Native Instruments releases Komplete Kontrol to version 3.0 with new NKS 2 and discontinues MK1 MIDI controller series.
In mid-September, Native Instruments announced the third generation (MK3) of its Kontrol S MMIDI keyboard series, for the first time with polyphonic aftertouch keybeds. All Komplete keyboards across generations have one thing in common: Komplete Kontrol. A host software/plugin that enables the use of the NKS.
Kontrol MK3 series has recently been available. With this release, Native Instruments also published Komplete Kontrol in version 3.0. The news is also accompanied by bad news.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 3.0
Komplete Kontrol 3.0 is now available for download in Native Access. The software remains the same. It is a host software/plugin that makes using the NKS standard possible. Talking about NKS, the new KK 3.0 introduces NKS 2.0.
As users, we are still in the dark about this. Native Instruments has not yet shared in detail what the big new features of NKS 2.0 are. I’m not sure, but the extensive user interfaces on the new S MK3 keyboards are probably one of the new features. Plus, the ability to work with polyphonic aftertouch.
Then, it supports the Kontrol S MK3 controller keyboard, HiDPI mode(s), and host plugin resizing. Komplete Kontrol 3.0 also features a new visual browser and VST 3 support with parameters information on the new keyboards. Besides this, it has the ability for the play assist arp to respond to channel pressure.
It also comes with many bug fixes, including a fix for the broken scrolling in sampler audio audio module, and more.
RIP Native Instruments Komplete S MK1
With new hardware and software release, old products are often left to die. Here too. With the release of Komplete Kontrol 3.0, Native Instruments officially discontinued the Kontrol Mk1 keyboards. In detail.
The MK1 keyboards are no longer supported and will not work with the new Komplete Kontrol 3.0 and future updates. But will still work with the latest version of KK 2. (2.9), which includes Apple Silicon and VST3 support.
They say:
NI will no longer maintain older versions of Komplete Kontrol and cannot guarantee they will be supported by future versions of your computer’s operating system.
As with all technology companies, our resources are not unlimited; it is not possible for us to continue the maintenance of all our older software while also focusing on research, innovation, and supporting new product releases and features.
Full details about the Komplete Kontrol S MK1 discontinuation you get here.
First Impression
I downloaded the new version for a quick test. In the beginning, I had little difficulties, but after scanning the plugins, Komplete Kontrol 3.0 worked. At first glance, I didn’t see any big new features. Yes, there is a new UI and browser. Otherwise, it remains the same plugin, which is a bit of a shame. I expect some new features like instrument plugin layering and more.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 3.0 is available now from Native Access. It runs as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (Intel + native Apple Silicon) and Windows. The minimum OS requirements are now macOS 12, 13… and Windows 10 (latest Service pack) and later.
More information here: Native Instruments
It was foreseeable, they have not given up their patented “Kore exit strategy®”. It is simply better to invest money in real hardware, than in software-based products, which will be discontinued after some time. At least synth-wise!
Vergingng on sharp practice. Contrast that with Apple who support two of old versions of the OS.
The new owners are eyeing up the potential profits from the new overpriced Kontrol, forgetting that more and more of us are choosing to avoid NI product in the future, particularly hardware precisely for this built-in obsolescence scammery.
Go with a third party KB that still let’s you use the pricey stuff you’ve only had for a few years…
NI killed the Maschine Jam and the S5 as well. Killed the S4 MK1 too. VSTs like the awesome Absynth is dead as well. They bought/merged with Izotope and killed Breaktweaker, Iris2 and Trash. They killed all Exponential Audio reverbs as well.
I can also mention their customer support was 2 weeks to get a reply and it was a link. I have an MK1 keyboard and maschine so one is dead and I bet once maschine mk4 comes in they’ll kill MK2 as well.
Frankly their NKS thing aint worth it for a product that will get deprecated sooner rather than later. I like to hold on to my stuff for as long as possible and honestly their stuff is built well enough so it just scammy they die because they kill software. They should open source the drivers or something and let the community take upon themselves to not create the mountains of eWaste these abrupt changes create.
I make records for radio for a living with the majors. Precisely why I deprecating all NI in my workflow. I am even going as far as to turn down work that requires the use of their tools, whether provided by the project or not. Their path is very evident – whether you are investing in their hardware or software. Frankly, they are also far from being the ‘big boys’ anymore. There are plenty of others that are providing the same or better quality tools now. I wish them well, but also happy to get them out of my workflow…