Komplete Kontrol S-series keyboard (MK3) Firmware 2.0 Update - amazing new functionality

[tq]

First of all: I am *not* affiliated to NI, and I know that they are not the most well-liked company around here.

However, the firmware 2.0 update for their Komplete Kontrol S-Series (MK3) keyboard range is pretty amazing. It adds automapping for non-NI plug ins, extended DAW control, and accessibility features, and with these, it feels like a completely new device. You can browse through your plug ins in a given track, and then perform using pre-mapped encoders - no matter whether it's a NI plug in or something else.

When they released these keyboards, they did not feel 'finished' - the hardware was great, but the software was lacking. But with the new firmware, and the functionality they added in the previous point updates (especially the play assist stuff), it's a solid controller with fantastic functionality - not only for NI stuff, but for all plug ins (you do *not* need their wrapper plug in for the firmware 2.0 functionality).

I seems that the team for their keyboard range is doing a good job, and I am really happy that I bought this controller some time ago - patience finally pays off. It took a while, but it's now very close to what I was hoping for when I bought it...

Here's the info on what you get, from their web page:

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What's New – Kontrol S-Series MK3 Firmware 2.0

Kontrol S-Series MK3 just got a major upgrade. With Firmware 2.0, we’re unlocking powerful DAW control features and full accessibility support, making your flagship keyboard more versatile and inclusive than ever before.

Extended DAW Control

Control any plugin or DAW device directly from the hardware — not just NKS instruments, (e.g. Ableton racks and devices, Logic smart controls, etc.)
See plugin names & parameters on the keyboard display for quick selection.
Navigate plugin chains with soft buttons and paging when there are more than 8 plugins.
NKS & non-NKS plugins appear together in the same view, making switching seamless.
Track colors VU meters and encoders on MK3 match your DAW track color.
Fine adjust track volumes and parameters by holding SHIFT for precision edits (where supported)
Tempo Sync: The Kontrol S-Series MK3 ARP stays in time with your DAW.
Minimum Supported DAWs

Ableton Live 12.2.2
Logic Pro
Cubase 13 / 14
Bitwig 5.3.13
Digital Performer 11.35
Note: FL Studio, Pro Tools, Studio One, and Reaper support will roll out in the coming months

Built-In Accessibility Mode

Voice feedback for all buttons, encoders, and navigation.
Training mode speaks button functions without triggering them.
Use with hardware synths by loading a MIDI template and enabling speech feedback.
Powered by the always-on Accessibility Helper system tray app.(separate install required)
Compatible with your system's voice settings for pitch, speed, and language.

[dune_rave]

And what about mk2 owners? Will they get any update anyway?

[Bombadil]

Sad my mk ii could not configure either the expression or sustain pedals correctly. Even sent it back to NI, who then sent me another keyboard (used, without a serial #) that still would not confgure. After support asked me to video what I was doing whilst setting it up, I gave up. I was too exhausted and pissed off to try and figure out how to combine screen capture video with external camera video of me pressing my foot down at the same moments I was trying to configure.
I'll never, ever give them another cent. I've read of others having this issue with the mk ii 61, so it was a known issue.
I've moved on to a Novation Launchkey mk iv 61 and couldn't be happier.
YMMV.

[tq]

I get why people are annoyed with NI - I have been with them from the start (I.e Generator, anyone?), and there were phases of massive frustration (Kore and other things they abandoned on the way). However, I wanted to share a bit of positive news here, as the MK3 with the 2.0 firmware update is actually super nice now, and I have the impression that the keyboard team is doing their homework (now?).

For what it's worth: I could configure the MK3 with sustain, expression, and a triple pedal, all at once, using it as a nice piano controller (for example, with Pianoteq) - but I guess I cannot convince you about the MK3 after your experience... The Novation Launchkey is also nice (I have a mini, and had the 61 keys MK3 some time ago).

