Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol 1.8 S Operation 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 document 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 Instruments GmbH.
Ableton is a trademark of Ableton AG.
Mac, MacOS, OS X, 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
Disclaimer
Software version: 1.8 (02/2017)
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
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D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
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5th Floor
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USA
www.native-instruments.com
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Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
Contact
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UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2017. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL ...............................................................................
1.1 Installation and Getting Started ................................................................................................. 12
1.2 Manual Conventions ................................................................................................................... 14
1.3 System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 16
1.4 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................... 17
1.5 What Is New in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.8 ..................................................................................... 22
1.4.1 Accessibility Overview ............................................................................................... 18
1.4.2 Hardware Overview .................................................................................................... 20
1.4.3 Training Mode ............................................................................................................ 21
2 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
2.1 KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES ........................................................... 24
2.2 Adjusting the KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Interface ............................................................... 30
2.3 Loading Instruments .................................................................................................................. 33
2.4 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 35
2.1.1 The Browser and the Navigate Section ...................................................................... 25
2.1.2 The Perform Panel and the PERFORM Section (Smart Play) ....................................... 26
2.1.3 The Light Guide ......................................................................................................... 27
2.1.4 The Control Section and Instrument Parameters ....................................................... 28
2.1.5 The Transport Section and Your Host Application ...................................................... 29
2.2.1 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 31
2.2.2 Showing/Hiding the Perform Panel ............................................................................ 31
2.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Plug-in Panel ............................................................................. 32
2.2.4 Selecting Instrument Views ....................................................................................... 32
2.4.1 Transport and Navigate Controls ............................................................................... 36
2.4.2 Audio and MIDI Handling ........................................................................................... 38
11
24
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 4
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2.5 Controlling MASCHINE with KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES ........................................................ 41
2.6 MIDI Mode ...................................................................................................................................44
2.7 Preferences .................................................................................................................................45
2.8 Connecting External MIDI Equipment to KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES ..................................... 60
2.9 Incoming and Outgoing MIDI ...................................................................................................... 61
2.10 Native Map ................................................................................................................................. 63
2.11 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation ............................................................... 64
2.12 Using Pedals with KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES ...................................................................... 69
2.4.3 Multiple Plug-in Instances ........................................................................................ 38
2.4.4 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 39
2.4.5 Configuring Your Host Application ............................................................................. 40
2.7.1 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 46
2.7.2 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 48
2.7.3 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 50
2.7.4 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 54
2.7.5 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 59
2.9.1 Incoming MIDI and Host Automation ......................................................................... 61
2.9.2 Outgoing MIDI and Host Control ................................................................................ 62
2.9.3 MIDI Mode and Stand-alone Operation ...................................................................... 63
2.11.1 Recording Automation ............................................................................................... 64
2.11.2 Automation IDs .......................................................................................................... 67
3 Quick Start ................................................................................................................
71
3.1 First Steps .................................................................................................................................. 72
3.2 Controlling Instruments .............................................................................................................. 81
3.1.1 Opening the Browser ................................................................................................. 72
3.1.2 Finding and Loading an Instrument Preset ................................................................ 74
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 5
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3.3 Using Smart Play: Scale, Arp, and the Light Guide ..................................................................... 83
3.4 What’s Next? ...............................................................................................................................85
3.2.1 Controlling Instrument Parameters ........................................................................... 82
3.2.2 More than Eight Parameters: Switching Parameter Pages ......................................... 82
3.3.1 Selecting a Scale ....................................................................................................... 83
3.3.2 Playing Chords .......................................................................................................... 84
3.3.3 Playing Arpeggiated Chords ...................................................................................... 84
4 KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Overview .....................................................................
4.1 Software Interface Overview ....................................................................................................... 88
4.2 Header ........................................................................................................................................ 90
4.3 Plug-in Panel ..............................................................................................................................92
4.4 Instrument Area ..........................................................................................................................95
4.4.1 Default View .............................................................................................................. 96
4.4.2 Additional View .......................................................................................................... 97
4.4.3 Edit View ................................................................................................................... 99
5 KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Overview ....................................................................
