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Native Instruments

collapse expand iconDescription

The Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Smart Keyboard Controller provides musicians and producers with an intuitive interface to browse, tweak and play software instruments. Now with the MK2, you'll have enhanced control and two high-resolution color screens for precision sound design.

Explore Your Sound Library With Ease

The S61 MK2 features Native Instruments' Native Browser, allowing you to browse your entire KOMPLETE and VST instrument library from one place. Quickly find the sounds you need using descriptive tags, then load instruments with the push of a knob. The ergonomic 4-directional push encoder provides one-handed navigation of your DAW or instrument plugin, so you can stay focused on your performance.

Map & Tweak Instrument Parameters

Native Map technology automatically maps the S61 MK2's touch-sensitive knobs to control key parameters of any loaded KOMPLETE or NKS instrument. Make subtle tweaks or dramatic changes to suit your sound. The high-resolution color displays provide visual feedback, so you know exactly how an instrument patch or effect setting is changing in real time.

Expressive & Intuitive Playing Experience

The S61 MK2's 61-note Fatar keybed offers a premium playing experience with aftertouch support for enhanced expression. The innovative Light Guide mirrors the keys and pads of KOMPLETE instruments across the keyboard, so you know which keys or pads are active without looking at your computer screen. Smart Play lets you play chords with single keys, map the keyboard to different scales and create instant arpeggios.

Creative Control Over Your DAW

The S61 MK2 provides dedicated controls to operate the transport, mixing and editing functions of your digital audio workstation. Use the keyboard's transport section to start, stop and record with the push of a button. Quickly adjust levels, pans and sends with the touch-sensitive knobs. This tight integration helps you stay in the creative flow without constantly switching between your keyboard and mouse.

Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Smart Keyboard Controller
Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Smart Keyboard Controller
Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 MK2 Smart Keyboard Controller

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Pro-grade 61-note Fatar keybed with aftertouch
  • Ergonomic pitch and mod wheels, plus touch strip for expression control
  • Pre-mapped control of KOMPLETE instruments and (NKS) instruments
  • Full VSTi support
  • Tag-based preset browsing: Find sounds quickly and hear instant previews
  • Two high-res color screens for browsing, tweaking, mixing and more
  • Light Guide: RGB lights above each key highlight drum cells, key switches, chords, scales and more
  • Deep integration with MASCHINE software/hardware
  • 4-directional push encoder for one-handed sound browsing and project navigation
  • Two assignable pedal inputs
  • MIDI in/out
  • USB 2.0 bus powered
  • Includes KOMPLETE 14 SELECT
warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

3.71

14 Reviews

60%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

I've received a dirty and broke keyboard in a broken box ...
I've received a dirty and broke keyboard in a broken box ...

Most Liked Positive Review

4

It can be better

This midi controller is good. The keys fills nice and has some great futures. I am logic pro x user and this keyboard it works nice as basic daw controller. The midi presets are big bonus. The ability to asign butons and pots for difrent parameters and naming on screen it is just great. The lack of copy and paste presets for diferent modification it is wired. I can't beleive why such a great company like NI dosn't include a very basic future on KK software. If I acidentaly delete a preset, i have to start from scratch. It is shame. Now the bigest function of this keyboard. NKS. The ability to browse instruments direct from keyboard. It has pros and coins. Pros are that you can browse and preview presets directly from keyboard with matched parameters that can controll and see in screen. It is great no doubt. And the lights especially for drums are very intuitive which speeds your creavity. The arpegios scales and automation direct from keyboard are also great. Now the coins of NKS. As I sayed before, I am logic pro x user. And logic pro channel strips are fare more superior than NKS. I know NI has its own ecosystem but the lack of changing icons from keyboard is big minus. Another problem of NKS is going one step further just to oppen a instrument. What i mean is this. You open KK as au instrument, and inside this you oppen a vst instrument. Long way and some times it quits Logic pro x. When logic pro 7 introduced channel strips i thought was the best future in DAW and since there i have made my channel strips presets and made huge user library. I wold exhange NKS for Logic pro channel strips. I can't beleive that no company hasn't implement this future on theyre midi controller. I don't think that is hard to do. They dont even need to create new software like NI KK or stupid akai Akai VIP. Hey channel stips presets are there you just find way to show and browse from your keyboard. It is small thing but for me it is game changer.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Not living up to what is advertised!

