Komplete Kontrol S61 mk2 Review - 1 Year In The Studio 2019

I have had the Komplete Kontrol S61 mk2 for over a year now and I think it's time we do a deep dive and see how it's been holding up. In the video we talk about the various aspects of the Kontrol S61 which makes it one of the top midi controllers.

Get the KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 mk2 (affiliate link):

The Komplete Kontrol S61 comes packed with Komplete Select 12 which is a package with all the sounds you ever need. You get some of Native Instruments most popular synths like Massive and Monark.

I'm a piano player so I was very intrigued that the package comes with the critically acclaimed The Gentleman piano. I have most of the other piano vsts on the market but this one really caught my attention. You can get so much variated sounds from The Gentleman. I highly recommend it!

BEST MIDI KEYBOARD 2019 (personal opinion)
I've produced countless tracks with the Komplete Kontrol S61 mk2 during this past year and some you can hear on my Spotify channel. That's why I think it's the best midi keyboard 2019!

PS. Native Instruments also released the M32 keyboard, which is a portable version of this keyboard. It doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, but it's a neat affordable solution for the artist on the go.

Get the Komplete Kontrol M32 (affiliate link):

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What's your favourite keyboard?

Hope you like the video, thanks,

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Mattias, I've always wanted a nice mid-sized keyboard controller with weighted keys, have you ever owned/used a controller with weighted keys and how do you feel about them vs. the more common non-weighted but velocity sensitive keys?

[MattiasHolmgren]

I have had the Komplete Kontrol S61 mk2 for over a year now and I think it's time we do a deep dive and see how it's been holding up. In the video we talk about the various aspects of the Kontrol S61 which makes it one of the top midi controllers.

Get the KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 mk2 (affiliate link):

The Komplete Kontrol S61 comes packed with Komplete Select 12 which is a package with all the sounds you ever need. You get some of Native Instruments most popular synths like Massive and Monark.

I'm a piano player so I was very intrigued that the package comes with the critically acclaimed The Gentleman piano. I have most of the other piano vsts on the market but this one really caught my attention. You can get so much variated sounds from The Gentleman. I highly recommend it!

I've produced countless tracks with the Komplete Kontrol S61 mk2 during this past year and some you can hear on my Spotify channel.

PS. Native Instruments also released the M32 keyboard, which is a portable version of this keyboard. It doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, but it's a neat affordable solution for the artist on the go.

Get the Komplete Kontrol M32 (affiliate link):

Please subscribe and hit the bell icon for notifications when I have new videos out!

What's your favourite keyboard?

Hope you like the video, thanks,
Mattias Holmgren @ morningdewmedia.com

[bikesnbeerz]

Great review, especially the key bed. Tak.

[Touchlightfilms]

thanks for a great review ....going for it

[arielperez]

I have a production desk where i used the second level for my iMac and studio monitors and under that rackmounted gear. On the desk surface, I had my main keyboard a Kronos 88 with weighted keys which I used both as a straight audio keyboard for it's sounds but also as a MIDI controller for Cubase and Komplete Kontrol. I also have a Tascam M12 for mixdown and interface coupled with a Scarlet 6i6 which gives me enough ports in/out of my DAW. I also have an older Maschine Studio which was quite large and also a Roland TRS8. All of this was really crowding me in so I opted for a K&M table stand and moved my Kronos off the main desk at a 90 degree angle. About two months later, I am having much the same complaints you are mentioning regarding having to turn right all the time to see my monitor and main computer screen. I am seriously considering an S series keyboard to place atop my production desk and reorganize again. I really dont need the S88 full range keyboard since I can use my weighted keys Kronos, but I am wondering if there are advantages to the S61 vs the S49 if I am to place it back on my production desk. Given your experience, do you see an advantage using the S61 vs a smaller S49?

[luigicodeluppi]

Good morning I have a problem.
I connected both kontrol komplete mkII and Maschine plus to the window pc with Maschine software via USB cable.
Everything works except that by pressing the kontrol keys the selected sounds do not play while they play regularly by pressing the pads of plus machines. This is how the songs loaded on Maschine 2 sound. Did I get the connections wrong? Do I have to set something special? If so, can you tell me the detailed procedure?
I tried to see the midi setting of maschine plus; but in controller mode the parameters are not editable.
Can you help me? Thank you. Louis

[henrikgustav]

is it easy to split the keyboard via key range and velocity via Komplete ?

