Are There Any "Gotchas" running a S49 Mk3 to drive an S88 Mk1, which is running KK 2.9.6?

KingKonga
KingKonga Member Posts: 75 Member
in Komplete Kontrol

The question pretty much says it all. I have the OLD S88 Mk1 running the OLD 2.9.6, but I want the latest features of the Mk3 Series, and the latest KK version. Will I have a problem?

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  • Vocalpoint
    Vocalpoint Member Posts: 3,972 Expert
    edited June 21
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/46093/are-there-any-gotchas-running-a-s49-mk3-to-drive-an-s88-mk1-which-is-running-kk-2-9-6

    Ideally - you can't really have two versions of KK running in parallel.

    There are some workarounds out there - but none are really supported.

    If you want things to work with the least amount of hassle - it's really down to choosing one combo (MK1+2.96 or MKIII+3.x) or the other on a single computer.

    VP

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 3,328 Expert
    edited June 21

    Will likely be more headache than its worth. I think the issue is the database is the same DB for both applications but the V3 updates the database which makes it not work with v2 of KK. Initially NI were going to make it possible to run both at the same time (well, it was stated initially) but almost as soon as KK v3 was released they changed and said it was not possible (or easy) to run both on the same system.

    Either way, you cannot run both at the same time in the same project either. I believe the drivers conflict too so nothing works as you will hope for. You would think they would make it possible but I guess it is out of their experience range to make that happen.

    Can only say good luck adapting to the workflow of the new V3 software tho, it's nowhere as efficient or enjoyable to browse.

  • Kymeia
    Kymeia NKS User Library Mod Posts: 5,838 mod
    edited June 22
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/231543#Comment_231543

    Actually it's the other way round, initially they shared the same database which caused all sorts of problems for those of us running both but NI responded by giving them separate databases and scan apps. So it is easier to run both side by side - still not 'supported' but for the standalone it is easy as you just put each app in a separate folder

    Screenshot 2025-06-22 at 11.05.38.png

    For the plugins it's more complicated so you need to decide what you want to run in the plugin versions. For me I use 2.9 exclusively now for loading older plugins including VST2 (which on Mac are unsupported) so I just use the VST2 of that (conveniently KK3 doesn't come as a VST3) and only load it in a dedicated copy of Reaper in Rosetta mode. For KK3 I use the VST3 and AU.

    Not sure about the hardware but since they use different hardware services that too might be OK.

  • KingKonga
    KingKonga Member Posts: 75 Member

    I'm curious. Does anyone think it's possible to use the S88 Mk1 as just a dummy controller? In other words, NOT install KK 2.9.6, and just connect the MIDI cables so the S88 can trigger the S49 Mk3?

  • JesterMgee
    JesterMgee Member Posts: 3,328 Expert
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/231636#Comment_231636

    It can act as a MIDI keyboard, however it becomes a pretty large and incapable device to use just as a basic MIDI keyboard.

    It may even work as a MIDI keyboard connected via USB since the MK1 does not work with the MK3 software.

    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/231574#Comment_231574

    Tomato / Tomato… It's some limitation which I believe is also differently problematic on PC and Mac. Either way, not worth the headache of trying for most people.

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