K Kontrol S88 Mark 1 worth it without the software?

Hi, I'm mainly a guitar player, but am feeling inspired to have another clack and learning the piano, so thoughT a Komplete Kontrol S88 would be great, because of the apparently excellent hammer action keys.

I'm using Logic Pro on my M1 MAC and Mac book pro to record an album/EP (rock music, but wouldn't mind darling with synths and stuff at some point) at the moment and so although my main reason for getting an S88 would be to learn piano, it'd be good for recording piano and string parts in Logic (after touch function sounds great for strings)

I've seen an S88 Mk 1 at a good price, but the previous owner isn't able to transfer the licence to me for the komplete software (NI support says I'd therefore have to buy the software)

Taking the above in to account, is an MK1 S88 still worth it if I just use it with Logic pro X? Or am I missing out on some great software by not having the Komplete software suite?

As a side note, for my use purposes, is there a better/alternative digital piano controller with good hammer key action I should be considering? Is the MK2 with spending extra on?

Final Q; am I correct in saying I'd have to connect the S88 to a DAW every time I wanted to practice piano, rather than being able to hook up to say my FRFR speaker (which I use with my guitar amp modeling boxes)?

Thanks all!

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Comments

JesterMgee

Not sure the MK1 would be good on macOS especially. It is now EOL which means unsupported and only works with the KK V2 software which you will need to install the drivers. I think it still works with drivers but who knows when that may stop.

In terms of build quality and playability it's a decent keybed however, in terms of actual functionality especially without using the NKS side, there are far better options as the MIDI capabilities of even the latest versions are pretty sub-par compared to offerings from companies such as Arturia or even Akai.

In AUD I would not be paying more than probably $100 for it (approx $70USD) Not to say it isn't worth more to some, I just wouldn't invest in obsolete tech unless I had a good reason or good understanding.

As for hammer action (or weighted keys which is what the S88 offers), not too sure as I am no piano player so for most stuff I like to play synth action keys are far better in feel than weighted keys but I ahve a local music store down the road and another huge one a 45 min drive away, I always go check out what I want to buy if I can especially when it comes down to the feel of something, what works for some isn't always best for others.

Uwe303

Hello,

if the price is good I would say it is worth it, even without komplete kontrol but if, you would need komplete kontrol 2 cause kk3 does not support the mk1 keyboars anymore. You could try to add this to your account but I don't know what version you'll get. If 3 then it will not work as it should with the mk1 keyboard. You could then maybe by kk2 used or with another cheap keyboard used if you need it later.

https://www.native-instruments.com/de/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-kontrol/?srsltid=AfmBOormNzDokLzzABQ6RE_Jo4zPOCOdgU4PqDiKrr4NxJ1oCCxpqbuL

You can't connect just a speaker and play piano, this keyboard needs a PC or at least a sound module, something that plays sounds with a midi in signal. You also should check for compatibility with your os version and your m1 chip.

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014900358-Compatibility-of-Native-Instruments-Products-on-macOS

And the seller won't loose the software with a hardware license transfer as far as I know and as you can read here:

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/210288845-Buying-or-Selling-a-Native-Instruments-Product-Second-Hand

DenGuitar

Thanks for your input all👍🏻

In the end I bought a used studiologic S88 studio, which I'm really happy with for practicing learning piano (key action is great and it fits on my desk nicely) and now I'm looking at getting a used M32 (or an older S model) to use more as a midi controller/messing with synth stuff/general workflow controller.

*although the above advice tells me that sticking with newer/M32 is better from a software point if view and the key lights are cool, but I'm not sure how much I'd use them.

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