Would love a "sleep mode" for Komplete Kontrol MK3 Keyboards

FilmCompos3r · 2025-04-02T16:15:12+00:00

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As a professional composer I tend to like to leave my studio "on" much of the time, and I'm surprised to see there's no kind of time out or sleep mode for the MK3 keyboards.

Perhaps the LEDs / Display are robust enough that they can be left on indefinitely - I genuinely don't know - but it seems intuitive that a "time out" should nevertheless kick in to turn these elements off, if only to save power, after some period of non-interaction with the device. Thoughts?

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Kymeia

Yes good idea

BIF

This is an excellent idea. A configurable "sleep time". And you can wake up the device by manipulating controls or playing keys.

The question is, would it be able to keep the USB connection with KK? Or would it have to drop the connection when sleeping, only to have to reconnect when waking up? And can either of those be done?

Vocalpoint

"The question is, would it be able to keep the USB connection with KK? Or would it have to drop the connection when sleeping, only to have to reconnect when waking up? And can either of those be done?"

If this were even remotely possible - that would mean keeping your DAW open 24x7 and it would certainly not recover like that.

I do use sleep here on the DAW - but just for the actual computer (with nothing running) Would never consider keeping the DAW open - (sleep or no sleep) for fear of lost work.

All you need is power bump, a hardware issue, static - you name it - to cause a sleeping machine to act up. Believe me - I have seen it all and helped many a user through lost work due to leaving their DAW open 24x7.

All you need to do is lose one big project and I guarantee - your need for sleep mode will change instantly.

Now - for the actual hardware - sleep mode might be slightly attractive but so is the power switch. That takes 2 seconds and I am ready to roll.

BIF

Good points. But I never shut anything down unless I'm getting ready to boot. Whether it's a game, an Excel spreadsheet, a Word document, or my website editor, all I ever do is hit "Save" or more likely "Save As" before I walk away. Sometimes I leave Cubase up for days. But yeah, if something glitches, I'm just going to have to reboot anyway.

I don't customarily let my computers sleep, either. I only let the monitors shut off, and that's it; they just stay running so that my backups, antivirus, and antimalware things can run at their appointed times.

LEDs and screens can wear down if they're always on full bright. And that's why I think it would be nice to let the MK 3 go to "sleep", or maybe just dim the lights and screen.

JesterMgee

This has been requested since the MK1 was released, and the MK2, and the A/M series which all do not allow it to switch off either, tho I feel the MK1 was more superior in this regard because at least it was only powered via plugpack so you could at least attach it to a switched power board so it powers off with everything else if you have that setup. The MK2 and A/M series stay on if your PC cannot switch the USB off, seems that is what burns out the OLED displays on the A/M series.

If they listened to users they would have included this as a simple feature by now but we all know that user suggestions don't matter.

Eliran

Something tells me there's a bit of planned obsolescence here. This is truly something that is extremely simple to implement and, consequentially, would prolong the life of your device. If Apple taught us anything is that features that would prolong the life of your device are highly undesirable for the company.

Like BIF I too never turn anything off unless it has one of those delicate displays. The problem is that my Mk3 is the brain of my midi control operation which makes this whole ordeal very inconvenient.

FilmCompos3r

Personally, I don't want it to "Sleep" like a computer would (and likely lose USB connection). I ONLY want the LEDs and screen to turn off after a period of non-use and agree that anything more substantial would create problems.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219771#Comment_219771

Power switch is the only way to be sure right now.

Given that the MK3 has now been out about 2 years now - if this thing had that capability onboard - I am sure we would already be enjoying it.

BIF

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219779#Comment_219779

Given that the MK3 has now been out about 2 years now - if this thing had that capability onboard - I am sure we would already be enjoying it.

I'm sure this is the correct answer.

JesterMgee

It won't happen, or it would have been a thing already after requests were made 10 years ago for the MK1 keyboard.

As already stated, user requests like this have no bearing on any development that I have seen in all the time I have been an NI customer, never has and likely never will.

Justerini

Just saw this post - I am not sure what the reason for this request would be if someone can elaborate
When I am finished composing I close my software (CuBase) and my Kontrol 61 MK11 and Maschine 3 and Kontrol S88MK III are all connected and awake even though not connected to open software Cubase or Komplete Kontrol or other and when I go to bed I power down my MacBook and turm off the power plug at the wall (Australia term) so my laptop is officially turned off at the power and my hardware goes to sleep as USB power is off - seems like a requirement that is or would not be a priority for NI

More important features I would like is the reintroduction of the midi icon in KK software for templates and well we all know Maschine integration with S88MK111 (but I have a Kontrol 61 MK11 - so maschine works on the hardware)

JesterMgee

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219936#Comment_219936

So one thing to always keep in mind is not everyone works in the same way.

for instance I have a custom lift desk that has 6 separate switched power outlets with a switch bank built into my desk so I can switch off power to devices or switch off ALL power. The one thing I do not power down tho is the computer since sometimes I leave it on but wish to power off all my hardware and monitors with a single switch.

Because the keyboard is powered both by USB from the PC and from a plug pack, the computers USB is always powered on even when the PC is off which means the keyboard is always powered on and being on a draw under my desk I do not see it and it is difficult to reach the power button on the back. Same with A/M series that are only USB powered and don't even have a power switch, solution is to yank the USB plug if you don't want the OLED display to just burn out (and it will). It is also not convenient to reach the power button on the keyboard as suggested above for all users, like me some have them on a draw or in a rack where it can be difficult to reach and instead they use an external power switch which I would argue is MORE safe because it cuts power to all plug packs and power strips, pointless tho if the USB power is still powering up the keyboard direct from the PC.

So, the option to have the keyboard switch off the displays and LEDs when no USB data connectivity to the PC is detected would be very welcome.

FilmCompos3r

I imagine simply turning off the screen and the LEDs after a timeout is implementable as a software feature.

It really seems like those of us who work professionally 24/7 really need this if there's any danger of these components burning out over the next 5 years; it is, after all, a feature built into every other modern OLED/LCD product I've ever used (except this one).

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/220277#Comment_220277

It would actually be a firmware feature.

The MK3 was assembled in 2022/23 for sale in Fall 2023.

Logically - if this ability was available in that MK3 physical screen component - there is no reason not to include it.

But - if this actual screen component does not have this capability onboard - you cannot simply “add” it via software.

FilmCompos3r

Do we really know if its firmware or software? They say it's "a computer" so I'm assuming it's probably running a version of android OS or something.

Regardless, the screen does have brightness control, so there is access from software to the backlight. And the LEDs can turn on and off at will so no issue there.

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