5.1 Keyboard Interface Overview ....................................................................................................... 101
5.2 MIDI Mode ...................................................................................................................................104
5.3 Host Control and the Transport Section ...................................................................................... 105
5.4 Control Section ........................................................................................................................... 113
5.2.1 Switching Controller Modes ....................................................................................... 104
5.2.2 Host Control in MIDI Mode ......................................................................................... 105
5.2.3 Stand-Alone Operation .............................................................................................. 105
5.3.1 Transport Controls ..................................................................................................... 107
5.3.2 Automatic Track Focus and the Navigate Section ...................................................... 109
5.3.3 Switching between KOMPLETE KONTROL Instances ................................................... 112
87
101
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 6
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5.5 Touch Strips ............................................................................................................................... 122
5.6 The Light Guide .......................................................................................................................... 133
5.4.1 Control Section Controls ............................................................................................ 114
5.4.2 Native Map ................................................................................................................ 115
5.4.3 Controlling Instrument Parameters with the Control Section ..................................... 116
5.4.4 Controlling Smart Play with the Control Section ........................................................ 121
5.4.5 Controlling Touch Strip Settings with the Control Section ......................................... 121
5.5.1 Pitch Strip ................................................................................................................. 125
5.5.2 Modulation Strip ........................................................................................................ 128
5.6.1 Instrument Mapping .................................................................................................. 134
5.6.2 Smart Play Mapping .................................................................................................. 135
6 KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser .....................................................................................
6.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 137
6.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 143
6.3 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 163
6.1.1 The Library ................................................................................................................. 137
6.1.2 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................ 138
6.1.3 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 142
6.2.1 Overview of the Library pane ..................................................................................... 143
6.2.2 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 145
6.2.3 Selecting or Loading an Instrument and Selecting a Bank ........................................ 145
6.2.4 Filtering by Types and Modes ..................................................................................... 154
6.2.5 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 158
6.2.6 Using the Result List in the Library Pane ................................................................... 159
6.2.7 Using Favorites in the Library Pane ........................................................................... 161
6.3.1 Overview of the Files Pane ......................................................................................... 163
136
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 7
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6.4 Saving Files to the User Library .................................................................................................. 172
6.5 Displaying and Editing File Information ..................................................................................... 174
6.6 Browsing with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES ...................................................................... 182
6.3.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 165
6.3.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 166
6.3.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 167
6.3.5 Using the Result List in the Files Pane ...................................................................... 168
6.3.6 Importing Files to the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library .................................................... 170
6.5.1 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 175
6.5.2 Editing the File Tags and Properties .......................................................................... 175
6.5.2.1 Attribute Editor Basics ..............................................................................175
6.5.2.2 The BANK Page ..........................................................................................177
6.5.2.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages ....................................................................178
6.5.2.4 The PROPERTIES Page ...............................................................................180
6.6.1 Browse Mode and Hardware Browsing ....................................................................... 184
6.6.2 Hardware Browsing ................................................................................................... 185
6.6.3 Browser Overview ...................................................................................................... 187
6.6.4 Choosing Between Factory and User Content via the On-Screen Overlay ................... 189
6.6.5 Selecting an Instrument via the On-Screen Overlay ................................................... 190
6.6.6 Selecting a Bank via the On-Screen Overlay .............................................................. 194
6.6.7 Filtering by Types via the On-Screen Overlay ............................................................. 195
6.6.8 Filtering by Modes via the On-Screen Overlay ............................................................ 201
6.6.9 Using the Result List in the On-Screen Overlay ......................................................... 203
6.6.10 Filtering by Favorites via the On-Screen Overlay ........................................................ 204
6.6.11 Adding and Removing Favorites ................................................................................ 205
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 8
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7 KOMPLETE KONTROL Smart Play .................................................................................
