Ask me anything: Kontrol S-Series MK3

I really like my S61 MK2 and use it all the time. It's become my main controller. I was surprised in the MK3 marketing video when track selection was demonstrated using the wheel. Glad this was asked and discussed. My heart sank reading the reply. This is actually one of the top reasons I use the MK2. Live performance where selecting a track is very quick/easy. It is the main reason I moved off my Yamaha to the KK MK2. Easy sound/track selection is much easier than having to remember A12 for this sound and B7 for that sound, etc. The KK keyboard integration with Ableton Live and quick, fast, track selection during live performance is the #1 reason I use the keyboard.

It's unfortunate this feature is now limited and makes it difficult for me to recommend for live performance.

That said, the MK2 has completely met my needs.

Question, which I don't think has been asked. I know it was asked a ton for the MK2. Will there be an option to turn off the lights on the MK3 keyboard?

Re: Play Assist...

So currently as we know if we use play assist chords inside Komplete Kontrol, we get a single note appear inside the daw each time we press a key.

When play assist ends up on board on the MK3, will this then produce, for example notes in the daw for the 1-3-5 when we press a key.

Hope that makes sense?

I am thrilled to see the resurgence of activity from Native Instruments! First the X1, now the new S keyboard lineup. A promise of more robust hardware. And hopefully the new products will be accompanied by excellent support and customer service. I have a number of older NI products and want to share my hardware experience:

1. Fall of 2019 purchased the S61 Keyboard. It arrived with something loose and rattling inside the case. Dealers shipped a replacement.
2. Replacement arrived, also had something rattling inside. Was different keyboard with different serial number. Dealer shipped a replacement.
3. This one had a guide light out. They had me deal with NI tech support. They shipped a replacement with a large grease spot on the upper right case. At least the keyboard worked so I kept it. Customer support advised me to clean off spot, it would not clean off, was some kind of change in the plastic.
4. A year later one of the keys stopped working, now out of warranty, I paid for a refurbished replacement from NI, arrived with all lights and keys working, no rattles, still have that one (for now, MK3 looks really good).
5. Purchased a Komplete Audio 6 in 2019. It arrived with the MIDI ports not working. Took months of back and forth with customer support to finally get one exchanged with NI that worked. Still have it, is still working.
6. Also purchased an M32 in 2020. It developed a rattle inside the upper right case after a month of playing. NI replaced it fairly quickly and the new one does not rattle

So that was my introduction to NI hardware! Also have a Machine (current model) and a Traktor S4 MK2, both work great so it hasn't been all bad. Even with all this I'm still a huge fan, use the gear with the Arturia V 9 collection and the Komplete Ultimate 14 set of instruments. Looking forward to what NKS2 and the Komplete Kontrol upgrade will do for us. And I do not use my Maschine in conjunction with the S61 MK2 so will not miss those buttons. Keep up the good work, really looking forward to what the future may bring from NI!

I am also someone that has had issues with the keyboard sounding majorly long to play on. It's like this horrible sound when playing the white keys.