Kontrol S88 Mk3 master keyboard with hammer action keyboard for composing electronic music

[Trancer]

Hello,

Can you tell me if the Kontrol S88 Mk3 with hammer-action keyboard would be suitable for composing electronic music?

Would the fact that the keyboard has a hammer action be a problem for composition and for using polyphonic aftertouch?

I'm talking about an 88-note version since I'd also like to include orchestral music.

Thank you in advance for your answers and opinions.

[Ah_Dziz]

I prefer non hammer action keys. So I generally have used a 61 key controller and then my nord g2 and seaboard to supplement it. You should go play with one in person if you haven't used a fully weighted 88 key controller before. You might love it. You might not. They are also comparatively heavy as hell.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I tried the 88-note version of Arturia Keylab MK3 and was surprised by a dull typing noise when I pressed the keys, which surprised me given the price.

I wasn't able to try the Kontrol S88 MK3, however.

Regarding the Kontrol S88 MK3, apparently there are issues after a while, including a dull noise when pressing the keys, and reliability is also not great.

Unless I'm mistaken, the issue with Windows 11 is still not resolved, and in some cases, manual manipulation is required to resolve the problem.

Unless I'm mistaken, for 88-note keyboards with polyphonic aftertouch, there are Arturia and Native Instruments.

So, not much choice, it must be said.

Regarding the Native Instruments Kontrol S88 Mk3, is it possible to have any feedback confirming or denying the problems with the Kontrol S88 Mk3?

Thank you in advance.

[iamadan]

The Arturia has channel aftertouch. Only NI’s Kontrol S88 MK3 has polyphonic aftertouch in an 88 key controller (among keyboards sold now anyhow). I really like the Kontrol 88. I’ve had one issue with mine and Native support took care of it under warranty.

The keys aren’t silent, but they’re quiet. The S88 Mk3 keys are quieter than my older 88 key controllers, but all keyboards get louder over time. Keys on my acoustic piano are louder (albeit masked by the piano).

If you don’t need poly aftertouch and don’t care about NI’s ecosystem (I do - Komplete Kontrol is a great integration point for nearly all of my VSTs), then Arturia’s keyboard is also great and seems to have slightly higher build quality IMO (plus pads and faders if you like!). NI has done a great job improving the non-NI-specific integration with DAWs and VSTs, which also gives me long term confidence in the keyboard’s usability.

Honestly, though, both are great. Buy on the features you’ll use and the budget you have.

[Trancer]

Hello,

Thank you very much for your response and detailed review.

Can you tell me what the problem is with your Kontrol S88 Mk3?

Have you had any more problems since?

If you're on Windows 11, did you have the same problem with the USB port and the firmware update?

I'm also particularly interested in the NI ecosystem.

Regarding Arturia products, they only have channel aftertouch, and I need polyphonic aftertouch.

Therefore, Arturia isn't an option for me.

Even though the pads have polyphonic aftertouch, it's no replacement for a keyboard, and it doesn't offer the same playability.

Back to NI, the new integration is a very good point.

All that's missing is integration with Maschine.

[rod_zero]

Keys with Hammer action are not completely silent.

If you don't play actual piano music then Hammer action is not necessary, synth action is good for everything else.

I don't think Native Kontrol ecosystem is worth the price, the hardware isn't that good and you only get 8 knobs, even with the screens it really doesn't feel "like a hardware synth".

I prefer the more bare bones controllers as Roland A88 or A49.

[tq]

I have the Native Kontrol MK3, 61 keys version. The build quality is great, and much improved over the previous versions. I had numerous other controllers before, and I think the MK3 is actually nice, and also has a good keybed. In particular, the wheels feel very solid and do have a metal surface. You also get a light/touch strip on top of the two wheels. The screen is pretty big, and you have up/down arrows to go to different pages that correspond to the knobs, so the 8 knob limitation is not that bad, actually. It does not have any pads, though - I added a Novation Launchpad Mini for this, which fits on top of the keyboard. I am also using it with five pedals (expression, a piano triple, and a sustain pedal).

I am surprised that some people seem to be so negative, but I am not sure whether they had bad experiences with previous Kontrol keyboards, which were not built as well IMHO. Also, the initial release of the MK3 was premature, with the software being very limited at the time, and lacking a lot of features. They added numerous features in the meantime, so that it works well with DAWs and plug ins outside their own ecosystem, and you also get nice arpeggiator and chord functionalities embedded into the keyboard. NI seems to be very committed to this product, as they updated it many times since release (despite all the negative vibes towards the company - their keyboard team is very active)

If you are within the NI ecosystem, it's a really good choice. If not, then there are other options. Novation keyboards offer a great functionality, too, with tons of knobs, pads and sliders.

Regarding the 88 keys: I had a Kontrol 88 MK1 at one point, and replaced it with a 61 keys version. The hammer action is wonderful and expressive for piano playing - but not for synth playing. You cannot do 'slides' (unless you have fingers made of steel), and also super-quick repetitions and arpeggios are extremely difficult to achieve. So choose wisely - more and expensive doesn't necessarily mean 'better', and it really depends on the use case. If you are just interested in the extended range for keyswitching, you could also add a secondary keyboard, tune it down to the keyswitching range, and use it as an extension for the 61er. ..

