Excellent Video, information at a speed, and style that makes it easy to follow and understand. As a newbie this is my goto place in CZcams. Thank you.
Thanks for the informative video. As I do have both Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt, plus a KK S88 MK2, I feel qualified to make this statement. There is NO EXCUSE for the lack of Kontakt control that Native Instruments neglected to implement in the MK2 MIDI Controller. I do not understand why, at a minimum, that there is not a special mode for Kontakt control. They may well be the best in many areas but anticipating customer needs is not their strong suit.
Glad it was helpful, Bill. If you ever stop by the NI community forum, you will find much the same sentiment. As I understand it, the problem with giving KK new features that keep up with competitors (although I love it and use it all the time) is that it is so intertwined with Kontakt and Kontakt's code is 20 years old and would almost have to be reworked entirely in order to implement the slick features that we all now expect. So not an easy undertaking and besides they seem to spend all their KK updates just try to fix bugs with certain DAWS and Mac OS is especially problematic (which is no fault of NI's). So the whole business is pretty frustrating but I hang in there because there really isn't anything like KK/Komplete Keyboard light guide in the marketplace.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Hi Tony, thanks for the reply. I've both read and felt the sentiment you referenced on the forum. I guess the most frustrating thing to me is that by using the NI Controller Editor, many solutions to issues with the MK2 Controller and Kontakt can be addressed by the individual musician. If it's a ONE OFF Issue then the user shouldn't complain. But, the more generic stuff which most other premium controllers handle out of the box should be addressed in my opinion. I've been a Kontakt user for many years and with each new release NI always adds significant improvements. I'm just hoping that in the future NI sees the need to address the MK2 shortcomings with Kontakt as well as 3rd party plugins from smaller companies which just don't have the resources to make things Kontakt, muchless NKS compliant. I personally know one plugin developer who did his first, and last, NKS compliant plugin. It was just to time intensive and after going through the support documentation myself I completely understand his position. And he's not a newbie. He was involved with the original MIDI Development while working for EMU. Keep the videos coming as they are appreciated.
Since I also use Controller Editor for my MK1, I also wonder why the MK2 was pulled from there and replaced by the much watered down version built into KK. It is easier to use but missing features that MK1 users take for granted. Especially the ability to just turn of the light guide when you don't need it (i.e. to just relax and play piano).
@@tonylukashuk4965 I guess I'm glad I don't have the experience with the MK1. Less features would inflame me to no end. The MK2, for my needs, is very difficult to set up multi channel instances over different zones. I'll be the first to admit my setup is very unusual but, it shares very common methods that others probably struggle with as well.
Thanks for the video Tony! You mentioned in this video that you would make a video about loading multiple instruments into komplete kontrol. If you’ve made it, I’m not seeing it. Would love a video showing that. Thanks!
Thanks for the informative video to a newbie who just installed Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt Player. Sadly it do not work that well for now in Mac OS Big Sur and the M1 processor but hopefully that will change in near future.
Just an FYI about your usability with the M1 trick. Try tip pasted below! I had this issue. To fix it, try forcing Logic Pro to run in Rosetta mode. Right click on Logic Pro in Applications, Get Info, then tick the box that says Open In Rosetta. I did that and then everything works nicely. All the transport controls, it's recognised as a Control Surface. In fact I'm not seeing any issues running on an M1 chip (it's so fast!).
omg, you has a CZcams channel! :-) ha ha, awesome. Have a like on me. So we're both participating on a thread in the NI forum and I was wondering why the newbie suddenly called you Tony. Now I know (and knowing is half the battle! 😉). Don't mind me too much right now. _Awesome_ setup you got there btw, very impressive.
Hey there. Yes, I see your name on the N.I. user forum quite a bit. You are very helpful to others which is great. Thanks for the like, the appreciation for my setup (I could not ask for more), and for stopping by! See u again soon.
So I just got komplete kontrol, kontakt, and kontakt 7, and I’m wondering why they seem similar but one has more than the other etc, is there one I should use instead because they seem almost the same?
Tony, a great video. I hope you might consider making a tutorial on using HOST V MIDI CC Automation with your Komplete Kontrol keyboard and Kontakt. There is no video on the net about it, not one and yet many composers use this configuration for obvious reasons.
Hey Mate. Always good to hear from you! Could you kindly elaborate in simpler terms (an example would be good as well) on what you are looking for/suggesting? I am not sure.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Tony! When you open Kontakt (standalone or within KK) under the Browser section there are 5 options, (Libraries, Files, Database, Expert and Automation. One can select Host or MIDI automation. However there is no video on the comparison of Host versus Midi automation and how one uses either automation option. There is not one video on this comparison and why one would prefer say Host over Midi or vice versa. Hope that helps. Greetings from Spain!
so many resssources that we despise then we have to revise them later. I never cared for this app but now find awesome to mix orchstras in the same app, having an overview of them
Hi Tony, I had a new Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 delivered yesterday. I changed from Cubase to Studio One about four years ago, but being a hardware type of guy, I've never really gone all -in-the-box. I do lots of different types of music, from classical to rock, so have various templates saved. You're right....I should have bought the S88 Mk2 when it came out, because after watching your content it's been a revelation at how easy it is to select sounds with the keyboard using Komplete Kontrol. I can already see how useful the 'mixer' button will be on the S88 when used with Studio One. Since I own the S88, is there any advantage of loading sounds in to Studio One using Kontakt rather than Komplete Kontrol? My first findings would say there are not? I also tried the 'script' remedy for altering the pane size of Kontrol. Although I achieved the new sizing in standalone mode, it still opened in Studio One with the original size. However, the screen became 'glitchy' oscillating between the mixer page and the timeline, with a warning message that the graphics card was reporting a fault so I switched the values back. Anyhow, I'll check out some of your other videos. Thanks.
