Komplete Kontrol S61 Review in 2022

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After using the NI Komplete Kontrol S61 for a few months now, I felt like it was time to give it a proper review. How does it hold up as a high end midi keyboard in 2022?
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#midikeyboard #midi #musicproduction #review

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thank you to DistroKid for sponsoring this video! Use my VIP link to save 7 percent on your first year! distrokid.com/vip/dylanparis

[@machiavelli4428]

Thanks for the clear and thorough review

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thanks for watching 🙏😎

[@MickBenjamins]

In Ableton you can also get your mixer on the Komplete Kontrol, so you can do your mixing/panning/mutes and solos right from the keyboard

[@DylanParisMusic]

That’s so rad! Thanks for sharing that Mick!

[@MickBenjamins]

@@DylanParisMusic There's a video on setting it up: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKK0faemarZ3g5I

[@tawmifm]

Do you know if you can do this with FL?

[@TruthPain]

You may have sold me on this. I am just getting into the whole NI ecosystem w/ the Maschine MK3 and this looks so seamless that it's almost the proverbial "no-brainer". Amazing that you can find them used for $500 in near-new shape. Thanks for the review. Well done.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@lowlowseesee]

i got mine for 270 no software, since i already have the software. im all over it and sometimes i stare at it because its so beautiful lol

[@BubbaSatori]

Getting the S61 while it’s $100 off and 48 mos. Interest free at several retailers. Would appreciate more videos on using the S61 with the Maschine which I already have. Thanks! 👍

[@DylanParisMusic]

That’s awesome! I’ve got some on the channel, will do more in the future for sure cause I use the S61 all the time

[@jerzboybeats9555]

You have changed my mind. It’s hard to test these out because they are all boxed.

[@tamishupadhyay2769]

Hey brother ! Loved you video ❤❤Can you make a video showing controlling Native Instruments plugins using your Arturia Keylab Essential controller? Thanks!

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thanks for watching! I don’t have the key lab anymore but I don’t believe it can control NI stuff the same way because it really only has that direct control with Analog Lab. that’s part of why I went with the NI controllers, cause they have NKS wrappers for Arturia stuff.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Thanks for an excellent review. I use Motu Digital Performer (DP11) Its not listed as a compatible DAW. Will the transport control still function? Will the plugin parameter knobs and surfaces work?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thank you! As far as DP11 I would recommend checking forums as I have never used that DAW and don’t have a ton of insight into it

[@rimafreedom93]

Aftertouch - what can you say about it? Hello! After touching, is it smooth, or a sharp jump? It can be heard well on the Pads. Ie, aftertouch is polyphonic, or not? Please check it. I didn't find any information about the behavior of the keyboard aftertouch. The question is not about the velocity, but about the Aftertouch. Thank you!

[@DylanParisMusic]

The after touch is monophonic, but pretty smooth!

[@WaveAqualei]

I've been wanting to get this for a couple of months now! Do you know if Native Instruments has some sort of return policy?

[@DylanParisMusic]

I’m not sure if buying directly from them does but Amazon, perfect circuit, and I believe ZZounds all do

[@WaveAqualei]

@@DylanParisMusic okay sweet thank you!

[@megadoesstuff1164]

Just found out about this keyboard and I wanna ask something about it! Does it save your VST Programs on there in its entirety so say, if I perform live I don’t need to have my computer to run FM8? Or do I need my computer too to run it through it

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thanks for watching! It’s a simple midi keyboard, all sound generation has to be done on another device such as a computer or the Maschine Plus in standalone mode.

[@megadoesstuff1164]

@@DylanParisMusic Whoa! Thanks for responding so fast man, could I ask about maschine plus? I’m new to the NI design and that stuff and don’t know exactly what you mean. But regardless, it still needs to be connected to a computer, but i can browse through the programs and record it from the controller?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Totally yeah so the Maschine Plus is a version of their Maschine controller / daw platform that works in standalone with a smaller selection of plugins and sounds. It also works with a computer as a normal controller version of the Maschine. Both the Komplete Kontrol keyboards and the Maschine (mk3 and the plus when plugged into a computer) work as essentially interfaces to browse and perform / record sounds that are being processed on your computer. They give you a bunch of hands on control to software you would otherwise be using a mouse and keyboard to use

[@megadoesstuff1164]

@@DylanParisMusic Ohhh so basically the two combined makes for a setup that would allow me to browse through my VST’s and play them and record it? Would I be able to do that without opening up that particular VST in my DAW?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Kind of yes kind of no, I’d recommend watching these vids for more information on both devices :) Maschine Plus Re-Review 2022 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJuZp3-Hfqtph5Y Best Hybrid Music Production Setup? Maschine+ & S61 Combo is Awesome kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6bdiYmrrdx-kNE

[@tricks-and-tips]

Nice review. I'm looking for a good midi keyboard, but unfortunately there is 2 things that I'm either missing or not sure about. - No pads. (if only they had included the superb M+ pads......) - No native (pun intended) support for Reason. Now I'm not sure how it will work with Reason, but my current keyboard does support Reason very well (it was sort of made for that) and that is a must have for my situation too. I previously had a midi controller with only basic (transport button) support and midi mapping, but that makes me 'not' want to use it with Reason as I have to use the mouse all the time. The main thing is selecting presets. That is such a letdown if that is not working via a hardware button. My midicontroller is located in my DAWLess rack, so I don't have a keyboard / mouse close by, which makes it even worse. So these things are unfortunately making me having to pass this one. Which is a shame, because it looks like a good contender. But for this amount of money, they at least could (should) have added pads.

