Firmware Update or DAW Integration Support for Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK2

Hi Native Instruments team,

I’m a long-time Komplete Kontrol user and currently use the S61 MK2 with Cubase 14 as my primary DAW. I’ve been really impressed with the new MK3 firmware and deep DAW integration features, especially the improved transport controls, mixer visibility, and parameter feedback.

However, it appears the MK2 line is no longer receiving firmware updates or integration improvements, despite still being widely used by professionals. For many of us who invested in the MK2, it remains a core part of our workflow and is still capable hardware.

I understand that some MK3 features may rely on updated internals, but could NI consider:

• A firmware update for MK2 adding partial DAW integration (Cubase 14 transport, track focus, etc.)
• Or at least an updated host integration package that brings MK2 controllers closer in functionality to MK3 within Cubase

This would go a long way toward showing continued support for long-time NI customers and reducing hardware waste. Even incremental updates (transport sync, track navigation) would make a meaningful difference.

Many MK2 owners in the community have expressed similar concerns and would love to know if NI has any plans to provide an update path or improved compatibility for the MK2 series.

Thanks for your time and for considering this request.

Dennis
Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 owner
Cubase 14 / macOS user

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timrae_NI

Hi I'm going to be brutally honest here… It's extremely unlikely that we will add any new features for the mk2 at this point. Adding the extended DAW control features for the MK3 was a HUGE amount of work, and almost none of that code could realistically be used in the mk2 as we're using a totally different architecture / software stack on the MK3 devices. The mk2 is > 8 years old and should continue to be supported for some years, but there will not be any new features added.

There is still a thriving second-hand market for the mk2 devices, so if you want to make use of the new features in the mk3 series, my best advice would be to make use of it.

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PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/48239/firmware-update-or-daw-integration-support-for-komplete-kontrol-s-series-mk2

I added the 'Feature Request' tag to your post for the sake that anyone N.I. comes around to browse that.

I understand that some MK3 features may rely on updated internals, but could NI consider:

You sort of write this yourself, we don't know what updated internals that new features builds on.

However we do know that the new S-Series MK3 keyboards features something called Direct Connection which allows them to communicate directly with Kontakt 7 and newer outside of Komplete Kontrol app.

We also knows that the S-Series MK3 do not use the MK2 class drivers that are installed by Komplete Kontrol app but rather rely on the installing of the Hardware Connection Service. This in turn means that anything software that is made/written for the MK3 keyboards will most likely either not at all be able to do the same on MK2 keyboards or would require a major rewrite.

(I am sure that) N.I. is committed to supporting the MK2 keyboards as far goes as if there had been major errors on apps and OS that is supported for the keyboard. However I don't think that you should expect any features what so ever to be added to the MK2 keyboards. N.I. has made a clear choice when starting to using the Hardware Connection Service in as much that any new features that requires the HCS will never be available to the MK2 keyboards. And while the MK2 keyboards can work with Komplete Kontrol 3.x.x and Kontakt 7/8 then any new features that require the HCS will not be supported.

N.I. has already recognized that they have many MK2 users and most likely then they will think long and hard before that the MK2 keyboards will stop working with what they already works with (apart from the changes to KK2 to KK3). So NI is more going for a carrots method than a stick method to make MK2 users upgrade to MK3 , however then I don't think that you should expect any functionality updates to the K2 keyboards.

I myself has suggested an alternative solution to the problem. My idea was that N.I. should make some external box to sort of translate so that MK2 keyboard could be used as had they been MK3. And since N.I. now has started a partnership with third party hardware makers to bring NKS integration to their hardware then I thought such a box maybe an even better idea. However I don't think that any of that is going to fly.

Not only would it require far too much investment by N.I. but also then most of the keyboards on the market now do not support Midi 2.0 and I am rather sure that the Midi 2.0 standard is something that is gong to be pushed a lot further also.

I bought and still have a (100% OK and working) MK2 keyboard myself and agree that functionality updates would be great , I just don't think that we are going to see that happening.

timrae_NI

There is still a thriving second-hand market for the mk2 devices, so if you want to make use of the new features in the mk3 series, my best advice would be to make use of it.

Sunborn

As an S49 MK2 user, i am also a bit disappointed, but… that's how things are… older devices can not follow technology evolution…

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