Feedback - Komplete Kontrol 3.0

Herein lies the difference of opinion.

I'm sorry that I can't help you to your satisfaction.

I will continue to be clear about why we've done what we've done, the near and long term benefits of doing it, and also continue to be clear about the features we have prioritized and are upcoming next.

All that can be done, is that we put the information out there, so that people can understand it, even if not every decision is appreciated. At least we can keep the dialogue open and honest, which as I've heard was lacking in the past.

I understand that a few of you are particularly upset. And some of that might be a difference of opinion, but hopefully you'll see in due time that the updates we continue to bring help get at the root of your frustrations, even if the near term has affected you perhaps more than most users.

• Regarding NI's attitude to it's customers, I agree more than people might realize. Until two years ago, I myself was a user, rather than an employee. But, since joining, and with the help of a fantastic and passionate team, I've tried to help the collective effort to change this. Yes, there are some bumps in the road, especially when making necessary but large technological transitions, however, you may count on me to continue participating in these forums, with a focus on dialogue.

• Regarding the lack of consideration for brand history and usage, I can't change your mind, but I can say that internally, nothing is further from the truth. As I write, my second monitor has up a 5 year roadmap full of exciting milestones for existing and new customers, which has not happened in some time. What we plan to do has everything to do with respect for history, and improving current usage. I absolutely must acknowledge though, that some changes might not always be well received by 100% of users. KK3 is a good example. Hundreds of thousands of happy users generally don't take to the forums to complain, but nor is it good to have p*ssed off hundreds of power users. Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words, so I hope our actions change your mind with time.

• Maschine feels AWOL... because we have been AWOL. I'm not going to pretend otherwise. Aside from smaller maintenance updates (including two updates today, one for Maschine software, the other for Maschine+), there has been very little communication, and no larger free or paid updates. The first major communication that community received in years was the deprecation of the Maschine integration with the new Kontrol S MK3 keyboard. Understandable then, that users would ask ever more existential questions. It's fine and dandy that the integration persists with MK2, but the questions are "what's to come?". I cannot say as much on the topic of Maschine as I would like, just yet. But what I can say is that 2024 is likely to bring some improvements, albeit not until later in the year. We'll continue to invest in improving the new technology stack the underpins Kontrol S MK3, and this will ultimately benefit the existing (and new?!) Maschine software and hardware. I am painfully aware though, that this won't happen soon enough for some.

• Really my only point of contention, if we can call it that, is that we've little understanding of usage or user interaction. Granted, I'm referring very specifically to my domain, and less so to any frustrations you may have with Native Access and product/account amalgamation. I think what you're seeing as a lack of understanding, is perhaps the (still unpleasant, and in some cases temporary) side effect of data informed prioritization. Given a need to focus, and progress, we've done so relentlessly, and this can appear cold, unhelpful and frustrating, when the issues we've not yet prioritized affect you, or change your preferred workflow for the worse. So it's less that we don't understand what users want or do, and more that with six to seven figures worth of active users, not every decision is universally popular. As I'm sure this response of mine may not be.