Feedback - Komplete Kontrol 3.0

1. As a new user, KK is an EXTREMELY confusing GUI. I understand that it is more of a host software for other instruments. But, given that fact, it seems the design language is all wrong. It should get the hell out of the way and be all back end. The instruments should be front and center. They are not. They are tiny icons that are hard to get to or find, subject to confusing ladders of selection/categories/subcategories. Ideally, the user wouldn’t even be aware that KK exists.
2. I don’t understand what the purpose of the top section of this browser is for (pic above). It seems a pointless waste of real estate.
3. For current users and notwithstanding point #1 above, it sure seems there should be two modes- “Studio” and “Performance”, each optimized for their respective purpose.
4. For preset selection, it would be nice to reduce font size, but magnify the text currently hovered over/selected, ala the Dock in macOS. It would allow more presents listed within the window, save real estate, and preserve legibility.
5. Ideally, every instrument that is NKS2 compliant- whether it be an NI product (Kontakt, Reaktor, Massive, FM8, or KK) or a non-NI product- should have direct integration with NI hardware going forward without KK involved at all (see #1). That is literally the purpose of the new hardware would allow us to have more fun making music.

Here's the problem. The world DOESN'T work the way you say. It did at one point, but no longer does. Why? Because I created a house with saws, hammers, chisels, and sandpaper. Maybe it takes me three years to build this thing, and I did it right, so I know it will last for 100+ years.

But just five years later, a buyer comes along and wants to extend it. But they don't use saws, hammers, chisels, or sandpaper. They use a CNC machine, a massive 3D printer, molded ceramics, and composites for the final finish. Their extension to my house will last for 50 years, but who cares, 'cause we'll all be dead before then anyway. The push is on because with their techniques, they can have the add-on done in a month. In fact, with their process, they can redo the WHOLE HOUSE in 3 months.

And who's to say that the buyer is wrong? My original design might have been an amazing piece of craftsmanship, but there will be little things wrong with it. A doorway too close to a window here, a too-small closet there, and a sharp edge sticking out in the kitchen by the stove.

And so the UI needs to be redone. But you don't just "move" a window, and you can't enlarge a closet without taking away some of the bathroom that's right next door.

So you come up with a whole new design. All to improve the UI, yep. Oh, and it won't take 3 months. It will take 3 years like it did for me working with metal hand tools. But we won't admit that the new guy knows software. Hammering nails? Not so much.

Thank a bunch for this post. I found myself biting my lip a fair amount for a few days from directly responding to personal attacks and the mischaracterization of my postings thru inaccurate paraphrasing and sloppy "quoting".

Never did I call someone a "Luddite". The distinction of how different people have a different degrees of willingness to "break things" to rebuild is the point I was making that others would misinterpret.

I don't want to poke at this.. but I also don't some to think that I'm the type of person that actually called others "Luddites" and such. That never happened despite what some claimed.

But enough said on that.

I am very much enjoying the journey with KK3 + S-Mks3 evolving at a creative tool for music making.

Every fews weeks seems to be bring some welcome progressive tweak.

Finally one of you at NI said something about members using this forum for ego driven confrontation and nor was this an isolated incident. So THANK YOU. I was beginning to wonder whether there is any such thing as moderation on this forum.

And @Sunborn...well done and well said.

We should bear in mind that "New NI" probably has a lot more US-based team members than "Old NI" ever did. That probably includes developers, administrators, testers, and the "_NI" folks who sift through forum posts.

That makes a difference because the US just came out of a Thanksgiving holiday weekend of seeing family, and eating turkey, ham, and other delicious nosh, all while watching American football. And then there's the food-coma that comes on from overdosing on tryptophan, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. 😉