Komplete Kontrol S49 vs A49 Which One To Buy? (Detailed Comparison) [Native Instruments]

[@ivorbaric6949]

I've bought the S 49 today and I'm stunned by the quality. It's super responsive and the "Scale" function is absolutely brilliant for sparking creativity into my workflow. It's the same as the "fold" option from Ableton but it keeps the "instrumental" aspect of making music since you have to play the notes instead of layering them into a grid. Comes in more "organic" to people who are instrumentalists like me. 👌

[@LowHeatBeats]

For sure! That's why it's kinda of pricy but def worth it.

[@5outchef973]

Do the scales on the keyboard light up in general or only for native instrument products?

[@ivorbaric6949]

@@5outchef973 Haven't tested it but Im 99% sure its a Keyboard feature so it should be in general

[@mmhcreates]

@@5outchef973 I think only for NKS compatible products.

[@ramonaclaytor8736]

You sold me on the scale training!!!!

[@turnupdot2108]

They should make a m37 be the first company with a mini keyboard with weighted keys and add at least 1 screen from the mk 2 would be dope

[@LowHeatBeats]

Agreed! That would be dope.

[@555onx]

Yo. Thx for great video. Im using maschine mk3 + a49. Like the keys of a49. I only make additional drums percussives. Or fills using a49 but making drums on mk3. Sometimes i dream of s49 for better browsing features or mixing in . but i have mk3 under my hands so i can control it almost that fast . i can say that a49 doing the job. Im still using maschine daw:) it giving me the fastest workflow with these controllers. Using scene duplication and unique. Append. Done. Love ur videos. I learned a lot from U🙏🏻 .Peace✌🏻

[@LowHeatBeats]

Hey, thank you so much! A49 is and absolutely fine keyboard. Glad the videos were helpful!

[@randumbfigyour7974]

Make a video bro so I can see I’m getting MK3 maschine

[@IDONTPLAYENT]

I had the S49 for a long time and after a while the screen on the right side started to wash out. It got really cloudy and depending on what you were looking at it could be difficult to see the information… I tried the m32 and I didn’t like the keys as much as the s49. I really like using the s49 with Battery 4

[@LowHeatBeats]

Aah that sucks. I thought the m32 had pretty good keys though, considering they are mini keys. Obviously not comparable to the S-series but still nice.

[@IDONTPLAYENT]

@@LowHeatBeats don’t get me wrong I really like the s49 because I like using it with Ableton and I would use Battery or Superior Drummer in Ableton and use the s49 …. I use to use the ASR10.so I like drumming with keys.Anyway I enjoy watching your videos especially maschine vids

[@LowHeatBeats]

Appreciate you watching the videos 🙏

[@jonjsaville]

Very nice, indepth review. 👌 Currently, on a tight budget (plus, owing to limited-availability of high end/pro level MIDI controller keyboards around where I am located at), I'm contemplating going with what's available from the limited options - Komplete Kontrol A61, over the Nektar GXP 61, ICON 61, Novation Launchkey 61, etc.✌

[@LowHeatBeats]

Yeah, I'd get the Komplete Kontrol or the Launchkey.

[@HaroldJohnson]

Thank you for posting this comparison. I'm looking at a few controllers, including the Komplete Kontrol A49, and trying to decide what to go with.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Glad I could help!

[@Dayofthetriffids]

Great review………convinced me to buy the S61..!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Glad I could help!

[@ramonaclaytor8736]

Me TOO!

[@mastaboog749]

So i finally got my maschine mk2 going because I finally got the software (thanks to the sounds of summer sale), I plan to pick up some instrument packs over the next month as well. I use a novation launchkey as my midi controller because it's small, has drum pads and can control ableton. ive wanted a bigger midi controller and finally getting in maschine and kontrol software i didn't realize how in-depth and awesome it is. I'm coming from a few years on MPCs. i was going to get an arturia midi controller but honestly i think im going for the S49 for now to go with my mk2 since that doesnt have the updated screens!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Sounds good, the Maschine MK2 is still a great controller and the displays show pretty much everything you need.

[@StephanieSante]

Maschine software does not record aftertouch. I have owned both A series and S series. While the Fatar keys and buttons on S series are superior the biggest win was browsing and loading NKS sounds without looking at the computer screen. Thats a big difference. That bigger screens are helpful with Scale and Arp modes as well. The tiny LCD screen on the A series is just pathetic and you will end up getting frustrated or looking at the Computer screen all the time.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Fair enough!

