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.
VST, HALion, Cubase, and Nuendo are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH. ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
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.
Disclaimer
Document authored by: Jan Ola Korte, Christian Schulz, Gustav Sto. Tomas, David Gover, and
Nicolas Sidi
Software version: 1.9.2 (12/2017)
Hardware version: KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK1
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Contact
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 29-30
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.
YO Building 3F
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001
Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
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75011 Paris
France
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
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Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited
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London EC2A 4NU
UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
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203B & 201B, Nanshan E-Commerce Base Of
Innovative Services
Shi Yun Road, Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen
China
www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2017. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL ...............................................................................
1.1 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Box Contents .............................................................................................................................. 12
1.3 System Requirements ................................................................................................................. 12
1.4 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................... 14
1.4.1 Keyboard Overview ..................................................................................................... 14
1.4.2 Activating Accessibility Features ............................................................................... 16
1.4.3 Training Mode ............................................................................................................ 16
1.4.4 Feature Overview ....................................................................................................... 17
2 New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9 ...................................................................
3 The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow ............................................................................
4 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL ..................................................................................
4.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer .................................................................................. 23
4.2 Setting up the Stand-Alone Application ...................................................................................... 24
4.3 Setting up Host Integration ........................................................................................................ 26
4.4 Connecting Pedals to the Keyboard ............................................................................................ 28
4.5 Connecting External MIDI Equipment to the Keyboard ................................................................ 29
5 Software Overview .....................................................................................................
10
19
20
22
31
5.1 Header ........................................................................................................................................ 32
5.2 Browser ...................................................................................................................................... 34
5.3 Perform Panel ............................................................................................................................. 40
5.4 Plug-in Panel ..............................................................................................................................41
5.2.1 Library Pane .............................................................................................................. 35
5.2.2 Instrument Selector ................................................................................................... 37
5.2.3 Files Pane .................................................................................................................. 39
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 4
5.5 Instrument Area ..........................................................................................................................41
6 Keyboard Overview ....................................................................................................
6.1 Transport Section ....................................................................................................................... 45
6.2 Perform Section .......................................................................................................................... 46
6.3 Control Section ........................................................................................................................... 47
6.4 Light Guide ................................................................................................................................. 49
6.5 Touch Strips ............................................................................................................................... 50
6.6 Transpose Buttons ...................................................................................................................... 50
7 Global Controls and Preferences ................................................................................
7.1 Instrument Views ........................................................................................................................ 51
7.2 Switching Instances ................................................................................................................... 55
7.3 Transport and Tempo .................................................................................................................. 57
7.4 Adjusting Master Volume ............................................................................................................ 59
7.5 Preferences .................................................................................................................................59
7.1.1 Default View .............................................................................................................. 52
7.1.2 Additional View .......................................................................................................... 52
7.1.3 Edit View ................................................................................................................... 54
7.3.1 Resetting the Clock ................................................................................................... 58
7.3.2 Adjusting Tempo ........................................................................................................ 58
7.5.1 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 60
7.5.2 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 63
7.5.3 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 64
7.5.4 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 66
7.5.5 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 71
7.5.6 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 74
Table of Contents
43
51
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 5
Table of Contents
8 MIDI Communication .................................................................................................
8.1 Host Automation ......................................................................................................................... 78
8.2 Using the Keyboard in MIDI Mode ............................................................................................... 82
8.3 Using the Keyboard as Stand-Alone MIDI Controller ................................................................... 83
8.1.1 Automation IDs for the Perform Panel ........................................................................ 78
8.1.2 Recording Automation ............................................................................................... 79
9 Host Integration ........................................................................................................
9.1 Integration with MASCHINE ........................................................................................................ 84
9.2 Integration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand .................................................................. 90
9.3 Integration with Steinberg Cubase / Nuendo .............................................................................. 91
9.4 Integration with Ableton Live ...................................................................................................... 92
10 Browsing the Library ..................................................................................................
10.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 93
10.2 Selecting Browse Mode Keyboard ................................................................................................ 96
10.3 Opening the Browser .................................................................................................................. 96
10.4 Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content ................................................................ 97
10.5 Loading an Instrument with its default Preset File ..................................................................... 99
10.6 Filtering Preset Files by Bank ..................................................................................................... 102
10.7 Resetting the Instrument Selection ............................................................................................ 104
10.8 Types and Modes Filters ............................................................................................................. 105
10.9 Working with Favorites ............................................................................................................... 110
10.1.1 Browse Modes ............................................................................................................ 93
10.1.2 About the Library and Meta-Information .................................................................... 94
10.1.3 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 95
10.8.1 Filtering Preset Files by Types and Modes .................................................................. 107
10.8.2 Selecting Multiple Tags from the Same Level ............................................................ 110
77
84
93
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 6
Table of Contents
10.10 Performing a Text Search ............................................................................................................ 115
10.11 Displaying Preset File Information .............................................................................................. 115
10.12 Auditioning your Preset Files ...................................................................................................... 116
10.13 Browsing via the On-Screen Overlay ........................................................................................... 118
10.9.1 Adding Preset Files to the Favorites ........................................................................... 111
10.9.2 Displaying Favorites in the Results List ..................................................................... 112
10.9.3 Removing Preset Files from the Favorites .................................................................. 113
11 Managing the Library .................................................................................................
