Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Review

Watch our In-Depth Review of the NI KOMPLETE KONTROL MK2 Keyboard.

Author:: DJ Blaze
Publish date:: Nov 11, 2017

Overview

KOMPLETE KONTROL Mk2 extends the original keyboard’s workflow with 17 additional function buttons and two high-resolution color screens for browsing, previewing sounds, and more. And now – thanks to enhanced DAW and MASCHINE integration – it’s possible to mix, navigate, and edit projects directly from the hardware. The professional-grade Fatar keybeds and unique Light Guide are joined by new pitch and mod wheels, plus a horizontal touch strip for additional expression. Check out our in-depth review video and summary below to see if the KOMPLETE KONTROL MK2 Keyboards are the right fit for your own studio and performance needs.

Buy the Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 at the lowest price on Reverb.com

Review Video & Demo

Screen Shot 2017-09-07 at 11.19.45 AM.png

Watch our unboxing of the next generation of MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL.

Watch our In-Depth Review of the NI Maschine MK3.

The all new Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S-Series keyboards come in 25-key S25, 49-key S49, and 61-key S61 variants and they are perfectly mapped for the new Komplete 10 software making it much easier for users to control, navigate, and play the instruments and sounds within the new software. We've recently unboxed the new S49 Keyboard and our review is coming soon. In the meantime, check out the Komplete Kontrol feature details video to see what these keyboards have to offer.

Late last year, we reviewed the new Native Instruments Powerful tools that allow producers to make music of all styles and genres. The Native Instruments Maschine Studio easily allows users to bang out beats on the drum pads while the Native Instruments Komplete Keyboards made it simple to add a melody to the rhythm. Now Native Instruments has integrated the Maschine Studio with the Komplete Keyboards to make an easy and intuitive workflow for production.

Native Instruments just slashed prices on the Traktor Kontrol S2 and S4 and continued the promotion "until supplies lasted". NI has finally finished off its inventory of S2 and S4 controllers to make way for the new Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2 and the Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2 Digital DJ controllers which were just announced today! The new controllers boast improvements to the original designs by adding multi-color hotcue/remix deck pads, hi-res aluminum metal plate jog wheels, FLUX mode buttons, and Traktor DJ iOS compatibility.

Native Instruments released a free update to its KOMPLETE KONTROL software. KOMPLETE KONTROL Version 1.8.0 contains bug fixes and three main features which include New Smart Play Scales, Enhanced Smart Play chord features, and Stand Alone Transport Control. Check out a rundown of these features and our KOMPLETE Keyboards review for more info.

Late last year, we reviewed the new Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 Keyboard and the Komplete Ultimate Software setup which was rather expensive all together, but still provided a superb experience when using them together to craft beats. NI will now offer the Komplete Kontrol Keyboards with a free software download that will give users lots of Komplete sounds and melodies to start crafting beats without needing to purchase additional software. The NI team also has also launched a limited-time KEYS TO KOMPLETE Sales Special.

Native Instruments have just released a software update for our favorite beat-making device Maschine. The Maschine 2.2 software update allows for full and seamless integration with the recently reviewed NI Komplete Kontrol S-Series Keyboards, touch sensitive controls for the Maschine Studio knobs, and new scale and Arpeggiator modes to open up new creative possibilities.