Native Instruments KONTROL MK3 - My First Impressions 

Poly aftertouch! FINALLY! 😍

Very nice indeed… and than again, it’s by Native Instruments; so waiting and trusting them on releasing software fixes and improvements can be tricky bet lately. The way how they treat their customers with Maschine+ is simply rude. And, it’s not the only advanced piece of hardware that suffers from bad support and a lack of updates. So for me NI has to shine on other parts first before I buy their new hardware.

Nice, such a beautifully designed experience! If money were no object...

Great review thanks !

Similar... Polyphonic after touch and improved quality and aesthetics. Love it ❤👏

That looks great with the new upgraded interface 😎

I think it's a quality update of the previous version, but not an upgrade really. I wonder if the MK2 will have any limitations when the new software comes out, but it's a beautifully made controller for sure.

Thank You Bo! 👍

That groove/beat at the end was jamming - until you started rapping! :)

Finally NI keyboards are also useful in a DAW and not just in their own ecosystem. This is a good sign they finally are moving in the right direction. Curious to see how it will work with other 3rd party plugins and DAWs, and as center master keyboard for a synth setup; as I suspect that as stand alone is still very limited compared to other competitors like arturia for example.

I just purchased an s88 mk2, so it makes sense that a new version would get announced the moment I received the delivery. :P

I almost pre ordered this morning….. glad these videos came out. Upgrades might make it worth it but for now, business as usual with the MKII

Seems like a really nice device for PC-based music creation with Native Instruments-compatible software.

Looks like a beautiful midi controller/keyboard. Kudos to you for actually demostrating it while playing and writing music. Most videos are just showing features with little to zero music demos. Music is everything. So, again, appeciate your efforts most. Personally, I play guitar but want to create my own music. That means drum tracks, bass tracks, and the endless possibilties using a midi keyboard.... yet, I really want to remain focused on guitar. So, after endless hours (still ongoing), I think I need software/plugins like Easy Drummer to lay down drum tracks. Similarly, Easy Bass. Really like how Easy Drummer can take my guitar track and create (quite well) a drum track that fits. Its also fun to use its song feature, and auto-create all the drums for a song, then write music (guitar tracks) to fit. I also found that once I have midi drum tracks, swapping in Superior Drummer results in much more professional sounding drums. So, its never simple is it? Now you might get... I need a midi keyboard to "possibly" make my own drum or bass lines, but, for me, its way more often I just want to add keyboard, synth, or what you normally expect of a keyboard. I'm getting a feeling this midi keyboard is focused on the keyboard player/songwriter who wants to do it all from their keyboard. Not a guitarist like me. Nothing wrong with that. NOTE: I have touchscreens for my DAW. So, I don't need much DAW control in the keyboard... a few features are great, but I don't need to mix from the keyboard. What I really want is at least 61 keys and great touch sensitivity, and quality, and integration with a DAW... but mostly so all the keys match all the plugins for the sound you want. I do like the lighted keys that help with what you are doing though. Love your review, it was great. So far (not done looking), I an leaning towards Arturia KeyLab 61 MkII Professional. It has features I don't think I need, but overall leans more towards what I do need. Still reviewing, so who knows and I still have to go try them in person... and my opinion... always... radically... changes with hands on experience.

Very nice Improvisation you did there. Would you recommend this thing for someone who doesn't own a 88 key keyboard yet? I've only used Arturia so far, but want more than five octaves now

All that blank space unused. Should’ve put some pads on that thing. Nice screen though. Not very tempting.

I love the action on my S61 MK3. It's more substantial than the one on my, just sold, Arturia Keylab MK2, but not quite a piano action. That is perfect for me in a keyboard that will be used to play a variety of instruments.

Poly aftertouch, great! I realy miss this 90s technology on the "modern keyboards". If NI did it in 88 notes with light/synth action keyboard at a fair price it could have been my new controler if it had a set of 3 or 4 faders on the left hand. But no. Pity. Actualy I don't care about the nice screen and the komplete control integration, I never use that and I definitely don't care seing few tracks as my DAW which is just in front of me on a larger screen.