11.1 Saving Preset Files to the User Library ....................................................................................... 120
11.2 Deleting User Preset Files from the User Library ......................................................................... 122
11.3 Editing the Tags and Properties of User Preset Files .................................................................. 123
11.4 Working with the Files Pane ........................................................................................................ 126
11.5 Loading VST Plug-ins ................................................................................................................. 131
11.6 Installing NKS Instruments ......................................................................................................... 133
11.7 Importing KOMPLETE KONTROL-Compatible User Files ............................................................... 136
11.4.1 Additional Features in the Results List in the Files Pane ........................................... 127
11.4.2 Navigating to File Locations with the Location Bar .................................................... 128
11.4.3 Navigating to Recent File Locations .......................................................................... 129
11.4.4 Working with File Location Favorites .......................................................................... 129
12 Controlling Instrument Parameters .............................................................................
120
138
12.1 Pre-Mapped Instruments ............................................................................................................ 138
12.2 Adjusting Parameters ................................................................................................................. 138
12.3 Switching Parameter Pages ........................................................................................................ 139
12.4 Customizing Parameter Mappings .............................................................................................. 139
13 Playing and Editing Scales and Chords .......................................................................
13.1 A Note about Music Theory .......................................................................................................... 143
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 7
142
13.2 Playing a Scale ........................................................................................................................... 144
13.3 Playing Chords ........................................................................................................................... 145
13.4 Editing Scales and Chords ......................................................................................................... 145
13.5 Setting the Scale Parameters ..................................................................................................... 146
13.6 Setting the Key Mode Parameter ................................................................................................. 154
13.7 Setting the Chord Parameters .................................................................................................... 156
13.5.1 Scale Root Note ......................................................................................................... 147
13.5.2 Scale Bank and Type ................................................................................................. 148
13.7.1 Chord Mode ............................................................................................................... 156
13.7.2 Chord Type ................................................................................................................. 158
13.7.3 Chord Position ........................................................................................................... 161
14 Playing and Editing the Arpeggiator ............................................................................
14.1 Playing Arpeggiator Sequences .................................................................................................. 164
14.2 Using a Sustain Pedal to Control the Arpeggiator ....................................................................... 165
14.3 Editing the Arpeggiator .............................................................................................................. 165
14.4 Setting the Main Parameters ...................................................................................................... 166
14.5 Setting the Rhythm Parameters .................................................................................................. 168
14.6 Setting the Other Parameters ..................................................................................................... 171
14.4.1 Main Mode ................................................................................................................. 167
14.4.2 Main Type .................................................................................................................. 167
14.5.1 Rhythm Rate .............................................................................................................. 168
14.5.2 Rhythm Sequence ...................................................................................................... 169
14.5.3 Rhythm Swing ........................................................................................................... 170
14.6.1 Other Octaves ............................................................................................................ 171
14.6.2 Other Dynamic ........................................................................................................... 172
14.6.3 Other Gate ................................................................................................................. 172
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163
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 8
14.7 Setting the Advanced Parameters .............................................................................................. 173
14.8 Setting the Range Parameters .................................................................................................... 175
14.9 Setting the Hold Parameter ........................................................................................................ 176
14.7.1 Advanced Retrigger ................................................................................................... 173
14.7.2 Advanced Repeat ....................................................................................................... 174
14.7.3 Advanced Offset ........................................................................................................ 174
14.7.4 Advanced Inversion ................................................................................................... 174
14.8.1 Range Min. Key .......................................................................................................... 175
14.8.2 Range Max. Key ......................................................................................................... 175
15 Configuring the Touch Strips ......................................................................................
15.1 Accessing the Touch Strip Settings ............................................................................................ 177
15.2 Configuring the Pitch Strip ......................................................................................................... 180
15.3 Configuring the Modulation Strip ............................................................................................... 183
15.2.1 Adjusting Absolute Mode ........................................................................................... 180
15.2.2 Enabling Relative Mode ............................................................................................. 181
15.3.1 Modulation Strip Modes ............................................................................................. 183
15.3.2 Selecting and Editing a Modulation Strip Mode ......................................................... 186
16 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
Table of Contents
177
188
Index ........................................................................................................................
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 9
190
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Document Conventions
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 workflow.
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 potential 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 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:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 10
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Document Conventions
▪ 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 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 MASCHINE 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 keyboard
do not have labels.
For better reference, we applied a special formatting here: throughout the document, the elements 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.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 11
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
1.2 Box Contents
The box contains the following items:
▪ Information flyer providing:
▪ the hardware serial number of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard
▪ a web link for downloading the KOMPLETE SELECT software bundle (including KOM-
PLETE KONTROL)
▪ KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard
▪ Safety Instructions flyer
▪ USB cable
The included 3 meter USB cable only works in conjunction with the KOMPLETE KONTROL S88 keyboard.
▪ Power supply
Box Contents
1.3 System Requirements
For KOMPLETE KONTROL to fully function as indented, your system needs to meet certain requirements. The latest KOMPLETE KONTROL system requirements and compatibility information is available here:
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.
The latest KOMPLETE system requirements and compatibility information is available here:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 12
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
www.native-instruments.com/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-11/specifications/
System Requirements
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 13
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 keyboard itself and include speech output via your computer for the following features:
▪ Perform, Transpose, Page left / right, and key navigation buttons
▪ All Browser functions
▪ Instance switching
▪ The current edit mode, including the Plug-in Panel and the Perform panel (Scale, Arp,
Touch Strip)
▪ Names of parameters and parameter sections when touching knobs, including all edit
modes
The accessibility features are particularly useful when combined with KOMPLETE KONTROL’s host integration and Apple VoiceOver in Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand.
