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The Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is specially designed to go hand in hand with their KOMPLETE software and audio library.

But this 88 key MIDI Keyboard is not limited to just that. The Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 is versatile enough to work with other software including DAWs in a pinch.

It has 2 high-res color screens that allow you to browse sounds and tweak controls. This cool-looking feature also lets you mix and edit your NKS projects – straight on the hardware.

It has a light guide above the keys that can display lots of information on the fly such as scale, chord, and key zones.

This MIDI keyboard also comes with KOMPLETE 13 SELECT, a free taste of KOMPLETE. This app comes with 16 premium instruments and effects, including The Gentleman, Massive, Monark, Hybrid Keys, and Raum.

Also, buying this keyboard gets you a discounted upgrade to KOMPLETE 13 or KOMPLETE 13 ULTIMATE. So this is the instrument to get if you want to get deeper into the Native Instruments fold.

The Fatar hammer-weighted keybed adds great feel and response to the controller. It is tuned to feel weighty with fast recovery for repeating synth lines.

Hardware integration via MIDI enables you to control synthesizers while having a piano-esque feel.

This is the "pianoest-feeling" controller native (no pun intended) to the Native Instruments ecosystem. Having weighted keys adds to its expressiveness. And it also adds dimension to the many wonderful software instruments in the NI lineup.

One gripe I have is the obvious exclusion of any kind of pads. It's hard to not think this is purposefully done by Native Instruments so you go buy an additional Maschine pad controller from them. It is fully featured as a compositional and instrument suite. But the Komplete Kontrol "walled garden" is in full effect here.

You can integrate with most popular DAWs (NI lists Pro Tools, Bitwig Studio, Cubase/Nuendo, FL Studio, Ableton, Garageband, Logic Pro, and Studio One on their website) but be ready to take a couple of extra steps for even just the basic functionality such as transport controls via the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in (VST, AU, AAX).

If your compositional workflow revolves around the Native Instruments ecosystem and you want a controller that feels convincingly close to a piano, there are no alternatives to the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2 for pure integration, control, and feel.

Specifications

• Keys: 88 Fully hammer-weighted, velocity sensitive Fatar Keys with aftertouch
• Aftertouch: Yes
• Pads: no
• Controls: Pitch bend, Mod Wheel, Touch Strip Controller, 4-directional push encoder, 8 Touch sensitive knobs
• Automap: All of Native Instruments KOMPLETE software, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic
• Power: External AC adapter
• Connectivity: 5-Pin MIDI in & out and USB MIDI. 2 x 1/4" (sustain/expression, assignable)
• Dimensions: 54.7" (L) x 13.6" (W) x 4.5" (H).
• Weight: 29.1 lbs.
• Bundled Software: Komplete Select, Komplete Kontrol (downloads)
• Compatibility: MacOS 10.12 or later, 64-bit/Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later, 64-bit

Here is a demo of the Komplete Kontrol S88 MK2: