Native Instruments KOMPLETE KONTROL S49 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.
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: Gustav Sto. Tomas, Jan Ola Korte, Nicolas Sidi, David Gover, Christian
Schulz
Software version: 1.9.1 (10/2017)
Hardware version: KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK2
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Disclaimer

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Contact

Table of Contents
1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL ............................................................................... 10
1.1 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Box Contents .............................................................................................................................. 12
1.3 System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 13
1.4 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................... 14
2 New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9 ...................................................................15
3 The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow ............................................................................ 16
4 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL ..................................................................................18
4.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer .................................................................................. 19
4.2 Setting up the Stand-Alone Application ...................................................................................... 20
4.3 Setting up Host Integration ........................................................................................................ 22
4.3.1 Setting up Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand .......................................................... 23
4.3.2 Setting up Ableton Live (macOS) ............................................................................... 23
4.3.3 Setting up Ableton Live (Windows) ............................................................................ 25
4.4 Connecting Pedals to the Keyboard ............................................................................................ 27
4.5 Connecting External MIDI Equipment to the Keyboard ................................................................ 30
5 Software Overview .....................................................................................................31
5.1 Header ........................................................................................................................................ 32
5.2 Browser ...................................................................................................................................... 34
5.2.1 Library Pane .............................................................................................................. 35
5.2.2 Instrument Selector ................................................................................................... 37
5.2.3 Files Pane .................................................................................................................. 39
5.3 Perform Panel ............................................................................................................................. 40
5.4 Plug-in Panel .............................................................................................................................. 41
5.5 MIDI Assignment Editor .............................................................................................................. 41
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 4

5.6 Instrument Area .......................................................................................................................... 43
6 Keyboard Overview ....................................................................................................44
6.1 Perform and Edit Section ............................................................................................................ 47
6.2 Transport Section ....................................................................................................................... 48
6.3 Control Section ........................................................................................................................... 49
6.4 Mode Buttons ............................................................................................................................. 50
6.5 The 4-Directional Push Encoder .................................................................................................. 51
6.6 Keybed and Light Guide .............................................................................................................. 52
6.7 Modulation Wheels ..................................................................................................................... 53
6.8 Touch Strip ................................................................................................................................. 54
6.9 Transpose and Fixed Velocity Buttons ......................................................................................... 55
7 Global Controls and Preferences ................................................................................ 56
7.1 Instrument Views ........................................................................................................................ 56
7.1.1 Default View .............................................................................................................. 57
7.1.2 Additional View .......................................................................................................... 57
7.1.3 Edit View ................................................................................................................... 59
7.2 Switching Instances ................................................................................................................... 60
7.3 Transport and Tempo .................................................................................................................. 62
7.3.1 Clock Resetting Commands ....................................................................................... 63
7.3.2 Adjusting Tempo ........................................................................................................ 63
7.4 Adjusting Master Volume ............................................................................................................ 64
7.5 Preferences ................................................................................................................................. 64
7.5.1 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 65
7.5.2 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 68
7.5.3 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 69
7.5.4 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 71
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 5

7.5.5 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 76
8 MIDI Communication .................................................................................................80
8.1 Host Automation ......................................................................................................................... 81
8.1.1 Automation IDs for the Perform Panel ........................................................................ 81
8.1.2 Recording Automation ............................................................................................... 82
8.2 Using the Keyboard in MIDI Mode ............................................................................................... 85
8.3 Using the Keyboard as Stand-Alone MIDI Controller ................................................................... 86
8.4 Using the MIDI Assignment Editor .............................................................................................. 88
8.4.1 Assigning MIDI Messages to Control Elements .......................................................... 88
8.4.2 Renaming Control Elements ...................................................................................... 90
8.4.3 The Mapping System ................................................................................................. 91
8.4.4 MIDI Message Types – Type Menu .............................................................................. 92
8.4.5 Assignments for Knobs .............................................................................................. 93
8.4.6 Assignments for Buttons ........................................................................................... 94
8.4.7 Assignments for Pedals (Switch) ............................................................................... 95
8.4.8 Assignments for Pedals (Continuous) ........................................................................ 97
9 Host Integration ........................................................................................................98
9.1 Integration with MASCHINE ........................................................................................................ 98
9.1.1 Overview of Basic Control Functions .......................................................................... 99
9.1.2 Using the Arrange buttons ......................................................................................... 102
9.2 Integration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand .................................................................. 109
9.3 Integration with Ableton Live ...................................................................................................... 113
10 Browsing the Library ..................................................................................................120
10.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 120
10.1.1 About the Library and Meta-Information .................................................................... 120
10.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 121
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 6