Accessibility
1.4.1 Keyboard Overview
► The buttons and knobs on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard are organized in the fol-
lowing groups:
▪ Transpose
▪ Perform
▪ Transport
▪ Control section
▪ Navigate
The Transpose section is located at the far left of the keyboard next to the keybed and directly
above the two Touch Strips. It contains two buttons that are arranged in a row.
The buttons are (from left to right):
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 14
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
▪ OCT –
▪ OCT +
The Perform section is located at the top left of the keyboard. It contains three buttons that
are arranged in a row.
The buttons are (from left to right):
▪ SHIFT
▪ SCALE
▪ ARP
The Transport section is located directly below the Perform section. It contains six buttons that
are arranged in two rows.
The buttons in the first row are (from left to right):
▪ LOOP
▪ RWD
▪ FFW
Accessibility
The buttons in the second row are (from left to right):
▪ PLAY
▪ REC
▪ STOP
The Control section is located in the center of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. It contains
eight knobs that are arranged in a row at the top of the keyboard. Directly to the left of these
are two small buttons to switch the parameter pages left and right.
The Navigate section is located at the top right of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. It contains ten buttons and a large click encoder. These are arranged as follows:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 15
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
BROWSE Control encoder PRESET Up
INSTANCE PRESET Down
BACK Up Enter
Left Down Right
1.4.2 Activating Accessibility Features
In order to activate or deactivate the accessibility features from the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard while the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is running:
1. Press and hold the SHIFT button on the top left of the keyboard.
2. While holding SHIFT press the PRESET Up button on the top right of the keyboard.
→ The speech output confirms that the accessibility features have been activated or deacti-
vated.
The accessibility features are designed to be used with the KOMPLETE KONTROL plugin. 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.
Accessibility
Activating the accessibility features automatically switches KOMPLETE KONTROL’s
Browse Mode to Hardware.
1.4.3 Training Mode
KOMPLETE KONTROL 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 keyboard while
the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is running, double-press the SHIFT button on the top
left of the keyboard.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 16
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Training Mode is only available when the accessibility features have been activated.
1.4.4 Feature Overview
The following table outlines the availability of accessibility features for different aspects of
KOMPLETE KONTROL from both the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard and the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
Feature Accessible
from Keyboard
Accessibility Enable and disable Accessibility mode Yes
Browser Browse for Factory and User Preset files Yes
Switch between Category and Vendor sorting Yes
Set or sort by Favorites Yes
Accessibility
Save and edit User Preset files No
Browse for NKS plug-ins from other vendors Yes
Instrument control Adjust key Instrument parameters Yes
Custom map Instrument parameters No
Smart Play Adjust Scale & Chord parameters Yes
Adjust Arp parameters Yes
Touch Strips Adjust Touch Strip parameters Yes
Training mode Find a control without accidentally triggering actions Yes
Preferences Adjust software & hardware preferences No
Software dialog Be notified if a dialog box opens in the software
Yes
(dialog content is not available for speech output)
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 17
Welcome to KOMPLETE KONTROL
Accessibility for KOMPLETE KONTROL’s host integration is only available when using
Apple VoiceOver in Logic Pro X and GarageBand. For more information about KOMPLETE KONTROL’s host integration features, refer to ↑9, Host Integration.
Accessibility
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 18
New Features in KOMPLETE KONTROL 1.9
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.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 19
The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow
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 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 integration.
2. Find a Preset file you like from any of the Instruments in your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library by browsing with the keyboard, supported by the Browser’s filters and Preview functions.
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 directly 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:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 20
The KOMPLETE KONTROL Workflow
▪ 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 ↑15, Configuring the Touch Strips.
▪ 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
2 Configuring the Touch Strips [➙ 177]
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 21
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
4 Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
This section provides basic setup information and guides you through the process of integrating 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 plugins, please refer to its documentation.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 22
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
4.1 Connecting the Keyboard to the Computer
This section assumes that you have assembled and connected the power supply according to the instructions printed on the Safety Instructions flyer found in the product box.
To connect the KOMPLETE KONTROL 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.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 23
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
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 application 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 KOMPLETE KONTROL’s master output in the Komplete Kontrol Out 1 L and Komplete Kon-
trol Out 1 R drop-down menus under Routings.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 24
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up the Stand-Alone Application
Preferences panel — Audio page
6. Click on MIDI to display the MIDI page.
7. Click on Input to display the available devices for incoming MIDI signals.
8. Click the Komplete Kontrol checkboxes to activate incoming MIDI signals from the keyboard.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 25
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up Host Integration
Preferences panel — MIDI page (entries may vary on your computer)
→ The software is configured and ready to be controlled with the keyboard.
The MIDI Output settings are required for using KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Smart Play
features with other MIDI instruments.
4.3 Setting up Host Integration
KOMPLETE KONTROL integrates with a number of hosts to facilitate a fluent workflow for performing and recording music with your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library.
Advanced integration of KOMPLETE KONTROL is available in the following hosts:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 26
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Setting up Host Integration
▪ MASCHINE 2
▪ Apple Logic Pro X
▪ Apple GarageBand
▪ Ableton Live 9
▪ Steinberg Cubase Artist 8.5/9/9.5
▪ Steinberg Cubase Pro 8.5/9/9.5
▪ Steinberg Nuendo 7/8
Before using the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to control a supported host, a few configuration steps are required:
Configuring Your Host for Use with the Keyboard
For some of KOMPLETE KONTROL’s advanced integration features to function as intended,
the host must support these features. For an overview of which features that are supported by
which host, refer to the following Knowledge Base article: https://support.native-instru-
ments.com/hc/articles/210280325.
