Native Instruments A Series User manual

MANUAL

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this docu-
ment is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose,
without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native
Instruments.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instru-
ments GmbH.
Ableton is a trademark of Ableton AG.
VST, HALion, Cubase, and Nuendo are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH. ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Mac, macOS, GarageBand, Logic, iTunes and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows, Windows Vista and DirectSound are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
in the United States and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply
any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: Jan Ola Korte, Christian Schulz, Gustav Sto. Tomas, David Gover, and
Nicolas Sidi
Software version: 2.0.4 (10/2018)
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Disclaimer

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
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www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2018. All rights reserved.
Contact

Table of Contents
1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL ............................................................................... 10
1.1 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Box Contents .............................................................................................................................. 12
1.3 System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 12
2 New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.4 ................................................................13
3 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL .................................................................................. 14
3.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer .................................................................................. 15
3.2 Setting up the Stand-Alone Application ...................................................................................... 16
3.3 Setting up Host Integration ........................................................................................................ 18
3.3.1 Setting up Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand .......................................................... 19
3.3.2 Setting up Ableton Live (macOS) ............................................................................... 19
3.3.3 Setting up Ableton Live (Windows) ............................................................................ 21
4 Software Overview ..................................................................................................... 24
4.1 Header ........................................................................................................................................ 25
4.2 Browser ...................................................................................................................................... 27
4.2.1 Library Pane .............................................................................................................. 28
4.2.2 Product Selector ........................................................................................................ 30
4.2.3 Files Pane .................................................................................................................. 32
4.3 Perform Panel ............................................................................................................................. 34
4.4 Plug-in Panel .............................................................................................................................. 34
4.5 Plug-in Chain Panel ................................................................................................................... 36
4.6 Plug-in Area ............................................................................................................................... 37
5 Keyboard Overview ....................................................................................................38
5.1 Perform and Edit Section ............................................................................................................ 41
5.2 Transport Section ....................................................................................................................... 42
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 4

5.3 Navigation and Mode Buttons .................................................................................................... 43
5.4 Transpose Buttons ...................................................................................................................... 44
6 Global Controls and Preferences ................................................................................ 45
6.1 Instrument Views ........................................................................................................................ 45
6.1.1 Default View .............................................................................................................. 46
6.1.2 Additional View .......................................................................................................... 46
6.1.3 Edit View ................................................................................................................... 48
6.2 Switching Instances ................................................................................................................... 49
6.3 Transport and Tempo .................................................................................................................. 51
6.3.1 Resetting the Clock ................................................................................................... 52
6.3.2 Adjusting Tempo ........................................................................................................ 52
6.4 Adjusting Master Volume ............................................................................................................ 53
6.5 Preferences ................................................................................................................................. 54
6.5.1 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 54
6.5.2 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 57
6.5.3 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 58
6.5.4 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 60
6.5.5 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 65
6.6 Loading a Plug-in in Default State ............................................................................................. 68
7 Browsing the Library .................................................................................................. 70
7.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 71
7.1.1 Product Types: Instrument and Effect ........................................................................ 71
7.1.2 About the Library and Meta-Information .................................................................... 71
7.1.3 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 72
7.2 Opening the Browser .................................................................................................................. 74
7.3 Loading Preset Files ................................................................................................................... 74
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 5

7.4 Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content ................................................................ 76
7.5 Filtering Preset Files by Product ................................................................................................. 76
7.6 Filtering Product Preset Files by Bank ........................................................................................ 80
7.7 Resetting the Product Selection .................................................................................................. 82
7.8 Types and Modes Tag Filters ....................................................................................................... 83
7.8.1 Filtering Preset Files by Types and Modes .................................................................. 85
7.8.2 Selecting Multiple Tags from the Same Level ............................................................ 88
7.9 Working with Favorites ............................................................................................................... 89
7.9.1 Adding Preset Files to the Favorites ........................................................................... 89
7.9.2 Displaying Favorites in the Results List ..................................................................... 91
7.9.3 Removing Preset Files from the Favorites .................................................................. 92
7.10 Performing a Text Search ............................................................................................................ 93
7.11 Displaying Preset File Information .............................................................................................. 93
7.12 Auditioning your Preset Files ...................................................................................................... 94
8 Working with Effects .................................................................................................95
8.1 Opening the Plug-in Chain Panel ............................................................................................... 95
8.2 Adding Effects ............................................................................................................................ 96
8.3 Selecting Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................................... 99
8.4 Reordering Effects ...................................................................................................................... 99
8.5 Scrolling the Plug-in Chain ........................................................................................................ 100
8.6 Bypassing Effects ....................................................................................................................... 101
8.7 Removing Effects ....................................................................................................................... 102
9 Controlling Instrument and Effect Parameters ..............................................................103
9.1 About Pre-Mapped Instruments and Effects ............................................................................... 103
9.2 Adjusting Parameters ................................................................................................................. 103
9.3 Switching Parameter Pages ........................................................................................................ 104
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 6