[@jsfbay1]

Thanks for this review, I'm trying to decide between these two. The S49 MkII isn't really 3x the price when you consider the sounds you get - though you point this out in the review. I've played keyboards for 50+ years so I suspect I should get the S49 Mk2, but I've heard complaints about missing features compared to the S49 Mk1. Do you have any thoughts on this? I haven't researched this fully yet, but there is a sale on for $100 off the S49 that ends in 7 hours so I have to hurry :-) :-)

[@LowHeatBeats]

I haven't used an MK1 and for me the MK2 does what I need it to do. Only thing it doesn't do is send MIDI through the MIDI outs, simultaneously with the USB output. So if you also use a hardware synth with your DAW you will have to send MIDI through the DAW. Not a huge problem for me and if you only use software instruments it doesn't matter.

[@jsfbay1]

@@LowHeatBeats Thank you very much. I ordered the MK2. While I do have several old hardware synths, I don't know that I'll ever use them.

[@steviek6484]

Good review. I mainly have NI software so I’m wondering is the integrations with NI software worth the lack of drum pads. I really do t want to have to have a 2nd machine for pads

[@LowHeatBeats]

Glad you liked the review!

[@Ram.Saketh]

Thanks!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Thank YOU!

[@Pyroun]

Thank you so much for this great and deep review! I'm trying to make a decision about what Keyboard to buy and I guess you can help me a bit on that decission. I'm a guitar player and I want the keyboard in order to improve my compositions with simple keyboard chords, different sounds, ... basically I want it for arranges on my compositions. Something is telling me that S49 is too much for me but in the other hand I'm afraid to find limitations on the A49. The size of the screen and not having the LCD screems. Things like that. What do you think about it? Thanks again!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Hey, glad you enjoyed the video! Tbh there’s nothing I can add to what I said in this very detailed review. The A49 is pretty good. I can answer a particular question if I didn’t answer it in the video but it’s up to you to make your mind up, I can’t make this decision for you.

[@Pyroun]

@@LowHeatBeats Thanks for your answer. I have two specific questions related with the use of the LCD's (S49) and the mini Screen (A49). Everything that is showed on the LCDs of the S49 version are showed on the PC screem (I mean on the application)? is tehere any real limitation about not having the LCD's of the S49? Another question: The information showed on the A49 mini screem is also showed on the PC screem? I really appreciate your help!! many thanks!

[@LowHeatBeats]

@@Pyroun Yes, everything (and even more stuff) is shown on your computer screen and in fact I've noticed a lot of people rarely even use the displays on the S49, let alone the A49. So I think the display on the A49 is pretty functional but not on the same level as the one on the S49 of course. So there are no real limitations if you're okay with using the computer screen like most people do.

[@robertmazurowski5974]

​@@LowHeatBeats Hello Low Heat Beats. What if budget is not a constraint and my only need is for the setup to feel "dawless"? If I want to use the daw just for looping and simple composition, jamming with backing tracks, is the S49 screen and Daw control options worth the extra money? I want the arming/disarming/panning tracks and changing Volumes without looking at the laptop once I set up the project, and have some indication also while doing it. Can the A49 do this?

[@LowHeatBeats]

​@@robertmazurowski5974 Hard to give a definitive answer, as "feel "dawless" is a subjective thing. I'd say go with a Maschine MK3 if you're going to use the Maschine software or a Push 2 if you're going to use Ableton Live. The S49 may be enough, you have to figure this out for yourself, that's why I've made this video and the one where I explain how it works with Maschine. The A49 isn't really meant to replace the computer screen, so I doubt it would be enough. Hope this helps.

[@michaelheath1194]

Great video! I have my eyes set on the S88, but I would like to improve my keyboard skills before making the purchase. If the S88 came in the Anniversary ultra-violet color, I would have owned it by now 😆

[@LowHeatBeats]

Ha! Totally feel what you're saying Michael 😀

[@iipromusic]

Thank you for the comprehensive review mate!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Hey, glad you found it useful!

[@hvhvgitaar]

Another good video. Since I already have the Maschine MK3 I thought long about getting the A49 as an upgrade from my 25keys. The S49 looks fantastic though and I really dig the guide lights, but too much functionality overlaps with the Maschine. In the end I went for the Novation Launchkey MK3 because it gives me better Ableton and Logic support as I still haven't decided whether the NI universe is enough for what I want to do. It also has a very good arp that can be used with external HW. In an ideal world where I had loads of money and space, I'd get the S49 as well of course :-)

[@LowHeatBeats]

Yeah Launchkey is dope, Ableton integration is excellent, I’m just not too convinced about the keys on that one. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@jnny7182]

How are u enjoying the novation launchkey mk3? I just picked up the 25 key version

[@Spidouz]

