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Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 Mk2
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£295.00
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The S49 MK2 is a very well constructed Native Instruments keyboard controller, with a few stunning features that really make it really stand out. Firstly, the keyboard is excellent to play. It has perfectly balanced keys, plus two well sprung pitch wheels and a control strip to boot. It's a thing of great beauty. The best feature is that the S49 has almost zero latency when using it with a DAW, e.g. Ableton Live - this makes it indispensable. It also works very well as a stand alone system, with the NI Komplete Kontrol software running on windows 10 desktop. As you will probably know, many controllers end up feeling a bit 'spongy' because of hardware delay or weak software that doesn't quite mesh, but this little baby is absolutely spot on. I've, literally, never felt so impressd with a controller of any kind. A second, major, asset is the key light system that shows song keys and sample mapping. If you don't know how to play in g minor - don't panic - the '49 will highlite the correct keys for you... and switch off the ones that you don't need. Are you not quite sure which notes are matched to a certain preset or sample bank? Well, it's all there right in front of you in pretty colours. I love it. You get a wide range of software (sounds and effects) bundled with the '49, and some of them are top notch, notably 'Massive,' which is one of best virtual synths available and 'The Genteman' piano: a very useable and authentic sounding workhorse. More importantly, at least as far as i'm concerned, the '49 loves Ableton Live (10) and you can switch between the tracks just by pushing the white buttons and adjust their volume by turning each knob underneath. Now that's really useful. Additionally, you just have to love the new colour screen which shows you which vst you are working with, and, more importantly, the NI sound audition system that, again, quickly becomes indispensable. I have to give an honourable mention to the fact that you can start, stop and quantise your Ableton recordings remotely, which is very cool. The question, therefore, is why am I only giving the S49 MK2 four stars? Well, firstly, the hype suggests that you can use the '49 as a substitute for your PC, I.E. completely ignore your mouse and keyboard while composing or recording. This just doesn't work. I think the interface is confusing without a monitor and a mouse. Also the vst software choices you get feel a bit hit and miss; I think NI should have given us vouchers to spend on what we wanted instead of dictating that we need, for example, a wide range of African drumming samples. Anoyingly, there are at least two NI pianos that are superior to The Gentleman; a £22 voucher does pop up when you register everything, but its a case of too little, too late. My other issue is that the interface system works very well with all things Native Instruments, but features, like audition and lovely the visual display screen stop working properly when you start using other VSTs - yes, they do still all play excellently of course. I would probably give the system 4.5 stars if that were possible. I've only touched on the great features. Overall the S49 MK2 comes highly recommended. You will more than likely fall deeply in love with this stunning controller and it will, no doubt, improve your creative workflow.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Once you've got it all connected and set up it really is joy to operate and use. Nice that you can either navigate to different sounds using your computer or using this keyboard - it's all connected which makes working your own way a whole lot more feasible.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you use this as a stand-alone it’s great. If you use Kontakt 6 as a major platform in your DAW with 16/32/64 outs it’s no better than a bog standard midi keyboard costing 1/4 of the price. You can’t integrate Komplete kontrol into Kontakt 5/6. Key lights don’t work and let’s be honest that’s why many buy it. It’s pathetic that NI haven’t bothered remedying this when there have been complaints ever since the S series came out.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great DAW. Accessing your sound libraries directly from the keyboard is amazing. Also; being able to control sound properties assigned directly to the keyboard knobs adds a whole new dimension to sound recording. You can also start sequencer running/recording and stopping all from the keyboard which means, you don't have to be so close to the computer anymore.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Wish I’d had more play time with it but what I’ve had so far has been great
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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