9.4 Customizing Parameter Mappings using the Plug-in Panel ........................................................ 104
10 Smart Play – Playing and Editing Scales and Chords ................................................... 107
10.1 A Note about Music Theory .......................................................................................................... 107
10.2 Activating the Scale Engine ........................................................................................................ 109
10.3 Selecting and Playing a Scale .................................................................................................... 110
10.4 Playing Chords ........................................................................................................................... 110
10.5 Editing Scales and Chords ......................................................................................................... 111
10.6 Setting the SCALE Parameters .................................................................................................... 112
10.6.1 SCALE Root Note ........................................................................................................ 112
10.6.2 SCALE Bank and Type ................................................................................................ 113
10.7 Setting the KEY MODE Parameter ............................................................................................... 120
10.8 Setting the CHORD Parameters .................................................................................................. 122
10.8.1 CHORD Mode ............................................................................................................. 122
10.8.2 CHORD Type ............................................................................................................... 124
10.8.3 CHORD Position ......................................................................................................... 128
11 Smart Play – Playing and Editing Arpeggiator Sequences ............................................ 129
11.1 Playing Arpeggiator Sequences .................................................................................................. 130
11.2 Editing the Arpeggiator .............................................................................................................. 131
11.3 MAIN Parameters ........................................................................................................................ 132
11.3.1 MAIN Mode ................................................................................................................. 132
11.3.2 MAIN Type .................................................................................................................. 133
11.4 RHYTHM Parameters ................................................................................................................... 133
11.4.1 RHYTHM Rate ............................................................................................................ 134
11.4.2 RHYTHM Sequence ..................................................................................................... 135
11.4.3 RHYTHM Swing .......................................................................................................... 136
11.5 OTHER Parameters ..................................................................................................................... 136
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 7

11.5.1 OTHER Octaves .......................................................................................................... 137
11.5.2 OTHER Dynamic ......................................................................................................... 138
11.5.3 OTHER Gate ............................................................................................................... 138
11.6 ADVANCED Parameters ............................................................................................................... 138
11.6.1 ADVANCED Retrigger ................................................................................................. 139
11.6.2 ADVANCED Repeat ..................................................................................................... 139
11.6.3 ADVANCED Offset ...................................................................................................... 140
11.6.4 ADVANCED Inversion .................................................................................................. 140
11.7 RANGE Parameters ..................................................................................................................... 140
11.7.1 RANGE Min. Key ......................................................................................................... 141
11.7.2 RANGE Max. Key ......................................................................................................... 141
11.8 HOLD Parameter ......................................................................................................................... 142
12 Managing the Library ................................................................................................. 143
12.1 Saving Preset Files to the User Library ....................................................................................... 143
12.2 Deleting User Preset Files from the User Library ......................................................................... 145
12.3 Editing the Tags and Properties of User Preset Files .................................................................. 146
12.4 Working with the Files Pane ........................................................................................................ 149
12.4.1 Additional Results List Features List in the Files Pane .............................................. 150
12.4.2 Navigating to File Locations with the Location Bar .................................................... 151
12.4.3 Navigating to Recent File Locations .......................................................................... 152
12.4.4 Working with File Location Favorites .......................................................................... 153
12.5 Loading VST Plug-ins ................................................................................................................. 154
12.6 Installing NKS Instruments ......................................................................................................... 155
12.7 Importing KOMPLETE KONTROL-Compatible User Files ............................................................... 158
13 MIDI Communication .................................................................................................160
13.1 Host Automation ......................................................................................................................... 161
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 8

13.1.1 Recording Automation ............................................................................................... 161
13.1.2 Automation IDs for the Perform Panel ........................................................................ 163
14 Host Integration ........................................................................................................165
14.1 Integration with MASCHINE ........................................................................................................ 165
14.2 Integration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand .................................................................. 166
14.3 Integration with Ableton Live ...................................................................................................... 170
Index ........................................................................................................................174
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KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 9

