Since the debacle of Komplete Kontrol 3.x, i felt the urge to look for alternatives.
At first i was trying to find something similar to Komplete Kontrol (like Bluecat Audio Patchwork), but was unsatisfied, and thought i'll wait a year till Native Instruments fixes KK.
Until i realized: wait a second, there's a Software&Hardware combination already available for my specific usecase! It's done via Bitwig and the Novation SL MK3.
I will make a video about that workflow in the future on my YT Channel @sternenherz, in case any Bitwig users are interested :)
Compared to Komplete Kontrol, the Browsing experience in the Keyboard-Display is subpar due to smaller Display-Size. But that's the one and only downside. The upsides are:
- For the first time in years, i enjoy a direct synergy between my Hardware and my DAW, all VST Plugins, and all DAW Plugins, and all DAW remote control Pages! Unlike with Komplete Kontrol, i can use the Browsing experience as "insert a new device of my choice" into the device chain of any Track.
- Since i'm creating custom presets for Bitwig devices anyway, it just feels so meaningful/logical to simply re-creating my custom VST Library i made in Komplete Kontrol in Bitwigs internal Browser. Everything in one system, everything ready to load in one Browser.
- Browsing and inserting Samples (Oneshots and Loops) is possible
- Thanks to Bitwigs "Live Preview" Feature, i can listen to VSTs in the Browser, even before confirming their loading into the device chain.
- The loading times are a bit better, compared to Komplete Kontrol
- No more forced usage of Kontakt 7!
- No more dependence on Native Instruments 'grace' to fix things they broke themselves. (To repeat my main issues with 3.x: 1. Forced usage of either browser OR Pluginview. 2. Forced usage of Kontakt 7 and WORSE loading times overall, which are workflow-breaking considering live-performance. 3. Custom Library editing got impaired instead of improved (!), breaking the core of my workflow. 4. Hiding parameter values in KKmk3 displays until touching the knobs is a UX failure 5. Hiding Keyswitches from the Display in mk3 is another UX failure. 6. Lack of good communication on NIs end, not listening enough to user feedback since years, no visible future vision for a better product 7. more.)
I'm happy to consider looking into Komplete Kontrol again, when NI gets things fixed and severely improved, proving a future vision based on User Feedback and intelligent UX design.
I still love Native Instruments Products in general and will keep buying them, except the broken ones, haha.
All the best,
nowiamone