Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2 USB MIDI Keyboard Controller
NI's 2nd-gen MIDI controller comes pre-mapped to your KOMPLETE software instruments, with a semi-weighted 49-key Fatar keyboard and 2 high-res color screens.
Overall User Ratings (based on 4 ratings)
Submitted January 4, 2018 by kyle v in charleston, SC
"Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2"
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It is a great controller, especially combined with Komplete 11 Ultimate. Keys feel fantastic. Buttons are firm and "clicky". The knobs are a bit close together, and I tend to move an adjacent knob when turning another. I would definitely opt for the 61 key version. Many of the NKS instruments do not allow for remapping the key switches, so beware of that.
Sound
How would you characterize the sound quality of this product? How does the sound respond to your playing? Is it compatible with your musical style? How does this product sound in different settings? Do you have any tips to make it sound better?
The sounds that come in Komplete Select are very good. I went ahead and upgraded to Ultimate because of the sale, but the free version is very adequate, especially when you consider you are getting Alchemy, Monark, etc. Fantastic synths.
Features
What are the most/least useful features? For guitars, what materials and parts were used, and how do you feel about this selection of components?
The knobs could definitely use some more space between them. The Native Access software can be a bit flakey, for example it will not recognize my Output Exhale VSTi. Also note that none of the keyboard features work outside of a Komplete Kontrol software instance, either standalone or plugin. The arpeggiator, note repeat, auto chord stuff, etc. are ALL DEPENDENT on the software running on your computer. Just FYI. If you have Maschine, then some of this functionality is available in that software. Actually, the keyboard has A LOT of functions that ONLY work with Maschine software, which you can not buy without the Maschine hardware! :(
Ease of Use
How easy is it to get great sounds from this product? How easy is it to use this product with your other products? Is there a learning curve? For instruments, how playable is it?
It changes the way you go about finding sounds. The preview function, which is a 7GB download, is nice. I still haven't completely given in to finding sounds from all my VSTi's in the Komplete way, but it is still quick and easy to specify which synth/library you want and then audition from there.
Quality
Is the product made well? How reliable is the product? How long does it seem like it would last (mechanical parts, cosmetic aspects)?
The quality of the Kontrol-ler is impeccable! It is really a beautiful machine. Solid. Heavy. Sleek. My favorite keyboard in quite awhile. Hold down Mute and Solo to put it into Vegas mode for a nice light show.
Manufacturer Support
Have you dealt with the company that made the product? Were they easy to reach? Were they friendly? Did they solve your problem?
The contact tech support button on NI's website has not worked since I bought this. Haven't had time to call. I assume it is because of the holidays, and will try again when I get time.
Value
In short, is this product worth its typical selling price compared to other items?
Worth it if you like NI's instruments. There are also a bunch of 3rd party companies with NKS integration (Output!). It is even a nice looking/feeling controller without the Komplete interfacing.
The Wow Factor
How would you rate the appeal of this product? Is there something about this gear that makes you want it even if you could make good music without it?
The light guide system is a game changer, and will only get better. I can already imagine games, piano lessons, etc. utilizing this keyboard for a fantastic user experience
Musical Background:
I have been making instrumentals on computers since Cakewalk on my Compaq 286!
Musical Style:
All forms of electronic (hip-hop, edm, industrial), but getting more into the standards and scoring as well
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Submitted February 10, 2018 by Ben H in Kernersville, NC
"Incomplete..."
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If the overall integration of the features this keyboard has to offer were fully utilized, this would be an amazing product. Keysplits are supposed to be one of the coolest things it offers, with the lightguide showing the zones, however that functionality is yet to be available. Since I don't own a Maschine there is a whole row of buttons that are completely useless...not entirely sure why they bothered putting them on this keyboard instead of just having them on the Maschine.
Sound
Well, as a MIDI controller, the product itself has no sound...But the included software, Komplete Select, feels like it has potential but a bit weak for my tastes. Not entirely unexpected since it's an entry level product.
Features
The scale and arp functions, when they work, are very nice. I wouldn't mind a little more customization on the arp section, but no complaints. For someone who , like me, is still learning their way around a piano, the scale function is a big help in keeping you where you need to be, although it gets a bit awkward when you're wanting to add in that one chromatic passing tone :).
The light guide was a big selling point for me. The midi notes being played show up across the guide, which can be a big help when trying to learn a song as well. Transport and navigation controls work decent with ableton, but reaper integration is nonexistant at this point. There's supposed to be a keysplit feature as well, to play multiple instruments from the keyboard at one time.. for some reason they disabled that functionality on this version tho for some reason. Hoping that gets added in the future.
Ease of Use
Setup is a bit of a chore...I let the massive downloads (25GB) take place while I was at work but I imagine that took several hours. You'll need to do a bit of file management to get all the scripts set up to work properly as well. No driver installs were necessary, and the firmware was up to date right out of the box. From that point, There was a bit of a learning curve on how to make things work like they are supposed to...spent a while messing with the 'controller editor' software only to find out that it's incompatible. That functionality is handled by the 'komplete kontrol' software, but at this time that software doesn't offer full editing capabilities. The supplied NI products work quite well, especially the built in browser functions, but non-nks 3rd party plugins are a bit of a chore to use.
Quality
The build quality seems pretty solid. The keys feel very responsive, the mod and pitch wheels are very comfortable to use, and all of the controls and knobs work as expected. I've found the placement of the touch strip a bit awkward as i keep accidentally moving it when using the wheels, although most of the time that touch strip doesn't seem to be routed to anything anyway (I'm really not sure what the point of it is supposed to be).
Seems like they did build it to handle some rough handling, everything I've seen suggests it will hold up pretty well.
Value
In comparison I feel this is a bit overpriced, especially when all of it's available features aren't yet implemented. But as the only option that included the light guide, which was a major selling point, and none of the competing products offered anything similar, it was the best value for what I was looking for.
Manufacturer Support
I personally haven't needed to contact the manufacturer at this point, as most of the questions I've had were answered in the forums. From what I gathered though, those who have contacted them with issues were largely unsatisfied with the outcome. It feels like this is a beta test of sorts, with some features planning to be fully implemented at a later date
The Wow Factor
If all the features were fully functional as advertised, this would in my opinion be one of the best products of it's kind. I'm sure these issues will be resolved at a later date, but most of them feel like things that should have been addressed before being released. Its a very capable keyboard, with plenty of potential for future improvements.
Musical Background:
Play guitar, bass, drums, and keys, for 25 years. 2 projects currently, one EDM/techno and one hard rock.
Musical Style:
Hard rock, EDM, Industrial, Metal, Alternative
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Submitted January 15, 2018 by a customer from icloud.com
"Waste of Money"
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I am a long time user of NI software including Mashine and Komplete so this keyboard, with all it's functionality really intrigued me. While the keyboard itself has great action, none of the buttons, knobs or screen display feature work with Windows 10. The drivers are useless and NI is nonresponsive to when they will update them. I know for a fact that this keyboard works fine on the Apple platform but not on Windows 10.
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Submitted September 23, 2019 by Mark H in Hanford, CA
"Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2"
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Don’t be fooled by the Native Instruments name. If your using FL Studio Don’t buy this... The transport controls will not work, only the keys will work. Way overpriced for what you get. Native dropped the ball on this one.
Musical Background:
10 years, Keyboardist, Producer,DJ
Musical Style:
Hip Hop
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