Kontrol S Series MK3 from NI - My first look

Native Instruments allowed me to take a look at the new Kontrol S61 keyboard they just announced. This is a brief overview of the product and some of my first thoughts on it.
The software for this is still in beta but hopefully some of the stuff I say in this video holds up in the future too.
Its' a really well integrated keyboard controller with next level software integration for both Native Instruments own products and support for third party software with NKS compatibility. I've used the previous version of this keyboard for years and this updated version seems to become the almost perfect update. Native Instruments are also bringing us NKS 2 that just makes everything surrounding hardware/ software integration a lot better.
I think we have a bright future ahead of us.
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[@LemonfaceBeatz]

It definitely has some nice improvements but I don’t see a huge reason to get rid of my Mk2 instantly

[@AccurateBeats]

Couldn't agree more. Let's see how NKS 2 develops in the future. The MKII is still a beast of a controller

[@BubbaSatori]

Got my S61 Mk2 last year for $150 off during a sale. I knew new ones would becoming out but $150. If all the wasted space had been filled with pads and faders I might be more interested.

[@st0rmchild]

If you use it with Maschine, that's a strong reason *not* to replace your mk2. Maschine has no integration support for the mk3 at all. They didn't just get rid of all the Maschine-specific buttons (which in itself is not a big deal), but you can't even control the parameters of the selected device anymore (even my mk1 does that).

[@yenthesage2717]

@@st0rmchildI’m going to go out on a limb and say that a Maschine overall is most likely coming soon. The fact the Kontrol MK3 has a computer inside for future updates tells me that they have something major planned ahead. I believe a new Maschine will be arriving soon with the update screen to match the Kontrol MK3 along with the updated software.

[@jamesdean3548]

You should get rid of it just for having the touch strip below the mod wheels.

[@brucewarwick4334]

A very well spoken and articulated explanation of the new MK3. GREAT Job, Sir👍🏿

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks! I appreciate it

[@oldmanfresh]

Customers: it’d be nice to get a more powerful and updated Maschine+ Native Instruments: Preorder this new midi keyboard..

[@willyum3108]

I like the screen and poly after touch. I would have paid more for something similar to a 61 Keys, Standalone with pads, but Ill stick with my MK2. I knew this was going to drop when they put the MK2s on sale. I had high hopes.

[@st0rmchild]

Was hoping to see if the mixer view actually works properly with Logic. I haven't used a Komplete Kontrol mk2 (still have an mk1 here), but the mixer view on Maschine mk3 has been totally broken in Logic for years (the levels show the peak-hold values so they're basically always pegged, and the remote script is full of other bugs as well).

[@certifiedbeatz]

Looks nice alot empty space could have add 16 pads.. also i hope the soft improved if not not worth the price

[@alextheawesome5275]

You're looking for the Maschine Keyboard Edition 😅

[@alfreddawson3765]

@@alextheawesome5275if NI was smart, they would release a Standalone keyboard with Maschine pads. They already have the Maschine plus, so the technology is there, they just want everyone to drop 2k for a mid level keyboard controller, Komplete standard and Maschine mk3

[@MyNameJeff..]

@@alextheawesome5275This thing doesn’t even work with maschine anymore. Why is it That akai has pad controllers, standalone’s like the live? This thing sucks.

[@jimshannononsounds]

Its a nice keyboard. Good review. Yes this controller can do a lot of things under the hood. Not sure about the price point though.

[@cresshead]

my take: not many knobs on the 'complete control' keyboard though eh? no faders at all no cv/gate outputs no touch screen (file naming you could have onscreen qwerty layout) lot's of blank areas of plastic missing DAW support or not ready support no support for maschine just 1 midi out port. (mpc x has 4 midi outs) no 3rd programmable wheel just pitch and mod wheels no joystick no tap tempo button? no percussion pads no ribbon controller (mpc keys or hydrasynth style)... ah just seen in another video there is a little ribbon above the wheels... i ll shut up on that then! 'complete' ?

[@youtubevideos415]

They even got rid of dedicated Mute and Solo buttons! How do you want to control your DAW without those buttons? This probably is the stupidest product release in music history.

[@gokhan9395]

Nice review, where is your desk from? Its beautiful

[@klstay]

What are the dimensions of the open spaces on the left and right sides?