Hey there. Thanks for reaching out and I am glad you are finding some of my content helpful! You need to perform the same edit of the kompletekontrol.dll file in order to resize the KK plugin. It is different from the standalone .exe file that opens KK standalone. Re: loading Kontakt versus KK. I would comment that Kontakt perhaps PC overhead but when you use it you get no integration with the keyboard (i.e. the light guide). Enjoy for new keyboard. I love mine!
Forgot to mention that you will find the aforementioned .dll file in C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit (assuming you are a PC user!)
@@tonylukashuk4965 Many thanks Tony. I have dipped my toe in as I say, using Dorico 3 and Notion with sample libraries, but now having the S88 and the introduction / improvements to the Score Editor in Studio One 5, then this might make things just about workable as an eco-system now. Looking forward to discovering all those hidden loops and sounds I have in Ultimate 11.
Thank you for all the information Tony :) I'm lost in front of my KK S88!! Do you teach? I've been trying to find someone to teach me how to use thin thing for a long time. I called every music store, googled, etc. and no luck. Do you teach?
Hi there and thanks for reaching out. If your are using standalone KK and you are a windows user, CTRL+1, CTRL+2 and CTRL+3 changes the 3 different views and 3 being the edit view (Kontakt GUI). As far as teaching goes, I have been known to but could you elaborate as to what your are looking for? i.e. what DAW do you use, etc.? As a DAW plugin, you click the mouse on the drop list button beside the magnifying glass, and scroll down to view and then select edit view. Cheers...
Thank you for the clean explanation. One thing I would like to ask you is that, when using kontakt or kontrol on what I'm assuming is a 4k display, is that the maximum size of those application windows? Do you not find it difficult to work with such a small window and tiny font size? I'm on Full HD display and over the past few days of using Kontakt, I wanted to find some way to increase the font or window size.
4K screen doesn't really help with the window size of KK at all, sadly. You can my vid on making KK bigger OR you can put KK into edit mode (Kontakt inferface) which gives a muck bigger pane for viewing samples without having to get under the hood. Cheers and thanks for reaching out.
@@tonylukashuk4965 I just saw that video and while that wasn't the issue I was facing in Kontakt, your method is pretty useful. I have a recommendation to make to you. I found and was using an app "IntegerScaler" that you can find on tanalin's website. The purpose it solved for me was that it multiplied the scale of the Kontakt window in my case by integer values such as 2x, 3x, 4x, and so on. This helped with the small font size of the Kontakt window. I thought it was a nifty solution that I hadn't seen anyone else using, thought about making a post or a video but it you like it, you might be able to reach a wider audience.
Tony, I am a believer that KK is the only way to quickly audition a vast number of sounds to quickly move forward with sequence building. I use Cakewalk because I gave for years and I am very comfortable with fast tracking in this DAW, however, it it KK hardware keyboard unfriendly. I'd love to find a way to introduce KK on a separate monitor with Cakwalk if for nothing other than to quickly pick sounds and then move back to Kontakt and load the appropriate sound from the appropriate library... Am I approaching this wrong?
Have you tried using KK standalone to audition using your native windows/Mac audio driver in tandem with your DAW using Kontakt and your dedicated audio interface? You won't get an audio driver conflict that way. That is what I would do! You can "hot swap" your KK keyboard back and forth between standalone KK and your DAW.
@@tonylukashuk4965 I use windows. So, if I d/l KK from Native Access, there would be a way to open it standalone and simply scroll through the sounds outside of the DAW?
hi am new to komplete and i went ahead to purchase the komplete 13 collectors edition upgrade without having the base version i installed native access and a serial number was requested upon inputting the serial number i got an error message saying "YOU ARE MISSING THE BASE PRODUCT FOR WHICH THIS UPGRADE IS VALID" i search the internet looking for the right base product that fit the upgrade i purchased but couldn't find any only upgrades is what i see on the third party retail stores any help? :( and to let you know i own the upgrade that cost 599$ is that helps . Thank you i advance.
I have a Kontrol S49 keyboard but it is somewhat disappointing in that it has no slider bank and buttons that can be programmed to send, e.g., MIDI CC's. I purchased a (used) Nektar Panorama P1 for that purpose but that means occupying more studio bench space. So the NI Kontrol keyboards are great for use with Native Instruments apps but as a general purpose MIDI controller keyboard, not so much.
Yes, I totally agree. If and when an S-Series MK3 comes out, I would love for it to use up some of that empty space behind the keys to add more midi control features including faders and pads. Thanks for participating and for your support, if you subscribed!
Awesome! One question, please: I understand that Kontact Player has listing limitations vs regular Kontact. So considering that, would Komplete Kontrol searches/auditioning also be limited if you only have Kontact Player installed?
To have full fledged Kontakt, you need to have Komplete standard I believe and there are fewer features on the player for sure, but I am not sure what exactly as I have never owned it! Check out the Native Instruments community forum and post the question there. Someone will answer it for sure. www.native-instruments.com/forum/forums/komplete-area.4/
Hey Tony, thanks for the video. I've recently delved into this world and the issue I seem to be having is that when only using Komplete Kontrol I have full use of the controllers on my M32, but once I load Kontakt up into Komplete Kontrol as you do in this video I lose that functionality. Any advice? The 8 knobs seem to only control track volumes when Kontakt is involved. Thank you
Thanks for reaching out, Matt. If you open any preset from within kontakt's browser, you lose full keyboard functionality on any komplete keyboard. You have to open preset and instruments from KK (left side browser) for full functionality.