1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Thank you for choosing KOMPLETE KONTROL!
The KOMPLETE KONTROL software and its dedicated keyboard—the KOMPLETE KONTROL
A-Series—form a tightly integrated music production and performance system that brings all
the sounds from KOMPLETE and the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) to the heart of your work-
flow.
KOMPLETE KONTROL offers advanced integration with a number of hosts and provides full
control of any Instruments supporting NKS, both from Native Instruments and partners. The
keyboard lets you browse your Instruments and Effects in an intuitive way and play them crea-
tively with KOMPLETE KONTROL’s unique Scale engine and Arpeggiator.
We hope you enjoy this fantastic instrument as much as we do.
—The team at Native Instruments
1.1 Document Conventions
This document uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of poten-
tial issues. The icons introducing the following notes let you see what kind of information can
be expected:
The speech bubble icon indicates a useful tip that may often help you to solve a task more effi-
ciently.
The exclamation mark icon highlights important information that is essential for the given context.
The red cross icon warns you of serious issues and potential risks that require your full attention.
Furthermore, the following formatting is used:
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Document Conventions
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 10

▪Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…, Save as… etc.) in the software and
paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices is printed in italics.
▪Text appearing elsewhere (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) in the
software is printed in blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the
same text appearing somewhere on the screen.
▪Text appearing on the displays of the controller is printed in light grey. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on a controller display.
▪Text appearing on labels of the hardware controller is printed in orange. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on the controller.
▪Important names and concepts are printed in bold.
▪References to keys on your computer’s keyboard you’ll find put in square brackets (e.g.,
“Press [Shift] + [Enter]”).
►Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.
→Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.
Naming Convention
Throughout the documentation we will refer to KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard (or just keyboard)
as the hardware controller and KOMPLETE KONTROL software as the software installed on your
computer.
Unlabeled Buttons on the Keyboard
The buttons and knobs above and below the displays on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard
do not have labels.
For better reference, we applied a special formatting here: throughout the document, the ele-
ments are capitalized and numbered, so the buttons above the displays are written Button 1 to
Button 8, while the knobs under the displays are written Knob 1 to Knob 8.
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Document Conventions
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 11

1.2 Box Contents
The box contains the following items:
▪KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard
▪USB cable
▪Information flyer providing:
◦the hardware serial number of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard
◦a web link for downloading the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and the KOMPLETE SELECT
software bundle
▪Safety Instructions flyer
1.3 System Requirements
For KOMPLETE KONTROL to fully function as indented, your system needs to meet certain re-
quirements. The latest KOMPLETE KONTROL system requirements and compatibility informa-
tion is available here:
https://www.native-instruments.com//komplete-kontrol-a25-a49-a61/specifications/
KOMPLETE
KOMPLETE KONTROL is optimized for use with KOMPLETE SELECT, KOMPLETE and KOM-
PLETE ULTIMATE.
The latest KOMPLETE system requirements and compatibility information is available here:
http://www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Box Contents
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 12

2 New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.4
The release of KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.4 brings the following new features, improvements,
and changes:
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series Keyboards now Available
The KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboardsare now available and fully supported by the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
Creating local copies of Preset Files
You can now create local copies of Instrument and Effect Presets by dragging and dropping the
Preset from the KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Browser to the desktop.
New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.4
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 13

3 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
This section provides basic setup information for using the KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone
software, and guides you through the process of integrating KOMPLETE KONTROL in support-
ed hosts.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL software is installed both as a stand-alone application as well as a
VST, Audio Unit, and AAX plug-in.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone application must be opened once before using the plug-in
within your DAW for the first time, and after installing new Instruments and Effects.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone application directly communicates with your audio and
MIDI interfaces, which you can configure in the KOMPLETE KONTROL Preferences. When
KOMPLETE KONTROL is used as a plug-in within a host, the communication with your audio
and MIDI interfaces is managed by the host.
For details about the audio and MIDI configuration of the host, and how to load plug-ins, please
refer to its documentation.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 14

3.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
To connect the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to your computer:
1. Attach the device end of the included USB cable to the USB socket on the rear panel of
the keyboard.
2. Attach the computer end of the USB cable to an available USB 2.0 (or later) port on your
computer.
→The keyboard is now detected by the operating system.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 15

