How to use everything in Kontrol S-Series MK3 MIDI keyboard controller | Native Instruments

Learn how to use everything in the new Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboard, a smart keyboard controller to bring virtual instruments to life. Watch as product specialist Brian Kullas shares how to easily set up your Kontrol S-Series keyboard as well as how to browse and navigate instruments, how to customize your sound with on-screen menu, how to record and edit in your DAW, how to utilize polyphonic aftertouch expression, and more.

By the end of this video, you will be able to expertly navigate the Kontrol S-Series keyboard with ease to make your music come alive.

Start watching from the beginning, or use the YouTube chapters on the video to explore a specific MK3 keyboard feature you're interested in.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Setup & installation
03:44 - Sustain & expression pedals
05:25 - DAW configuration
06:57 - Kontakt integration
18:31 - Light guide
21:21 - Using Komplete Kontrol
27:27 - Effects
30:06 - Polyphonic aftertouch
34:39 - Next-gen NKS
37:59 - Play assist
44:29 - Advanced integration
49:57 - Keyboard settings
52:55 - Outro

#NativeInstruments #MadeWithNI #KontrolMK3 #Midikeyboard #musicproduction

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For more than 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the heart of musical innovation. We’ve created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for amateurs and professionals alike. Today, driven by our mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, NI’s hardware, software, and services including Maschine, Traktor, and Komplete bundles, provide fully-integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience.

[terrygray]

My S61 just arrived today. Watching this video before hand made the setup a smooth experience. IMO the keybed is an improvement over the S61 mk2's.

[RazOfTheVoid]

Just got mine yesterday and I've been having a blast with it.
The only note I would have is that I'm not sure I can use it properly live.
Because, as far as I can see, there is no way to load several plugins SEPERATELY. You can merge them, but you can't switch between them. Not when Kontakt 7 is running and not in Komplete Kontrol.
If I play live, I usually have to switch between at least 2 sounds per song, usually more. So that would have been a helpful feature.
I know you can switch instruments using a daw, but that's a bit clumsy to do on the go. Plus it means moving pass several instruments to get to the one you want.

What really would have been amazing is if we could have Kontakt running, load up all the instruments we want to use and assign them to their channels, then use the top buttons to switch between them on the fly.
If that is an option now and I just didn't realise it, I'd appreciate if someone could tell me how to do it.

If it's not an option now, seems to me like it's something you guys can maybe add in a firmware update?

But all in all - especially for using in your home studio - this keyboard is an absolute killer!

[trigasurge]

Just got my S61. What a gorgeous instrument. The screen is beautiful, crisp, large. The LED lighting is beautiful with support for so many colors. After owning the MK2 version, I’m finding using the screen more now and forgetting there’s PC. I’ve only spent a little bit of time, but hoping NI does more to improve efficiency of finding sounds. With over 60K presets to chose from, hoping for even more filtration/sorting/navigation improvements. Also, hoping other plug-in developers, like UVI jump on board with NKS2!

[Andre-Vossen]

Got mine S61 today. Works fantastic. Installation was no problem. 👌👌😉

[BuenoLaidley]

Please make the keyboard be able to show the names of all device parameters in Ableton (and also be able to switch between them) like how the Ableton Push or Novation SL Mk3 keyboard does it.

[MiriAstro]

These are the best videos and greatly appreciated!

[tonybroadbent]

Just got S88. This video made it a lot less daunting. Thanks you Brian for very clear explanations.

[TheEwok]

I can't buy this yet until I get Maschine integration, I don't understand why its not included?

[SunlightOfTheSpirit]

Really wanting this. I have the Applied Acoustics and Arturia and have an old Novation controller that I'm sick and tired of mapping. This looks like it would be a joy to play with these plugins in Live.

[SchwizzZer]

This is really intuitive. Would be great if you could demonstrate in another episode on how to integrate Kontrol S with any hardware synth or hardware drum machine, and on how to map both Kontakt and the external devices simultaniously.

[johnnieray]

Got mine today ..again... musicians friend may have sent me one 3 weeks ago and it needed sent back to ni.. but all is well i will be extremely satisfied as soon as i can use it with my maschine mk3 and software ..really couldn't do much because i had to put cubase back on pc and i got to call them tomorrow to get new licenses but i know you guys are working on a update...i guess you didnt realize how much we use maschine software and the maschine mk3 but its ok you guys have a great track record with me ive been down since 2018 and i have ultimate 14 and tons of exp for maschine,
you guys are the best...just hurry and make it right lol

[tryphenajefferson]

I think it's geared towards those that DON'T use Maschine, but if you ARE a Maschine user, that thing is a hard "no" instantly! If it added pads and everything else, and KEPT the Maschine integration, then l'd consider it an upgrade instead of an alternative controller for those using any DAW but Maschine.

[AiMusicPioneer]

Hello everyone from Germany 🙌
I spent a year messing around with AI, creating different music with it... and in the end, all these experiments led me to the conclusion that music should be created by a person and his soul, not AI. I chose S61. My path begins here and now! I wish all beginners like me good luck and strength in exploring the world of music.🤞

[bonaventura_AKA_ben]

So many home runs on this one. The display is absolutely gorgeous. The NKS integration is so refined that I might actually use Arturia vst’s in Komplete Kontrol rather using Analog Lab for preset adjustment. The play assist features makes me so happy that I might forget wishing I had taken music lessons as a kid. The polyphonic aftertouch is also a great addition. And then NI reminds us of why people get so irritated with them. You’ve heard this probably thousands of time at this point, but do you honestly believe we’re going to adjust our daw mixer settings with knobs? Where are the faders? Good grief guys you’ve had years to work this out! If you were Apple I’d say you were trying to maintain ‘The Aesthetic’ or Form Over Function, no matter what people want. Jeez take a lesson from Arturia and their layouts, or Novation, or about a billion Chinese knockoff brands. Faders guys faders.

[smokey]

I just bought a MK3 s49 last night specifically to use the aftertouch capabilities together with my Maschine and I'm extremely disappointed to find it out that there is no Maschine Integration. The DAW controls don't even work. This is a major mistake and I hope you guys prioritize and fix this in an upcoming update or tbh I may have to take it back. And for the record I love your products. I've been a Maschine user ever since MK1 to the MK3. We are committed to your products and you guys should be too.

[Spineloro]

This is a great kbd, nice improvements, I dont regret the upgrade from my 61 mkII. I prefered the touch feel of the keys of the mkII though, but not a problem, I guess it is due to the polyphonic aftertouch that makes the keys touch softer on the mkIII. Thxs NI for the good work and all the free sounds/plugins that came with it. Definitely worths the price!

[CesenaticoOfficial]

Please make a keyboard with memory inside.. the NI standalone! Where everyone could install its own sounds.. ❤

[JamesLloydKeyboardist]

I see many people are not happy about the lack of maschine integration. Personally that doesn’t bother me because I don’t actually use maschine, only the expansions. I don’t even open maschine software anymore, I use the expansions in battery 4. 🎹

[creativedwill]

This is a great video!!! I learned a few things I didn't know😁😁! If there is a way to give us access to the Expansion kits in Kontrol software that would be amazing!! Being able to have the entire sample pack laid out over the 16 keys would be a game-changer!! The one shot and loop access is cool and glade you mentioned in the video!

[basscut]

Looks great! It would make for a awesome keyboard controller in addition to Push 3.