The Successor to the Hugely Popular S-Series Has Arrived!
The successor to Native Instruments' hugely popular MIDI keyboard "KONTROL S-Series" has been announced.
Pre-orders began on September 14, 2023 (shipping is scheduled to start around mid-October).
The other models, the "A Series" and "M Series," will continue to be sold.
As with the previous generation, the KONTROL S Series comes in three models: "S49 / S61 / S88".
S49 MK3
- Height: 86 mm / Width: 802.2 mm / Depth: 323 mm / Weight: 5.5 kg
- Semi-weighted keys
- ¥107,400 (tax included)
S61 MK3
- Height: 86 mm / Width: 967.4 mm / Depth: 323 mm / Weight: 6 kg
- Semi-weighted keys
- ¥121,700 (tax included)
S88 MK3
- Height: 120 mm / Width: 1353 mm / Depth: 347 mm / Weight: 13.5 kg
- Hammer-action keys
- ¥186,200 (tax included)
We were able to get our hands on the S61. The new MK3 is on top and the MK2 is below.
Comparing them, you can see differences in key areas, and it has been finished in an even more stylish way.
From here, we share our impressions and the features of the MK3!
USB-C Bus Power Support
It supports the much-requested "USB-C bus power (left)" and "USB MIDI (right)."
With the USB-C bus power (left) connection, even the 88-key model works without an AC adapter.
In addition to the basic "Sustain" and "Expression" inputs, it has two pedal inputs to which you can freely assign MIDI CCs.
A Beautiful Design Incorporating Metal and Glass
It may be a little hard to see in the photos, but metal and glass are used in the materials, giving it overwhelming beauty and a sense of luxury.
The pitch bend and modulation are made of anodized aluminum.
They have a solid weight and are very easy to control.
I also felt the light guidance was excellent, combining beauty and practicality.
It will also come in handy during live performances, where your hands are often in the dark.
High-Resolution Full-Color Display
The most eye-catching feature is the display in the center.
It uses a large, high-resolution full-color display for preset browsing, viewing and adjusting parameters, mixing and more.
It offers a direct and immersive experience!
This is the flow from searching for a piano preset to loading it.
The operability of the dial has also been greatly improved, and it pairs perfectly with the display.
Integration with DAWs
The product supports "DAW (host) integration", which lets you control your DAW.
You can comfortably perform frequently used transport operations such as play, stop and record right at your fingertips.
Keyboard Section
All models use a Fatar keybed.
The 49- and 61-key models have semi-weighted keys, and the 88-key model has hammer-action keys.
We actually compared it with the previous "MK2" model.
The keys have weight, and it is built so that even those used to a grand piano can play it with confidence.
Dynamics are easier to express, enriching your performance.
In addition, each key features "polyphonic aftertouch," and by pressing a key down, you can record cutoff amount, pitch variation, vibrato width and more independently for each key.
This expands the range of sound expression even further!
Light Guide
The "Light Guide," a selling point of the KONTROL S-Series that lets you visually identify each key, has also been newly designed.
Comparing them, the lit area is wider and brighter!
Sounds, scales and key switches are easier to grasp.
MIDI 2.0 Support
It supports "MIDI 2.0," the new MIDI standard that is currently a hot topic in the DTM industry!
Velocity, aftertouch, pitch bend, poly pressure data, other CCs and more.
The performance information from the KONTROL S-Series is dramatically improved.
Example: velocity 128 steps → 65,536 steps
This means you can express fine performance nuances closer to acoustic instruments.
Currently few DAWs and sound sources support MIDI 2.0, but the benefits are expected to be significant once they fully support it.
Comes with KOMPLETE 14 SELECT, a Lavish Set of Effects and Instruments
All models come free with "KOMPLETE 14 SELECT" (worth 28,600 yen), a package of the company's effects and instruments.
It includes everything you need for music production, such as instrument sounds, drum sounds, software synths and effects, so you can enjoy making music from the day you buy the product!
How did you find the cutting-edge "KONTROL S-Series MK3"?
Partly because of its design and the materials used, the price is set on the high side, but I felt it is a product with the potential to justify it.
Please try the product and experience its appeal for yourself!
Related Video: Popular MIDI Keyboard Survey Results
Related Videos: Komplete Kontrol Video Access
- 1Product Overview
- 2Browse Feature
- 3Light Guide and Clear-View Displays
- 4Scale Feature
- 5Chord Feature
- 6Arpeggiator Feature
- 7Automation and MIDI Mode
- 8KompleteKontrol 1.1 New Features
- 9KOMPLETE KONTROL Ver1.5: New Features Explained
- 10KOMPLETE KONTROL Ver1.6.2: New Features Explained
- 11KOMPLETE KONTROL Ver.1.9.3: Building a Comfortable Production Environment with "DAW Control"
- 12Komplete Kontrol Ver.1.9.3 "Host Integration": Cubase Edition
- 13New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL Ver 2.0: NKS FX
- 14Maschine / KompleteKontrol Favorites Feature
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