In this video, I explore Native Instruments’ Kontrol S Series MK3 and the pros and cons of upgrading. I go through polyphonic aftertouch, NKS, Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol integration, DAW control and the differences from MK2.
Timeline
0:00 Intro
1:10 Overview
1:55 Poly AfterTouch
2:55 Modes
6:35 Panel & guides
8:05 MK3 Changes
8:40 Next-gen NKS
9:15 More AfterTouch info
10:00 Panel changes
11:30 Connectivity
11:55 Settings
12:15 Komplete Kontrol
12:50 Preset filters
14:10 Non-NKS plugins
16:05 DAW devices
17:30 FX in Komplete
18:40 Scales
19:25 Chords
19:50 Arpeggiator
21:25 Loops & samples
22:00 Kontakt 7
22:30 Multi layers
23:10 Maschine?
24:30 MK3 S88
24:45 Pros, cons
24:55 vs MK2
26:55 vs the world
28:45 Outro
Links and notes from the video description
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THOUGHTS ABOUT KONTROL S88 MK3:
After making this review, I received the S88 MK3 from NI for review. Some background: S88 MK3 from Native Instruments is the first and only MIDI keyboard I’m aware of that has both hammer-action weighted keys and polyphonic aftertouch. The only other weighted 88-key PolyAT keybed alternative I’m aware of is in the Montage M8X (review coming up soon), which costs and weighs much more, but also comes with a built in Montage…
For a look at all the non-keybed related features of the S88 (screen, knobs, functionality, etc) see my full review on youtube – everything is exactly the same. This post is about the feel of the keys on the 88, as opposed to the semi-weighted S49 keybed covered in the review.
vs Piano keybed – my pro piano play friend Raz says the keybed feels slightly more weighted than pianos he’s used to playing, and there’s less “bounce back” when you lift your finger off the keys – which takes getting used to if you play fast like he does. That said, it’s certainly something he can practice with compared to regular semi-weighted keys.
The keybed is relatively quiet compared to other MIDI keyboards I’ve tried, which is a good thing.
On the poly aftertouch side – the travel distance is very similar to the semi-weighted S49 I reviewed – meaning about 1-2mm of travel on the white keys, and around 1mm on the black keys.
Because the keys are weighted, unless you play relatively softly, you’ll trigger a certain amount of aftertouch with every keypress – meaning that if you play with above average velocity, you’ll get some aftertouch modulation along with it, so you may need to adjust your presets aftertouch modulation accordingly.
Finally, none of the MK3 S series comes with a power supply. That’s not an issue if you’re using the S88 with a computer that can give off enough juice, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need a power supply that can power it – a regular USB charger may not do the trick (see specs for details)
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