Is it possible for the A49 Komplete Kontrol to "default" to "MIDI mode" when opening DAW?

Thanks! That’s definitely helpful. I’m wondering if there’s something I can do on the hardware level to sort of force the keyboard into a MIDI mode so that even if the DAW is loading the script, the keyboard itself just stays in one mode. I noticed that the legacy version of Controller Editor is available and I’m curious if that can help me at least build a MIDI template that’s blank.

Ah, I see. It's making more sense now. Yeah, I've gone in and edited the script to allow for some MIDI functionality already, but I may be able to remove how it loads up the MIDI CC values and see if I can get it to default into whatever "script" it's running when we key press SHIFT+PLUGIN-MIDI. Anyway, thanks for the insight friend! :)

Yeah I totally agree. This is something that's VERY frustrating, especially for us seasoned producers who are trying to come up on easy-to-use hardware that works right out the box from trusted companies lol (that was a mouthful).

I did NOT figure this out. No matter what I did, it just kept defaulting into that weird DAW controller mode. I simply don't have the coding prowess to dig that deep into the script. I'm sure I could learn it but I aint got no time for that lol.

Additionally, there's another issue with this controller I've found while working with sample libraries that need a lot of smooth interpolation with modulation curves (piano roll automation). The mod-wheel creates a weird "steppy-ness" to it where the automation curves are snapping and not smooth. This is weird because when I used my MK-I S49, it was smooth as butter (even though I don't like the touch modulation thing), but this A49 is very steppy and wonky and I find myself having to fix curves A LOT. I plan on just selling this and my MK-I and getting an MK-II maybe.

Yeah I'd say you're better off just returning it and getting their S-series. The newer ones, to my knowledge, are much better and are a continuation of their MK models. Lemme know how it works out for you! I'm going to be doing the same soon!

I totally know what you mean, 100%. I'm very very similar in my approach. I've had KK for like, ever, (including Ultimate), and while it's incredible the amount of stuff you get, I still find myself using it modularly like that a lot. It's just easier, simple to integrate into projects, etc (which is also why I love Reaktor so much). The KK software is nice too, but like you mentioned, it's nice for exploration. It is indeed very very clunky. 99% of the time, I'm not gonna fire up KK software in my DAW to scroll through thousands of presets and expansions; that's just ridiculous. I told them in a review that if they had it setup to where it was more like quickly-browsable sample-based libraries, we probably would be more prone to use it. For now, preset-cycling is still okay on satandalone VST's.

I will say though, my S49 MK-I is STILL better than this A49. It has NEVER defaulted into KK-mode or whatever it is. S49 always opens up in its dummy-MIDI state, which is so nice. In fact, I got used to just mapping things on the fly to the CC knobs (I think by default, the S49 MK-I is MIDI CC-14 and up). It's so nice. And it responds to very subtle touches too. And there's also a pressure sensitivity on the keys, which allows you to get even more surgical if you wanted (legit, it's like an additional MIDI-CC control from how hard you press, if you reeeeally wanted to go deep into expression [thinking it could be good for stuff like vibrato]).||

I think something that's a bit of a disagreement on the producer-front seems to be that these developers kind of "piegon-hole" you into a "way" of producing, but the strange thing about that is that it's kinda ironic. I think that's because when we hop into the DAW, while we DO want to explore, we want to have the freedom to let our exploration iterate itself, not be tied down to specific paths that pull us away from our creative expression. I think this is the beauty of Kontakt. I think there's some more innovation that needs to be integrated into their KK software imho. Idk, maybe I'm asking too much haha.

Thank you! And ahhh yes, the fatar keybed. Yeah that's a big selling point! I know what you mean. I think you'll be okay to try the S-49 (assuming they have a return policy still). You can always return it! If not, you can sell what gear you do have hopefully.

And yeah, look/appeal is only a factor in the usability of it all (at least after its ease of UI functionality), but there are plugins that don't look all flashy that work amazing and have easily scalable UI's, deep-integrated usability, with great browsing functionality and indexing capabilities (ADSR's Sample Manager comes to mind; I know it's not entirely comparable because it's a sample manager, but still... something to learn from them I think).

Also, I purchased my MK-I refurbished btw. It was used and I've never had any issues with it even though it's older hardware. I'm not sure if the new models are made with the same robustness, but I love it.