Aftertouch Assignment on Kontrol MK3

Vili
Vili Member Posts: 10 Newcomer
edited October 22 in Komplete Kontrol

Hi all,

I just got a midi keyboard that does not meet my expectations, which I am gonna be returning. I want to get NI Kontrol s61 MK3 instead, which looks much superior in many ways and I think it will be a good fit for me. I am just wondering about one thing. 

I understand the aftertouch depends on the plugins, but I believe, in general, parameters on each plug-in can be manipulated from different controllers. For example expression on a string instrument plugin can be manipulated with a pedal, or with a wheel controller. I want to be able to assign a parameter on the aftertouch. I have made a video featuring the keyboard I currently have,  and will be returning to the shop, to explain what I mean:

LINK.pdf

I can't post links yet so I have put the link into a file.

Can someone help clarify this and if this is possible. The aftertouch for making expressive and realistic string instruments is one of the key features I want this keyboard for. 

Many thanks

Best Answer

  • Jeremy_NI
    Jeremy_NI Customer Care Posts: 13,047 mod
    Answer ✓

    Aftertouch is its own category of MIDI message like Note-on, Pitch Bend, Control Change, Program Change. It is not a CC that can be reassigned.

    It is up to the individual plug-in to decide what to do with aftertouch. Some will hardcode it to a parameter, others will allow it to be remapped. But all the controller can do is send the information.

    That's true with monophonic aftertouch and even more with polyphonic aftertouch, which the MK3 is both capable of. A Poly AT message consists of the Note Number and the value. As there are 128 MIDI notes, it’s possible transform poly AT to 128 CCs. But this is certainly something very special and not on the keyboard’s side to handle.

Answers

  • Matthew_NI
    Matthew_NI Product Team Posts: 1,454 mod

    Aftertouch is its own category of MIDI message like Note-on, Pitch Bend, Control Change, Program Change. It is not a CC that can be reassigned.


    It is up to the individual plug-in to decide what to do with Aftertouch. Some will hardcode it to a parameter, others will allow it to be remapped. But all the controller can do is send the information.

  • Kymeia
    Kymeia NKS User Library Mod Posts: 5,019 mod
    edited June 13

    I am finding some plugins seem to ignore poly aftertouch completely, the AAS plugins for example, it isn't even a mappable param, same unfortunately is true of Massive X, they only support mono. Most though have assignable params that include poly and mono aftertouch separately so anything that is assigned to mono AT will need reassigning but once done it works great. I'm also finding a few though that just state 'aftertouch' in the modulation sources, but actually seem agnostic about whether that is poly or mono and don't need any reassignments to be made (Pigments for example).

  • Jeremy_NI
    Jeremy_NI Customer Care Posts: 13,047 mod
    Answer ✓

    Aftertouch is its own category of MIDI message like Note-on, Pitch Bend, Control Change, Program Change. It is not a CC that can be reassigned.

    It is up to the individual plug-in to decide what to do with aftertouch. Some will hardcode it to a parameter, others will allow it to be remapped. But all the controller can do is send the information.

    That's true with monophonic aftertouch and even more with polyphonic aftertouch, which the MK3 is both capable of. A Poly AT message consists of the Note Number and the value. As there are 128 MIDI notes, it’s possible transform poly AT to 128 CCs. But this is certainly something very special and not on the keyboard’s side to handle.

  • Vili
    Vili Member Posts: 10 Newcomer
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/159479#Comment_159479

    Ah ok! So this applies to aftertouch in general, it is designed in a way that is not reassignable to different controller numbers like CC messages (I think it should be though). That clarifies things :)
    So basically I need to find good plugins to work with. Thank you so much!

  • Matthew_NI
    Matthew_NI Product Team Posts: 1,454 mod

    Well plug-ins may themselves allow you to map Aftertouch to anything. It's up to them.

  • Vili
    Vili Member Posts: 10 Newcomer
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/159487#Comment_159487

    Ok then, I want to purchase NI Kontrol s61 MK3 and this is the package I get with it:
    Includes download software: Komplete Select, Komplete Kontrol, Stradivari Cello, Guitar Rig LE, Izotope Elements Suite, Ableton Live Lite and Hypha

    Is there anything here where I can actually utilise aftertouch effectively to get a realistic strings sound. For example is Stradivari Cello able to do that, is there anything else in the bundle for a fuller orchestral sound???

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