[@avinashlalwani1475]

Too much

[@smokey5100]

Native Instruments if you dont re-implement Maschine functionality and compatibility by the end of this year my s49 is going back to Guitar Center! Please bring Maschine support back!!!

[@davidbueso3840]

You bought it without doing any research? That's the reason why I didn't buy this kk mk3 for the fact that there is no Maschine intergration. I enjoy my mk2 and it works just fine. I'll be sticking with that one until it breaks on me.

[@smokey5100]

@@davidbueso3840 You would think NI would keep supporting products in their own line.

[@FernandoDCDuarte]

Hey there! It has some nice, yet very few new features (and by features, I'm not referring to the chassisnor metal knob or single screen instead of 2 smaller ones). Besides the polyphonic aftertouch, I don't really see any reason to swap my MK2 for this newer one. Time will tell!

[@AccurateBeats]

Time will tell! It’ll be interesting to see exactly how MKII will support NKS2… That could become a major difference between the products. The MKII is a great controller and this mk 3 does feel like an updated version more than anything else.

[@marclemar]

Loss of Maschine integration and buttons is just a slap in the Fckn face!! How do you go away from people who are buying Maschine & KK. NI y’all keep pushing me further away. First the + now this

[@AccurateBeats]

Yeah, it’s really disappointing as a Maschine user. I have a hard time figuring out what NI’s future lineup will look like. Maschine needs some love for sure! Could they try to “relaunch” it as it’s own thing? Without support for Kontrol? Will it be supported in the future? I think they need to do something really great for the Maschine fan base to even have a chance to stay in the game. I love Maschine… I try to have hope. Time will tell

[@alfreddawson3765]

@AccurateBeats It's even more disappointing as a Traktor user. I thought that NI One meant the integration of Komplete, Maschine and Traktor. Unfortunately, the underwhelming S4MKIII and X1 paved the way for this new cash grab. The sad thing is that for the past 7-8 years, other competitors have released standalone products (XDJ-XZ, OPUS Quad, Prime 4, Akai MPC Live/X/One, Novation Circuit Tracks/Rhythm, Syntakt, Hydrasynth, Cobalt, Opsix SE, Anima Omega, Woove Box) yet NI still wants people to depend on upgrading thier computer every couple years and buy thier software. It doesn't make any sense. DJing, Beatmaking, and playing keyboards should NOT require a computer. It's a great option to use a computer with a keyboard, but the fact that the new Kontrol series has no faders or touchstrips or Pads doesn't make it attractive to the audience thier going for. The Novation SL MKIII and Arturia Keylab both include pads and faders and still cost less than the new Kontrol series. The obvious direction for NI was to integrate the Maschine Plus tech into the Komplete kontrol. They could easily charge $2k+ for it and people would buy it without hesitation, it's what everyone has been asking for on all the forums and reddit. I definitely won't be surprised when I see these keyboards on Bad Gear before the year is over.

[@Bashanvibe]

This is the first I’ve seen with LPX!!!

[@willybobo8846]

i hate how they leave all that emty space, could of added some pads and faders and more daw controls... guess they wanna sell the new machine prob out soon

[@gokhan9395]

I hoped that they had a standalone led scale guide, standalone arpeggiator and sequencer like the Novation sl mk3. Without the use of the kontrol software.. They missed a big chance here. This feels not really as an upgrade to the older mk2 unfortunately.

[@quiz2424]

why wouldnt it not work with MASCHINE?

[@andrewwilliams7643]

They better be dropping a new maschine to match this soon or akai is about to be getting some mew customers!

[@huggybeats]

That they dropped the Maschine support with their new Mk3 Keyboard is really concerning. You can control other daws, but you lose the Maschine controls? Ooff….. I totally get the gut feeling that they want to drop the Maschine Product lineup completely. I mean.. we are still waiting for a Maschine Software Version 3 😅

[@st0rmchild]

I think it's just not done yet. It's pretty likely they'll unveil a new Maschine controller with the same large display and design language as the new Kontrol keyboards, at which point I would expect to see them bring back solid Maschine integration in the keyboards.

[@youtubevideos415]

Exactly. I think they will abandon Maschine completely. Remember they got bought up by an investment company. They want to recoup that money. o they will get rid of all products which are not making a 500% return.

