Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 or OTHER?

[aMUSEd]

This is not correct it is the older Mk1 that is EOL and frozen on 2.9, the Mk is still supported and works fine with the Komplete Kontrol software. MkIII is better in many ways but MkII is still a good keyboard.

This gentleman would like to have a word with you...

Yeah you don’t need to tell me about Kore

[Bombadil]

?…

[tq]

The software side will not be updated for the MK2 anymore - you'll be stuck with the Kontrol software 2.9, with no more updates and improvements. So this is kind of an 'abandoned' product now.

This is not correct it is the older Mk1 that is EOL and frozen on 2.9, the Mk is still supported and works fine with the Komplete Kontrol software. MkIII is better in many ways but MkII is still a good keyboard.

Uh, sorry, you're right, I was not paying attention and was talking nonsense. Apologies. MK1 is EOL, MK2 is not (yet).

Still, the argument is valid: I would not recommend buying an old version of any NI instrument. Maybe second hand, but not for the price mentioned here. They have a certain lifespan... I had a Kore 2, a Kontrol MK1, a Machine MK1, Machine Jam. So I learned that they are great for a few years, until NI introduce the next one and abandon their old products. Machine Jam really hurt, as I liked the concept, and Kore2 was really annoying, as I also had sound banks for it that were pretty excellent.

That said, I still bought the MK3, and Machine 3 is sitting on my table.

[Uncle E]

Maschine Jam is no longer supported, as in it won’t work with modern older OS’s like Maschine MK1? If so, that sounds deliberate. I assumed that maybe Maschine MK1 uses a different USB chipset, but I don’t see why Maschine Jam would be different from Maschine MK2.

[Bombadil]

At worst, I will get a midi keyboard with a good keybed, right? On MacOs, I've never had to install any drivers for my Novation SL61 mK II. Which is how I use it, currently. Automap was a royal waste of time, and I was happy enough with a nice feeling keyboard, which aren't cheap in their own right.

[vurt]

At worst, I will get a midi keyboard with a good keybed, right?

cany comment on the quality, but all being good with teh feel for you, then yes, as it has midi in out, as well as the usb, at worst, youd need midi cables.

[tq]

Maschine Jam is no longer supported, as in it won’t work with modern older OS’s like Maschine MK1? If so, that sounds deliberate. I assumed that maybe Maschine MK1 uses a different USB chipset, but I don’t see why Maschine Jam would be different from Maschine MK2.

No, it still works (somehow) in Maschine, but as it's EOL, there's not future for it...

[Uncle E]

At worst, I will get a midi keyboard with a good keybed, right?

It can get worse. Maschine MK1 won’t even work as a controller. I tried to force it to work and it caused major problems. If I’m remembering correctly, I had to system restore.

[Bombadil]

Oh, joy, oh bliss.

Thanks. It's on its way. I'll see what I shall see. In my price range the only company putting out Fatar keyboards is NI.
There's an Akai and an Arturia in my range. And a Novation, but not the flagship. Decisions…
500€ is my limit, give or take. I want 61 keys.

[Bombadil]

At worst, I will get a midi keyboard with a good keybed, right?

It can get worse. Maschine MK1 won’t even work as a controller. I tried to force it to work and it caused major problems. If I’m remembering correctly, I had to system restore.

On a PC or Mac?

[Uncle E]

Mac

[chk071]

The software side will not be updated for the MK2 anymore - you'll be stuck with the Kontrol software 2.9, with no more updates and improvements. So this is kind of an 'abandoned' product now.

This is not correct it is the older Mk1 that is EOL and frozen on 2.9, the Mk is still supported and works fine with the Komplete Kontrol software. MkIII is better in many ways but MkII is still a good keyboard.

Uh, sorry, you're right, I was not paying attention and was talking nonsense. Apologies. MK1 is EOL, MK2 is not (yet).

Still, the argument is valid: I would not recommend buying an old version of any NI instrument. Maybe second hand, but not for the price mentioned here. They have a certain lifespan...

For the record: "A certain lifespan" relates to the software, not the hardware. You can still use the Komplete Kontrol mk1. Either by using Komplete Kontrol 2.9, OR by using it as a generic MIDI controller. It isn't "dead".

And, no one can possibly know how the mk2 will fare in that regard.

Novation's Automap is discontinued as well, which means that you're stuck with the last available version. Or, you use the keyboards as generic MIDI controllers. So, the same as with NI's mk1 Komplete Kontrol keyboards.

Same with M-Audio, or any other brand. Yes, software has a certain lifespan.

[tq]

Hey, I am not opposing NI - I was actually owning nearly all of their stuff at one point, and went through pretty much all of their ups and downs since the Generator days. And as mentioned above, I still do have a MK3 and Maschine, and I am a Komplete user. So I am certainly not negatively biased against them.

Still, the main selling point of their keyboards is the software integration. Using them as generic MIDI controllers - while kind of functional - is not what they are designed for. They are not like "any other brand", as many other controllers do not rely on a software for the major part of their functionality.... Btw, Novation's Automap is exactly the same example, just worse - I do have an old Nocturn, and it's a wonderful doorstop.

The OP was primarily interested in the Fatar keyboard, it seems, and asked for opinions - and honestly, I would not recommend a MK2 just for the keyboard and for nearly 500 bucks. If it's just the keyboard, other solutions like the Studiologic keyboards might be better bang for the buck (they are Fatar, if I am not completely mistaken). And if the OP would be interested in more long term software support, then the MK3 would be certainly the better choice.

[zerocrossing]

At worst, I will get a midi keyboard with a good keybed, right?

It can get worse. Maschine MK1 won’t even work as a controller. I tried to force it to work and it caused major problems. If I’m remembering correctly, I had to system restore.

What do you mean? I’m still rocking a Maschine Mk1, no issues. I’m on a Windows 10.

[zerocrossing]

Hi,
I need a new midi controller. My Novation 61 SL mK II is about done. I'm looking at the mKII Komplete Kontrol as a replacement, to use with Logic.
Are there any reasons to avoid? There's a mK III, but it is significantly more expensive.
I like a Fatar keybed with aftertouch. This seemed the best alternative, at least price-wise.

Thankee kindly.

I’m about to buy either the Kontrol 61 mk III or maybe the Behringer UB-XA, depending on how good the UB feels. I’m using a Hydrasynth Deluxe now, but it’s too big and frankly I don’t need another VA/Wavetable synth. I wouldn’t mind a bit of Oberheim goodness in my world.

I’d say go for the 3 because the polyphonic aftertouch is such a difference. It’ll work great with Komplete, especially when they add polyphonic aftertouch to their collection.