As you say and demonstrate the need for both, why does NI not integrate Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol? This would eliminate the need for the never ending decision of "Should I use KK or Kontakt on this track?". Or am I the only one who asks this question on a daily or hourly basis?
I get where you are coming from, but I look at it a little differently. KK, in my opinion, was never meant to replace Kontakt but rather was made to improve Kontakt's lame browsing experience. I in that respect, NI did a good job of it. Don't you?
Thanks Tony. Just getting started with NI and you gave me the answer I was looking for. Also, I noticed you have some nice big monitors. Could you let me know what they are? I thinking of getting a bigger monitor as well. Thanks.
Glad to help, John. I use 4K LG UHD monitors. They are pretty cheap and work great. One is a 60" and the other a 42. The little guy is actually a 1080 touch screen which I use a lot in fact. Cheers.
I’m missing something. Kontakt 6 is £179 whilst komplete 13 is almost £400 more expensive and yet only appears to give a better browsing and audition capability. That’s an awful lot of money for relatively very little extra.
Komplete 13 is a bundle of 68 instruments (including a full version of Kontakt) and so for me it is a fantastic value as a collectors edition owner. see www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-13/compare/
Great video thanks, I'm just trying to get to grips with NI, I can't see how you do what you do at 3:24, can you explain it in a little more detail please. I can't see the pin icons. Cheers
Hi I'm not familiar with music field but my brother is visually impaired now. He is trying to use Kontakt but voiceover in his mac failed to control it, limited accessibility. I read that komplete kontrol can help to control kontakt for blind and visually musician or ?
Although I have no expertise on the subject, KK does have features for the visually impaired. Just search CZcams "Komplete Kontrol for visually impaired" for example.
Hello sir. Is it safe to dismiss Kontakt 7 if I already have an S88 mk2? If not, what else can it offer besides the virtual keyboard? Thanks in advance. -Francis
The single biggest thing is the revamped and resizable sound preview browser which I like much better in fact. And as you may know, since Native Instruements released the new MK3, we now have Komplete Kontrol 3 which now incorporates the same browser as Kontakt 7.
Hey Tony, I noticed you had NI Symphony Series in your browser. I use the same library. When I set it up years ago, I noticed certain instruments (I think the trumpet but could be others) were in the wrong octave on the keyboard. After searching the net, I found a Kontakt utility patch that you could use to change the octave. Now I'm setting up my template to use Komplete Kontrol instead of Kontakt directly, I notice the same problem. Have you come across this problem and if so how did you fix it?
If the articulation and note keys are not in the desires position on your keyboard, the only thing you can do is "shift" the positioning right or left by using the octave buttons above the expression and pitch bend controls. Using the octave buttons doesn't change the octave, it just moves it left or right.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks for the reply Tony. I use Studio One, and when you record the trumpet from Symphony Series Middle C (C3) registers as C4....that's what I meant.
Thank you for this! I wonder if you can help me solve an issue. I have Maschine Studio (not proficient yet), and just bought a NI Komplete Kontrol A61 to accompany it. Plugged it up, buttons all work fine, but I can’t get the keys to play. I know it’s got to be a simple setting within Maschine/software. I’ve tried everything I can think of within midi settings etc and cannot get keys to play for any of the A-H banks. The A61 and Maschine boxes are checked in the preferences. I think it’s a midi setting in each channel I’ve somehow gotten wrong. Any suggestions?
Thanks for reaching out but I do not use Maschine in my studio and therefore I can't really help you. Good luck getting it sorted. What I can say from watching NI's forum is that similar issues are quite common when using Maschine together with Komplete Kontrol keyboards and so you might want to check out that avenue for advice. Cheers.
Hi! Thanks for the video. I don't really understand and I shall explain, maybe you can offer a practical approach I can take. The reason I don't understand is because I've never opened it. Someone gifted me Komplete 12 just when I was getting to learn what's inside Ableton and how to work the software. So what am I to do with 12 different programs including the ones you feature? That's what I'm hoping you can help me with. I have a feeling it would be best for me to forget about all but the ones you mentioned and start there. If you were me what would be your next move? Also please let me know if not having the hardware keyboard will mess me up even further. Many of the people who make CZcams videos forget that sometimes they are talking to someone who has no idea what they are going on about. Lol! You seem like you understand the confused viewer. BTW! I am an accomplished musician and songwriter. I'm just new to production. Think of this, I play classical guitar. There is one, yes, one sound. That's it. Imagine how I feel having a trillion. I may go nuts. I am going nuts. Thank you Tony. Thank you, very much.
Hi and thanks for reaching out. First You should look at Komplete 12 not as bunch of additional programs but rather as a complement to Ableton. Komplete Kontrol is the container /interface for your Native Instruments library and so everything is neat and tidy in one place and easy to access. There is a standalone version of KK as well as a plugin which you can use in Ableton. KK behaves just like any other instrument you would add in Ableton except that it gives you access to ALL your Komplete 12 library which is very handy indeed. You could start with standalone Komplete Kontrol just to get to know the software without the initial complexity of using it within Ableton but the interface is the same so the experience won't change when you transition to using it within Ableton. KEEP on watching CZcams tutorials as they will help you along your learning curve. There are plenty of videos on Komplete Kontrol as well as on Ableton. As far as the N.I. keyboard is concerned, it mostly depends on the kind of instruments you like to use. The light guide on the keys is indispensable for orchestral instruments which have a limited range and various articulations all of which are shown on the keyboards light guide. But for piano or synths and other instruments which make use of the full range of the keyboard, the light guide is not really needed. That said, the keyboard is good quality and the integration with the Komplete Kontrol software is an experience you cannot get with other brands...The S-Series keyboards are the only ones with the light-guide. It is a deep rabbit hole you are going down to be sure, but stick with it. I too am a guitarist/songwriter but I have been playing around in the computer home studio world for years and years and I love it today as much or more than when I started. Enjoy!
