Mk3: an elevated expressive experience

With the Kontrol keyboard controllers, expressivity has never been more nuanced. Onboard polyphonic aftertouch provides detailed control of each note, letting you engage changes in pressure and velocity across chords to elicit evocative passages and progressions. A deeply customizable suite of modulation-wheel assignment options enables you to masterfully manipulate pitch, cutoff, vibrato, and virtually any additional parameter found within your plug-in of choice. If impressive flexibility with the modulation and pitch wheels wasn’t enough, you’ll find a dedicated Touch Strip nearby, facilitating a new dimension of uninterrupted expressivity. What’s more, because each keybed was developed in collaboration with Fatar, it captures not just the nuances of each manner of expression, but is fully calibrated for the extreme resolution of MIDI 2.0 and the creative possibilities that it affords on any manner of instrument or control.

Komplete integration, designed for the future

The face-lifted Kontrol keyboard’s interface maximizes depth of control while streamlining the user experience with excellent ergonomics. A rugged, durable housing comprises CNC-machined anodized aluminum that’s been bead blasted for a frame that’s as sturdy as it is aesthetically satisfying. Its vivid, full-color display enables detailed control of any NKS instrument. At the same time, its eight knobs, 4D encoder, and versatile soft switches can be tailored for virtually any performance, composition, or arrangement functionality your DAW has available. Instrumental integration goes further than ever, thanks to the newly reimagined Light Guide: RGB backlighting accompanies every key, button, and encoder, as well as the touch strip and pitch and modulation wheels. Use these to stay in key, assign zones and switches, indicate scales, and much more to let you focus on the most important aspects of your playing.

Keep yourself connected in any rig

Native Instruments has prioritized integration with each iteration of the Kontrol S Smart Keyboard Controllers, and the Mk3 continues this capacity for accommodation with more customization than ever before. Its USB-C bus-powered architecture supports MIDI connectivity over USB for seamless use with your DAW. The onboard 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O vastly expands interoperative possibilities well beyond the digital frontiers of your NKS virtual instruments, transmitting polyphonic aftertouch data for compatible instruments and devices. You’ll also find a quartet of 1/4-inch TRS jacks for flexible pedal usage: one for sustain, one for expression, and two assignable inputs that can facilitate any number of supplementary control or expression options.

Includes an expansive software library

Your purchase grants you access to an expansive software suite to further enhance the controller’s functionality. The software bundle includes Native Instruments’ sensational Komplete 15 Select and so much more. And thanks to the NKS 2 standard, your new Kontrol S keyboard controller integrates perfectly with each piece of software. With its impressive free software bundle and deep integration, it’s hard to go wrong with a Kontrol S keyboard controller.

Features

Onboard polyphonic aftertouch means deep, customizable expression with your virtual instruments, breathing new life into every sound
MIDI 2.0 compatibility means uncompromising control of your sound with stunning detail
1200 x 480mm high-resolution full-color display allows for precision browsing, tweaking, mixing, and more
CNC-machined housing comprises anodized aluminum with a bead-blasted surface for a design that’s both aesthetically pleasing and engineered for long-term use
RGB-backlit encoders, soft switches, buttons, keys, touch strip, and wheels enable the use of the extremely versatile Light Guide

Redesigned Light Guide provides real-time and interactive information that includes scales, key zones, switches, and more
Keybed was designed in collaboration with Fatar for unparalleled expressivity
Expanded connectivity includes dedicated 1/4-in. jacks for sustain and expression pedals, as well as 2 more assignable jacks for flexible sonic control
5-pin DIN MIDI in/out allows for extensive interoperative use with most arrangements, including polyphonic aftertouch data for compatible instruments
Ergonomic pitch and modulation wheels, as well as bidirectional Touch Strip, support versatile assignment options to maximize the potential of every supported DAW and NKS instrument

4-directional push encoder supplies one-handed sound browsing and project navigation
USB-C bus-powered design doubles for MIDI over USB to reduce cable clutter while increasing data transmission speeds
Tag-based unified browsing across all Komplete instruments lets you quickly find the sounds you want right from the hardware
Dial in the main parameters of any Komplete instrument, which automatically map to the touch-sensitive controller knobs
Create arpeggiated melodies at the touch of a button, play chords with single keys, or map the whole key range to scales
Dedicated transport section gives full access to your DAW’s playback and recording controls, going far deeper than previous models for unmatched integration

Type	Keyboard Controller, MIDI 2.0
Number of Keys	49
Type of Keys	Semi-weighted
Velocity Sensitive	Yes
Aftertouch	Yes, Polyphonic
Other Controllers	Pitchbend, Mod Wheel, Ribbon Controller
Encoders/Pots	8 x knobs, 1 x 4 direction encoder
Dedicated Transport Control	Yes
Zones	Yes
Pedal Inputs	4 x 1/4" TRS (sustain, expression, assign 1, assign 2)
MIDI I/O	In, Out, USB
USB	2 x Type C (Host, Power)
Computer Connectivity	USB
Format	AAX, AU, VST, VST3, Standalone
Hardware Requirements - Mac	8GB RAM minimum, Intel Core i5 or higher, Apple M1 or higher
Hardware Requirements - PC	8GB RAM minimum, Intel Core i5 or higher
OS Requirements - Mac	MacOS 13 or higher (MacOS 12 in MIDI 1.0 mode)
OS Requirements - PC	Windows 10 or higher
Power Supply	USB bus powered
Height	3.38"
Width	31.58"
Depth	12.71"
Weight	12.12 lbs.