7.1 Software Perform Panel Overview ............................................................................................... 207
7.2 Keyboard PERFORM Section Overview ......................................................................................... 211
7.3 A Note about Music Theory .......................................................................................................... 213
7.4 Scale Engine ...............................................................................................................................215
7.5 Scale Parameters ....................................................................................................................... 217
7.6 Arpeggiator .................................................................................................................................238
7.7 Arp Parameters ...........................................................................................................................240
7.8 Using ARP with a Sustain Pedal ................................................................................................. 252
7.9 Scale and Arp MIDI Output ......................................................................................................... 253
7.2.1 SCALE Button Functions ............................................................................................ 212
7.2.2 ARP Button Functions ................................................................................................ 213
7.3.1 Scales ........................................................................................................................ 213
7.3.2 Chords ....................................................................................................................... 214
7.3.3 Arpeggios .................................................................................................................. 214
7.5.1 Scale ......................................................................................................................... 218
7.5.2 Key Mode ................................................................................................................... 225
7.5.3 Chord Mode ............................................................................................................... 230
7.5.4 Chord Type ................................................................................................................. 233
7.5.5 Chord Position ........................................................................................................... 237
7.7.1 Main .......................................................................................................................... 241
7.7.2 Rhythm ...................................................................................................................... 243
7.7.3 Other ......................................................................................................................... 246
7.7.4 Advanced ................................................................................................................... 248
7.7.5 Range ........................................................................................................................ 250
7.7.6 Hold ........................................................................................................................... 251
206
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 9
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7.9.1 MIDI Output from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Stand-alone Application ......................... 253
7.9.2 MIDI Output from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Plug-in ................................................... 254
8 Troubleshooting – Getting Help ..................................................................................
8.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 255
8.2 Getting Help ............................................................................................................................... 257
8.1.1 The KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Won’t Start .......................................................... 255
8.1.2 No Output from Your KOMPLETE Instrument .............................................................. 255
8.1.3 Latency Issues ........................................................................................................... 256
8.1.4 The KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Crashes ............................................................... 256
8.1.5 Updates ..................................................................................................................... 256
8.2.1 Knowledge Base ........................................................................................................ 257
8.2.2 User Forum ................................................................................................................ 258
8.2.3 Technical Support ...................................................................................................... 258
8.2.4 Registration Support ................................................................................................. 259
Index ........................................................................................................................
255
260
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 10
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Thank you for choosing KOMPLETE KONTROL!
KOMPLETE KONTROL and its dedicated keyboard—the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES—is
a tightly integrated music production and performance system for use with your software instruments, offering advanced integration and full control of KOMPLETE Instruments as well as
any instruments supporting the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS).
KOMPLETE KONTROL lets you browse your instruments in an intuitive way and play them creatively with its unique Smart Play features. You can also control your host software with the
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard, and customize the functions of the touch strips,
knobs and buttons for use with other software utilizing the included Controller Editor application. We hope you enjoy this fantastic instrument as much as we do. Now let’s get going!
—The team at Native Instruments
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 11
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Installation and Getting Started
1.1 Installation and Getting Started
KOMPLETE KONTROL can be conveniently installed with Native Access. Native Access is an
administration tool for easy product activation, installation and updates for all your Native Instruments products. Native Access is available for download here:
https://www.native-instruments.com/specials/native-access
To learn more about Native Access, please read the following Knowledge Base article:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/210314365-What-is-Native-Access-
To install KOMPLETE KONTROL, launch Native Access on your computer and click IN-
►
STALL for the corresponding entry in the list of available software. If KOMPLETE KON-
TROL is not available in this list, click Add a serial in the upper left corner of Native Access and type in your KOMPLETE KONTROL serial number.
To get started with KOMPLETE KONTROL and learn all about its functionality, the following
information sources are available:
▪ KOMPLETE KONTROL Manual (this document)
▪ Controller Editor Manual
▪ KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Ableton Live Setup document
▪ Support section on the Native Instruments website
Hereafter is a quick description of each of these information sources.
KOMPLETE KONTROL Manual
This document, the KOMPLETE KONTROL Manual, provides you with a comprehensive description of all KOMPLETE KONTROL software and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES hardware
features.