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks Tony! So I don't need the KK keyboard? When I went looking for videos on KK I kept getting ones on how to use the keyboard. I have a small midi keyboard and a Push 2. I learned Ableton quickly and I'm recording good stuff. I still have to learn a lot, especially how to find the sounds I want. I ran across someone on CZcams selling presets for $40 and I loved a sound. If you heard a sound you loved how would you go about finding something similar? That's what I really want to know.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks! I have Push 2, a midi controller that goes with Ableton and I will be learning that so I can ditch the mouse. You sure look like you have a nice setup going on in the video, looks like an amusement park!
Hello there and thanks for reaching out. If you use a DAW, you are better off to change your time signature in the DAW and then Kontakt will match it I believe. Cheers!
@@tonylukashuk4965 I mean, use Kontakt with Noire to Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio to record the audio of my digital piano? It doesn't work on my PC. I'm not sure what's wrong.
@@tonylukashuk4965 yes, it worked with kontakt alone. But when I tried using it with mixcraft 9, it won't read my kontakt. I don't know how to link them together. I have yamaha p45 with usb midi interface.
If you haven't added NI plugins manually to MC9, here is how...Top left click and then Preferences. Click Plug-ins and then cclick Edit VST folders. Add NI plugins by pointing to NI 64 bit folder. by default it is C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit. Once added you can add a Virtual Instrument track and once added, click the keyboard symbol on the track info. Under category, choose VSTi Instruments and you should see KK and Kontakt available on the right.
KOMPLETE KONTROL software is absolute garbage ! I am stuck for about a week not able to use the software at all (as I have endless problems either with plugins or content libraries). Every time I open Native Access it goes out of the screen. Many interfaces opened in Kontakt on my 4K screen are completely unreadable (to small to blurry). Support ticket wizard is the worst thing I have seen in my entire life. No way to track tickets directly through the site. Now way to register/unregister single products from KOMPLETE and Native Access interface (which BTW endlessly keeps asking for an update). Major features which users ask for years are not added. Upgrade policy sucks - meaning - if you purchased a single product from NI and not it is part of the KOMPLETE suite they want you to pay for it twice and you end up with 2 licenses and SN). You will not get a refund or discount. NI support replies about every 3rd day so after a week they asked few dozens of questions and no help, no resolution, no nothing. I paid in last 5 years $5k+ for their hardware and software and it was the worst musical decision of my life. While the 3rd party libraries and sounds are mostly OK or even excellent, everything else about this company simply sucks. I would never buy any NI products again nor recommend it to a friend. I really wish that one day Kontakt is replaced with some "real software" by some other competitive company. Perhaps the reason that this company is so bad is that they have grown so big and they believe there is no competition for NKS and alike. The bottom line is: when it works it is OK (jut ok but not god) but when even small problems arise you are on your own and you waste tons of time and energy. Not worth the price.
WOW! This is BRILLIANT. You have really cut off hours of creation and study time for those of us who struggle with- well, age...
Excellent Video, information at a speed, and style that makes it easy to follow and understand. As a newbie this is my goto place in CZcams. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful, Robert!
Excellent Well explained video on NKS I recently purchased S88 and now awaiting MaschineMk3 . This integration is mind blowing.
Glad it was helpful, Jono!
Thanks for the informative video. As I do have both Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt, plus a KK S88 MK2, I feel qualified to make this statement. There is NO EXCUSE for the lack of Kontakt control that Native Instruments neglected to implement in the MK2 MIDI Controller. I do not understand why, at a minimum, that there is not a special mode for Kontakt control. They may well be the best in many areas but anticipating customer needs is not their strong suit.
Glad it was helpful, Bill. If you ever stop by the NI community forum, you will find much the same sentiment. As I understand it, the problem with giving KK new features that keep up with competitors (although I love it and use it all the time) is that it is so intertwined with Kontakt and Kontakt's code is 20 years old and would almost have to be reworked entirely in order to implement the slick features that we all now expect.
So not an easy undertaking and besides they seem to spend all their KK updates just try to fix bugs with certain DAWS and Mac OS is especially problematic (which is no fault of NI's). So the whole business is pretty frustrating but I hang in there because there really isn't anything like KK/Komplete Keyboard light guide in the marketplace.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Hi Tony, thanks for the reply. I've both read and felt the sentiment you referenced on the forum. I guess the most frustrating thing to me is that by using the NI Controller Editor, many solutions to issues with the MK2 Controller and Kontakt can be addressed by the individual musician. If it's a ONE OFF Issue then the user shouldn't complain. But, the more generic stuff which most other premium controllers handle out of the box should be addressed in my opinion. I've been a Kontakt user for many years and with each new release NI always adds significant improvements. I'm just hoping that in the future NI sees the need to address the MK2 shortcomings with Kontakt as well as 3rd party plugins from smaller companies which just don't have the resources to make things Kontakt, muchless NKS compliant. I personally know one plugin developer who did his first, and last, NKS compliant plugin. It was just to time intensive and after going through the support documentation myself I completely understand his position. And he's not a newbie. He was involved with the original MIDI Development while working for EMU. Keep the videos coming as they are appreciated.
