Korg Keystage 49 and NKS Implementation

I didn't think that any of these 'integrations' had parameter name or value support, even the demonstrations on the NI youtube channel just show MIDI CC values on the screen.

So don't get your hopes up, I don't know for sure with the Keystage, but it's probably just like the other third party devices i'm afraid and is just vanilla MIDI CC mapping and nothing that you couldn't do before. Hope i'm wrong though.

I think that's through the Korg's own DAW integration (Ableton perhaps?) using VST automation parameters. As the video is from 2023.

The NI 'Integration' seems to be only vanilla MIDI CC. As per their own video, Progress eh? 🤐

It's been stated that the "first round" of integration with other hardware is a very basic midi implementation that indeed does not have any feedback of parameters to the keyboard, it works basically the exact same way as the MIDI Learn feature already built into the KK software (so technically it's not really any integration as yet, just an automated midi mapping and a buzz word).

My educated guess is this is all designed for marketing buzz and to allow NI to sell some bundles through other developers since that is the angle they now take. Saying these are NKS compatible is just designed to make it seem as if things are all integrated and work together where it offers basic at best functionality, sadly making things "just work" is all they seem to do now, release it as-is and figure out the rest later….. much later.

Problem is, as we already see, the half attempt just makes people feel underwhelmed, frustrated and less than impressed and this is what starts to spread on your Reddits etc it just causes lack of confidence and even for long time users like me who were once avid promoters of this ecosystem, have also lost confidence. I still feel it's a worthy eco system in itself, just a shame it's not developed by a more open and invested company interested more in how users work than how to satisfy shareholders.

Ha, I certainly have not bothered to google that deep to find out who owns NI or if they are publicly traded. Makes no difference to me, lets simply say the company appears to values profit over user satisfaction then based on my observations over the years.

Main point is, they don't listen to users and the development is very slow with YEARS between some issues being raised and fixed (if ever at all). It was even confirmed that by the end of the KKV2 development the team was not properly focused and had hundreds of unresolved issues without any real way to address any of them, likely this was part of the decision to start over, and likely this is because the actual talent behind KK initially is long gone and the new hires struggle to understand.

Sure there are a few things dripping out here and there (mostly only to add missing promised function for the MK3 and not to address any other concerns) but KK V3 was released WAY ahead of time even tho it was stated it was at the release stage it had/has far too many issues and omissions.

It still does not work correctly, still has the bugs and issues it had on the day of release and is still showing little signs of improving in these areas. Yes, wider adoption would be great but it would be nice to see things done properly to start with. Like I mentioned, releasing things half done, half working, missing large features and function and stating this will be a feature in future just adds to the lack of confidence because on the wide internet it is well known you NEVER buy into anything NI with the promise of future functionality, they have that reputation pretty well earned.

I still know some users that purchased the MK3 where it first came out hoping for a great xmas for their kids (blind) only to discover and be told it was not yet compatible but would be in mid 2024…. It's now 2025, the keyboards long returned and the users not at all impressed and since I suggested the Komplete Kontrol keyboard back when the MK2 and KKV2 offered a great user experience, that is also egg on my face and I felt VERY bad thinking about how excited that kid must have been and how disappointed they would have been having to then return it and find something else so for the last few years now I have not been so eager to offer the suggestion when asked and this is a pretty important point, experienced users are ignored and some have a pretty wide reach and good insights.