Kontrol S-Series Mk3 Midi Sync in ?

Question

Hi,

is there any news on the possibility of sending MIDI clock to the keyboard? Currently, the keyboard only follows the DAW's tempo and only when set as a control surface. I already have two other control surfaces for my Ableton, and my primary interest is using the keyboard with my hardware instruments. This DAW dependency is problematic; sometimes Ableton crashes on startup, there are too many controllers, and I also have to turn on the keyboard only after turning on the PC, otherwise it often isn't even recognized. I could solve everything by disconnecting the keyboard from the PC and doing without the arpeggiator, but that's not a good solution, and I don't want to give up your plugins.

PoorFellow · Accepted Answer

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/50167/midi-sync

is there any news on the possibility of sending MIDI clock to the keyboard?

Sorry , but no , not available at the moment , has been requested before but not available at least not yet….

Quote Timrae_NI  , 2026-01-26 :

No unfortunately it can't be synced to an external clock. But it is possible to use it as master clock (i.e. send the internal midi clock out of the midi din port) via the experimental settings. Also it does automatically keep it's BPM in sync with the DAW, no clock required.

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Quote 2 , Timrae_NI , 2026-01-30 :

I understand that you want this feature and tbh we also want to add this feature as well. However every time we work on a feature, we are by definition not working on another feature. This fixed capacity to do work and large backlog of other features forces us to make tough decisions sometimes to deprioritise one feature over another, and unfortunately that leads to certain features like this getting pushed off our immediate roadmap and into the backlog, to pick back up at a later time.

However as previously mentioned I will discuss with my colleagues when we're done with our current work to see if anyone has capacity to pick it up. As I recall it was near the top of the backlog, so there may be hope in the future.

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Sunborn · Accepted Answer

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/50167/midi-sync

my primary interest is using the keyboard with my hardware instruments.

Then, you are using the wrong controller. The purpose of Komplete Kontrol keyboards is to drive the NI software and all your plugins. Though you can still use Midi and connect hardware, this is NOT the main purpose of the controller.

So, the short answer is: No, the Komplete Kontrol keyboard itself cannot receive MIDI Clock.

Despite being a premium controller, the Komplete Kontrol (MK1, MK2, and MK3) is designed to be a "host-centric" device. It relies on the Komplete Kontrol software (either standalone or as a plugin in a DAW) to handle all timing-related tasks like the Arpeggiator and Scale engine.

If you are using the keyboard in MIDI Mode (without the computer) to play your hardware instruments:

* The Internal Clock: The keyboard has its own internal tempo for features like the onboard Arp (specifically on the newer MK3 models), but it cannot be "slaved" to an external drum machine or sequencer's clock.
* No Clock Input: It does not listen for MIDI Start/Stop or Clock messages via the 5-pin MIDI DIN or USB ports.

However, there is a workaround (short of). I suggest to use one of your other controllers for your hardware and use Komplete Kontrol as your master keyboard. While you can't send clock to the keyboard, you can achieve a "DAW-less" feel or sync your gear by changing the direction of the flow:

1- Use the Keyboard as the Master: On the S-Series MK3, you can manually set the tempo (Hold SHIFT + press TEMPO, then use the 4D encoder). While it still won't sync to an incoming clock, you can manually match the BPM of your hardware to the keyboard. 
Note: As of recent firmware (v1.9.4), the MK3 does not send MIDI Clock out to hardware either; the tempo is strictly for the internal Arp/Note Repeat.

2- The "Software Bridge" (Recommended): If you want your hardware instruments and your keyboard's Arp/Scale features to be perfectly synced, you must have the Komplete Kontrol software running on a computer.

* Connect your hardware to your computer (via a MIDI interface or the keyboard's own MIDI Out).
* Set your DAW or the Komplete Kontrol standalone app as the Master Clock.
* The software will sync the keyboard’s internal features and send MIDI Clock out to your hardware simultaneously.

3- Use a Computer-less Arpeggiator: If your goal is to use an Arpeggiator synced to your hardware without a laptop, you might be better off using the Arp built into your hardware instruments themselves. Use the Komplete Kontrol as a "dumb" controller to send MIDI notes, and let your synth (which can receive MIDI Clock) handle the rhythmic patterns. 😉