Since I also use Controller Editor for my MK1, I also wonder why the MK2 was pulled from there and replaced by the much watered down version built into KK. It is easier to use but missing features that MK1 users take for granted. Especially the ability to just turn of the light guide when you don't need it (i.e. to just relax and play piano).
@@tonylukashuk4965 I guess I'm glad I don't have the experience with the MK1. Less features would inflame me to no end. The MK2, for my needs, is very difficult to set up multi channel instances over different zones. I'll be the first to admit my setup is very unusual but, it shares very common methods that others probably struggle with as well.
I was looking EVEYWHERE trying to get the keyboard on Komplete Kontrol. THANK YOU!!!!
Glad I could help!
Thanks for the Tutorial looking forward to more. ( Greeting from Uganda East Africa )
Much appreciated and greetings from British Columbia, Canada!
Thanks for the video Tony! You mentioned in this video that you would make a video about loading multiple instruments into komplete kontrol. If you’ve made it, I’m not seeing it. Would love a video showing that. Thanks!
Hi Jane. This video gives a good overview of what you are asking about. Thanks for reaching out! czcams.com/video/DMBZZEI-kPo/video.html
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS .
Can't tell you how much I appreciate the great feedback!
Thanks for the informative video to a newbie who just installed Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt Player. Sadly it do not work that well for now in Mac OS Big Sur and the M1 processor but hopefully that will change in near future.
Just an FYI about your usability with the M1 trick. Try tip pasted below!
I had this issue. To fix it, try forcing Logic Pro to run in Rosetta mode. Right click on Logic Pro in Applications, Get Info, then tick the box that says Open In Rosetta. I did that and then everything works nicely. All the transport controls, it's recognised as a Control Surface. In fact I'm not seeing any issues running on an M1 chip (it's so fast!).
omg, you has a CZcams channel! :-) ha ha, awesome. Have a like on me.
So we're both participating on a thread in the NI forum and I was wondering why the newbie suddenly called you Tony. Now I know (and knowing is half the battle! 😉). Don't mind me too much right now.
_Awesome_ setup you got there btw, very impressive.
Hey there. Yes, I see your name on the N.I. user forum quite a bit. You are very helpful to others which is great. Thanks for the like, the appreciation for my setup (I could not ask for more), and for stopping by! See u again soon.
I think I'm the newbie! Tony is a bulls eye tutorial maker, few like him around
Greatly enjoying your videos!
Awesome, thank you!
So I just got komplete kontrol, kontakt, and kontakt 7, and I’m wondering why they seem similar but one has more than the other etc, is there one I should use instead because they seem almost the same?
Thank you Tony... This video is very helpful
You are quite welcome! I appreciate the supportive feedback!
Tony, a great video. I hope you might consider making a tutorial on using HOST V MIDI CC Automation with your Komplete Kontrol keyboard and Kontakt. There is no video on the net about it, not one and yet many composers use this configuration for obvious reasons.
Hey Mate. Always good to hear from you!
Could you kindly elaborate in simpler terms (an example would be good as well) on what you are looking for/suggesting? I am not sure.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Tony! When you open Kontakt (standalone or within KK) under the Browser section there are 5 options, (Libraries, Files, Database, Expert and Automation. One can select Host or MIDI automation. However there is no video on the comparison of Host versus Midi automation and how one uses either automation option. There is not one video on this comparison and why one would prefer say Host over Midi or vice versa. Hope that helps. Greetings from Spain!
yes, I can do that indeed!
Super helpful. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
so many resssources that we despise then we have to revise them later. I never cared for this app but now find awesome to mix orchstras in the same app, having an overview of them
Glad you gave it another chance! Enjoy!
Hi Tony, I had a new Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 delivered yesterday. I changed from Cubase to Studio One about four years ago, but being a hardware type of guy, I've never really gone all -in-the-box. I do lots of different types of music, from classical to rock, so have various templates saved. You're right....I should have bought the S88 Mk2 when it came out, because after watching your content it's been a revelation at how easy it is to select sounds with the keyboard using Komplete Kontrol. I can already see how useful the 'mixer' button will be on the S88 when used with Studio One. Since I own the S88, is there any advantage of loading sounds in to Studio One using Kontakt rather than Komplete Kontrol? My first findings would say there are not?
I also tried the 'script' remedy for altering the pane size of Kontrol. Although I achieved the new sizing in standalone mode, it still opened in Studio One with the original size. However, the screen became 'glitchy' oscillating between the mixer page and the timeline, with a warning message that the graphics card was reporting a fault so I switched the values back.
Anyhow, I'll check out some of your other videos. Thanks.
Hey there. Thanks for reaching out and I am glad you are finding some of my content helpful! You need to perform the same edit of the kompletekontrol.dll file in order to resize the KK plugin. It is different from the standalone .exe file that opens KK standalone. Re: loading Kontakt versus KK. I would comment that Kontakt perhaps PC overhead but when you use it you get no integration with the keyboard (i.e. the light guide). Enjoy for new keyboard. I love mine!
Forgot to mention that you will find the aforementioned .dll file in C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit (assuming you are a PC user!)