This Midi Controller Keyboard desperately needs a major firmware update. I have already opened a few support tickets with NI and they have promised things will be fixed in the next update. Unfortunately, they have not put a date on when the update will be available. Here are the negatives: You cannot change the MIDI transmit channel from the default of channel one for midi note messages. This is quite ridiculous, especially since one of the highlights that NI added to the name of the platform is, "Midi Controller Keyboard". Another BIG problem is that it does not support keyboard splits which allows you to map two library instruments simultaneously. This applies whether you are using Komplete Kontrol or KonTakt. The user's manual has a few deceptive mistakes, such as assigning a different Midi transmit channel to note messages, which is not currently possible ( see above ). I have no idea what the developers at Native Instruments were thinking when they creating the feature list for this device, but they missed quite a few of the basics. One thing is for certain, with all of the possibilities this platform has ( the two beautiful color displays and navigation controls are underutilized), it has a long way to go before I would recommend this controller keyboard to anyone.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Concerts3
  2. Practicing3
  3. Back-Up1
  4. For Fun!1
  5. Recording1
Cons
  1. Not Functional1
  2. Poor Quality1
  3. Ableton connection was a bit confusing1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced5
  2. Professional Musician4
  3. Novice2
Pros
  1. Good Quality9
  2. Easy To Use7
  3. Functional7
  4. Improves Sound2
  5. Looks good1

Reviewed by 14 customers

  • Low Quality Keyboard

    2

    submitted2 years ago

    byAudion

    fromFullerton, CA

    A fancy product with many features, it lacks a quality keyboard. New unit exhibited severe velocity unevenness from key to key. Some keys even had dead zones where you can't get anything between too loud and too quiet. Garbage with shiny lights.

  • Very happy with NI S61 mk2

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byBob

    fromSan Jose Ca

    Works well and as advertised.

  • Not compatible with Logic Pro and Macs

    1

    submitted4 years ago

    byEnder W

    fromUSA

    When I first bought this product in 2019 it was 5 stars for me. As of 2021, In the past 1+ year the keyboard has become practicably unusable with Logic Pro on Macs. There are multiple issues over a year old that you will find on the Native Instruments forums, and while Native Instruments has put in some effort, there is no meaningful progress on tons of issues. The main issues are similar in that the keyboard connection with the DAW is lost by taking any number of normal actions. Use the undo shortcut and the connection drops. Switch to another track and the connection often drops. Change instruments and the connection sometimes drops. Also all of the transport functions (basically all of the special functions you buy the keyboard for) only work when Logic Pro is opened after a fresh computer restart. If you close Logic Pro and open it again much of the keyboard just doesn't work. You have to restart your entire computer again to restore functionality. Basically you buy this kind of keyboard to improve and streamline your process, but on Macs it has the opposite effect. You are constantly forced to restart your computer and reconnect the keyboard continually just to get the standard functionality. Finally, while the support staff is friendly, essentially they will just tell you that it is a known (years old) issue and they are "working on it". Perhaps with other DAWs things are better, but if you want to use this with Logic Pro on a Mac then look elsewhere.

  • I am really impressed

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted4 years ago

    byAaron F

    fromUtah

    Great build. Smooth integration with native instruments products. A lot of fun.

  • Yes would buy three times

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted5 years ago

    byRicocaine

    fromHouston

    Use with ableton connects easily and has awesome sounds library.

  • I've received a dirty and broke keyboard in a broken box ...

    1

    submitted5 years ago

    byOscar

    fromAustin

    I couldn't use it, it was broken.

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byDavid

    fromDallas, TX

    Does the s61 MK2 have Smart Play: select from 100+ scales and modes to display on the Light Guide?

    Does the s61 MK2 have Smart Play: select from 100+ scales and modes to display on the Light Guide?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    I’m sorry, I don’t know. Please see.........https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keyboards/komplete-kontrol-s49-s61/

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byZay

    fromundisclosed

    What software is included with controller purchase?

    What software is included with controller purchase?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    "Includes KOMPLETE 11 SELECT"

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byMilen

    fromNew York

    If I want to use it as a Midi Controller for non native instruments VSTS's such as serum omnisphere etc will I be able to solely through the USB cable?

    If I want to use it as a Midi Controller for non native instruments VSTS's such as serum omnisphere etc will I be able to solely through the USB cable?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    This needs a little bit of discussion. Please give us a call 855-770-3373

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byMitty

    fromConneticut

    What's the warranty on these? Does Native Instruments even offer spare parts like keys, screens or encoders? Bunch of problems I've read about their products lately, people having a hard time trying to get their new units fixed by them.

    What's the warranty on these? Does Native Instruments even offer spare parts like keys, screens or encoders? Bunch of problems I've read about their products lately, people having a hard time trying to get their new units fixed by them.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It varies from product to product. I would suggest reaching out to them to find out the warranty info and get info on how to get it repaired. Another option to try is to see if they have local repair facilities that you can take it to.