Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88

General

When the Komplete Kontrol series first saw the light of day, the 61 model was the largest in the group. Now, a new model has taken centre stage: the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 keyboard. This is good news for ardent producers. Although a keyboard with 88 keys is often seen in a piano context, it has many more possibilities. A keyboard with this many keys can also be used with virtual instruments like organs, harps, and other compound instruments like complete choirs, string sections and drum kits. More importantly: many virtual instruments these days are overloaded with key switches, keys with which you can change the articulation. Key switches are now fully achievable with 88 keys without costing you too many playing keys.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88

The so-called key switches are found in Kompakt libraries, for example, with which this keyboard works seamlessly. In the software, playing keys and switch keys are marked with their own individual colour, but with a traditional master keyboard, it's easy to lose track of which is which. Directly above the keys of the S88 are coloured LEDs that show you which keys are which - very handy! Want another example of integration? The rotary encoders and their corresponding displays work together perfectly with the parameters in Komplete. The S88 has also followed the trend of software forming the heart of the studio while the largest part of the workflow is hardware-based.

Ribbon controllers and browser section

On the left side of the keyboard, you'll find two ribbon controllers, to which you can assign all kinds of functions. These were implemented instead of a modulation wheel or pitch bend because of their 'natural feel'. Also included is the Native Map, a complete section of pre-maps containing all of Komplete 10's pre-programmed functions. A browser section on the right side of the keyboard allows you to easily browse Komplete 10's comprehensive library. Throw in a set of practical transport buttons, and you've got yourself an exceptionally comprehensive keyboard controller!

Native Kontrol Standard

The launch of the Komplete Kontrol S88 was a good reason for Native Instruments to create something especially sophisticated. As mentioned before, this USB/MIDI keyboard series has handy LED lights above the keys, which is particularly great when you're working with Kontakt libraries. Not every virtual instrument is a Kontakt library, however. This is where the new NKS technology comes in - a brand-new standard that other software developers are also utilising. This means other developers can profit from those LED lights, the Native Browser, the Native Map and the Smart Play functions. Naturally, those other developers will need to update their software to some extent, but many already are, such as Arturia, U-He, Spitfire, ProjectSAM, Softube and Waldorf, for starters. The expectation is that this list will grow and that this integration might just be an important milestone in the history of music technology development!