10.2 Opening the Browser .................................................................................................................. 122
10.3 Overview of the Browser on the Keyboard ................................................................................... 122
10.4 Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content ................................................................ 123
10.5 Loading an Instrument with its default Preset File ..................................................................... 125
10.6 Filtering Preset Files by Bank ..................................................................................................... 129
10.7 Resetting the Instrument Selection ............................................................................................ 131
10.8 Types and Modes Filters ............................................................................................................. 132
10.8.1 Filtering Preset Files by Types and Modes .................................................................. 135
10.8.2 Selecting Multiple Tags from the Same Level ............................................................ 139
10.9 Working with Favorites ............................................................................................................... 139
10.9.1 Adding Preset Files to the Favorites ........................................................................... 140
10.9.2 Displaying Favorites in the Results List ..................................................................... 142
10.9.3 Removing Preset Files from the Favorites .................................................................. 143
10.10 Performing a Text Search ............................................................................................................ 145
10.11 Displaying Preset File Information .............................................................................................. 145
10.12 Auditioning your Preset Files ...................................................................................................... 146
11 Managing the Library .................................................................................................148
11.1 Saving Preset Files to the User Library ....................................................................................... 148
11.2 Deleting User Preset Files from the User Library ......................................................................... 150
11.3 Editing the Tags and Properties of User Preset Files .................................................................. 151
11.4 Working with the Files Pane ........................................................................................................ 154
11.4.1 Additional Features in the Results List in the Files Pane ........................................... 155
11.4.2 Navigating to File Locations with the Location Bar .................................................... 156
11.4.3 Navigating to Recent File Locations .......................................................................... 157
11.4.4 Working with File Location Favorites .......................................................................... 157
11.5 Loading VST Plug-ins ................................................................................................................. 159
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 7

11.6 Installing NKS Instruments ......................................................................................................... 161
11.7 Importing KOMPLETE KONTROL-Compatible User Files ............................................................... 164
12 Controlling Instrument Parameters ............................................................................. 166
12.1 Pre-Mapped Instruments ............................................................................................................ 166
12.2 Adjusting Parameters ................................................................................................................. 166
12.3 Switching Parameter Pages ........................................................................................................ 167
12.4 Customizing Parameter Mappings .............................................................................................. 167
13 Playing and Editing Scales and Chords .......................................................................170
13.1 A Note about Music Theory .......................................................................................................... 171
13.2 Playing a Scale ........................................................................................................................... 172
13.3 Playing Chords ........................................................................................................................... 173
13.4 Editing Scales and Chords ......................................................................................................... 173
13.5 Setting the Scale Parameters ..................................................................................................... 174
13.5.1 Scale Root Note ......................................................................................................... 175
13.5.2 Scale Bank and Type ................................................................................................. 176
13.6 Setting the Key Mode Parameter ................................................................................................. 182
13.7 Setting the Chord Parameters .................................................................................................... 184
13.7.1 Chord mode ............................................................................................................... 184
13.7.2 Chord Type ................................................................................................................. 186
13.7.3 Chord Position ........................................................................................................... 189
14 Playing and Editing the Arpeggiator ............................................................................191
14.1 Playing Arpeggiator Sequences .................................................................................................. 192
14.2 Using a Sustain Pedal to Control the Arpeggiator ....................................................................... 193
14.3 Using Arpeggiator Snapshots on the Keyboard ........................................................................... 193
14.4 Editing the Arpeggiator .............................................................................................................. 194
14.5 Setting the Main Parameters ...................................................................................................... 195
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 8

14.5.1 Main Mode ................................................................................................................. 196
14.5.2 Main Type .................................................................................................................. 196
14.6 Setting the Rhythm Parameters .................................................................................................. 197
14.6.1 Rhythm Rate .............................................................................................................. 197
14.6.2 Rhythm Sequence ...................................................................................................... 198
14.6.3 Rhythm Swing ........................................................................................................... 199
14.7 Setting the Other Parameters ..................................................................................................... 200
14.7.1 Other Octaves ............................................................................................................ 200
14.7.2 Other Dynamic ........................................................................................................... 201
14.7.3 Other Gate ................................................................................................................. 201
14.8 Setting the Advanced Parameters .............................................................................................. 202
14.8.1 Advanced Retrigger ................................................................................................... 202
14.8.2 Advanced Repeat ....................................................................................................... 203
14.8.3 Advanced Offset ........................................................................................................ 203
14.8.4 Advanced Inversion ................................................................................................... 203
14.9 Setting the Range Parameters .................................................................................................... 204
14.9.1 Range Min. Key .......................................................................................................... 204
14.9.2 Range Max. Key ......................................................................................................... 204
14.10 Setting the Hold Parameter ........................................................................................................ 205
15 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................206
Index ........................................................................................................................208
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KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 9

1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Thank you for choosing KOMPLETE KONTROL!
The KOMPLETE KONTROL software and its dedicated keyboard—the KOMPLETE KONTROL
S-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 in an intuitive way and play them creatively 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 efficiently.
The exclamation mark icon highlights important information that is essential for the giv-
en 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 - 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 S-Series keyboard (or just
keyboard) as the hardware controller and KOMPLETE KONTROL software as the software installed
on your computer.
The term “effect” will sometimes be abbreviated as “FX” when referring to elements in the MA-
SCHINE software and hardware. These terms have the same meaning.
Unlabeled Buttons on the Keyboard
The buttons and knobs above and below the displays on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series
keyboard do not have labels.
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Document Conventions
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 11