[@youtubevideos415]

@@st0rmchild They cannot bring back Maschine Integration with this controller, as they have removed the buttons from the hardware. So it was never been intendet to work with Maschine. Beide that they also got rid of dedicated Mute and Solo buttons. How stupid can they be?

[@st0rmchild]

​@@youtubevideos415 I realize the Maschine-specific buttons were removed, but they can still enable the transport controls, allow you to move between groups, and enable the controls for the selected instrument or effect. I have a KK S49 mk1 and it has all of those features, so I would expect them to at least restore that level of integration.

[@youtubevideos415]

@@st0rmchild We would hope so. but really i don't expect much from them. Seems they got a new management after they where bought by that investment company. I don't think they see a future for Maschine. Maschine+ also was pretty much abandoned. And for the keyboard: They did even remote the mute and solo buttons. This is so unbelievably stupid. I will never ever buy this one. I'm really thinking about selling my Maschine and KK Mk 2 and buying MPC Keys. Native Instruments is so irrational. I don't trust them anymore.

[@vianneylavigne3363]

Its seems more or less like software upgrades, would it be possible to move things a little for old mk2 and maschine mk3 and plus to have nks2 upgrades?

[@CarolinaClaude]

The next Maschine product must be close

[@ProphetBellamy]

Thanks, can it control the Maschine Software?

[@huggybeats]

Mk2 could control it. Mk3 is losing that feature apparently. Maybe they bring it back with an update? Who knows…

[@st0rmchild]

For now, no. It has no Maschine integration at all. I think they'll bring it back when the Maschine software is updated to support new Maschine hardware (which will likely have the same large display).

[@avinashlalwani1475]

I’ll pass. These are lame. They didn’t listen to any customer feedback. No stand alone mode, no drum pads, no faders, so much wasted space. Such a huge miss. They needed this win. This will really hurt the company. Thanks for the video tho

[@mrb713ify]

Is this keyboard compatible with Ableton ?

[@electedmusic7685]

A question friend, are the keys feel the same as the previous model?

[@mistergrooveman1018]

the game changer would have been to make the mk3 independant and could read the komplet without a computer ! ok the screen and the look are amazing, but doesn't change your workflow !! native instrument like apple are not the driver anymore , they are strong , big, but no more in the innovation head as at the begining ... i 'am sure a lot of people can feel the same ! but do they have the mindset power to do it again ??? we'll see !! caus' drive a little toyota , is easier to drive a big truck !!

[@crowfoot7355]

Sago Accurate 👍

[@marclemar]

As a Maschine user who has owned KK MK2 & MK 1 this is a let down… NI doesn’t care about their own shit, Maschine!!! This Controller is now dedicated to Ableton and other DAWs and has turned its back on Maschine… Let’s you know what NI feels about pushing Maschine going forward… I hope they prove me wrong but I doubt it… Justifying my slow transition to MPC (even though I’d prefer NI fully develop Maschine, but they keep showing that ain’t happenin)

[@youtubevideos415]

Yeah, they are basically forcing us to buy an Akai MPC Keys.

[@marclemar]

@@youtubevideos415 bro this is why I sold my KK Mk2 and bought a MPC key61… I wanted scale, chords, progressions modes without having to be hooked up to a computer. I paid $800 for it and how much is KK??? Yeah😩

[@youtubevideos415]

@@marclemar I guess i will do the same. Sell my Maschine and KK and buy a MPC Keys.

[@marclemar]

@@youtubevideos415 as long as you’re ok not having Maschine software… I still have my Maschine + but haven’t used it in a while. I’m scared to sell it because I do like making beats in there from time to time. But that’s just a a luxury item at this point

[@AccurateBeats]

This is an interesting conversation for sure! The hardcore Maschine user in me fully agrees but the general music tech enthusiast in me still has some hope for what the kontrol s line could become. I use MPC’s more than I use Maschine these days and no one wants to see NI step their game up with Maschine more than me. I don’t know anything about the product development going on at NI but I’m sure they’re well aware of the popularity of the MPC, the SP404 and Push 3. Hopefully, they’ll get back to the war zone and fight with Maschine but the more time passes… Who knows?

[@christophermiller7131]

Does the controller have Chinese instruments or Asian sounds? Ambient sounds?

[@Addict2FX]

No Studio One script is killing me..

[@matthewgaines10]

Nice maybe. Next level, I don’t think so. It doesn’t even support Maschine software. I give people the side eye when they say things like this when the specs aren’t remarkable.