For detailed instructions about setting up supported hosts for use with the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, refer to these Knowledge Base articles:
▪ Setting Up Apple Logic Pro X for KOMPLETE KONTROL:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/210279905
▪ Setting Up Ableton Live for KOMPLETE KONTROL:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/209557689
▪ Setting Up Apple GarageBand for KOMPLETE KONTROL:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/210844489
▪ Setting Up Steinberg Cubase / Nuendo for KOMPLETE KONTROL:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/articles/209557849
You can also find instructions about configuring Ableton Live for use with KOMPLETE KONTROL in the Ableton Live Setup document available as a PDF file in the
Host Integration Files subfolder of the KOMPLETE KONTROL installation folder on your
hard drive.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 27
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting Pedals to the Keyboard
4.4 Connecting Pedals to the Keyboard
The KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard provides you two pedal inputs (in the form of 1/4" sockets) on its rear panel: SUSTAIN and EXPRESSION.
The pedal inputs on the rear panel of the keyboard.
These inputs allow you to connect sustain and expression pedals in order to further refine your
performance.
▪ SUSTAIN: Lets you connect a footswitch to control sustain of the notes you play. This is an
on/off switch.
▪ EXPRESSION: Lets you connect an expression pedal to control e.g. velocity. This is a con-
tinuous control.
You can define the MIDI messages assigned to the pedal inputs in the Controller Editor
application. For more information, refer to the Controller Editor Manual.
Connecting Pedals
1. Connect the sustain pedal to the SUSTAIN input at the rear panel of the keyboard.
2. Connect the expression pedal to the EXPRESSION input at the rear panel of the keyboard.
Setting the Polarity for the Sustain Pedal
The keyboard automatically configures the polarity for the connected sustain pedal when you
switch on the keyboard.
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Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting External MIDI Equipment to the Keyboard
► Set your sustain pedal to the ‘off’ or ‘non-pressed’ state when switching on the keyboard
to ensure the polarity is configured correctly.
If the sustain pedal acts inversely, you can correct the polarity by following the steps below:
1. Switch off the keyboard.
2. Set your sustain pedal to the ‘off’ or ‘non-pressed’ state.
3. Switch on the keyboard.
→ The correct polarity for your sustain pedal is set.
4.5 Connecting External MIDI Equipment to the Keyboard
The KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard has dedicated MIDI sockets that allow you to directly
connect other MIDI devices using a 5-pin DIN MIDI cable and integrate the keyboard into your
MIDI setup.
The MIDI sockets on the rear panel of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard.
To connect your external MIDI equipment:
1. Connect the device receiving MIDI signals to the MIDI OUT socket on the rear panel of
the keyboard using a 5-pin DIN MIDI cable.
2. Connect the device sending MIDI signals to the MIDI IN socket on the rear panel of the
keyboard using a 5-pin DIN MIDI cable.
→ The MIDI equipment is connected.
Depending on your use case, additional configuration is required in the software:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 29
Setting up KOMPLETE KONTROL
Connecting External MIDI Equipment to the Keyboard
▪ If KOMPLETE KONTROL is running as a stand-alone application, you need to activate the
corresponding MIDI inputs and outputs of the keyboard on the MIDI page of the Preferen-
ces.
▪ If KOMPLETE KONTROL is running as a plug-in in a host, the MIDI configuration is man-
aged by the host.
▪ If you are using the keyboard as MIDI controller without a USB connection, MIDI data is
directly sent and received via the keyboard’s MIDI IN and MIDI OUT sockets.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 30
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Software Overview
5 Software Overview
This section gives an overview of the areas and controls of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
Overview of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
(1) Header: Provides access to general functions like the Main menu, the Preset display, the
Transport and Master Volume controls, as well as options to show and hide user interface
areas. For more information, refer to ↑5.1, Header.
(2) Instrument area: Shows your loaded Instrument and lets you control it directly in the software. For more information, refer to ↑5.5, Instrument Area.
(3) Browser: Lets you browse and manage all your Preset files. For more information, refer to
↑5.2, Browser.
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Software Overview
5.1 Header
The header is where you find general settings that affect KOMPLETE KONTROL globally. It also lets you access additional user interface areas.
The header.
(1) KOMPLETE KONTROL logo: Opens the About screen, which shows the version number of the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
(2) Browser button: Shows or hides the Browser.
(3) Main menu: Opens the Main menu, which contains a number of general functions and settings, including the Preferences.
Header
(4) Preset display: Displays the name of the loaded Preset file or KONTAKT key switch. The arrow buttons on the right skip to the next Preset file in the Browser’s result list.
(5) Perform panel button: Shows or hides the Perform panel, which gives you access to the parameters of the Scale engine and the Arpeggiator. The Perform panel button lights up blue
when the Scale engine and/or the Arpeggiator are enabled.
(6) Plug-in panel button: Shows or hides the Plug-in Panel, which allows you to customize the
parameter mapping for the Control section on the keyboard for every Preset file.
(7) View button: Switches between Default view and Additional view of the loaded Instrument.
The View button only appears if the loaded Instrument contains an Additional view.
(8) Keyboard button: Shows the currently connected keyboard, S25, S49, S61, or S88. If multiple instances of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software are running (for example in a host), clicking the button connects the keyboard to this instance. This indicator only appears if at least
one compatible device is connected.