You can download the latest version of this document from the Native Instruments website:
https://www.native-instruments.com/kompletekontroldownloads
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 12
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Installation and Getting Started
Controller Editor Manual
Besides using your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard together with its dedicated
KOMPLETE KONTROL software, you can also use it as a powerful and highly versatile MIDI
controller to pilot any other MIDI-capable software or hardware. The Controller Editor software,
which is part of the KOMPLETE KONTROL installation, allows you to precisely define all MIDI
assignments for your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard. Find the Controller Editor
Manual in the Documentation subfolder of the Controller Editor installation folder on your hard
disk.
Installat
Using KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Keyboards with Other Host Software
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES includes advanced integration with Apple Logic Pro X / GarageBand, Steinberg Cubase Pro / Cubase Artist / Nuendo, and Ableton Live.
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES with Ableton Live, additional installation steps
are required. A detailed guide for setting up Ableton Live for use with KOMPLETE KONTROL
S-SERIES is available as a PDF file in the Host Integration Files subfolder of the KOMPLETE
KONTROL installation folder on your hard disk. It can also be found here: https://support.na-
tive-instruments.com/hc/articles/209557689
No additional installation steps are required for Apple Logic Pro X / GarageBand or Steinberg
Cubase Pro / Cubase Artist / Nuendo. For more information on using KOMPLETE KONTROL SSERIES with these hosts, please refer to: https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/
210280325
Other Online Resources
If you are experiencing problems related to your Native Instruments product that the supplied
documentation does not cover, there are several ways of getting help:
▪ Knowledge Base
▪ User Forum
▪ Technical Support
▪ Registration Support
Find more information on these in section ↑8, Troubleshooting – Getting Help.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 13
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Manual Conventions
1.2 Manual Conventions
This section introduces you to the signage and text highlighting used in this manual. This manual uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues.
The icons introducing these notes let you see what kind of information is to 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 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:
▪ Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…, Save as… etc.) and paths to loca-
tions on your hard disk or other storage devices is printed in italics.
▪ Text appearing elsewhere (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) is print-
ed in blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing
somewhere on the screen.
▪ Text appearing on displays of the keyboard is printed in light grey. Whenever you see this
formatting applied, you will find the same text on a keyboard display.
▪ Text appearing on labels of the keyboard is printed in orange. Whenever you see this for-
matting applied, you will find the same text on the keyboard.
▪ 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.
►
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 14
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Manual Conventions
Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.
→
Naming Convention
Throughout the documentation we will refer to KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES as the keyboard
and KOMPLETE KONTROL as the software installed on your computer.
Button Combinations and Shortcuts on Your Keyboard
Most instructions will use the “+” sign to indicate buttons that must be pressed simultaneously, starting with the button indicated first. E.g., an instruction such as:
“Press SHIFT + PLAY” means:
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
2. While holding SHIFT, press PLAY and release it.
3. Release SHIFT.
Unlabeled Knobs on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Keyboard
The knobs above the displays on your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard do not have
labels.
The unlabeled knobs on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard.
For better reference, we applied a special formatting here: throughout the document, the elements are capitalized and numbered, so the knobs above the displays are written Knob 1 to
Knob 8. E.g., whenever you see an instruction such as “Turn Knob 2 to increase the value,”
you’ll know it’s the second knob from the left above the displays.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 15
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
System Requirements
1.3 System Requirements
For KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES to fully function as indented,
your system needs to meet certain requirements.
For the latest KOMPLETE KONTROL system requirements and compatibility information, including compatibility with third-party software, visit:
www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/keyboards/komplete-kontrol-s-series/specifications/
KOMPLETE
KOMPLETE KONTROL is optimized for use with KOMPLETE 11 SELECT, KOMPLETE 11 and
KOMPLETE 11 ULTIMATE.
For the latest KOMPLETE system requirements and compatibility information, visit:
www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-11/specifications/
Supported Host Applications
For some of the advanced host integration features of KOMPLETE KONTROL to function as intended, your host application must be compatible. The following Knowledge Base article gives
you an overview of the features that are available in each of the most commonly used DAWs:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/210280325
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 16
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
1.4 Accessibility
KOMPLETE KONTROL offers a set of accessibility features for visually-impaired users. These
are focused exclusively on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard itself and include
voice-over for the following features:
▪ All Perform and Transpose buttons, Parameter Page Left / Right buttons and key Naviga-
tion buttons.
