How many devices can be used together?

NativeAmerican
NativeAmerican Member Posts: 55 Member
in Komplete Kontrol

I have seen two devices hooked up together, but I am wondering what the ultimate way to connect devices that will work together. I have Komplete S49 MK2, Maschine MK3, Mikro MK3, Studio and Jam. Is there a way to use at least three of them together? The only videos I have seen show Maschine working with a keyboard or Jam. I have yet to see the studio hooked up to multiple devices. I have all of these devices and want to see if I can make them work with each other. I figure the Jam should work along with the S49 MK2 and Maschine MK3, and that Studio would have to replace Maschine, but it would be interesting to have 3 or 4 devices working together.

Best Answer

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 3,344 Expert
    Answer ✓

    There are limitations on using multiples of the same thing so you can use a Maschine, Jam and KK Keyboard together as each does a different task but you cannot use 2 maschines or 2 komplete kontrol keyboards together since only 1 is programmed to function at a time.

    If you connect a second keyboard it will function only as a basic midi keyboard and will not display any actual data from Maschine on the display. Same if you have 2 KK keyboards, 1 will control the KK keyboard (usually the one you don't want to) and the other will just be midi input with no feedback from KK.

    That is unlikely to ever change.

Answers

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 3,344 Expert
    Answer ✓

    There are limitations on using multiples of the same thing so you can use a Maschine, Jam and KK Keyboard together as each does a different task but you cannot use 2 maschines or 2 komplete kontrol keyboards together since only 1 is programmed to function at a time.

    If you connect a second keyboard it will function only as a basic midi keyboard and will not display any actual data from Maschine on the display. Same if you have 2 KK keyboards, 1 will control the KK keyboard (usually the one you don't want to) and the other will just be midi input with no feedback from KK.

    That is unlikely to ever change.

  • NativeAmerican
    NativeAmerican Member Posts: 55 Member

    Thanks for your reply. I didn't know I could add another keyboard as a midi device. I have an A25 & M32, so that would be interesting. I also have an e-drum set and midi guitars, so I am just curious how much stuff I can work together. I could probably add another computer and then run a dual system through a mixer.

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 7,288 mod
    edited May 31
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/229000#Comment_229000

    Also Quote JesterMgee , 2025-05-29 :

    Not 100% correct (this is what makes actual use cases different from tech notes), both can be connected via USB and as LostinFoundation mentioned, one will be only MIDI enabled. That statement is (I assume) just a short answer simply to cover this kind of confusion. The "inconsistency" is the fact you cannot choose which connected keyboard will be the integrated one, it's always whichever keyboard is listed first in the device list (which if you have an A or M series keyboard, guess what, these will be chosen as the master over the more capable S series so even shooting for a cheap version doesn't work…).

    It's useless anyway because who would spend that kind of money on a KK keyboard just for MIDI when it is possibly one of the least functional MIDI keyboards on the market without the software. So many better and more flexible options for much less that can be used with better success.

    The TLDR of it all, you can't connect 2 KK keyboards to function together with the KK software and likely never will be able to.

    .

    Despite that I am sure that JesterMgee have practical experience with what he describes then still official advice is to connect a second N.I. keyboard using a Midi cable and not use two USB attached N.I. keyboards :

    .

    Quote : Can I Use More than One Kontrol S-Series MK3 Keyboard Simultaneously?
    Using more than one Kontrol S MK3 keyboard simultaneously on the same computer (e.g. Kontrol MK3 and another Kontrol MK3 / MK2 / A or M keyboard) is not supported.
    This can lead to inconsistent communication between your computer and the keyboards and cause a number of instabilities.
    If you want to use two MIDI keyboard controllers simultaneously, it is possible to use a second non-Kontrol MIDI keyboard controller, as this should not interfere with the Kontrol integration.

    .

  • NativeAmerican
    NativeAmerican Member Posts: 55 Member

    Interesting, I know Maschine Studio has midi in and out, and so does the S49 to use external midi devices. I was thinking that I could use a Casio keyboard that has preprogrammed songs, or a Roland drum module to use as triggers through midi. I have the Maschine MK3 also that has an audio interface built in. I haven't researched all the ways they all work, I just keep buying them. Honestly I have way too many NI devices at this point for one person.

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,623 Legend

    Note that in the quoted official statement it’s not written that second keyboard must be connected with a midi cable

  • PoorFellow
    PoorFellow Moderator Posts: 7,288 mod
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/229006#Comment_229006

    No , and if you read what it says then that is because they write :

    Using more than one Kontrol S MK3 keyboard simultaneously on the same computer (e.g. Kontrol MK3 and another Kontrol MK3 / MK2 / A or M keyboard) is not supported.

    That is they write to not use two Kontrol keyboards at the same time.

    What they also do write is this :

    If you want to use two MIDI keyboard controllers simultaneously, it is possible to use a second non-Kontrol MIDI keyboard controller, as this should not interfere with the Kontrol integration.

    But if you connect a second Kontrol keyboard as a simple Midi controller using Midi cable connection then the Kontrol keyboard for all intents and purposes is just another non-N.I. controller.

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 3,344 Expert
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/229000#Comment_229000

    Experimenting is always fun, that's how you learn practical skills. I've gone down that over complicated "connect everything to everything" phaze and learned a lot. Probably the biggest takeaway thing I have learned over the years is to just keep things simple if you want to be productive. The old saying less is more, I always found if I had too many connected controllers and geat I would spend far more time messing with everything and trying to best use things since I had them which can overcomplicated simple things.

    Short answer would simply be, don't bother with multiple NI controllers but if you have 2 keyboards, just connect them together and see how you get on. Like most of us, you will likely realise it's a waste of time and look into a better solution.

  • Kubrak
    Kubrak Member Posts: 3,154 Expert

    Maybe it is different in Maschine 3 (and/or Komplete Kontrol 3+ (SW)), but in Maschine 2 and KK2 one may connect two Sxx keyboards using USB. One works as proper Komplete Kontrol, the second is in MIDI mode.

    Also, for sure one may use keyboars, Maschine MK3/Studio and Maschine Jam together. Maybe that even different Maschines may be used together (one of each kind).

    At least using KK2 and/or Maschine 2.

  • NativeAmerican
    NativeAmerican Member Posts: 55 Member

    Mainly, I was just curious, I am sure it would take a lot of RAM and CPU power to run multiple devices at the same time. The idea is to use the power of the sounds into a live performance. Obviously, you can always layer sounds and that is the point of the software. It would be on another level if they had performance software to allow bands to switch instruments virtually.

    The idea right now is just to use the S49 MK2, Maschine MK3 and Jam together, which should be a basic supported configuration. I also want to add some sort of drum triggers, either a regular e-drum set or compact drum machine, so I can use drum sticks instead of finger trigger pads to drum. I also want to use a midi guitar to use for stringed instruments instead of a keyboard. This should all be basic, just depends on the software being able to recognize the devices.

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