Although many folks welcome it, I don’t use polyunsaturated aftertouch, or even monounsaturated aftertouch, I always filter it out. 🎹♥️

Finally one yt with cubase - i like the PAT even as a non keyboard player, it will offer lots of expression possiblies i guess

I was wondering do you have any 3rd party non nks libraries in kontakt 7 that load in mk3 with or without graphics.. just curious if the controller will see all in kontakt 6 even if there not NKS supported?

I understand the frustration folks have regarding this keyboard, and I agree with a good bit of them. That said, my mk2 is acting up. Gotta see what sweetwater is going to do, but I’m actually hoping to trade up to the mk3. I personally don’t need maschine integration or pads on it. Won’t be using poly aftertouch either. I’m just a big fan and user of ni plugins and expansions. I just need the keyboard to control my daws, levels, panning, mute, solo, etc. Not gonna worry myself with what ni may add to this, I’ll just use it for what it is and what I like. Earlier on, I thought I would bypass this keyboard and wait to see their next one. As of now I’ll be getting one even if I can’t trade up from my mk2 simply because I feel it’ll work well for me and be enjoyable to use. 🎹♥️

After you played, you went back to the computer to make edits, instead of making track edits on the Keyboard. That was very telling. Looks like Kontrol keyboard still doesn’t replace even the most basic DAW controls.

Is it possible to use the (Komplete kontrol S) Play Assist feature with other VST plug-ins???

Oh man. Mortal Kombat 3 was such a good game.

Actually I'm not running to replace my MKii. Simply it doesn't add anything I can't do now with the MKii. It's just nicer hardware. Groups in NKS Macro's is the only thing I can think of. But I guess that will be introduced to de MKII also.

Always dope Bo. So I need to find out how you got yours rocking because you and Jef have them working and mine is not. Which is weird. Are you using a MacOS? I'm using Windows so maybe that way the issue without updates may be? Nevertheless great review. I just did a first look. Can't wait to see in Oct once it's done and Cubase does their thing. Blessings! 💯

Hi. Great Video as Usual and I want your opinion on this keyboard. I just purchased a MK2 a couple weeks ago and I wondered if I should return it (I have forty-five days to return it free of charge) and pay 250.00 to get the MK3? Thanks Again for the Great Videos.

Very nice keyboard, definitely not upgrading from my MK2 for it though.

I ordered the S88 but though the keys were WAY too heavy. They are easily 3 times more heavy than my grand piano. So I sent it back, planning on getting the smaller S61 instead, but that means I need another keyboard for piano (my grand sadly does not have midi).

The lights are from the MK first generation

Sadly the much sought after arp/scales feature still requires KK to be running. If that was built in, I might have considered it, but as a KK S61 mkII owner they’ve lost me with this update. We’ve been promised firmware updates for years for ours to integrate with Kontakt (with lightguide) and arp/chords outside Komplete Kontrol, but nothing. And this dropped Maschine support too apparently. But they did add midi 2.0 for reasons passing understanding. Very strange move by NI. Nice video though :)

Waiting to see what Arturias next keylab offering in an 88 key gives us poly aft before I purchase

What key version would you reccomend? im torn between 49/88K... mostly since I want to learn how to play the piano but the price of the 88K IDK...

Why It feels like there’s delay in When you turn Knob and parameters move. Idk maybe it just me.

hows the keys and keybed feel? similar to previous gen?

Still No drum pads??? WTF??? Looks like I'm stickin with my Akai Advanced 61!!

What would be a good pack to buy integrated with this keyboard for instruments and sounds for hip-hop/EDM? Komplete 14 Standard?

Not bad for a thousand bucks.

Do you think this keyboard are good? If I'd want purchase it to become my first keyboard ?😅... I'm curious

16:06 "nothing is built to last" planned obsolescence confirmed

Looks really nice, but the lack of pads and sliders is a deal breaker for me. The features it does have definitely seem like a step-up in quality, however.

