Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 Interface

The perfect audio interface for musicians, producers and DJs.

Item: NINAUDIOKONTROL

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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

27 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

5 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Compare quality, sampling rates and features...hard to beat for the money"

Feature:
The balanced 2 in and 4 out plus the insane MIDI control capacity (which I haven't mastered) are great. I think an external power source might help take the load from the usb port. Otherwise no complaints. I haven't used the extra software bundle yet. I bought this for the sampling rate and the 4 balanced outs and am not disappointed.

Quality:
This is a fine and sturdy metal device. Well labeled and quality controls...nothing cheesy here. The lighting scheme and indicators are just plain cool. This thing is virtually noiseless. I use it with N-track (cheap but good) recording software on a modest Gateway PC and I can rival much more expensive studios.

Value:
Native Instruments are not for the weak of wallet. Again the sampling rate and features sold me. If they knocked off another $50 I think they'd gain a lot more potential customers.

Desirability:
This fit my criteria... External USB Interface 4 balanced outputs High sampling rate And it Didn't cost $300 or more to get these features

Sound:
This thing has a nice clean and fat sound (probably due to the sampling rate). Nothing is lost. You must have a decent PC with good usb ports because this unit seems to tax it pretty good. I compare to my friends Emu recordings and we both agree mine sounds better. The headphone could be louder but again mercy on the port. Great dynamics!

Ease of Use:
I had some audible unexplainable glitches when I first fired this up and like some others experienced some bad thoughts. I have since learned to go back and set a lot of the assignments and settings not changing them but clicking off and then back on again. This shouldn't be necessary but is now routine. I think it's mostly because of Vista incompatibility.

Support:
Haven't used support but their website is useful for FAQ's, downloads and upgrades.

Overall:
I've had mine about 8 months and use it mostly on weekends. It continues to amaze me with quality recordings of guitars, bass, vocals, drums and keybords. The more I use it the more I like it.

Submitted: 2/7/2008

Style of Music: all

* * * * * * * * * * 1 out of 10

"Audio Kontrol 1 - Warning for Mac Pro & MacBook Pro owners."

Feature:
The Midi contollers (Knob and 3 buttons..) were the big draw for me. That & its 24/192. I was replacing my PC with a Mac and had only ever used USB and always found it reliable. I was using Ableton 6 as a DAW on my Mac Pro. I also thought that the Midi control would be a great bonus with my Dell Laptop for DJ'ing. As a PC Laptop DJ'ing device it cannot be beat. Rubbish for Mac. I have to bring it back to the shop as I cannot afford to be without it as my Mac Pro Audio interface.

Quality:
Rock solid Metal case. Cannot fault the exterior. But I would question how a company like NI can let this one out into the world when there is a huge problem with it. The issue might be with the Mac - but it is NI's fault that they didnt make this with an external power supply. I cannot go on much more about the PC Vs. Mac thing.. but this card it really for PC owners. However it is perfect for Mac owners who love having their workflow interrupted!!

Value:
does not work with Mac's. Bad value for Money.

Desirability:
I want (to get rid of) it

Sound:
Warning to potential Mac owners!! Read this before you purchase. There is a real compatibility issue with the AK1 and Macs. I have a Mac Pro - but this issue is also happening with MacBook Pros. OK, technically they work together. But the AK1 will be crashing your Mac due to "insufficient power on the bus". Its USB powered only and for some reason loses connection or power on a regular basis. Happens to me about once or twice a day.. too often to be ignored. Its a good card for PC - but save your time and get a Focusrite Saffire LE if you have a Mac. This is firewire and has external power.. No problems. At the end of the day, I have to give it a 1 as it is unrelaiable and does not work properly with Macs!!

Ease of Use:
Is very easy.. in theory & if you are a PC owner. Comes with these Midi template things - You can assign the buttons to be used in different ways when pressed in different combinations. However, team this up with a Mac Pro & its difficult to use as it does not work properly!!

Support:
Look on the NI w/site support/community forum.. Issues all over the place with the AK1. It can be a bit sluggish sometimes and clicky - but that it probably to do with the Mac USB issue.. I would recommend you go there and check out the feedback from other owners. Nothing can be done about the Mac/AK1 issue. I give them a 1 as they released it and have no problem sleeping at night knowing that they are taking hundreds of $'s / £'s / €'s from people when their product does not work properly. Hilarious!! To sum up - Avoid like the plague Mac Pro / MacBook Pro owners!!

Overall:
Go back to the drawing board. Come back with something that works & dont lie to your customers, pretending that this thing works, when it doesn't!

Submitted: 11/11/2007

Style of Music: House

Read all reviews...

Additional Images:

Main
Main
Xpress Keyboards Screen 2
Xpress Keyboards Screen 2
Guitar Combos Screen 1
Guitar Combos Screen 1
ControllerAssignement
ControllerAssignement
Xpress Keyboards Screen 1
Xpress Keyboards Screen 1
Guitar Combos Screen 3
Guitar Combos Screen 3
Guitar Combos Screen 2
Guitar Combos Screen 2
Xpress Keyboards Screen 3
Xpress Keyboards Screen 3
Traktor 3 LE Screen
Traktor 3 LE Screen

iconNative Instruments products cannot be returned once the manufacturer's seal has been broken. Any defective merchandise must be dealt with directly through Native Instruments. If a product is found to be defective, you must contact Native Instruments customer support at 866-556-6487 for service. details

About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
The new Audio Kontrol 1 is a high-end audio interface. Offering crystal-clear 192 kHz, 24 bit-quality, it is far more than just a sound card. Freely assignable buttons and controller knob combined with advanced MIDI and key command functionality grant full control of software applications -- setup files for popular programs ensure it's hassle-free. Audio Kontrol 1 merges innovation and quality and does so with an ear for practicality.

Universal Appeal
Audio Kontrol 1's adaptability makes it the perfect audio interface for musicians, producers and DJs. Versatile connection configurations, included controller assignment preset files as well as the full versions of Xpress Keyboards, Guitar Combos and Traktor 3 LE guarantee its universal appeal.

Features:
High-quality, portable audio interface with sturdy aluminium casing

24-bit / 192 KHz quality, high end Cirrus Logic A/D, D/A converters and 103 dB-A SNR

2 balanced inputs: 1 line/mic (XLR/1/4 in. TRS Neutrik, phantom power supplied) and 1 line/HiZ (TRS); individual gain controls with acitvity and clip LEDs

4 balanced outputs (1/4 in. TRS ) with 2 stereo level controls

Headphone output with A/B source switching and level control

Direct monitoring with mono switch and mix control

Low latency ASIO/Core Audio driver

USB 2 bus powered, MIDI I/O

3 freely-assignable buttons and 1 controller knob. MIDI and key commands support for control of professional audio software and other media applications such as iTunes, Winamp or Final Cut Pro

Includes full versions of Traktor 3 LE, Guitar Combos and Xpress Keyboards

Technical Info

Import and Compatibility
ASIO,Core Audio,DirectSound

System Requirements
Mac OSX 10.4.x, G4 1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Win XP, Pentium / Athlon 1.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM

Windows systems must have Service Pack 2 installed.

USB 2.0 Interface

*Guitar Combos and Traktor 3 LE require registration/activation.
Compact, high-quality USB 2.0 interface with up to 24-bit, 192kHz resolution! XLR/TRS mic/line and TRS line/instrument inputs; 4 TRS outputs with 2 stereo level controls. Assignable controller knob and 3 assignable buttons. Direct monitoring with mono switch and mix control. MIDI I/O. Includes Traktor 3 LE, Guitar Combos, and Xpress Keyboards for Mac and PC.

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