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Software Overview
(9) Transport controls: Lets you start, stop, and reset the internal clock. When KOMPLETE KONTROL is loaded as a plug-in in a host, the transport automatically follows the host
transport and this feature is greyed out.
(10) Tempo control: Lets you adjust the tempo in BPM (beats per minute).
(11) Master Volume control: Lets you adjust the overall output volume of KOMPLETE KONTROL. The meter shows the current peak level of the output signal.
(12) CPU meter: Represents the current load on your computer’s processor; it should not go
above 70% to avoid clicks and interruptions.
(13) Panic button: Stops all active MIDI notes (only available in the KOMPLETE KONTROL
plug-in).
(14) NI logo: The NI logo opens the About screen, which shows the version number of the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
Header
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Software Overview
5.2 Browser
The Browser gives you access to your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library and lets you add, edit,
and organize Preset files. In the Browser’s Library pane, you can browse for all the Instruments
and Preset files contained in your Library. In the Files pane, you can find and load compatible
files from your hard drive, or add them to the Library. Both the Library pane and the Files pane
are detailed in the following overviews.
Browser
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5.2.1 Library Pane
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The Library pane contains the following elements:
Software Overview
Browser
The Library pane.
(1) Library: Displays the Library pane.
(2) Content selector: The Globe icon selects factory content and the User icon selects user content. Only Preset files of the selected content type are displayed in the results list (7).
(3) Instrument selector: Selects a particular Instrument, Instrument category, and bank of the
selected Instrument. Only Preset files matching your selection are displayed in the results list
(7).
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 35
Software Overview
(4) TYPES: Lets you browse for Preset files based on Type and Sub-Type tags that have been
applied to them. You can collapse or expand this section by clicking on the little arrow next to
TYPES.
(5) MODES: Lets you browse for Preset files based on Mode tags that have been applied to
them. You can collapse or expand this section by clicking on the little arrow next to MODES.
(6) Favorites: Lets you filter the search results by Favorites. When enabled, only favorite Preset
files are displayed in the results list (7).
(7) Results list: Displays all Preset files that match your entered search criteria.
(8) Control bar: Provides useful tools when browsing and editing the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library:
▪ The Information button (i) displays additional information for the selected Preset files.
▪ The EDIT button opens the Attribute editor for displaying and editing the tags and properties
of the selected Preset files.
(9) Prehear controls: Lets you audition Preset Files.
(10) Search field: Lets you perform a text search.
Browser
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Software Overview
5.2.2 Instrument Selector
The Instrument selector allows you to limit your search to a certain Instrument category, a particular Instrument, or a specific Bank of the Instrument. You can also load an Instrument along
with its default Preset file directly from the Instrument selector.
Browser
The Instrument selector.
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Software Overview
(1) Instrument selector header: The header shows the selected Instrument—if there is no selection it shows a generic label (All Instruments). Click on the header to open or close the Instrument selector.
(2) Category / Vendor selector: Allows you to sort the Instrument list by Category or by Vendor.
(3) Instrument list: Shows all Instruments that are available in your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library.
If Category is selected in the Category / Vendor selector, the Instrument list is sorted by the following categories:
▪ DRUMS & PERCUSSION
▪ SAMPLED INSTRUMENTS
▪ SYNTHESIZERS
If Vendor is selected in the Category / Vendor selector, the Instrument list is sorted by the
names of the vendors.
Browser
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 38
5.2.3 Files Pane
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The Files pane contains following elements:
Software Overview
Browser
The Files pane in the Browser.
(1) Files tab: Displays the Files pane.
(2) Favorite bar: Displays all your favorite folders. A click on any favorite folder lets you jump
directly to that particular path and display its content in the Result list (5).
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 39
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Software Overview
(3) Location bar: Displays the selected path. The Location bar provides various tools to quickly
navigate your file system.
(4) Recent Locations button: Opens a list of the last visited locations for quickly jumping to any
of them.
(5) Results list: Displays the content (files and folders) of the folder shown in the Location bar.
Only files compatible with KOMPLETE KONTROL are displayed.
(6) Control bar: Provides useful tools when browsing your file system:
▪ The Information button (i) displays additional information for the selected files.
▪ The IMPORT button lets you import the content of the selected folder to the KOM-
PLETE KONTROL Library. Before any files are imported, you can choose which tags will be
assigned to the files in the Attribute editor.
5.3 Perform Panel
The Perform panel lets you access all the parameters related to the Scale engine, the Arpeggiator, and the Touch Strips.
Perform Panel
The Perform panel.
(1) SCALE: Clicking the round button left of SCALE switches the Scale engine on or off. Clicking the SCALE label displays the Scale engine’s parameters. See ↑13, Playing and Editing
Scales and Chords for details.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 40
Software Overview
(2) ARP: Clicking the round button left of ARP switches the Arpeggiator on or off. Clicking the
ARP label displays the Arpeggiator’s parameters. See ↑14, Playing and Editing the Arpeggiator
for details.
(3) TOUCHSTRIP: Clicking the TOUCHSTRIP label displays the Touch Strips’ parameters. See
↑15, Configuring the Touch Strips for details.
(4) Parameter pages: If multiple pages of parameters are available, you can switch between
them here.
5.4 Plug-in Panel
The Plug-in Panel lets you view and customize the parameters mapped to the Control section
on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard for individual Preset files. The amount of pages and
parameters vary depending on the loaded Instrument.