[@alfreddawson3765]

Poly aftertouch is dope but I feel like there’s a ton of wasted space on these boards. No pads? No faders? Meh.

[@jussivalter]

Perfect space to put your 75% keyboard and mouse. To me if I need pads, there is maschine for that. I would love to see some faders tho, but I can live without.

[@rockawayjah]

Same shit im not upgrading to this at all. after touch don't mean that much to me an that's all i see that's much different..they followed the MPC vibe an made the same unit all over AGAIN with very minor differences...PUSH 3 and now KONTROL BOTH ARE DISAPPOINTING ME

[@akfortyfo7024]

FIRST!!! Great review, definitely interested in one of these!

[@myke.p]

I just bought mk2 last month :-/

[@Jason75913]

You made no mistake. Latest isn't always the greatest. Happens all the time.

[@myke.p]

@@Jason75913 yeah I watched some more reviews and someone said that it has less buttons and it doesn’t work the same way with maschine software as the mkii does. Also, screen and aluminum knobs are great but the design is not looking that good. Too much empty space.

[@jamesdean3548]

I just bought Arturia Keylab61 mk2 last week and zero regrets.

[@justin_704]

so if I understand it is mashine mk3 in a keyboard?

[@harbourphotography2152]

As a side note currently it doesn’t work with Maschine software.

[@AccurateBeats]

Well... Maschine is its own thing... This one integrates in you DAW and has its own dedicated software plugin. And it doesn't support Maschine. Again.. This is a pre-release beta version

[@MyNameJeff..]

Lol what? Absolutely not. It doesn’t even work with maschine.

[@justin_704]

@@MyNameJeff.. I was referring to the functionality of the keyboard. The way it appears to me is like the libraries in maschine but controlled by a keyboard. Maybe you just misunderstood what I was saying. But it's OK the one that laughs at another person's question is actually the fool because they misinterpreted what the speaker was saying.

[@MyNameJeff..]

@@justin_704 I’m not making fun man, if you’re completely new to this, it is very confusing a lot of the times, completely understandable. We’ve all been there. I’ve just never seen a question like that, it was kind of funny.

[@davdcl499]

Took away Maschine support, took away Mute and Solo buttons, no pads.... not even 8, not even 4. And a price hike. Iono, bro.

[@st0rmchild]

I don't mind the lack of pads - pads on keyboards are usually mediocre and not worth using (and if they gave it *good* pads these things would be even more expensive). The removal of the mute and solo buttons is a head scratcher though. I think Maschine support will come back, as there will probably be new Maschine hardware with the same large display.

[@davdcl499]

@@st0rmchild I think the pads addition or faders would’ve justified the price hike. Almost every MIDI board from the beginning of time came with pads, although some really terrible. I agree that they’ll reconsider the Maschine integration.

[@hvhvgitaar]

NI seem to be letting the Maschine platform die a quiet death from starvation…. Removing the Maschine buttons and any integration from these keyboards is a clear indication that they don’t want to keep investing in an integrated music production platform . Maschine is my main platform for songwriting and arrangement because it has a unique low friction workflow that avoids having to use a mouse and computer keyboard so I can focus on making music. In that sense it is superior to both Ableton Live and MPC. For some reason NI isn’t able to turn the strengths of Maschine into a profitable business line, probably because of lack of vision. Whatever the reasons, it is now time to abandon Maschine and (reluctantly) move to the clunky outdated DAW world of Ableton or the primitive shaky platforms of Akai. NI’s stupidity is baffling…

[@louis-francoisbertin-hugau1657]

C’est bien le blabla mais les démos sont où?

[@Jason75913]

No es sintetizador.

[@uselessoldman7964]

I bought the S61 Mk2 with Komplete 12 free upgrade to 13 but then had to buy a FULL copy of Kontakt on top when its supposed to be for Kontakt? I do not see anything specifically special the MK3 offers, its not even a touch screen in 2023 like WHY NOT? So whats special about nks2 and why can't the MK2 handle nks2? If someone has recently bought their MK2 I guess there going to be seriously cheesed off

[@SwishStillPimp]

Pads would of made it uglier

[@vonvision]

Yeah, flashy stuff designed for gamers. This one looks like Roland W30, made for professionals.

[@deniscamacho1818]

Arrete de parler et joue