I want NI to build a S series XL (or Studio), the same as the current S Series but with the pads of Maschine on the right and the touch strip of Maschine JAM on the right, to look like a Workstation controller to have all we need in just one device, even if the end price will be the same as S keyboard + Maschine Mikro + Maschine JAM together. We will have one controller to control everything, both Maschine and Komplete Kontrol in our DAW, control volume, mute, pan with the strips, and make the beat directly on the pads, etc… Make S88 XL or S88 Studio and I will buy it right away, if it would include the Fatar TP40W wood keys, it will be even better… Please Please Please NI :D

[@LowHeatBeats]

Maybe make it standalone while they're at it? 😀

[@Spidouz]

@@LowHeatBeats I don’t mind if it is, but I’m fine if it’s not since I’m gonna use my laptop anyway since I use heavy plugins and sample libraries.

[@amoebacakes]

this is the exact question ive been asking myself lately

[@LowHeatBeats]

Great timing on the video then!

[@jnny7182]

This was great, so helpful. Thank u!

[@LowHeatBeats]

Appreciate you watching it!

[@ciabarez]

Hello my man I hope you're well. I would like to ask you how many microphones do i need to record you tube video. I have got my channel in which i will be talking at the same time and music what i will create will be at the background. Like you did in west coast episode 13 days ago Thank you.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Hey man, you only need one mic and music should be recorded internally or with a direct feed to a recorder and not with the mic that you talk into.

[@fatihyasinsonduren]

what do you think about sensitive keys

[@LowHeatBeats]

It's all explained in the video, is there anything else you want to know?

[@3xAudio]

very good and in depth review

[@LowHeatBeats]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@drewbeitzel9803]

If I have a machine mk3, do I need the s49? What does the screen do on the s49 that the machine mk3 can’t?

[@LowHeatBeats]

Nothing, for Maschine software you don't need it. Do you need control over another DAW - then the S49 does provide some DAW control that Maschine MK3 doesn't. But it's probably overkill to buy it just for that.

[@jeffmorrison2915]

I’m a Logic X pro user. Do you recommend using S49 with Logic?

[@LowHeatBeats]

AFAIK it works well with Logic but I’m not a Logic user so I can’t speak from experience.

[@sativaviolet]

thank you low heat i need this vid. my mk3 wont work and I need a controller for maschine!!! im hurting

[@LowHeatBeats]

Glad the vid was useful! These keyboards work well with Maschine, but they don’t provide the full controller experience like the Maschine Mk3. Still, if you’re fine with using mouse and keyboard for some things you can do plenty with them.

[@scarvello]

No drum pad with all that open space smh. I love that touch screen and key lighting though 🔥

[@LowHeatBeats]

I hear ya but that would make it more expensive. Would you pay even more on top of the already quite high price to have drum pads?

[@scarvello]

@@LowHeatBeats I see your point but I like to have everything compact and would rather not have to buy a separate prince of equipment.

[@LowHeatBeats]

@@scarvello Fair enough. There are many options on the market for this. Very few of them actually have good pads though and they are still not as good as Maschine pads.

[@robinschasfoort4727]

Thx for the vid but do it got ocatve up down?

[@LowHeatBeats]

Yeah, I've never seen a MIDI keyboard that doesn't have it.

[@robinschasfoort4727]

@@LowHeatBeats thx

[@brabbit5925]

What would you choose between a49 and m32 ???

[@LowHeatBeats]

That's entirely up to you. Do you need full size keys and more octaves and do you have enough space for A49? Or are you okay with mini keys and do you need something portable like the M32 and are 2 octaves and a half enough for you?

[@georgemichas8773]

is the maudio oxygen pro a good alternative ?

[@LowHeatBeats]

May be, I haven't used one.

[@douglasbanasky6918]

How quiet is the a49 keybed? Thanks.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Quiet enough but maybe not as quiet as the S49. I no longer have the A49 though, so I can’t say for sure.

[@DanielIvan707]

As a Maschine user the S series seems like over kill.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Yup, it's overkill for most people. It's a luxury product. Unless you're a professional keyboard player and need the best keybed you can do just fine with a cheaper keyboard.

[@Ak.studio58]

Bravo

[@ciabarez]

👍🏼

[@LowHeatBeats]

🙏

[@lilodickerson1781]

Neither. You couldn't give me a 49 key controller.

[@LowHeatBeats]

Maybe not for you but 49 is the ideal size for a lot of people. Fits better on a desk.

[@771unchki]

What software does it work with?

[@LowHeatBeats]

Works with every DAW but advanced functionality is probably available only for some of them. Also the Komplete Kontrol plugin that's free and enables you to browse and tweak presets from the keyboard.