxygen Pro is that it's a generic controller, works with many DAWs and is not intended nor optimized for a specific one. It doesn't have buttons specific to a specific DAW, just the industry standard interface.
Contrary, I heard that Novation Launchkey is made and optimized to work with Ableton Live, which I don't like as I'm not an Ableton user (probably if I was one I'd appreciate the coupling).

How is that with Komplete Kontrol M32? - is that a controller designed with NI software in mind (and likely having dedicated buttons that can't be used in other applications?) or is it a generic controller well accepted by variety of DAWs just as Oxygen Pro? I hear a lot comments that M32 is good when one is or wants to go into the NI system.
I like the M32 for its simplicity, endless encoders and size but I'm not in the NI ecosystem. I think though that these are the endless encoders that makes me chose M32 over Oxygen Pro, otherwise Oxygen Pro wins.

[rACatkvr]

I would say that if you are not in the NI ecosystem you would be better off with a non-NI controller. But the NI ones can act as a “generic controller” - so ultimately I would say go with what feels best to play and fits your space requirements.

[pixel85]

I wouldn't recommend M32 for anything besides Komplete Kontrol. Using MIDI is a real PITA in (Win10 anyway). I couldn't keep midi settings, this crappy controller was switching to KK mode every time I selected different channel in DAW. I had more issues with this crap including leaking glue from the inside.
For me, M32 is type of a midi controller you buy on Aliexpress for $0.1

[deaf80]

I wouldn't recommend M32 for anything besides Komplete Kontrol. Using MIDI is a real PITA in (Win10 anyway). I couldn't keep midi settings, this crappy controller was switching to KK mode every time I selected different channel in DAW. I had more issues with this crap including leaking glue from the inside.
For me, M32 is type of a midi controller you buy on Aliexpress for $0.1

Thanks! This is really valuable feedback, if that's common to all units and is not just a faulty one then this is, well, kind of what I suspected (this model is advertised as "if you're into NI world this is the great controller").

[pixel85]

I wouldn't recommend M32 for anything besides Komplete Kontrol. Using MIDI is a real PITA in (Win10 anyway). I couldn't keep midi settings, this crappy controller was switching to KK mode every time I selected different channel in DAW. I had more issues with this crap including leaking glue from the inside.
For me, M32 is type of a midi controller you buy on Aliexpress for $0.1

Thanks! This is really valuable feedback, if that's common to all units and is not just a faulty one then this is, well, kind of what I suspected (this model is advertised as "if you're into NI world this is the great controller").

I saw more complains about messy midi functionality on different forums. Glue leaking is rather a singular issue.