Collective disagreement due to few updates in komplete kontrol s series mk 2
While it is true that it is not an obligation for this company to release new updates, I also want to express my discomfort since approximately two years ago I bought a new s s61 mk2 and subsequently purchased komplete ultimate, and I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance, practically without the computer it is garbage, the lights cannot be turned off, the komplete kontrol plugin cannot be loaded into audio tracks, you cannot control the luna mixer either, there is no mcu mode, this device is a great device made halfway, abandoning customers, I paid almost a thousand dollars for the keyboard, and the truth is sometimes I regret it. Someone else is bothered by these or other characteristics that could have a solution but they don't want to solve?, in order to forcefully sell us the MK3?
Comments
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there is no mcu mode
There is actually - maybe it doesn't work in Luna but it does, for example, in Reason. I know it is there because several of us fought very persistently to get it added years ago.
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People will answer you that you have to buy things based on what they do and not what they promise. Which is true, but if other companies tend to improve their gears and add more functionalities while NI makes very little in this department to then release a new gear containing what previous one could have, this is quite a valid point to watch elsewhere when making purchase decisions
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"I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance."
Since when did buying anything at a specific point in time instantly entitle you to any evolution in functionality or performance? I have my S61 MKII Keyboard Box right here and nowhere on it is any promise or guarantee of anything.
But let's look at your list:
Without the computer it is garbage
Do not even know what this means. Sorta sounds like you expected your S61 to rival some 234 pound Roland master keyboard controller/stage piano etc. You do know that it's just a MIDI controller and always has been. Used in its required context - it is rock solid and essential to my workflow. Which is NOT for performing live or without a computer.
The lights cannot be turned off.
True dat - but wow. First world problems here.
The Komplete Kontrol plugin cannot be loaded into audio tracks.
Again - not even sure what this means as KK has always been designed from day 1 for instrument (MIDI) tracks. Consider using a supported DAW and all is well.
You cannot control the Luna mixer.
This is not an NI thing - complain to UA or use a different DAW/Hardware. There is plenty of very well supported (Komplete Kontrol) platforms to choose from.
There is no MCU mode.
Well - there is. Nuff said.
Regardless of vendor - we buy what we buy when we buy it and yes - while it is slightly disappointing to see what the MKIII offers in light of my S61 MKII purchase in Fall 2021 - I won't sit here and sulk about it. Nor am I disappointed.
If you cannot create something using an S61 MKII with Komplete Ultimate (same as me) - or regret it in any way - you may just be in the wrong creative space.
Let's move on with what we do have and lose the attitudes about what we do not.
VP
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It’s not mandatory, when you don’t agree with someone, to criticize his requests/needs.
If someone is happy with what they have (as I am with my KK), good for them. It doesn’t mean that if someone wants to try to have answers about some things he must be criticized. Specially saying “I don’t even know what this means”
Yes, no entitlement, but when other companies DO evolve and we would like NI to succeed, it is not so strange to underline this difference.
And to clarify a little bit:
Midi controllers CAN work without a computer. Think about a midi keyboard connected to an hardware unit (this is not possible with KK, by NI design). It has nothing to do with rivaling with standalones
“First world problems here”…no comment to this one
KK plugin not loading in audio tracks: it could be useful for people wanting to play a NKS instrument and record it directly as audio. Of course it can be achieved later with the DAW, but someone wanting to have the choice doesn’t seem so strange to me. Even if probably I would never use it
Many could be in the right creative space, liking many features, but still hope for some things to be added. And since many companies DO add new features and listen to users needs, asking NI why they don’t doesn’t seem so strange to me.
The OP clearly stated “While it is true that it is not an obligation for this company to release new updates”…”I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance”.
Which is damn’ true. And being happy anyway with what it offers doesn’t make this lack of evolution less true.
As said, there is no obligation by their side. As the other companies evolving their gears have no obligation to do it. But they do
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The Komplete Kontrol plugin cannot be loaded into audio tracks.
Again - not even sure what this means as KK has always been designed from day 1 for instrument (MIDI) tracks. Consider using a supported DAW and all is well.
It was originally but stuff changes - NI introduced FX support about a year in, but in such a half assed way it's never really been of much use. Now they have partners on board who are primarily FX makers you would think this would motivate the creation of a working FX version. Maschine had one but even that got taken away for no good reason. It's really ludicrous to be honest that it can load and control FX but you can't use or automate them as FX in a DAW
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"People will answer you that you have to buy things based on what they do and not what they promise. Which is true...."
This is said by many, and I disagree.
There are many products that are "ecosystems" by design and are sold & bought as such.
Buying a product because of an ecosystem is 100% valid.
Complaining about this aspect of a product is 100% valid.
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"It’s not mandatory, when you don’t agree with someone, to criticize his requests/needs."