Plug-in Panel
The Plug-in Panel.
5.5 Instrument Area
The Instrument area of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is where your Instruments are displayed once you have loaded them from the Browser. Each Instrument offers a different set of
controls and parameters that are all easily controlled directly on the computer screen or from
the keyboard. Parameter changes are mutually reflected by both the displays on the keyboard
and the Instrument’s user interface in the Instrument area.
For most Instruments, additional views are available that give you access to another set
of controls. See ↑7.1, Instrument Views for details.
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 41
The Instrument area displaying the Instrument Form.
Software Overview
Instrument Area
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Keyboard Overview
6 Keyboard Overview
The KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard is tightly integrated in the software and can be used to
browse, control and play your Instruments as well as to control supported hosts.
The keyboard is available in four sizes: The S25, S49, and S61 are equipped with the same
top-quality semi-weighted Fatar keybed with aftertouch. The S88 comes with professional,
fully-weighted, hammer-action keys, also made by Fatar. Beyond the keybed, all KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards come with identical features.
The keyboard is equipped with the following sections:
KOMPLETE KONTROL S25
(1) PERFORM section: Lets you edit and control the Smart Play features, i.e. playing scales,
chords, and arpeggiator sequences. The settings made in the PERFORM section are displayed
in the Control section (5) and are reflected by the Light Guide and keybed (7).
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 43
Keyboard Overview
(2) TRANSPORT section: Controls the transport of supported hosts.
(3) TRANSPOSE buttons: The OCT- and OCT+ buttons let you transpose the entire keybed one
octave down or up, respectively.
(4)Touch Strips: The Pitch Strip and the Modulation Strip are automatically assigned to corresponding controls of the loaded Instrument.
(5) Control section: The knobs and displays are automatically assigned to parameters of the
loaded Instrument or selected mode. The Page buttons are used to skip to another set of parameters.
(6) NAVIGATE section: Lets you browse and load Instruments, switch between active instances
of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software, switch between tracks in hosts, and switch between
plug-in instances. Additionally, you can adjust the Master volume.
(7) Light Guide and keybed: Reflect the Smart Play functions by switching LEDs on or off to indicate active and inactive keys. The Light Guide also reflects the settings of the loaded Instruments and can be very helpful to illustrate e.g. BATTERY or KONTAKT mappings.
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Keyboard Overview
Transport Section
6.1 Transport Section
The TRANSPORT section at the far left on the keyboard gives you quick and easy access to
functions like play, record, loop, etc. in supported hosts.
The TRANSPORT section.
(1) LOOP: Switches between standard and loop playback.
(2) RWD: Moves the song position backward.
(3) FFW: Moves the song position forward.
(4) PLAY: Starts playback.
(5) REC: Switches record on or off.
(6) STOP: Stops playback.
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Keyboard Overview
Perform Section
6.2 Perform Section
The buttons of the PERFORM section on the far left of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard let
you switch the Scale engine and the Arpeggiator on or off and access their parameter for editing. The parameters will be visible and editable via the displays and knobs in the Control section.
The PERFORM section.
(1) SHIFT: Accesses the secondary function of active modes and controls labeled as such, for
example the EDIT functions of the SCALE (2) and ARP (3) buttons.
(2) SCALE: Switches the Scale engine on or off.
(3) ARP: Switches the Arpeggiator on or off and lets you edit the Arp parameters.
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Keyboard Overview
Control Section
6.3 Control Section
The Control section is located at the center of the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. The knobs,
buttons, and displays are automatically assigned to parameters of the loaded Instrument or selected mode. They provide immediate control and allow for deep editing of various aspects of
KOMPLETE KONTROL.
The controls of the Control section.
(1) Page buttons: Skip to the next page (5) and thus remap the knobs (2) and displays (3) to
another set of parameters.
(2) Knobs: Control parameters of the loaded Instrument or selected mode. As the knobs are
touch-sensitive, you can tap them to see their value displayed by their corresponding display.
(3) Displays: Constantly give you information about the mapping between the knobs and the
loaded Instrument or perform parameters.
(4) PRESET display: Tells you the loaded Preset file. If you are playing a KONTAKT Instrument
with key switches, the name of the key switch will show up in the PRESET display after pressing the corresponding key (learn more about key switches in the user manual of your KONTAKT
Instrument).
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Keyboard Overview
Control Section
(5) PAGE display: Tells you the current control mapping. The PAGE display reflects the mapping by displaying e.g. 1/6 or ARP.
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Keyboard Overview
6.4 Light Guide
The Light Guide above the keybed visualizes the key mapping of loaded Instruments and samples by color coding. Active and inactive keys respectively samples are indicated by the LEDs.
The Light Guide also reflects the Smart Play settings. This means when you select e.g. a scale
or chord, the LEDs corresponding to the keys contained in that scale or chord will light up,
whereas inactive keys remain unlit. The Light Guide also gives you visual feedback when you
play back incoming MIDI note patterns from the host.
The keybed and the Light Guide above
Light Guide
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Keyboard Overview
6.5 Touch Strips
The two Touch Strips let you control pitch and modulation parameters of the loaded Instrument.
The Touch Strips on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard.
The left Touch Strip, called Pitch Strip, is automatically assigned to the pitch bend parameter
of the loaded Instrument and does not need to be assigned via MIDI learn. It reflects the behavior of traditional pitch wheels, or pitch bend wheels, but gives you the possibility to decide
for yourself how fast the strip will spring back to default state by configuration.
