S Series Mk3 - On board Play Assist Released!

Skijumptoes · 2024-09-27T09:29:47+00:00

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I'm surprised this hasn't been posted, but I just noticed this has finally been released via a youtube vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp2Ui-AvHns

Really looking forward to trying it, and I love that they've changed the shifted functions round. It's great to see this follow on so quickly after the MIDI Templates.

Just a heads up for anyone unaware, and a place to discuss it's use. 👍️

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Comments

Eric73

How can I get this new firmware? The updater tells me that I already have the latest firmware installed, although it does not include these features.

Skijumptoes

I went to Native Access and downloaded the Hardware agent update. The screen on my Mk3 then told me to go to:

https://ni.de/kontrol-update

Which I did, and the updater tool showed that my current firmware was 1.7.x something and that 1.8.4 was the latest, so I ran the firmware updater, and all good.

@Eric73 Is it possible you have an older version of that firmware updater in your downloads folder and you're running that by mistake?

You can check on the device itself by pressing the 'Settings/MIDI' button to view settings and then scrolling to the 'General' tab where it will show the OS version. Mine shows OS Version: 1.8.4 (R)

Eric73

Hi @Skijumptoes ,

Thanks for the instructions. I had not updated the Hardware agent, so I did not get that same message.

It all worked now! The OS version in the keyboard is now also 1.8.4 (R).

Thanks!

Kymeia

Note this is for chords and scales but ARP is still being added

Maciej Repetowski

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/180460#Comment_180460

Yes, looks like ARP will be next thing, we are getting there 👍

Chris_NI

Hi @Skijumptoes

Yes you beat me to it 😀

I will repost another thread to pin to the Kontrol discussion board soonish, i'm still waiting for some of the official documentation to be published before i do that post (hopefully later today).

Also correct that this release is the Scale / Chords Play assist engine, and the Arp engine is currently under development and will be released in the near future.

You can download the FW here:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/komplete/kontrol-update/

Happy to hear feedback and thoughts about the release on this thread (until i get the official post up).

Hope you all enjoy 😎

Kymeia

Why is the firmware not in Native Access when everything else is?

timrae_NI

Why is the firmware not in Native Access when everything else is?

Native Access currently only works with desktop applications that it can install itself. It's not able to handle firmware updaters that require connecting to a USB device.

Keith Cocker

I welcome the ability to use Play Assist with Kontakt. However, this seems to have come at a cost in terms of usability unless I'm mistaken. Previously, when using Play Assist (PA) with Komplete Kontrol nesting a Kontakt instrument the Scale and chord details selected were written into the Logic Automation. This meant that changes could be made as one was playing and also that the setting were "per track" and could be edited. It now appears that the settings are not written to automation (and can't be added to automation). Instead the chords are actually written as Midi notes into Logic and unless the settings are changed via the Mk3 keyboard they persist across tracks and indeed are not "saved" with the project.

My question really is - is there a way to get the automation written into Logic? Thanks

Matthew_NI

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/180753#Comment_180753

You have full control.

You can switch between two modes: the original mode (controlling KK) or the new mode (controlling on-device).

The new mode, by popular request, generates MIDI on-device, and it is this MIDI that is received by the destination (e.g. DAW, hardware).

If you want to use the original mode, you still can.

Kymeia

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/180695#Comment_180695

I see that, but this is potential weak link because I can envisage someone thinking they have installed everything through NA, so why isn't my keyboard working? Posting the firmware in a thread that most MkIII users won't know about is only helpful for the ones that do, yes I do realise there is also a dedicated page for the firmware https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/komplete/kontrol-update/?srsltid=AfmBOoogQ-Jx2jYxBZ907cyPy_soYFYYf_7zGbRCwV4HJ0ykVw0prnf4 - which I had to Google to find. I just think you could do better at helping people join the dots here. For example the hardware connection service info should say 'once you have installed this, now update the firmware, here is where you find it' but doesn't even mention it

If you can have a link to the shop in NA - why not add a link to the firmware page too?

Matthew_NI

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/180877#Comment_180877

This is why the keyboard will tell you if a firmware update is available.

Chris_NI

We have recently published a Knowledge Base article that gives you more details for how to set up and use the new Play Assist functionality that works in 'Keyboard' mode (without Komplete Kontrol software), and the intricacies of switching between the two modes; 'Keyboard' and 'Plug-in'.

How to use the new Play Assist function on the Kontrol S-Series MK3

We have also updated the user manual, which includes all details around using the Play Assist Scale engine in both modes.

https://www.native-instruments.com/ni-tech-manuals/kontrol-s-mk3-manual/en/scale

Happy playing 🎹 🙂

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