Ask me anything: Kontrol S-Series MK3
Comments
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Another example of the beauty in variety, the spice of life.
For those who enjoy the Kontrol S MK2... that's fantastic! It is still supported, and the last thing we'd ever want to do is promote e-waste.
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Not yet.
The only clients of the Direct Connection API at launch are Kontakt 7 and Komplete Kontrol.
So VSTs other than Kontakt 7 must still be loaded in Komplete Kontrol.
Of course, it would be nice to expand this with time...
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We plan to implement Accessibility for Kontrol S MK3 during Q4 2023, via the NI Accessibility Helper app that was used with Maschine earlier this year.
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Jester! Good to hear from you.
Great points all around. On the last point, the beauty of the Direct Connection API is what it solves. It solves the problem of having to build the whole smarts of KK into a plug-in, which was hitherto a barrier. So it could well be opened up without all that much effort on the partner front. However, Kontakt 7 is itself a vast librarian. We're now figuring out how we'd maintain a librarian like functionality in a world were 100% of plug-ins were directly connected.
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1) Not yet, but it will once we update the firmware. It's one of the things we plan to do next.
2) Sort of, but it will work better for this use case once we have recallable and editable MIDI templates, also planned (most likely for early 2024).
3) Yes, for anything other than Kontakt 7 instruments.
And before anyone (I see some of you) chimes in to say "why wasn't this done for launch" and/or "this is an incomplete product" I'd say...
It's a fantastic, complete product at launch. We're doing something people have long requested of us - launching, continuing to implement new features, and being open about that roadmap. This is what that looks like :-)
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I'm not aware of any major breakages. That update has been out a year with no significant issues reported - could you expand?
To your question, it will bring Komplete Kontrol 3 software (for existing and new users). Whether that's decent is really for you to decide, but I certainly think so.
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It will be. Not yet. Working on it.
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Will there be an all black keys version?
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Not a Kontrol S MK3 question?! How dare you!!!
All joking aside, that's a really compelling idea.
It's definitely on the radar, but no firm plans at this time.
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Coming soon! Kontakt does not have it, even in Direct Connection. We thought best to leave it out of DI API, and instead go full force to get it on device, ergo usable with anything.
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I think I've covered this well enough - I'll leave this as our last comment on Play Assist related posts.
Yes, it will be standalone.
Thanks for asking! It's going to be a lot of fun.
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As stated elsewhere - the knobs and buttons on Kontrol S MK3 are dust entry proof. It's a sealed, unibody shell.
In terms of building knobs that pop in and out, it's a nice idea, but not something that would work for us. The knobs are quite weighty (machined aluminium/aluminum), and the center console has a lot of reinforcement to ensure a consistent experience without flex when interacting with the buttons, knobs and screen. The knobs are mounted, and surrounded by various printed circuit boards, as well as an extensive set of traces for the light guide. The point is, there is a lot going on. Not a lot of room to recess knobs on demand, without significant compromise, or massively increased cost, or both.
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Maybe we just didn't show this well in the marketing so far, I'm not sure, but we have those visual representations. They don't animate (static selection) but I posted some pictures earlier in this thread showing this sort of thing.
I also get what you're saying, but I'd encourage you to think about the inverse. As soon as the screen becomes busy, nee overpopulated, it's no longer as clean and easy to use for all users, but particularly visually impaired users.
It's far from wasted... I'll stand behind a clean, clear, large and welcoming user interface all day (I say this as one of the maniacs who has my laptop and phone screen resolution on the smallest possible setting for maximal text coverage).
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You bring up a really good point. Visual impairments are not binary. They exist on a spectrum. The value of larger, brighter, clearer information also extends far beyond the community members who have any form of visual impairment. I consider it an example of which I'm very proud to say designing for accessibility results in a better experience for all.
As an aside, the Kontrol S MK3 does of course allow you to enable, disable and tap tempo your DAW's metronome.
As a further aside, if you ever do make it to Berlin and form a picket, let me know. I'll come join you! Far more is accomplished on the front lines I find. Rules to live by.
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Many things are possible.
Many things are gorgeous.
Many things are incredibly useful.
But the design aesthetic we went for was not to crowd the screen, which of course could host greater than 8 parameters at once, but rather to prioritize making it clear and obvious by increasing the parameter size, and quick and fluid to navigate with the new NKS 2 groupings assigned to the buttons atop the screen, as shown earlier, in this image.
I'd much rather navigate around a product this way, than crowd the screen with more parameters somewhat divorced in proximity from the relevant encoder. But to each their own. What is beauty if not in the eye of the beholder, I suppose?
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