Native Instruments announces new entry-level hardware: KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series, MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 & TRAKTOR Kontrol S2!
The new KOMPLETE 12 bundles are only one part of the big Native Instruments day! Also today, the company announced a new affordable lineup of MIDI controllers including the new KONTROL A-Series as well as re-designed MASCHINE MIKRO.
The Kontrol A Series are designed to give more musicians the possibility to discover the clever NKS environment without buying the more expensive KONTROL S controllers. So the controller has 8 knobs, a small display (two bigs in the S series) as well as all useful buttons for navigating through the KOMPLETE software. The touch sensitive bar from the S series is also not on board here. Nonetheless, the new A-series a very interesting and I’m pretty sure they will be a big success for NI. That why they offer the best way to control PC/Mac plugins from a controller (automatic mappings) and are very affordable.
At the same time, the company also announced the third generation of the MASCHINE MIKRO. As with the brother, the interface is completely redesigned and follows the new MASCHINE design language. One of the new highlights of the MIKRO are the new smart strips that allows you to strum and bend sounds in a very creative way. On top, they announced the TRAKTOR Kontrol S2 and TRAKTOR 3 software which I don’t cover here.
Press Release September 6, 2018, Berlin
Native Instruments announces new entry-level hardware across all three brands, MASCHINE, KOMPLETE, and TRAKTOR for music production, performance, and DJing. This includes the KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series – a new line of affordable, smart keyboard controllers, and the third generations of MASCHINE MIKRO and TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Based on the success of last year’s MASCHINE Mk3 and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Mk2, the MASCHINE MIKRO and KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series are designed for laptop-based producers and musicians looking to get more serious and extend their workflow into hands-on hardware. Both bring pro-level features and innovation – such as NKS integration with MASCHINE and KOMPLETE instruments and effects – down to new, lower price points, offering affordable entry points into the NI universe.
Echoing the unified design language of the MASCHINE Mk3 and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Mk2, the new MIKRO and A-Series keyboards are the culmination of extensive user feedback and research. The resulting products are two streamlined, highly-playable instruments with a focus on getting ideas down fast.
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series
The KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series are an all-new line of keyboards coming in three sizes: 25, 49, or 61 keys. Combining streamlined designs with intelligent workflows, they make it easy for music makers to create, perform, and capture ideas straight from their keyboard. By bringing best-in-class semi-weighted keybeds and innovative features from the flagship S-Series down to a new, lower price point, the A-Series offers music makers of all genres an accessible gateway to hands-on production and performance.
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards integrate perfectly with a range of popular DAWs and come pre-mapped to all KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects, as well as hundreds of NKS plug-ins from over 75 leading manufacturers. Right out the box, the A-Series gives musicians everything they need to start creating, with MASCHINE Essentials included alongside an inspiring collection of pro-grade instruments from NI, including MONARK, THE GENTLEMAN, REAKTOR PRISM, and SCARBEE MARK I. With three sizes to choose from, the A-Series makes an ideal addition to any setup – bedroom, studio, or stage.
MASCHINE MIKRO
MASCHINE MIKRO is a flexible, compact beatmaking companion, now in its third generation. All-new bigger pads, based on those of the popular MASCHINE Mk3, make tapping out beats, playing melodies, and building up tracks a more fun and hands-on experience. The addition of a Smart Strip provides new ways of playing with MIKRO – by sliding fingers across the strip it’s possible to strum and bend sounds, and get creative with effects in real-time.
MASCHINE MIKRO comes bundled with MASCHINE Factory Selection – 1.6 GB of sounds, kits, samples, effects, and instruments, designed to give musicians and producers everything they need to start making music. Also included are full versions of the popular NI synths MASSIVE, MONARK, and REAKTOR PRISM. The MASCHINE software can be used standalone, or with any DAW, meaning that MIKRO fits easily into any music-making workflow – all while costing significantly less than previous generations.
The release of MIKRO also brings an all-new experience for getting started with MASCHINE. Whether making their first beat, or brushing up on the basics, NI’s comprehensive guides for getting started mean it has never been easier for musicians and producers to take the first steps on their MASCHINE journey.
Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series will be available on October 23, 2018 for starting price of 149$/€. The MASCHINE MIKRO will be available on September 18, 2018 for a price of 249$/€.
More information here: Native Instruments
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