[aMUSEd]

It's amazing - especially in Bitwig used with these:

viewtopic.php?p=9118882#p9118882

[aMUSEd]

And what about mk2 owners? Will they get any update anyway?

You can get about 75% of the functionality using the Bitwig and Reaper MOSS extensions if you have those DAWS (also I created a script for Live that does a lot of the device control stuff) - these all provide similar levels of device control (including on screen although not quite as polished as it taps into the mixer visualisations)

What you won't get is the really neat integration and switching with NKS devices, or with Bitwig, the deeper integration with the browser.

[Bombadil]

NKS didn't suit me. The contrast in colours was poor, and my eyes didn't like it.
I found that I didn't use it that much, anyway.

[Bombadil]

I get why people are annoyed with NI - I have been with them from the start (I.e Generator, anyone?), and there were phases of massive frustration (Kore and other things they abandoned on the way). However, I wanted to share a bit of positive news here, as the MK3 with the 2.0 firmware update is actually super nice now, and I have the impression that the keyboard team is doing their homework (now?).

For what it's worth: I could configure the MK3 with sustain, expression, and a triple pedal, all at once, using it as a nice piano controller (for example, with Pianoteq) - but I guess I cannot convince you about the MK3 after your experience... The Novation Launchkey is also nice (I have a mini, and had the 61 keys MK3 some time ago).

The mk iii is 759€. No way Jose. I'm glad it works for you.
One of the other things about these keyboards is no sliders. I liked that aesthetically in the beginning, but after I started getting into CC controlling, I didn't like continuous encoders. So, I bought a Korg NanoControl, which really didn't fit on the mk ii.
Now, I have the sliders (on the left side, yay!) and can control my VIs according to my tastes.
But no, other than having to upgrade Kontakt as necessary, no more money for NI.

[tq]

Well, it has one slider/strip on the left side...

For sliders and such, I do have an Erae Touch 2, which gives you all the sliders and MPE you want, and a Touché for the wobbly stuff. But I am somewhat of a controller collector, so I agree that this does not count, and these things are pricy (although the Touch was o.k., as I backed it - bit of a risk, but it turned out to be fine).

The NI Komplete Kontrol MK3 has more space on top than the MK2, though, so you can put other controllers on top of it - I do have a Novation Launchpad mini sitting on its left side, and an Apple Trackpad on the right side.

However, the Novation is a great device, lots of buttons, knobs and sliders, so I think we can agree that we are both happy with our choices.

[Bombadil]

Yup.

However, when I was considering the mkii in April, 2024, someone here, I forget who, gave me a fairly straightforward caveat emptor, which I brushed off.

So, I'm just passing on that caveat. I am not well disposed toward NI, as I'm sure you can understand.
The cheap swines couldn't even be bothered to send me a new keyboard, and the fact that it has no serial # makes it a bit problematic to sell. So, it sits under our bed.
IMO, the issue with the expression and sus pedals seems to be a software issue. It would be nice if that got fixed.
I don't like gaslighting, and making me jump through hoops when someone on their end knew perfectly well there was an issue, independent of my efforts. I sent it back to them for repair just 2 months after purchase, mind.

[SLiC]

I only recently got an S88 MK3, primely as I just wanted an 88 note weighted controller with poly AT an the list is short.
I have to say I am delighted with the unexpected new functionality, it all works great (and I use Live and Bitwig)
Well done NI, I hav e had plenty of negative things to say in the past but this (and the recent MassiveX update) have me believing again! Are things perfect, of course not- but the difference is I now believe things will get better...

[Sergievsky]

Yeah it looks like the MK3 is maturing nicely. I have a couple of MK2s & have also no plans to buy any more NI hardware. But I do understand why MK2s cannot be updated with MK3 functionalities. If they keep this up I might have to give them one more chance and get an MK3, since I have no plans to abandon Kontakt anytime soon, if ever. Plus, they included Digital Performer along with the other DAWS in this update, so theres that