@@tonylukashuk4965 Many thanks Tony. I have dipped my toe in as I say, using Dorico 3 and Notion with sample libraries, but now having the S88 and the introduction / improvements to the Score Editor in Studio One 5, then this might make things just about workable as an eco-system now. Looking forward to discovering all those hidden loops and sounds I have in Ultimate 11.
Of which there are many! Enjoy!
Thanks Tony!
You are most welcome!
Thank you for all the information Tony :) I'm lost in front of my KK S88!! Do you teach? I've been trying to find someone to teach me how to use thin thing for a long time. I called every music store, googled, etc. and no luck. Do you teach?
Hi there and thanks for reaching out. If your are using standalone KK and you are a windows user, CTRL+1, CTRL+2 and CTRL+3 changes the 3 different views and 3 being the edit view (Kontakt GUI). As far as teaching goes, I have been known to but could you elaborate as to what your are looking for? i.e. what DAW do you use, etc.? As a DAW plugin, you click the mouse on the drop list button beside the magnifying glass, and scroll down to view and then select edit view. Cheers...
Keep it up. Big fan. Just getting into kontact.
Thanks! Will do!
Thank you for the clean explanation.
One thing I would like to ask you is that, when using kontakt or kontrol on what I'm assuming is a 4k display, is that the maximum size of those application windows?
Do you not find it difficult to work with such a small window and tiny font size? I'm on Full HD display and over the past few days of using Kontakt, I wanted to find some way to increase the font or window size.
4K screen doesn't really help with the window size of KK at all, sadly. You can my vid on making KK bigger OR you can put KK into edit mode (Kontakt inferface) which gives a muck bigger pane for viewing samples without having to get under the hood. Cheers and thanks for reaching out.
@@tonylukashuk4965 I just saw that video and while that wasn't the issue I was facing in Kontakt, your method is pretty useful.
I have a recommendation to make to you. I found and was using an app "IntegerScaler" that you can find on tanalin's website. The purpose it solved for me was that it multiplied the scale of the Kontakt window in my case by integer values such as 2x, 3x, 4x, and so on.
This helped with the small font size of the Kontakt window.
I thought it was a nifty solution that I hadn't seen anyone else using, thought about making a post or a video but it you like it, you might be able to reach a wider audience.
Tony, I am a believer that KK is the only way to quickly audition a vast number of sounds to quickly move forward with sequence building.
I use Cakewalk because I gave for years and I am very comfortable with fast tracking in this DAW, however, it it KK hardware keyboard unfriendly.
I'd love to find a way to introduce KK on a separate monitor with Cakwalk if for nothing other than to quickly pick sounds and then move back to Kontakt and load the appropriate sound from the appropriate library...
Am I approaching this wrong?
Have you tried using KK standalone to audition using your native windows/Mac audio driver in tandem with your DAW using Kontakt and your dedicated audio interface? You won't get an audio driver conflict that way. That is what I would do! You can "hot swap" your KK keyboard back and forth between standalone KK and your DAW.
@@tonylukashuk4965 I use windows. So, if I d/l KK from Native Access, there would be a way to open it standalone and simply scroll through the sounds outside of the DAW?
Exactly. That is just what I was describing.
Hi Tony, please tell me what camera did you used to record this video, looks so clean... Thanks
The overhead is a Brio 4K and the front video is just my phone. Just shows you don't need the pro gear to make content. LOL.
Nice video. Thanks Tony.
you are most welcome. I hope you supported the channel by liking and subscribing!
hi am new to komplete and i went ahead to purchase the komplete 13 collectors edition upgrade without having the base version i installed native access and a serial number was requested upon inputting the serial number i got an error message saying "YOU ARE MISSING THE BASE PRODUCT FOR WHICH THIS UPGRADE IS VALID" i search the internet looking for the right base product that fit the upgrade i purchased but couldn't find any only upgrades is what i see on the third party retail stores any help? :( and to let you know i own the upgrade that cost 599$ is that helps . Thank you i advance.
I have a Kontrol S49 keyboard but it is somewhat disappointing in that it has no slider bank and buttons that can be programmed to send, e.g., MIDI CC's. I purchased a (used) Nektar Panorama P1 for that purpose but that means occupying more studio bench space. So the NI Kontrol keyboards are great for use with Native Instruments apps but as a general purpose MIDI controller keyboard, not so much.
Yes, I totally agree. If and when an S-Series MK3 comes out, I would love for it to use up some of that empty space behind the keys to add more midi control features including faders and pads. Thanks for participating and for your support, if you subscribed!
@@tonylukashuk4965 And move the expression slider to a location above the pitch bend and modulation wheels.
Awesome!
One question, please:
I understand that Kontact Player has listing limitations vs regular Kontact. So considering that, would Komplete Kontrol searches/auditioning also be limited if you only have Kontact Player installed?
To have full fledged Kontakt, you need to have Komplete standard I believe and there are fewer features on the player for sure, but I am not sure what exactly as I have never owned it! Check out the Native Instruments community forum and post the question there. Someone will answer it for sure.
www.native-instruments.com/forum/forums/komplete-area.4/
One thing puzzles me. I cannot see a pin anywhere to enable me to have two instances of Kontakt open at once. How do you do that.?
Pinning is a feature in Presonus Studio One, Mate. Sorry for the confusion.
Great video dude, thanks
Glad you liked it!
Hey Tony, thanks for the video.
I've recently delved into this world and the issue I seem to be having is that when only using Komplete Kontrol I have full use of the controllers on my M32, but once I load Kontakt up into Komplete Kontrol as you do in this video I lose that functionality. Any advice?