[@DylanParisMusic]

I'm not sure how many keyboards have built out integrations with Reason but that will likely limit your options. I don't personally miss the pads as I have launchpads as well for scene control and drumming in Ableton, and then I just use the maschine hardware for that stuff in Maschine.

[@tricks-and-tips]

@@DylanParisMusic Yeah, you're right. Not many do, so hence the doubt. But the lack of pads are a bigger problem. There is enough space on the S61 to add at least 8 of them. And that does save me (or any user) from adding one more thing to the desk. :) Especially considering the relatively high price (for a midi controller)

[@DylanParisMusic]

Super fair, yeah I've never really been into the pads on keyboards but that sounds like a fair ask to me :]

[@Montfrooij]

@@DylanParisMusic yeah, maybe because you already had a Maschine?

[@DylanParisMusic]

@@Montfrooij that and I honestly don't use drum pads on a keyboard. I taught myself to drum with keys before I ever learned how to use pads.

[@BeatsbyPerun]

Hey, great vid, what led monitor You use? Thanks

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thanks for watching! This is the gigabyte m32u, it’s a beast (affiliate link: amzn.to/3sBRK0w, helps the channel to use this link if you’re already looking to buy one)

[@BeatsbyPerun]

Thanks so much! Greetings!”☺️

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Fellow S61 mkII owner here. Have Komplete 13 CE, V collection, loads of freelance soundlabs libraries for non NKS plug-ins like Omnisphere, Falcon etc. It’s great for all that - but (and this is a big but) it’s useless as a midi keyboard for external gear. No midi control. No midi mapping. No access to the arp etc. outside KK. Not entirely sure why they bothered adding midi ports on the back. Edit: great video though :)

[@DylanParisMusic]

Fair enough! I use it as just a really nice keybed with other gear including the Arturia MiniFreak via midi. That alone is really nice for me, but it is a bummer more of the functionality isn't baked in. A version of this that had some built in sounds and the full feature-set in standalone would be really neat!

[@Romenet310]

How could it now have midi mapping? I am not sure I understand what you are saying.

[@DylanParisMusic]

When it's not running into a DAW, Komplete Kontrol, or Maschine Plus, the S61 doesn't have the ability to map it's knobs and buttons with external hardware devices, at least in my testing.

[@Romenet310]

@@DylanParisMusic gotcha. Well that’s…weird.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah it’s a bit strange!

[@wyattoutlaw2370]

Is s61 usb powered?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah the MK2 has worked with just usb for data and power on basically every device I’ve used it with

[@gevansmd]

A controller that requires a dedicated computer attached to it is pretty useless to me. On its own the keys and pitch wheel work but none of the other features are available. I purchased the 49 key version and am sending it back necuase of that requirement. Very disappointed!

[@DylanParisMusic]

Fair! Definitely important to read the tech specs and stuff like that to make sure you know what gear can and can’t do

[@musicproduction5438]

Can it be used in standalone mode

[@DylanParisMusic]

It’s a basic key entry midi controller if it’s not plugged into a computer with Komplete Kontrol or a Maschine Plus in standalone mode

[@musicproduction5438]

@@DylanParisMusic for what they cost that's disgraceful

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah I think it’s worth keeping in mind how old they are, I’d be curious to see if they do a standalone version with the next one I know a lot of people want it

[@gevansmd]

@@DylanParisMusic I just purchased the Mk 2. It still requires a dedicated computer. Returning it. The Sweetwater listing did not make the computer requirement clear.

[@raytoni7013]

I ordered it because I have over 100 NKS. :D

[@DylanParisMusic]

haha nice!

[@vaudronphilippe5415]

Bla-bla-bla and gp away ! Lets thé music play

[@DylanParisMusic]

What?

[@vaudronphilippe5415]

And music !? Lol

[@mdmn8160]

Is this video about Distrokid or Keyboard review? You should change the video title. For the first 3 minutes nothing about the keyboard

[@DylanParisMusic]

You can go to any point in the timeline of a KZbin video

[@danaowens30]

I have a question? Can you use the complete control work with older midi modules like my JV1010 by Roland etc?

[@DylanParisMusic]

I’m not sure! It won’t have all the fancy daw style control but I think it’ll send midi note, velocity, modwheel and pitch wheel. But I haven’t ever used that setup so can’t say for sure

[@avinashlalwani1475]

No pads...lame. It's 2023

[@garymorrison1009]

Too much distrokid junk. Cya

[@DylanParisMusic]

No worries! Don’t forget you can move the playback to any point in the timeline in a KZbin video :)

[@WaveAqualei]

You know you can just skip that section right? 🤪

[@datapointsoftware4920]

KONTAKT and KOMPLETE KONTROL sucks ! Ancient software with endless issues. Interface unreadable, not scalable, with major features missing. These two are the worst program for music production I have ever seen. KONTAKT HAS TO BE REBUILD FROM THE GROUND-UP !

[@maxtwentynine5968]

😎So what do you suggest or like ?

[@bluebull399]

I always suspected this to be the case, there's hundreds of them on ebay going for pennies.