It's also not mandatory to agree either.
I simply find it oddly convenient that as soon as any company releases something "better" (MKII->MKIII in this case) - a user suddenly feels like they were purposely "wronged" in some way on what they bought.
It's been this way since the availability of any product anywhere. Something better ALWAYS comes along.
VP
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On this I can agree. But in this case is not merely a matter of the new hardware been released…and I will not start the discussion about not wasting perfectly functioning gears that could receive updates with features and make their life longer, even if I’m sure many people would agree to pay a price for the work they have done to evolve the product, without needing to replace it completely. Even if in the last weeks I see in some of their answers they are jumping aboard the “we are eco friendly” bandwagon, since it is trendy now.
In any case, you’re right. Agreeing is not mandatory too. And in this case it is enough to say “I don’t agree. I’m happy with my product as it is now”. Making a list to try to discredit the (in my opinion) very legitimate requests is a little bit different than not agreeing.
But the point remains the same: being happy with what we have doesn’t mean that ”I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance” isn’t a correct statement. And that the list you tried to discredit contains things that could be useful and done. And probably users are asking them because they should have been there from the beginning (I’m watching at you, midi out not working unless tethered to a computer 😏)
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"Being happy with what we have doesn’t mean that ”I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance” isn’t a correct statement."
Well - for me - this statement is not about being "correct":
"I have not seen a significant evolution in functionality or performance.”
To me - it implies an ever so slight elitist attitude that seems to say, "Now that I gave bought this thing from you - you better get a move on here because I expect you to make this thing significantly better (for free of course) than the day I bought it".
That's like me saying - "I just bought a new 2023 Toyota Highlander and while it's good (for now) - Toyota better move their *** and ensure that my truck gets a significant evolution in functionality and performance by next year - or else."
I guess I am just wondering why it's OK to rail on software vendors (not specifically NI - just in general) simply because the ability to upgrade/update an "existing" something has become second nature - and yet this comment does not (and cannot) be applied to 99.99% of anything else we buy in our entire lives.
AND - we all seem to be just fine with that.
Bottom line - if I want a fancier Highlander (a significant evolution in functionality or performance) - I am gonna to put on my big boy pants and trade up - not complain to (or about) Toyota in their forums because they won't make my 2023 as good as (or better) as the new 2024s that are now available.
VP
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Well…even the rules for softwares doesn’t apply to 99.99% of anything else we buy…
Would you accept someone sells you a couch but then he tells you “but you are not buying the ownership of the coach, you are buying just the right to use it”?
And every time you want to “install” the couch in a different room, you need to have their permission.
Even worst: they sell you the couch but they tell you “but you can put it in a maximum of 2 rooms”
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Total noob here, and for what its worth I just purchased (Sept. 1st) the KA6 Mk2 / KK S88 Mk2, and Maschine Mk3. Why you ask? I wanted an audio interface and picked the KA6. I wanted a drum pad for production and picked the M Mk3. Wanted a MIDI Keyboard and picked the KK S88 Mk2. These were researched and chosen based on my needs, features and budget. Since I wasn't married to any brand and am learning from scratch anyway the NI products seemed like a great value. Even knowing that it would be replaced soon ($200 off was a hint) it more than fits my needs. As for support I am a bit disappointed to have opened a ticket just to have 1 auto email. First unable to update, then confusing native access updates during product repairs.....
I'm not complaining, it was likely the way i installed all the software. Also the updates failed after Win 11 Pro was updated. I know every company cant be on top of every computer hardware and software design thats in the wild. They rely on users to report bugs and such, but it would be nice to know someone is taking it seriously. Just happy it's still a one time purchase, and I accept that there will be an End Of Life at some point.
I completly uninstalled everything, Cleaned the registry, Cleaned it again with the NI tool and will begin the installation tomorrow. Just part of the process.
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Well - not sure what you read - but I think I said the nature of software does not apply to 99.99% of the things we buy.
A couch is not intellectual property, nor am I going to reverse engineer it or copy it and give it to my friends.
Most importantly (staying right on point with the OPs original remarks) - I not expect the couch maker to offer to make my couch "better" just because a new model just came out last week.
VP
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Thank you very much, we agree on many points. I mention about the lights, the issue is that sometimes I want to play the piano with the lights off and the monitor, and even closing my eyes I feel discomfort because they are quite intense, with regard to not being able to load komplete kontrol in audio tracks you have to load the audio processing plogins on audio tracks like the super charger for example and being able to control it natively with komplete kontrol.
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it's right
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I am not to blame for your prejudices, I have not bought any product from you, I would appreciate it if you are in this thread to tell us what to do with our investments then do not participate anymore, this thread is for people who are dissatisfied with the service of native instruments and look for solutions.
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