The 8 knobs seem to only control track volumes when Kontakt is involved. Thank you
Thanks for reaching out, Matt. If you open any preset from within kontakt's browser, you lose full keyboard functionality on any komplete keyboard. You have to open preset and instruments from KK (left side browser) for full functionality.
As you say and demonstrate the need for both, why does NI not integrate Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol? This would eliminate the need for the never ending decision of "Should I use KK or Kontakt on this track?". Or am I the only one who asks this question on a daily or hourly basis?
I get where you are coming from, but I look at it a little differently. KK, in my opinion, was never meant to replace Kontakt but rather was made to improve Kontakt's lame browsing experience. I in that respect, NI did a good job of it. Don't you?
Thanks, great information 😊👍
Glad it was helpful, Paul!
Thanks Tony. Just getting started with NI and you gave me the answer I was looking for. Also, I noticed you have some nice big monitors. Could you let me know what they are? I thinking of getting a bigger monitor as well. Thanks.
Glad to help, John. I use 4K LG UHD monitors. They are pretty cheap and work great. One is a 60" and the other a 42. The little guy is actually a 1080 touch screen which I use a lot in fact. Cheers.
Very helpful. Thanks
Glad to be of service! Hope you supported the channel by liking and subscribing! Take care and stay safe.
I’m missing something. Kontakt 6 is £179 whilst komplete 13 is almost £400 more expensive and yet only appears to give a better browsing and audition capability. That’s an awful lot of money for relatively very little extra.
Komplete 13 is a bundle of 68 instruments (including a full version of Kontakt) and so for me it is a fantastic value as a collectors edition owner. see www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-13/compare/
Great video thanks, I'm just trying to get to grips with NI, I can't see how you do what you do at 3:24, can you explain it in a little more detail please. I can't see the pin icons. Cheers
Sorry for the confusion. That pin feature is in Studio One and not KK.
Hi I'm not familiar with music field but my brother is visually impaired now. He is trying to use Kontakt but voiceover in his mac failed to control it, limited accessibility. I read that komplete kontrol can help to control kontakt for blind and visually musician or ?
Although I have no expertise on the subject, KK does have features for the visually impaired. Just search CZcams "Komplete Kontrol for visually impaired" for example.
@@tonylukashuk4965 thank you.
Hello sir. Is it safe to dismiss Kontakt 7 if I already have an S88 mk2? If not, what else can it offer besides the virtual keyboard?
Thanks in advance. -Francis
The single biggest thing is the revamped and resizable sound preview browser which I like much better in fact. And as you may know, since Native Instruements released the new MK3, we now have Komplete Kontrol 3 which now incorporates the same browser as Kontakt 7.
@@tonylukashuk4965 no I didn't know that. Thanks for the info!
@@tonylukashuk4965 does KK3 work for a mk2?
Hey Tony, I noticed you had NI Symphony Series in your browser. I use the same library. When I set it up years ago, I noticed certain instruments (I think the trumpet but could be others) were in the wrong octave on the keyboard. After searching the net, I found a Kontakt utility patch that you could use to change the octave. Now I'm setting up my template to use Komplete Kontrol instead of Kontakt directly, I notice the same problem. Have you come across this problem and if so how did you fix it?
If the articulation and note keys are not in the desires position on your keyboard, the only thing you can do is "shift" the positioning right or left by using the octave buttons above the expression and pitch bend controls. Using the octave buttons doesn't change the octave, it just moves it left or right.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks for the reply Tony. I use Studio One, and when you record the trumpet from Symphony Series Middle C (C3) registers as C4....that's what I meant.
ahh. Not really sure what is going on there but good luck with getting it sorted!
Thank you for this! I wonder if you can help me solve an issue. I have Maschine Studio (not proficient yet), and just bought a NI Komplete Kontrol A61 to accompany it. Plugged it up, buttons all work fine, but I can’t get the keys to play. I know it’s got to be a simple setting within Maschine/software. I’ve tried everything I can think of within midi settings etc and cannot get keys to play for any of the A-H banks. The A61 and Maschine boxes are checked in the preferences. I think it’s a midi setting in each channel I’ve somehow gotten wrong. Any suggestions?
Thanks for reaching out but I do not use Maschine in my studio and therefore I can't really help you. Good luck getting it sorted. What I can say from watching NI's forum is that similar issues are quite common when using Maschine together with Komplete Kontrol keyboards and so you might want to check out that avenue for advice. Cheers.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Gotcha. Thanks for your speedy reply! Blessings.
parabéns e obrigado do Brasil!
Hi! Thanks for the video. I don't really understand and I shall explain, maybe you can offer a practical approach I can take. The reason I don't understand is because I've never opened it. Someone gifted me Komplete 12 just when I was getting to learn what's inside Ableton and how to work the software. So what am I to do with 12 different programs including the ones you feature?
That's what I'm hoping you can help me with. I have a feeling it would be best for me to forget about all but the ones you mentioned and start there. If you were me what would be your next move?
Also please let me know if not having the hardware keyboard will mess me up even further. Many of the people who make CZcams videos forget that sometimes they are talking to someone who has no idea what they are going on about. Lol!
You seem like you understand the confused viewer. BTW! I am an accomplished musician and songwriter. I'm just new to production. Think of this, I play classical guitar. There is one, yes, one sound. That's it. Imagine how I feel having a trillion. I may go nuts. I am going nuts. Thank you Tony. Thank you, very much.