A question friend, are the keys feel the same as the previous model?

Can we create multis now with the new software ?

Guys the display, the user interface is exactly the same as the old version that now costs 1/3. They didn't introduce vector widget like you have in Push, all you got is the same old 8 knobs, there's no rich interface like an ADSR with touch screen, matrix, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer... The ONLY thing you get is a display for the 8 knobs value, like the old model, and a splash pretty graphic that has zero function. Even worse they removed all support for Maschine! And it's not a matter of a firmware update, they actually didn't put the buttons to control Maschine.

Honestly, this is a lazy upgrade. More like MK 2.5 than MK3. There should be more rotary knobs, more flexibility to customize macros on non-NI vsts. Like the people going for hardware wants hardware. Also, they could have moved the Maschine controls to the far right instead of eliminating it.

Apart from aftertouch it does not seem like a big upgrade over the MK2. Not sure how a new internal CPU will help, these days most PC's are powerfull enough to handle any DAW's. No Maschine integration??

DOES IT WORK WITH MACBOOK PRO M3 max chip ?

All this and the arp still doesn’t record in the “arped” pattern into the daw, but rather the one note you actually played in? What a disappointment! Same with the smart/chord mode. I’ll stick with my Novation, it’s actually smart.

I'm a little underwhelmed if I'm honest. I expected the keyboard to have a touch screen and to improve it's integration with non Kontakt libraries like Spitfire Audio and others who are clearly moving away from Kontakt. Native Instruments have been way ahead of their competitors for the past decade, but they've left the door open for someone to create something a little more exciting than this...

I wonder if they will ever make a 37 key

Would of been a great upgrade if they didn't take away more than half of the functions while dazzling everyone with a new screen. Shame it doesn't work with Maschine their own DAW...lol. Ill stick with the MK2

I don't see what's new with the Cubase integration, you can do all of this in the previous generation. If they were serious about DAW integration, the knob would have been a jog wheel.

I would really like for this model to have also touch screen. I feel that is something that's missing 😕

Does it work with cubase 10 ?

I'm currently rocking the S88 MK2 and I was hoping that the MK3 would have a angled screen that was pointing at my face instead of the ceiling or even better a tiltable screen so you can choose the angle. Also, is there a way to dim the brightness of the screen to prevent screen fade which happens over time? a dedicated knob next to the screen would be perfect, just like my old AKAI S6000

The levels in the mixer view look really laggy and low frame rate. Hopefully a beta issue that will be sorted out soon.

Is it the same size as mk2 S61, in which the MK2 decksaver will fit the MK3?

I dont like NI sticking to Komplete etc and Ableton as a DAW. I rarely use NKI vsts, there are much better out there. Polyafter touch is a plus, but not at this price point.

It's kind of funny how I start having dead key issues almost as soon as they release new midi controllers.

No Maschine integration. Is this a hint for a new Maschine Studio MKII? 🤔

So underwhelming! Didn't fix stuff users have been asking for (like user scales) and removed all the Maschine integration.

No pads and no CV?

No maschine integration...F that! I am not buying for this reason

Mine arrived with the keybed not bolted to the case so it moved up and down and made a horrible clacking . I returned it and won’t take the chance with NI ever again.

NI removed all Maschine integration, an incredibly dumb move, unless they plan to abandon the Maschine platform… I will not spend any money with NI any more until they can convince me that they still want to support and develop Maschine.

Only good for NI and NKS on a computer/DAW. Worst MIDI controller if used DAW-less or without the NI application running on your computer.

Of course, right after I finally buy an S61 MK2 😭

This whole Komplete Kontrol MK3 fiasco is an excellent opportunity to see which RU-vidrs make honest reviews and which are only doing sponsored reviews to make money. Like this one for example. No word about the complete drop of support for Maschine. It's not even supported as a DAW mode. No mention about scale mode that doesn't work standalone or doesn't work at all in Kontakt. 90% of the users online are disappointed. But yet this video is just like an ad by Native Instruments.