▪ All Browser functions.
▪ Instance selection (find more information in ↑5.3.3, Switching between KOMPLETE KON-
TROL Instances).
▪ The current edit mode, including the Plug-in Panel, Scale, Arp, and Touch Strip (find more
information in ↑4.3, Plug-in Panel, ↑7, KOMPLETE KONTROL Smart Play, and ↑5.5,
Touch Strips).
▪ Names of parameters and parameter sections when touching knobs, including all edit
modes.
Accessibility
To activate or deactivate the accessibility features from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-
►
SERIES keyboard while the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is running, press and hold
the SHIFT button on the top left of the keyboard and then press the PRESET Up button
on the top right of the keyboard.
The voice-over confirms that the accessibility features have been activated or deactivat-
→
ed.
Activating the accessibility features automatically switches KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Browse
Mode to Hardware. Find more information in ↑6.6.1, Browse Mode and Hardware Browsing.
The accessibility features are designed to be used with the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in.
However, the KOMPLETE KONTROL stand-alone application must be opened after initial installation and after installing additional instruments. This will ensure that all instruments are
displayed correctly in the KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 17
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
The accessibility features are particularly useful when combined with VoiceOver and
host integration in Apple Logic Pro X or GarageBand. Find more information about KOMPLETE KONTROL’s host integration features in ↑5.3, Host Control and the Transport
Section.
See also
2 Keyboard Interface Overview [➙ 101]
2 Keyboard PERFORM Section Overview [➙ 211]
Control Section [➙ 113]
2
2 Browsing with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES [➙ 182]
1.4.1 Accessibility Overview
The following table outlines the availability of accessibility features for different aspects of
KOMPLETE KONTROL from both the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard and the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
Accessibility
Feature Acces-
sible
from
Keyboard
Accessib
ility
Browser Browse for Native
Enable and disable
Accessibility mode
Yes No
Yes No
Accessible
from
Software
Instruments, NKS, and user
presets
Set or sort by Favorites Yes No
Save and edit user presets No No
Browse for NKS plug-ins
No No
from other vendors
Notes
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 18
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Accessibility
Feature Acces-
sible
from
Keyboard
Native
Map
Custom map Instrument
Adjust key Instrument
parameters
Yes No
No No
Accessible
from
Software
Notes
parameters
Smart
Play
Adjust Scale & Chord
parameters
Yes No
Adjust Arp parameters Yes No
Touch
Strips
DAW
control
Adjust Touch Strip
Yes No
parameters
Navigate tracks Yes No Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Cubase
Pro, Cubase Artist, Nuendo, and
Live: audible feedback is dependent
on host.
Control transport Yes No Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Cubase
Pro, Cubase Artist, Nuendo, and
Live: audible feedback is dependent
on host.
Other DAWs: Transport can be set
up manually via MCU.
Turn metronome and count-
in on and off
Yes No Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Cubase
Pro, Cubase Artist, Nuendo, and
Live: audible feedback is dependent
on host.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 19
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Accessibility
Feature Acces-
sible
from
Keyboard
Accessible
from
Software
Notes
Reposition loop Yes No Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Cubase
Pro, Cubase Artist, Nuendo, and
Live: audible feedback is dependent
on host.
Undo & redo Yes No Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Cubase
Pro, Cubase Artist, Nuendo, and
Live: audible feedback is dependent
on host.
Training
mode
Find a control without
accidentally triggering
Yes No
actions
Preferen
ces
Adjust software & hardware
preferences
No No
1.4.2 Hardware Overview
The KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard is divided into five main sections: Transpose,
Perform, Transport, the Control section and Navigate.
The Transpose section (find more information in ↑5.1, Keyboard Interface Overview) is on the
far left of the keyboard next to the keybed and directly above the two Touch Strips. It contains
two buttons that are arranged as follows:
OCT - OCT +
The Perform section (find more information in ↑7.2, Keyboard PERFORM Section Overview) is
on the top left of the keyboard and contains three buttons that are arranged as follows:
SHIFT SCALE ARP
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 20
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
The Transport section (find more information in ↑5.3, Host Control and the Transport Section)
is directly below the Perform section and contains six buttons that are arranged as follows:
LOOP RWD FFW
PLAY REC STOP
There are eight continuous rotary encoders in the center of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard, called the Control section (find more information in ↑5.4, Control Section). Directly to the left of these are two small buttons to switch the parameter pages left and right.