Hi and thanks for reaching out. First You should look at Komplete 12 not as bunch of additional programs but rather as a complement to Ableton. Komplete Kontrol is the container /interface for your Native Instruments library and so everything is neat and tidy in one place and easy to access. There is a standalone version of KK as well as a plugin which you can use in Ableton. KK behaves just like any other instrument you would add in Ableton except that it gives you access to ALL your Komplete 12 library which is very handy indeed.
You could start with standalone Komplete Kontrol just to get to know the software without the initial complexity of using it within Ableton but the interface is the same so the experience won't change when you transition to using it within Ableton.
KEEP on watching CZcams tutorials as they will help you along your learning curve. There are plenty of videos on Komplete Kontrol as well as on Ableton.
As far as the N.I. keyboard is concerned, it mostly depends on the kind of instruments you like to use. The light guide on the keys is indispensable for orchestral instruments which have a limited range and various articulations all of which are shown on the keyboards light guide. But for piano or synths and other instruments which make use of the full range of the keyboard, the light guide is not really needed. That said, the keyboard is good quality and the integration with the Komplete Kontrol software is an experience you cannot get with other brands...The S-Series keyboards are the only ones with the light-guide.
It is a deep rabbit hole you are going down to be sure, but stick with it. I too am a guitarist/songwriter but I have been playing around in the computer home studio world for years and years and I love it today as much or more than when I started.
Enjoy!
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks Tony! So I don't need the KK keyboard? When I went looking for videos on KK I kept getting ones on how to use the keyboard. I have a small midi keyboard and a Push 2. I learned Ableton quickly and I'm recording good stuff. I still have to learn a lot, especially how to find the sounds I want. I ran across someone on CZcams selling presets for $40 and I loved a sound. If you heard a sound you loved how would you go about finding something similar? That's what I really want to know.
@@hannahbackward You can certainly get by without it but it is great to have especially if you don't like using a mouse.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Thanks! I have Push 2, a midi controller that goes with Ableton and I will be learning that so I can ditch the mouse. You sure look like you have a nice setup going on in the video, looks like an amusement park!
@@hannahbackward Yes I am like a kid in a candy shop. I love lots of lights and such. lol
great vidwo..informative
I very much appreciate the feedback. Even more so since it is positive! Cheers...
How is it 2022 and NI still hasn't updated their GUI?? You can't even maximize the window!! Is NI stuck in 1993?
I agree totally but yet I use KK almost exclusively because it is just that good the way it is. They will update it at some point I am sure. Cheers...
What kind of computer keyboard is that with the changing colors?
Native Instruments S88 MK2
@@tonylukashuk4965 I meant the computer keyboard, not the MIDI keyboard. Thanks.
Ahhh. Oops. It is a Corsair K55 RGB. Bought it packaged together with M55 RGB PRO mouse.
@@tonylukashuk4965 Great!
Sir how can I change time signature in pick guitar 🎸 of Kontact please thx
Hello there and thanks for reaching out. If you use a DAW, you are better off to change your time signature in the DAW and then Kontakt will match it I believe. Cheers!
Sir I want to change time signature of guitar pattern Pick guitar acoustic they all are in 4/4 I need 3/4
tony how can i connect my komplete kontrol and mixcraft 9?
Do you mean get a komplete keyboard working in mc9, KK plugin working in mc9, or both?
@@tonylukashuk4965 I mean, use Kontakt with Noire to Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio to record the audio of my digital piano? It doesn't work on my PC. I'm not sure what's wrong.
So your piano work with KK standalone? and what model is it and how is it connected (usb or midi)?
@@tonylukashuk4965 yes, it worked with kontakt alone. But when I tried using it with mixcraft 9, it won't read my kontakt. I don't know how to link them together. I have yamaha p45 with usb midi interface.
If you haven't added NI plugins manually to MC9, here is how...Top left click and then Preferences. Click Plug-ins and then cclick Edit VST folders. Add NI plugins by pointing to NI 64 bit folder. by default it is C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit. Once added you can add a Virtual Instrument track and once added, click the keyboard symbol on the track info. Under category, choose VSTi Instruments and you should see KK and Kontakt available on the right.
KOMPLETE KONTROL software is absolute garbage !
I am stuck for about a week not able to use the software at all (as I have endless problems either with plugins or content libraries).
Every time I open Native Access it goes out of the screen. Many interfaces opened in Kontakt on my 4K screen are completely unreadable (to small to blurry). Support ticket wizard is the worst thing I have seen in my entire life. No way to track tickets directly through the site. Now way to register/unregister single products from KOMPLETE and Native Access interface (which BTW endlessly keeps asking for an update). Major features which users ask for years are not added. Upgrade policy sucks - meaning - if you purchased a single product from NI and not it is part of the KOMPLETE suite they want you to pay for it twice and you end up with 2 licenses and SN). You will not get a refund or discount.
NI support replies about every 3rd day so after a week they asked few dozens of questions and no help, no resolution, no nothing. I paid in last 5 years $5k+ for their hardware and software and it was the worst musical decision of my life. While the 3rd party libraries and sounds are mostly OK or even excellent, everything else about this company simply sucks. I would never buy any NI products again nor recommend it to a friend. I really wish that one day Kontakt is replaced with some "real software" by some other competitive company. Perhaps the reason that this company is so bad is that they have grown so big and they believe there is no competition for NKS and alike.
The bottom line is: when it works it is OK (jut ok but not god) but when even small problems arise you are on your own and you waste tons of time and energy. Not worth the price.
Are you new to the gear and trying to get it working for the first time, or did it work fine before and the problems are recent?
🌚🖤🎶♾
Komplete Kontrol software sucks. Especially the GUI.