I love my S88 MK3, but why on earth they overlooked this?

tonkol

This is my first 88 key MIDI controller and I simply love playing it, but however it has at least one critical flaw. Especially when used with VST instruments - even with the official NKS support mind you. This thing can't reach the lowest octaves (-2 OC) so I could quickly change my articulations etc. Even my tiny Komplete Kontrol M32 is capable of doing this!

There are a plethora of VST instruments now almost completely unusable with my S88 thanks to this brilliant design decision. Entire libraries of big name products (for example, VSL) suffer from this same issue.

Certainly this can be fixed with a small firmware update?

Matthew_NI

I'm not sure I quite understand. Could you upload some screenshots or photographs of your MIDI Keyzone on the S88 device itself? It should look something like this:

The keys can send MIDI Note On/Off messages across the full range of C minus 2 to G plus 8. In this example I made one simple keyzone that covers the full range. I'm wondering if something is misconfigured, or I'm not understanding?

tonkol

Hi. I'm rather new to this device. I've had M32 for much longer time but it has worked pretty much out of the box, so I never needed to further configure it. It could very well be a matter of misconfiguration but I'm not quite sure how to do it. For example, that screenshot you have attached - where is that exactly from? The lowest note I can currently get (when looking via MIDI monitor utility) is A-2 but I need to access all the way to C-2.

tonkol

Still not able to access the lower octaves. Any help would be appreciated.

Matthew_NI

Could you take a picture of your screen when you're on the MIDI Template Keyzone page?

I don't quite understand not being able to access the lower octaves. As shown above, they are accessible, including by default.

Matthew_NI

Might I also suggest you create a support ticket so someone can walk you through this 1-1?

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/196116#Comment_196116

Try watching this video : Introducing MIDI templates in Kontrol S-Series keyboard

Also then if you go half way down this page : How to create custom MIDI Templates with Kontrol S MK3 you will find Key zones mentioned , maybe that page will also be of help.

trusampler

I was going to say you have much more flexibility with your s88 over the m32.
You can set up your own notes for key switches. Ni should have a tutorial somewhere for you to check out. ;)

tonkol

Thank you guys for all the replies. I learned how to edit templates, which will definitely come in handy, but it still didn't solve my problem.

I can see the template settings: Low Key: C-2 High Key: G8. But the keybed starts with A, so the lowest I can play is currently A-2 (and the lowest C I can get is C-1) - no matter how many times I press "← Octave" button.

Can anyone of you with S88 MK3 actually prove me that they can currently input MIDI C-2 using their keyboard?

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/198588#Comment_198588

I can see the template settings: Low Key: C-2 High Key: G8. But the keybed starts with A, so the lowest I can play is currently A-2 (and the lowest C I can get is C-1) - no matter how many times I press "← Octave" button.

Quote Matthew_NI : "Could you take a picture of your screen when you're on the MIDI Template Keyzone page? "

Can anyone of you with S88 MK3 actually prove me that they can currently input MIDI C-2 using their keyboard?

I do not have a S-Series MK3 keyboard setup so alas I can not assist with this myself.

Matthew_NI

I wonder if there's a bug maybe, because it appears you're doing the right thing. Will check

BIF

I have a MK3, but I don't have the S88 version.