Touch Strips
Depending on the loaded Preset file, the right Touch Strip, called Modulation Strip, is either
automatically assigned in the same way as the left one, or it must be assigned to an Instrument parameter via MIDI learn. It can be used like a traditional modulation wheel, or mod
wheel, but you can also configure it to apply modulation in intricate ways not possible with traditional mod wheels.
6.6 Transpose Buttons
The OCT- and OCT+ buttons let you transpose the entire keybed one octave down or up, respectively. Pressing both buttons simultaneously resets the keybed to the central octave.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Instrument Views
7 Global Controls and Preferences
This sections introduces the global controls and the Preferences you can access via the Header
of KOMPLETE KONTROL.
7.1 Instrument Views
Once you have loaded an Instrument from the Browser, it appears in the Instrument area of the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software. Most KOMPLETE Instruments come equipped with more than
one view, giving you access to another set of controls or letting you edit certain features in finer detail. The three possible Instrument views are Default View, Additional View, and Edit View
which can be selected directly in the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu.
Instrument views in the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu.
► Alternatively, you can switch between Default View and Additional View by clicking on the
View button in the Header (+ icon).
All Instrument parameters can be controlled at all time from the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, regardless of the selected Instrument view in the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
The available views may vary with the loaded Instrument.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Instrument Views
7.1.1 Default View
The Default View is the view that first appears when you load an Instrument from the Browser.
It gives you access to some of the most important features of each NKS Instrument with an
easy-to-use interface.
POLYPLEX in Default View.
7.1.2 Additional View
Most NKS Instruments have more parameters than can be displayed at once in small surface
and therefore come with a second, Additional View. The Additional View can give you access to
detailed edit controls or to a completely different set of controls altogether depending on the
loaded Instrument.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Instrument Views
POLYPLEX in additional view.
Besides of selecting Additional View via the KOMPLETE KONTROL Menu and the application
menu, you can also do this by clicking the + button in the KOMPLETE KONTROL header.
Clicking it again will return to the Default View.
The + button opens and closes the Additional View.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Instrument Views
7.1.3 Edit View
Edit view is only available for Instruments powered by KONTAKT or REAKTOR.
In the Edit View you have also the possibility to open any KOMPLETE Instrument that can be
loaded or played by either the KONTAKT PLAYER or REAKTOR PLAYER. This gives you access
to all the flexible controls and features you would normally have when using KONTAKT or REAKTOR in stand-alone mode.
POLYPLEX in edit view.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Switching Instances
Edit view enables you to access files that cannot be loaded from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser, e.g. KONTAKT Multis which can be loaded from the KONTAKT Browser
in edit view.
7.2 Switching Instances
When two or more instances of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software are running (e.g. as a plugin on different tracks of the host), you can choose which instance you want to control from the
KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard.
Switching to an Instance from the Software
► To switch the keyboard to a particular instance of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software,
click the Connect button (keyboard icon) in the header of that instance.
Automatic Switching in a Host
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in in a host with advanced integration, the keyboard automatically switches between controlling the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and
MIDI mode, depending on the content of the selected track.
▪ If you select a track that hosts the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in, the keyboard automati-
cally switches to this instance of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software. This allows you to
immediately control all of your Instrument’s parameters from the keyboard.
▪ If you select a track that does not host the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in, the keyboard
automatically switches to MIDI mode. This allows you to assign the available controls on
the keyboard to parameters in the host or in an inserted plug-in via MIDI learn (if supported).
► To select a track in a supported host from the keyboard, press the Up or Down buttons in
the NAVIGATE section until the track is highlighted.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Switching Instances
Switching to an Instance from the Keyboard
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in in a host without advanced integration, you
cannot rely on automatic switching between instances. However, you can still select a particular instance of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software from the keyboard by using the on-screen
overlay.
To display and switch between KOMPLETE KONTROL instances from the keyboard, follow the
instructions below:
1. Press the INSTANCE button to call up the on-screen overlay showing all active instances
of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
2. Use the Control encoder in the NAVIGATE section to select an instance in the on-screen
overlay.
3. Press the Control encoder to switch to the selected instance and close the on-screen overlay.
→ You can now control the selected instance of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software from the
keyboard.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Transport and Tempo
7.3 Transport and Tempo
If KOMPLETE KONTROL is used as a stand-alone application, it features its own Transport
and Tempo controls. They are used by sequenced KONTAKT and REAKTOR Instruments as
well as the Arpeggiator. Additionally, the tempo is used by all Instruments that allow you to set
timing parameters in relation to the musical tempo (e.g. rhythmic modulation, delay effects).
You can find the Transport and Tempo controls in the Header:
Transport and tempo controls in KOMPLETE KONTROL.
(1) Play button: Starts and stops the internal clock. This can be used to control the playback of
sequenced KONTAKT and REAKTOR Instruments.
(2) Reset button: Resets the internal clock to its start position. Consequently, sequencers in
KONTAKT and REAKTOR Instruments will start their playback from the beginning. The same
applies to the Arpeggiator.
(3) Tempo control: Sets the tempo in BPM (beats per minute).
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in, it is automatically synchronized to the
host. Therefore the Transport and Tempo controls are grayed out and inactive.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Transport and Tempo
7.3.1 Resetting the Clock
Resetting the Clock in the Software
▪ When the internal clock is stopped, clicking the Reset button allows you to reset the inter-
nal clock. Clicking the Play button will start playback from the beginning.
