What is in the Kontrol-S Mk3 Firmware 1.9.4 update?

LarryB

I'd love to know if there are new features or bug fixes or both. Thanks.

Matthew_NI

Includes:

• Onboard Arpeggiator: The Play Assist Arp functionality can now be used in "Keyboard Mode" for standalone operation directly on the Kontrol S Mk3, in addition to the existing "Plugin Mode" which required a connection to the Komplete Kontrol software
• Tempo configuration: The shift + tempo button combination opens a new page which sets the tempo used by the arpeggiator. Note: the value set here may be overwritten by the Komplete Kontrol / Kontakt 8 / Maschine 3.1 plugins if the DAW tempo changes, so you may need to set the tempo in your DAW as well. This process will be optimized in a future release
• Arp shortcut customization: This now works as in Komplete Kontrol
• Advanced MIDI output routing: MIDI can now be sent to either MIDI DIN, MIDI USB, or both simultaneously. Simultaneous MIDI output can be enabled globally in the device settings, with additional configuration options available for MIDI mode only in the MIDI template settings
• Maschine 3.1 support: User chords defined in the Maschine 3.1 software can now be accessed from the Kontrol S Mk3. Undo / redo / quantize can also now be controlled

For reference, the release notes are available in Native Access 2, under NI Hardware Connection Service (I know, may not be intuitive… we need to fix that)

Matthew_NI

Includes:

• Onboard Arpeggiator: The Play Assist Arp functionality can now be used in "Keyboard Mode" for standalone operation directly on the Kontrol S Mk3, in addition to the existing "Plugin Mode" which required a connection to the Komplete Kontrol software
• Tempo configuration: The shift + tempo button combination opens a new page which sets the tempo used by the arpeggiator. Note: the value set here may be overwritten by the Komplete Kontrol / Kontakt 8 / Maschine 3.1 plugins if the DAW tempo changes, so you may need to set the tempo in your DAW as well. This process will be optimized in a future release
• Arp shortcut customization: This now works as in Komplete Kontrol
• Advanced MIDI output routing: MIDI can now be sent to either MIDI DIN, MIDI USB, or both simultaneously. Simultaneous MIDI output can be enabled globally in the device settings, with additional configuration options available for MIDI mode only in the MIDI template settings
• Maschine 3.1 support: User chords defined in the Maschine 3.1 software can now be accessed from the Kontrol S Mk3. Undo / redo / quantize can also now be controlled

For reference, the release notes are available in Native Access 2, under NI Hardware Connection Service (I know, may not be intuitive… we need to fix that)

Skijumptoes

Got to say, what an incredible update this is. Thank you for the work and beta testers that helped along the way.

It's transformed my setup and breathed new life into an old Korg Triton & Roland module that I have sitting here. Being able to swap templates and the MIDI port and channel changes at the same time is simply brilliant, especially if you have an image for that template as it's immediately obvious what you're controlling.

I wasn't too fussed about the on-device Arp, and overlooked it, but it's really fun to play with on an external synth, I love the inversion options, it's really so much fun! Add in scale modes and honestly, it feels quite revolutionary for me.

The ARP Tempo (BPM) seems to be bang on too, it stayed in sync with Cubase for 5+ mins when I tried it, I have some devices that can deviate a bit after a few minutes when being used standalone.

Something else that I wasn't aware of is that you can route MIDI from the DAW via the USB connection on the Kontrol hardware and out of the MIDI DIN port by selecting 'Kontrol EXT' as a destination. Meaning I can get direct control, or DAW routed control via the same connection.

Very happy :)