[trusampler]

I owned the Komplete Kontrol S88 MK3 for just about a year before I eventually sold it off. I wasn’t a fan of Native Instruments supporting it, nor did I like the action and although it supported POLY AT which is lovely, I went back to my trusty YAMAHA KX88 which has a much nicer lighter faster touch to me this always ends up making or breaking the experience as a player.

Feel is subjective, your best bet is always to try n demo the action & keys to make sure you like them.

[Trancer]

A big thank you for your answers and opinions.

As my configuration is based on the NI eco system, the natural choice was to take the Kontrol S88 Mk3.

Why a version 88 notes?

I would like to compose electronic music and add orchestral to it.

Therefore, an 88-note master keyboard seemed to me to be the best solution.

Now, if there were a NI keyboard with a semi-weighted touch like a synthesizer and with the polyphonic aftertouch, it would be perfect.

Unfortunately, this master keyboard does not exist.

It is necessary to go through a heavy touch keyboard.

Even if I am a user of the NI eco system, if there were a master keyboard 88 notes type synthesizer with polyphonic aftertouch, I would even have taken this option.

But this kind of master keyboard currently does not exist either.

I am not a piano player at all.

But I was thinking, like a master keyboard 88 notes heavily touched, I could at the same time learn the basics of piano and use them for orchestral music as well.

Regarding the touch of the Kontrol S88 Mk3, is it more of a synthesizer/piano touch or a piano touch but lighter?

Here my use of the 88 notes will be basic.

Play chords, melodies typically for electronic music and as a bonus add orchestral.

The reason for my reflection on a master keyboard 88 notes and the Kontrol S88 Mk3.

What do you mean by setting the switching range and adding an extension to the 61-note keyboard?

Thank you again for your answers and opinions.

[trusampler]

It's not the heaviest action , and you can do runs and trills on it, but if you're used to higher end weighted actions that are smoother like myself, it can end up bothering you like it did me. I found it useful for over a year before I switched it out for an older Yamaha KX88 FROM THE 1980S ,but this has an almost perfect action. Play chords, melodies typically for electronic music and as a bonus add orchestral, all day long, it will be fine for that. Unless your a bit of a action snob like myself, you'll love it.

[Trancer]

Thank you for your reply.

When you say:

"Play chords, typical electronic music melodies, and, as a bonus, add an orchestra, all day long; it will do the job perfectly. Unless you're a bit of an action snob like me, you'll love it."

Are you talking about the Kontrol S88 Mk3?

Thanks again for your reply.

[tq]

If you are not a piano player, I would not recommend the MK3 88. Technically, you may be able to do runs or trills, but your fingers will hurt, and after the fifth repetition, you will hate it... hammer action is not really meant for the typically synth techniques. So you will pay premium for the hammer action that you will hate, just for the extended key range.

Again, I would highly recommend getting a second, small two octave keyboard for the keyswitches, if you really need the 88 range. There are even some that might fit on top of the MK3, as it has quite a bit of space to the left and right (I have a magic keyboard sitting there, as well as the novation Launchpad mini).

Personally, I also added an Erae Touch to that setup, so that I have all the pads and buttons and keyswitches I could ever think of... but that's a certainly a pricy option, and only for controller nerds like me.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your response and feedback.

When you mention a 2-octave keyboard that can be adapted to the Mk3, which 2-octave keyboard model are you referring to?

How do you connect and configure it?

Indeed, you're an enthusiast

Regarding the Erae Touch, what application exactly do you use it for?

Thanks again for your response.

[iamadan]

I had an issue with one key that became inconsistent. NI covered shipping under warranty, repaired it, and sent it back in great working order. At the end of the day, all was good and the issue was most likely in the Fatar action not NI’s own design. In any case, mechanical things sometimes have failures and good handing of it made me happy.

Regarding synth action vs hammer action, I use both for different things. I’m a piano player and can play fast on a weighted board, but synth action feels better for organs and many synths. If you’re going with synth action and want poly aftertouch, I think it’s worth considering a Hydrasynth if you don’t need NI integration, because you can have a pretty great synth built
In. I’m fortunate to have the best of both worlds, but I know that’s not always plausible for everyone.

Hello,

Thank you very much for your response and detailed review.

Can you tell me what the problem is with your Kontrol S88 Mk3?

Have you had any more problems since?

If you're on Windows 11, did you have the same problem with the USB port and the firmware update?

I'm also particularly interested in the NI ecosystem.

Regarding Arturia products, they only have channel aftertouch, and I need polyphonic aftertouch.

Therefore, Arturia isn't an option for me.

Even though the pads have polyphonic aftertouch, it's no replacement for a keyboard, and it doesn't offer the same playability.

Back to NI, the new integration is a very good point.

All that's missing is integration with Maschine.

[Trancer]

Thank you very much for your message and feedback.

I use the NI environment, but using a different MIDI controller is certainly possible.

However, I'd like an 88-key keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch, and surprisingly, and unfortunately, there aren't many alternatives, even in this category.

The Hydrasynth is indeed an excellent alternative, but it doesn't come in an 88-key version.

There is a deluxe version, but since I'm looking more for a MIDI controller than a synthesizer per se, I'm not considering that kind of purchase.

There aren't really any alternatives currently available on the market.

So, a Kontrol S88 Mk3 with the advantages and disadvantages of the keyboard, but I have an 88-note version with polyphonic aftertouch and bonus NI integration, or a 61-note keyboard, for example the Kontrol S61 MK3 with an extension of another 2-octave master keyboard, and there I find myself without the polyphonic aftertouch and NI integration.