KVR Audio

damn00 · Post by **damn00** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:01 pm

I'm not a keyboard player but it could happen that I want to make some chords and small stuff with the keyboard when producing music.

I'm into M-Audio Axion 49 or Komplete Kontroll S49.

I don't use whole Komplete but a few instruments like Massive, FM8, Kontakt, Guitar Rig and some effects like Driver, The Finger.

So it's that worth to buy the Komplete Kontrol S49?

The reason why I like Komplete Kontrol is those:

+ Best keybed
+ Buttons & knobs special using for browsing presets and bank
+ Designed for non-keyboard player
+ Compact and beautiful design

- The huge price.

And I think it's the price that make me more confused about buying it even I want it more than Axiom 49 but the real question is if Komplete Kontrol are really for my need and deserve to pay much for it?. So please guys be loyal and help me to make a decision.

lostnthesound · Post by **lostnthesound** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:59 pm

I received my Kontrol S49 a few days ago and have enjoyed it quite a bit.

There is a lot to love about it:

great feeling keys
clear LCD screens
mod/pitch touch strips with "gravity" options
easy recognition of instrument mapping via lights (extremely helpful for Kontakt instruments)
performance modes (Chord/Arp)

Having said all the above, there are some serious limitations:

Chord/Arp Mode Restricted to Komplete Kontrol. Currently, the S49's Performance modes (one note chords and Arp) can only be used in conjunction with Komplete instruments via Komplete Kontrol. In other words, you can not use the Performance modes with any 3rd Party Instruments, the S49 goes into MIDI-only mode.

No MIDI Out. This is a HUGE con for me that I'm disappointed I didn't come across in any reviews/previews prior to purchasing. None of the Performance mode output can be captured. For example, when you play an Arp using the S49's Performance mode, it's recorded only as whatever notes/keys the user is currently pressing–not the generated arpeggio. The same holds true for Chord mode–only single notes are recorded, not the actual Chord output. I have yet to try the MIDI FX plugin http://wp.audiocr.com/midi-fx-freeze/ to see if it can "capture" MIDI, similar to how it works with Cthulhu, but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

While I was extremely disappointed upon discovering these limitations first-hand, it's worth mentioning that the hardware/software is in its infancy. I remember outcry when Maschine was released over the inability to load 3rd AU/VST plugins (amongst other limitations) only to gain the ability a few updates later (among many other wonderful enhancements).

If your workflow revolves around most of the tools found within Komplete 9/10, the Komplete Keyboard will find a proper spot in your studio and workflow. The knob tweaking is lovely and the mapping is quite strong. However, if Komplete instruments/fx are used sparingly within your workflow, I would consider holding off until Komplete Kontrol software undergoes some maturation via updated functionality. Just my .02.

Cheers.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 9:09 pm

I think Akai's MPK and MAX keyboards may be closer equivalents to the Komplete Kontrol than the Axiom is.

JC_ · Post by **JC_** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:11 am

The price of the S49 kind of baffles me but it does look like a quality piece of gear. The Alesis Vi series is also on the horizon if you haven't checked them out already: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VI49

kelvyn · Post by **kelvyn** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:42 am

Now thats a big price difference on the Alesis!

JC_ · Post by **JC_** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:49 am

Just discoverd new m-audio oxygen line as well - http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/oxygen-iv-49 - super cheap

BBFG# · Post by **BBFG#** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:23 am

^ Synth action, no aftertouch on the M-Audio.
Anybody know if these boards that come with the Air Xpand;
if you can sell off that software if you don't plan on using it?
Or is it tied to the hardware?

MrFurious · Post by **MrFurious** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:25 pm

In this price range, the Nektar Panorama P4 or P6 is worth considering:

http://www.nektartech.com/PRODUCTS/Panorama-P4-P6
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PanoramaP4

Depending on whether you use one of the supported DAWs (Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro and Reason ), it should be on your list. I know I would get one if they added support for Sonar.

C-note · Post by **C-note** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:27 pm

MrFurious wrote:In this price range, the Nektar Panorama P4 or P6 is worth considering:

http://www.nektartech.com/PRODUCTS/Panorama-P4-P6
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PanoramaP4

Depending on whether you use one of the supported DAWs (Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Logic Pro and Reason ), it should be on your list. I know I would get one if they added support for Sonar.

Except Nektar/me couldn't get the transport controls to work in Cubase 7.5 (almost a year of support emails) so I sold it and have a Kontrol S 61 on order.

justin3am · Post by **justin3am** » Thu Oct 23, 2014 9:00 pm

C-note wrote: Except Nektar/me couldn't get the transport controls to work in Cubase 7.5 (almost a year of support emails) so I sold it and have a Kontrol S 61 on order.

If this is the issue which resulted in Cubase crashing when pressing transport buttons on Panorama, Steinberg fixed the bug which caused this problem in Cubase v7.5.30. I understand that you no longer have your Panorama but I mention this for the sake of other users (or potential users).

rentboyrenton · Post by **rentboyrenton** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:16 am

i don't understand why they went with that ridiculous design for the panorama, it looks like a toy
i have seen quite a few studios in my life and aesthetically it wouldn't fit any of them - the lx line from nektar is so much better in that regard

maybe if you are rocking apple products & look alike gear exclusively...

i know this might sound ridiculous to a lot of people here but i am OCD about things like this

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 7:36 am

agit wrote:i don't understand why they went with that ridiculous design for the panorama, it looks like a toy
i have seen quite a few studios in my life and aesthetically it wouldn't fit any of them - the lx line from nektar is so much better in that regard

I prefer the Panorama over the LX's. Looks-wise, the Komplete Kontrol S's are pretty high up there.

SkySplitter · Post by **SkySplitter** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:50 am

I have the Panorama controlling Logic, Bitwig and Reason and it is incredible! I was thinking about the Komplete keyboard but 8 knobs just doesn't compare. It has a bit of a learning curve but thats just because you can do so much with it!

yomanfree · Post by **yomanfree** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:43 pm

Perheaps good to keep an eye on this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJQ_JeSNFSI

Numanoid · Post by **Numanoid** » Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:02 pm

I wonder if I have misunderstood, I thought that if you bought one of the Komplete Kontrol S keyboards, you would get Komplete 10 included ?

Otherwise I would think €599 just for a midi controller is rather expensive

Should I buy Komplete Kontrol S49?