The Navigate section (find more information in ↑6.6, Browsing with the KOMPLETE KONTROL
S-SERIES) is on the top right of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard and contains
ten buttons and a large click encoder. These are arranged as follows:
Accessibility
BROWSE
Control encoder PRESET Up
INSTANCE PRESET Down
BACK Up Enter
Left Down Right
1.4.3 Training Mode
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Training Mode makes it easy to locate a specific button or
parameter without accidentally triggering an action. When Training Mode is activated, all button presses and parameter names are announced but the corresponding action is not triggered.
To activate or deactivate Training Mode from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES key-
►
board while the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is running, double-press the SHIFT button on the top left of the keyboard.
Training Mode is only available when the accessibility features have been activated.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 21
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
What Is New in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.8
1.5 What Is New in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.8
KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.8 includes significant enhancements to Smart Play’s Scale & Chord
engine, and a stand-alone Transport for integration with clock-based instruments. All of the
new features are fully accessible to visually-impaired users via the KOMPLETE KONTROL SSERIES keyboards.
Smart Play Scale & Chord
▪ The Smart Play Scale engine now includes over one-hundred Scales to quickly and easily
take melodies and harmonies in new directions.
▪ The Smart Play Chord Position parameter extends creative possibilities with full control
over the position of individual notes in a chord. When set to Auto, KOMPLETE KONTROL
automatically calculates the most natural transitions between chords, all in real time.
See ↑7.5, Scale Parameters for more information.
Stand-alone Transport
▪ KOMPLETE KONTROL’s stand-alone transport provides an internal clock, which can be
used by sequenced KONTAKT and REAKTOR instruments.
▪ Control the transport from the software via the Play and Restart buttons in the toolbar.
▪ Control the transport from KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboards via:
◦ PLAY: Start the internal clock.
◦ STOP: Stop/reset the internal clock.
◦ SHIFT + PLAY: Restart the internal clock.
◦ SHIFT + PUSH + Control encoder (turn): Adjust the tempo of the internal clock.
See ↑2.4.1, Transport and Navigate Controls for more information.
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Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
What Is New in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.8
Other Improvements
▪ Pressing REC on a KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboard enables or disables recording
in the focused MASCHINE plug-in, not the corresponding track of the host software. See
↑2.5, Controlling MASCHINE with KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES for more information.
▪ Support for NKS content products.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 23
Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
2 Basic Concepts
This chapter will introduce you to KOMPLETE KONTROL’s main elements and explain how
they relate to one another. You will also learn how to set up your audio interface and how to
connect MIDI devices.
2.1 KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
KOMPLETE KONTROL is the combination of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software with its quick
browsing experience and powerful performance abilities, and the versatile KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard’s tactility—both fully integrated with the instruments of Native Instruments KOMPLETE as well as any instrument supporting the Native Kontrol Standard (see
section ↑6.1.2, Native Kontrol Standard for more information).
KOMPLETE KONTROL and each area of its software interface correspond directly to the hardware sections of your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard. Adjusting instrument parameters from the knobs on your keyboard also adjusts the corresponding controls in the software.
You can see the software controls move in real-time whenever you turn your hardware knobs,
swipe the touch strips, or switch button states on and off.
Via KOMPLETE KONTROLS’s Browser you can load any instrument and even search for specific types of files from your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library, e.g. “soundscapes” or “percussion.”
It also lets you save, tag and organize your own user presets to further add to your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library.
When you load an instrument inside KOMPLETE KONTROL, you instantly get access to the instrument’s controls from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard. The knobs, displays,
and touch strips on the keyboard are automatically mapped to the parameters of the loaded
instrument via Native Instruments’ own unique Native Map protocol.
KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Smart Play lets you generate and play a multitude of scales, chords,
and arpeggios simply by pressing a key on your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard. By
mapping the keyboard’s keys to a scale, you can ensure that you’ll always stay in key as well as
learn to play new and interesting types of music.