The unlabeled buttons and knobs on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboard.
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.
1.2 Box Contents
The box contains the following items:
▪Information flyer providing:
▪the hardware serial number of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboard
▪a web link for downloading the KOMPLETE SELECT software bundle (including KOM-
PLETE KONTROL)
▪KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboard
▪Safety Instructions flyer
▪USB cable
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Box Contents
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 12

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:
www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/keyboards/komplete-kontrol-s-series/specifica-
tions/
KOMPLETE
KOMPLETE KONTROL is optimized for use with KOMPLETE 11 SELECT, KOMPLETE 11 and
KOMPLETE 11 ULTIMATE.
The latest KOMPLETE system requirements and compatibility information is available here:
www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-11/specifications/
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
System Requirements
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 13

1.4 Accessibility
KOMPLETE KONTROL’s accessibility features for visually-impaired users are currently
not available for the new MK2 generation of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series key-
board. They will be added as part of the next software update.
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Accessibility
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 14

2 New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9
KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9 adds support for the next generation of KOMPLETE KONTROL S49
and S61 keyboards. Additionally, it introduces the comprehensive Preview function to the
Browser.
▪Now you can preview sounds when browsing Factory Preset files for all KOMPLETE and
NKS Instruments.
▪The new KOMPLETE KONTROL S49 or S61 keyboards take advanced integration with MA-
SCHINE, Apple Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live to the next level, with full mix-
er control and direct access to quantization, writing automation, and tap tempo from the
keyboard.
Advanced integration between the new MK2 generation of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-
Series keyboard and Steinberg Cubase / Nuendo is coming soon.
▪Arpeggiator snapshots let you quickly recall Arpeggiator settings from the new KOM-
PLETE KONTROL S49 or S61 keyboards.
▪The MIDI Assignment editor lets you create custom controller mappings for the new KOM-
PLETE KONTROL S49 or S61 keyboards directly in the KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone
application.
New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 15

3 The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow
KOMPLETE KONTROL brings all the sounds from KOMPLETE and the Native Kontrol Standard
(NKS) to the heart of your workflow. Its advanced integration in a number of hosts enables you
to quickly capture ideas, with immediate access to the sounds you need—all directly from the
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboard.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL workflow is streamlined to remove any obstacles when sketching
out a new song in a supported host:
1. Select a track that hosts the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in with the navigation controls
on the keyboard. This is made possible by KOMPLETE KONTROL’s advanced host integra-
tion.
2. Find a Preset file you like from any of the Instruments in your KOMPLETE KONTROL Li-
brary by browsing with the keyboard, supported by the Browser’s filters and Preview func-
tions.
3. Use the keyboard’s Control section to adjust the loaded Instrument and create your own
unique sound.
4. Optionally, you can enable KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Smart Play features to enrich your
playing with the Scale engine and the Arpeggiator.
5. Record a new clip in the host, conveniently controlling transport and loop functions di-
rectly from the keyboard. Again, made possible by KOMPLETE KONTROL’s advanced host
integration.
6. If you need to start over, undo and redo functions are right at your fingertips. To further
refine your recording, you can apply quantization and automation to a clip by pressing the
corresponding buttons on the keyboard.
→You have quickly captured a musical idea, and can continue sketching out a new song by
repeating the process and layering more tracks.
Key Features
The following key features facilitate the KOMPLETE KONTROL workflow:
The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 16

▪Host integration: Advanced integration in a number of hosts allows you control core func-
tionality directly from the keyboard. For more information, refer to ↑4.3, Setting up Host
Integration and ↑9, Host Integration.
▪Browser: The Browser is your interface for finding, loading and organizing Instruments and
Preset files from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library. For more information, refer to ↑10,
Browsing the Library and ↑11, Managing the Library.
▪Instrument control: The Touch Strips and knobs on the keyboard are pre-mapped to all
KOMPLETE and NKS Instruments for immediate control. For more information, refer to
↑12, Controlling Instrument Parameters and Configuring the Touch Strips.
▪Instrument control: The Touch Strip and knobs on the keyboard are pre-mapped to all KOM-
PLETE and NKS Instruments for immediate control. For more information, refer to ↑12,
Controlling Instrument Parameters.
▪Smart Play: The Scale engine and the Arpeggiator let you play and generate scales, chords,
and arpeggiator sequences. For more information, refer to ↑13, Playing and Editing Scales
and Chords and ↑14, Playing and Editing the Arpeggiator.
See also
2Controlling Instrument Parameters [➙ 166]
The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 17

4 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
This section provides basic setup information and guides you through the process of integrat-
ing KOMPLETE KONTROL with supported 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.
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 - Manual - 18

4.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
To connect the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series 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.
3. Press the power switch on the rear panel of the keyboard to switch it on.
→The keyboard is now detected by the operating system.
Non-powered USB hubs are not supported. The keyboard should always be connected
directly to the USB port of the computer, or be used with a powered USB hub.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 19

4.2 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 configure the ap-
plication in its Preferences.
1. In the Main 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. Select the left and right output channels of your audio interface you want to use for KOM-
PLETE KONTROL’s master output in the Komplete Kontrol Out 1 L and Komplete Kon-
trol Out 1 R drop-down menus under Routings.
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 20