KVR Audio

Ah_Dziz · Post by **Ah_Dziz** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 7:06 pm

Probably about to get a new Midi controller. My trusty nektar p6 has a gremlin in it's pitch wheel and I might pass it off to my son (he can fix it probably).

I'm wondering if it's worth the money to get a NI 61 key mkiii thingy or the Korg with midi 2.0 or if I should just spend half as much on a regular old keyboard. I have all my other controller needs covered. I'm only looking for a 61 key (desk size) main controller.

I'm slightly worried about the build quality and longevity of the nicer keyboards. I'd assume they were sturdy if I wasn't paying a premium for polyAT and screens and stuff. Curious about anyone's experience.

Thanks
JJ

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 8:56 pm

I can't speak for the mk3, but I owned the NI Komplete Kontrol 61 mk2 for a few years and it was definitely worth the money. The keybed (Fatar), pitch and mod wheels, and overall quality was top notch. It was definitely designed to work first and foremost with the KK software and NKS-compatible plugins and only secondarily as a universal controller. I don't recall offhand if/how the mk3 was improved as a general MIDI controller for non-NKS, but the mk2 was somewhat limited in terms assignable controls (e.g., did not support NRPN), number of instrument templates, number of knobs, etc. If creating very complete custom templates for your non-NKS software and/or hardware synths is not important, then that's all irrelevant anyway. It still worked fine as an all-purpose keyboard controller and that keybed is really nice!

Ah_Dziz · Post by **Ah_Dziz** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 10:53 pm

The mk3 has poly at and midi 2.0. I'm mostly interested in a nice general controller (keys, velocity, after touch , wheels, and pedals) less about general control of daw and such. If I'm paying for all the extra fancy stuff I'd like it to work well and not at the expense of the quality of the keys. I might take a drive to play one in person. I can replace my panorama for half the cost of the mk3 but I do enjoy poly at and I use maschine along with all the komplete junk very often so I am leaning towards the NI.

Thanks

New Midi controller