It's not an unboxing video without the "without further ado"

Me likey but me can't affordy😢

Always like your reviews but ‘Meh’ on the NI mkiii - no sliders or pads - another miss for NI

This seems like a second smaller monitor attached to a controller and set of poly keys. If this was a synth and standalone, it would be interesting and applicable for more use cases. Maybe my DAW-AS-LESS-AS-POSSIBLE philosophy is blind me from the value of a really fancy controller.

And still lots of wasted space where 16 pads could easily fit (twice) but NI wants to sell you Maschine which is overkill if you just want to tap out some beats on battery.

Probably a n00b question but. The display can only show from the Native Instruments library, right? Not for example EastWest or any other product?

Pretty expensive for a pure „controller“.

Need pads.. 😢

is basically the same as the MK2 but with a new display and £300 more...idiocracy

We need to stop giving medals to instrument makers for putting a half decent screen on devices in 2023, screens have been cheap for over 10 years, even £50 Android tablets have capacitive touch screens that are over 720p, and again, just 8 knobs? every half assed controller has 8 knobs, in what universe is 8 knobs enough to control modern software? and we eat this shit up again and again, and get ripped off in the process.

no longer supporting the machine software is tantamount to capitulation... I have no idea according to which criteria NI develops - obviously not according to the wishes of the users. Nothing of what is presented here, I need. In the end, it just boils down to the fact that at some point Komplete Software will no longer be developed for the MK2 and then you will be forced to switch to the MK3 to benefit from it. Just the integration with Maschine has resulted in a very easy to use DAW, if only the shortcomings known for years had been fixed. For instance it's almost laughable to think that the Maschine software still doesn't understand aftertouch. How could anyone forget something like that?

Doe not add anything apart from the poly aftertouch. Everything else is purely software update on the pc or Mac side. Still nothing running on the keyboard itself. Support for direct access to Kontakt could have been done on mk2 several years ago. So I’ll keep my MK2! And why did they abandon the Maschine integration??? This was one of the nicest features on the mk2. Seriously, I don’t understand how much bad decisions have been made for this new product. A big disappointment from NI.

assomiglia a un sintetizzatore moderno multifunzione

for that price and no pads.....

Exciting but also a huge downgrade. Please don’t get too excited as Bo mentions updated. But the functionality was downgraded. No sub Bank. And no Maschine integration and even a software update will not bing back the Maschine physical butting that the KKMK2 has. Screen is nice but still stuck with 8 knobs and 8 soft buttons. This will interesting how NI will dig themselves out of this.

Waste of space for me

No faders. No pads. No thank you.

Waste of money. Buy an affordable Korg Workstation that has poly after touch, MIDI options and DAW compatibility. Ridiculous! No sliders!

Important for blind musicians. DO NOT BUY THE MK3 THERE IS NO ACCESSIBILITY. I have been waiting many years for a manufacturer of midi and hardware keyboards to implement accessibility for vision impaired and blind musicians. After listening to this vid I started saveing and 8 months later I finally got the money together and purchased the MK3 that came out during this time. However the MK3 has no accessibility implemented that left me floored as the only thing the MK3 offers me over my RP500 is a better feeling keybed. I have messaged Native instruments twice and still no reply, this adds to my very expensive frustration in Australia this is a $1300.00 frustration for the MK3 S61. I have been in contact with the music store that I purchased this from and they have contacted the suppliers and still nothing. The MK3 has been out for 6 months now, Where is the accessibility functionality for the MK3? This is the first time a product has had accessibility implemented in older versions and the latest and greatest has nothing to work with, this would be like Apple not including Siri in it's devices. The other frustrating thing is while waiting for the keyboard to be delivered I had purchased the spotlight Ireland software instrument so more money down the drain so far. Not happy Jan

Always the Same crap..🤦No Innovation,No mpe 😂🥱