3.2 Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
When you launch the KOMPLETE KONTROL software from its installation directory, it starts as
a stand-alone application independently from a host.
By default, the application uses the standard audio interface of your computer. In order to use
another audio interface, and receive MIDI notes from the keyboard, you need to configure the
application in the Preferences.
Configuring Audio Interface
1. In the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu click on Edit > Preferences to open the Preferences.
2. Click on Audio to display the Audio page.
3. Select the hardware driver supported by your audio interface from the Driver drop-down
menu.
4. Select the audio interface from the Device drop-down menu.
5. Under Routings, select the left and right output channels of your audio interface you want
to use for KOMPLETE KONTROL’s master output in the Komplete Kontrol Out 1 L and
Komplete Kontrol Out 1 R drop-down menus.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 16

Preferences panel — Audio page
Enabling MIDI Control
1. Click on MIDI to display the MIDI page.
2. Click on Input to display the available devices for incoming MIDI signals.
3. Click the checkbox representing your keyboard, e.g., Komplete KontrolA25 MIDI to acti-
vate incoming MIDI signals from the keyboard.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 17

Preferences panel — MIDI page (entries may vary on your computer)
→The software is configured and ready to be controlled with the keyboard.
The MIDI Output settings are required for using KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Smart Play features with
other MIDI instruments.
3.3 Setting up Host Integration
KOMPLETE KONTROL integrates with a number of hosts to facilitate a fluent workflow for per-
forming and recording music with your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up Host Integration
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 18

Advanced integration of KOMPLETE KONTROL is available in the following hosts:
▪MASCHINE 2
▪Apple Logic Pro X
▪Apple GarageBand
▪Ableton Live
Before using the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to control a supported host, a few configura-
tion steps are required:
3.3.1 Setting up Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand
Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand are automatically configured for advanced integration with
KOMPLETE KONTROL once you launch the respective application for the first time after in-
stalling the KOMPLETE KONTROL software. Ensure that the keyboard is connected and
switched on before launching the application.
A dialog asks you to confirm this after launching the application:
►When the message OSC app “KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series” wants to connect to Logic
Pro X / GarageBand appears on screen, click OK.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone application must be opened once before using the plug-in
within your DAW for the first time, and after installing new Instruments and Effects.
For a detailed overview of Integration controls for Logic Pro X / GarageBand refer to ↑14.2, In-
tegration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand
3.3.2 Setting up Ableton Live (macOS)
Ableton Live must be configured for advanced integration with KOMPLETE KONTROL.
Installing the MIDI Remote Script
The MIDI Remote Script allows Ableton Live to recognize KOMPLETE KONTROL as a control
surface. It must be copied into Live’s MIDI Remote Scripts directory:
1. Ensure that Ableton Live is not running.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up Host Integration
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 19

2. Navigate to the following folder: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Native Instru-
ments/Host Integration/Ableton Live/
3. Copy the _NativeInstruments folder, as well as the Komplete_Kontrol_Mk2 folder to the
clipboard.
4. Open your Applications folder and right-click the Ableton Live application symbol. In the
context menu, click Show Package Contents.
5. In the Ableton Live package, navigate to Contents > App-Resources > MIDI Re-
mote Scripts.
6. Paste the folders you have copied to the clipboard into the MIDI Remote Scripts folder.
Installing the KOMPLETE KONTROL Instrument Racks
KOMPLETE KONTROL is loaded into Ableton Live in the form of an Instrument Rack. In order
to make the required Instrument Rack available in Ableton Live’s browser, it must be added to
your Ableton Live User Library:
1. Navigate to the following folder: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Native Instru-
ments/Host Integration/Ableton Live/.
2. Copy the KOMPLETE KONTROL VST.adg file to the clipboard.
3. Paste the file you have copied to the clipboard into your Ableton Live Instrument Rack
folder. By default this folder is located here: Macintosh HD/Users/*Username*/Music/
Ableton/User Library/Presets/Instruments/Instrument Rack/.
Configuring Ableton Live for KOMPLETE KONTROL
Once the MIDI Remote Script and the Instrument Rack file are installed in the correct loca-
tion, you need to add KOMPLETE KONTROL as a control surface in Ableton Live's preferences.
1. Launch Ableton Live.
2. In Ableton Live, go to the Preferences and open the MIDI / Sync tab.
3. Assign a free Control Surface slot to KOMPLETE KONTROL by selecting KOM-
PLETE KONTROL MK2 from the drop-down menu.
4. Leave both the Input and the Output for the KOMPLETE KONTROL control surface set to
None.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up Host Integration
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series - Manual - 20