[Pauluz_The_Web_Gnome]

Hi I have the S88 but I want to return it to the store, because I find the keybed a little to heavy, the action is slow, it's only good for piano playing and organ, not for faster action instruments like Bass or drums, .I think i am not gonna use the high keys/register of it anyway.. but how about the noise of the keybed of the s61, the S88 is very quiet, maybe due to the fact that they are weighted keys, but how is the noise of the keybed of the S61, is it annoying/loud when pressing the keys, or is it ok? Thanks for your time..all the best!

[badco]

Thanks for doing this review. I just bought the S61 and I am looking forward to putting it to the test.

[wahmed]

Hi Mattias, thank you for making this review.

I am curious to hear about your experience with the keyboard since you made this video. :)

[Odyseuss]

How to use a generic 3rd Party Midi Keyboard with NI Pianos? thourgh Komplete Kontrol Software?

[tomsiddhmainardi]

Hello, I'm a legally blind musician and I just purchased a kk s61 mk2. After a few days I'm really excited and happy with it. Just a thing, could you (or someone else) help me to find out how to setup the accessibility features (like changing the voice volume or how to assigne a different audio output for the speaking voice), please?
THNKS A LOT
Tom

[mohig]

Sir,
Please would like to know if it works good with cubase 12 pro....
Or...
Arturia keylab 61 mk2 is better...
Please do
Love from India
🙏🇮🇳🙏🇮🇳🙏🇮🇳🙏

[thephoenixchant]

I have A61 and have some doubts: 1) Can I connect this through USB AND Regular Midi Out at the same time to use it with a sound module and prevent audio latency when recording, yet using kontakt sounds? 2) Do I need the USB and proprietary driver to use the sound selection functionality? Fo I need a wireless USB system to get all of the keyboard's functionality or can I do so via regular midi IN/OUT into my midi interface? I'd like to control my Daw (Cubase) remotedly with no cables. Maybe the only option is to get a longer USB cable. Any ideas?

[arsenmarek]

Thanks for this fine review.
I just get a s61 MkII keyboard, unfortunately I have an annoying echo, for example with "The Gentleman" piano, when I press any one key I got the main sound plus a second sound a moment later. Any idea?

[strmchild]

Hi Mattias, thanks for this review. I have an S49mk1 and really like everything about it, except the keys are extremely noisy. They make a loud thumping sound that disturbs people around me in a way that none of my other keyboards do. The black keys are especially bad, and almost twice as loud. I’m ready to upgrade to an S61 mk2 to get some of the other nice new features like the displays and extra buttons, but I’m concerned about the key noise. I would just go to a store and try it out, but that’s impossible now, and music gear stores might not be reopened for many months. Have you used the mk1? If so, is the mk2 any better? I like the feel and action and aftertouch of the mk1…it’s a very playable keyboard, but it’s obnoxiously noisy and I’m kinda fed up with it.

[skillandkills]

Hello Mate so im about top buy a midi keyboard and pad. Would you recomend to buy the Komplete Knontrol S61 with Mashine? Or should I buy a cheaper set. Great video tho!

[OnlineMD]

Appreciate the review. Years ago I owned a 88 key Fatar MIDI keyboard. It had a good solid feel. I understand the S series of Native Instruments features a Fatar keybed, which is semi-weighted, and NOT a synth-action keybed as compared to an A61? This is as per the NI website....would really appreciate your comment on this; I don't want to spend $800 for a keyboard with floaty, flighty synth-action keys! 😁
Also, I have been torn between whether to go with an S49 or S69, but today, playing with my Steinway 42" upright console piano, I decided I just love the sounds of the keys that reach 2 octaves below the Middle C, particularly the C which is the first key on the left of a 61 key keybed. I would not have that if I went with an S49. So that has helped me make my decision. But anyway these keyboards are back ordered because of the Covid-19 lockdown and I'm in no hurry either. Just had my piano tuned and will just have fun with it.

[ivo]

Hello, there already is a question about Bitwig below, but I wondered if you have tried the Nektar Panorama P6, it supposedly works very well with Bitwig. This keyboard seems to have more possibilities than the Nektar (but as you commented is best combined with Komplete Control), so can you give me your opinion please. I originally wanted to use my Roland FA08 as DAW controller (for which it is not really designed, and it is also fully weighted) in combination with a Roli Seaboard (which is good for expression but not for "regular" keyboard playing), so I think I'm better of getting a real DAW controller too. Thank you!

[Katkattarotandparanormal]

Is there a way to connect this to an iPad instead of a computer?