Connecting 2 KK keyboards

Benoit JACQUIER · 2023-09-21T11:57:04+00:00

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Hi,

I have 2 KK keyboards (1 S61-MK2 and 1 S49-MK2) and I would like to connect both keyboards to the same laptop (Win10) with Ableton Live host.

When I connect only 1 of them, I can see the 3 associated MIDI devices (Komplete Kontrol-1, Komplete Kontrol EXT-1 and Komplete Kontrol DAW) and the integration in Live works like a charm.

But when I connect the second one, the "DAW" device gets removed (I can't see it anymore neither in Live nor in Windows device manager), and I can't use the host integration anymore.

I can activate MIDI inputs for both keyboards (I see "Komplete Kontrol-1" and "2 - Komplete-Kontrol-1" in Live MIDI configuration list) and I can play sounds with both keyboards, but I lose all the integration features ("MIXER" and "PLUGIN" modes are disabled on the keyboards).

Is there a way to keep the "DAW" device for at least one of the keyboards?

Thanks

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Accepted answers

Benoit JACQUIER

Thanks everyone for the hints.

It seems I've found a workaround: plug both keyboards then unplug and plug back the first one.

1) plug keyboard 1 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1

2) plug keyboard 2 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

3) unplug keyboard 1 => I get:

2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

4) plug again keyboard 1 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

Then I can use keyboard 1 as complete DAW surface controller, and keyboard 2 as MIDI IN.

All comments

6xes

this is a known issue... from what i have read on forums elsewhere

you cannot operate 2 KK devices on a single computer, at least thats how i understood what i had read

goodluck trying to find a workaround

Jeremy_NI

@Benoit JACQUIER Both keyboards can't control the DAW or the Komplete Kontrol plug-in/standalone applications at the same time. One will always switch to MIDI mode. Unfortunately it is not possible to lock one for the DAW or Komplete Kontrol.

Benoit JACQUIER

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/96030#Comment_96030

Thanks for your answer.

I understand that I can't control the DAW from both keyboards, but my concern is that when I connect 2 keyboards, I can't control it from any of them.

When only 1 keyboard is connected, I can select "Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1" to control the DAW:

But when both keyboards are connected, "Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1" disappears:

I would like to get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

JesterMgee

Yeah, it is really not possible unfortunately.

The whole system was designed with a single keyboard in mind and trust me when I say we have asked for this to change for a long time...

Basically you need to keep one disconnected i'm afraid.

Kymeia

I presume you could connect one with USB to use for Kontrol/DAW and the other with USB unplugged but connected with a midi cable for general midi playing (it would also need to be on external power)

Benoit JACQUIER

Thanks everyone for the hints.

It seems I've found a workaround: plug both keyboards then unplug and plug back the first one.

1) plug keyboard 1 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1

2) plug keyboard 2 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

3) unplug keyboard 1 => I get:

2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

4) plug again keyboard 1 => I get:

KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1
Komplete Kontrol DAW - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL - 1
2 - KOMPLETE KONTROL EXT - 1

Then I can use keyboard 1 as complete DAW surface controller, and keyboard 2 as MIDI IN.

Jeremy_NI

@Benoit JACQUIER Thanks for sharing your solution. I wish there was something more practical.

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