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Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
The LEDs in the Light Guide give you visual feedback in real time, letting you know what keys
are active and which notes are being played back. You can even follow the Light Guide when
you are playing back a MIDI note pattern from a host application.
▪ For an overview of how KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES inte-
grate with each other, continue reading below.
▪ For a quick start to get you going with KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES, see chapter ↑3,
Quick Start.
▪ For a detailed description of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software, see chapter ↑4, KOM-
PLETE KONTROL Software Overview and onward.
▪ For a detailed description of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard, see chapter
↑5, KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES Overview and onward.
▪ For a detailed description of the KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser, see chapter ↑6, KOM-
PLETE KONTROL Browser and onward.
▪ For a detailed description of the KOMPLETE KONTROL Smart Play functions, see chapter
↑7, KOMPLETE KONTROL Smart Play and onward.
Corresponding Features
In the following sections we outline the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard and give you an overview of how they relate to each other.
2.1.1 The Browser and the Navigate Section
The KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser is your interface for finding, loading and organizing your
instruments and files. The NAVIGATE section on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard allows for instant access to your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library by using hardware controls. It is possible to browse using a combination of KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES and the
computer display, or using only KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES. For more information, read
↑6, KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 25
Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
The Browser at the left side of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software interface and the Browser displayed by the on-screen
overlay, called up from the NAVIGATE section of the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard (S25 depicted).
2.1.2 The Perform Panel and the PERFORM Section (Smart Play)
Smart Play provides you functions for generating and playing scales, chords, and arpeggios using instruments from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library and other MIDI-controlled instruments
as sound sources. The parameters can be accessed from the Perform Panel near the top of the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software interface as well as the PERFORM section in the upper left
corner of your KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard. The Smart Play parameters are then
mapped to the knobs and the displays on the keyboard, letting you edit the scales and arps
using the hardware controls.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 26
Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
The Perform Panel in the KOMPLETE KONTROL software with the corresponding controls of KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES’ PERFORM section mapped to the knobs and displays
2.1.3 The Light Guide
The settings of the Smart Play parameters are instantly reflected by the LEDs of the
Light Guide—located just above the keybed—effectively letting you know what keys belong to
the scale selected in the Perform Panel (software) or PERFORM section (keyboard) by switching the LEDs on and off. The Light Guide also gives you visual feedback when you play back
incoming MIDI note patterns from your host sequencer.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 27
Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
The Light Guide reflects the settings of the Perform parameters by switching the LEDs on or off to display the selected scale
(C major).
2.1.4 The Control Section and Instrument Parameters
The touch strips, knobs, and displays on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard are
automatically mapped to the controls and parameters of any loaded instrument via Native Instruments’ unique integration mapping protocol Native Map. No further MIDI assignments are
necessary: Just load an instrument from the Browser and start playing!
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Basic Concepts
KOMPLETE KONTROL and KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES
MONARK loaded in KOMPLETE KONTROL—the touch strips, knobs, and displays on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES are
automatically assigned to control the instrument.
2.1.5 The Transport Section and Your Host Application
Controlling your host application from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES keyboard is a great
way to keep your workflow going without needing to grab for the computer mouse and can be
very helpful in live performance situations. The TRANSPORT section on the far left and the arrow buttons in the NAVIGATE section on the right are both used to select tracks in your DAW,
so you can play and record notes from your keyboard. For detailed information on how controlling your host from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES, see section ↑5.3, Host Control and
the Transport Section.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 29
Basic Concepts
Adjusting the KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Interface
The TRANSPORT section and the NAVIGATE buttons let you control your host application from the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-SERIES.
For information on how to configure your host application for use with external MIDI
hardware, refer to the documentation of your DAW.
2.2 Adjusting the KOMPLETE KONTROL Software Interface
The KOMPLETE KONTROL software user interface is very flexible. You can choose what to display and what not, allowing you to focus on your workflow. This section shows you how to adjust the KOMPLETE KONTROL GUI to suit your needs.
KOMPLETE KONTROL - Manual - 30
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