What keyboard to buy

Vocalisten

I have decided to buy a keyboard with 61 keys. I actually decided to buy a Komplete Kontrol A61, but I have found that it doesn't meet my needs as I need a sustain pedal input for my piano playing. And then there aren't that many NI keyboards to choose from, so it has to be a Kontrol S61. But I now see that there is both an S61 MK2 and an S61 MK3. What is the big difference between them and is the MK3 worth sacrificing that much more for?

Vocalpoint

Well - the MKIII is the new kid on the block (October 2023) and now gets all the "update" love - now and into the future.

The MKII is older but much more mature - I use an S61 MKII and intend to stick with it for my work.

The MKIII will force you to use the clunky (and still not ready for primetime) Komplete Kontrol 3 - if full integration with your NI NKS compatible instruments is a thing for you.

For us MKII users - we have a choice - we can struggle with KKv3 or use the much more usable and stable Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 - which is where I am at right now.

If this is your first board - and you can still find a S61MKII AND are OK with a very stable but perhap not as "updatable" layout (until Komplete Kontrol 3 reachs feature parity with Komplete Kontrol v2) - that would be an outstanding "value".

However - if you want cutting edge and the "latest" - prepare to pony up much bigger dollars for the MKIII series - which of course will be more future proof.

VP

Vocalpoint

Well - the MKIII is the new kid on the block (October 2023) and now gets all the "update" love - now and into the future.

The MKII is older but much more mature - I use an S61 MKII and intend to stick with it for my work.

The MKIII will force you to use the clunky (and still not ready for primetime) Komplete Kontrol 3 - if full integration with your NI NKS compatible instruments is a thing for you.

For us MKII users - we have a choice - we can struggle with KKv3 or use the much more usable and stable Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 - which is where I am at right now.

If this is your first board - and you can still find a S61MKII AND are OK with a very stable but perhap not as "updatable" layout (until Komplete Kontrol 3 reachs feature parity with Komplete Kontrol v2) - that would be an outstanding "value".

However - if you want cutting edge and the "latest" - prepare to pony up much bigger dollars for the MKIII series - which of course will be more future proof.

VP

DunedinDragon

Chances are even the MK2 has a sustain pedal 1/4" plug which you can use any off the shelf sustain pedal typically. The big difference with the MK3 is that it has three 1/4" plugs which you can use for sustain, map to expression, or any other thing you'd like to manage with your feet.

Vocalisten

I'm only on Komplete Kontrol 2.9.4 and you confirm my suspicions.

I can buy an S61 MK2 at Thomann.de for $523, so it will definitely be the one.

1000 thanks for your perspectives and your help.

VC

Vocalisten

@

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/137036#Comment_137036

I will only use the pedal as a sustain pedal for studio purposes - so MK2 will do the work!

Thx for your input!

VC