▪ When the internal clock is running, clicking the Reset button allows you to reset the inter-
nal clock and resume playback from the beginning.
Resetting the Clock from the Keyboard
▪ When the internal clock is stopped, pressing STOP allows you to reset the internal clock.
Pressing PLAY will start playback from the beginning.
▪ When the internal clock is stopped, pressing SHIFT + PLAY allows you to reset the internal
clock and start playback from the beginning.
▪ When the internal clock is running, pressing SHIFT + PLAY allows you to reset the internal
clock and resume playback from the beginning.
7.3.2 Adjusting Tempo
Adjusting Tempo in the Software
The Tempo control allows you to set the tempo in BPM (beats per minute):
1. Click the display and drag the up / down.
2. Alternatively, you can double-click the display and enter a value numerically.
→ The tempo adjusts in increments of one.
Adjusting Tempo from the Keyboard
You can also use the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to set the tempo in BPM (beats per minute):
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Adjusting Master Volume
2. While holding SHIFT push and turn the Control encoder.
→ The tempo is adjusted in increments of 1 BPM.
7.4 Adjusting Master Volume
The Master Volume slider lets you adjust the overall output volume of KOMPLETE KONTROL.
The Volume meter shows the current peak level of the output signal.
Master Volume controls.
In order to adjust the output volume:
► Click and drag the slider to the left or to the right.
→ This will adjust the output volume in 0.5dB increments from -30dB to +10dB. Below
-30dB, the keyboard’s volume control is exponentially scaled and quickly lowers the output signal to complete silence.
Adjusting Master Volume with the Keyboard
In order to adjust the output volume on the keyboard:
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
2. While holding SHIFT turn the BROWSE encoder.
7.5 Preferences
In the Preferences you can specify various settings for KOMPLETE KONTROL.
To open the Preferences:
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Global Controls and Preferences
► Click Edit > Preferences in the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu:
7.5.1 Preferences – Audio Page
The Audio page holds settings related to your audio interface when KOMPLETE KONTROL is
running as a stand-alone application.
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in, the audio configuration is managed by
the host, and the Audio page is not available.
The Routings section allows you to configure the connections between the virtual outputs of
KOMPLETE KONTROL and the physical outputs of your audio interface.
Preferences
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Global Controls and Preferences
Preferences
Preferences panel — Audio page
Setting Description
Driver Here you can select the audio driver.
Device This allows you to choose from the available devices if you have
connected more than one audio interface.
Status This shows you whether your audio interface is currently
running.
Sample Rate This displays the selected sample rate of your audio interface.
Please restart KOMPLETE KONTROL after changing the sample
rate.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Setting Description
Buffer Size macOS: This slider allows you to adjust the buffer size of your
audio interface in samples. Lower values result in a more
immediate playing response but increase the CPU load, and
may result in audible clicks and pops. Larger values decrease
the CPU load, but introduce a larger latency (a small delay
between hitting a pad and hearing it). It is recommended to find
the lowest value that does not cause clicks and pops even when
playing more demanding Instruments.
Windows: When using an ASIO driver, the Audio page shows an
ASIO Config button instead of the Buffer Size slider. Click this
button to open the settings window of the selected ASIO driver.
Preferences
Latency
This shows the delays introduced by the current Buffer Size
setting.
Routings Under Routings, you will be presented with a list of the 16
stereo outputs from KOMPLETE KONTROL: In the right column,
you can assign them to the outputs of your audio interface.
Click the fields in the right column to select the desired outputs
via a drop-down menu.
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Global Controls and Preferences
7.5.2 Preferences – MIDI Page
The MIDI page allows you to set up the MIDI input and output ports that you want to use when
KOMPLETE KONTROL is running as a stand-alone application.
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in, the MIDI configuration is managed by
the host, and the MIDI page is not available.
Preferences
Preferences panel — MIDI page (entries may vary on your computer)
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Global Controls and Preferences
Element Description
Input Clicking Input displays a list of all the available MIDI inputs of
your system. You can activate/deactivate each input by clicking
the checkbox next to its name.
Output Clicking Output displays a list of all the available MIDI outputs
of your system. You can activate/deactivate each input by
clicking the checkbox next to its name.
The MIDI Output settings are required for using KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Smart Play features
with other MIDI instruments.
7.5.3 Preferences – General Page
The General page holds Usage Data Tracking settings. Usage Data Tracking technology enables
KOMPLETE KONTROL to automatically track anonymous usage data that you can choose to
share with us.
Usage Data Tracking can be enabled or disabled in the General page of the Preferences in the
KOMPLETE KONTROL software. However, we encourage all users to keep Data Tracking enabled as it provides a valuable tool for understanding the performance of Native Instruments applications when they are used in real life situations. The data sent to Native Instruments is one
hundred percent anonymous and will not affect performance.
Preferences
For more detailed information about Usage Data Tracking, please refer to the following Knowledge Base article on the Native Instruments website:
https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/209545029
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Global Controls and Preferences
Preferences
Usage Data Tracking in the KOMPLETE KONTROL Preferences.
To enable or disable Usage Tracking:
1. Open the General page of the Preferences by clicking Preferences… in the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu.
2. Click the Allow usage data tracking checkbox to enable or disable user data tracking.
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Global Controls and Preferences
7.5.4 Preferences – Library Page
The Library page allows you to edit the locations of all KOMPLETE KONTROL Library files
(both Factory and User) that appear in the Library pane of the Browser.
At the top of the page, the Factory and User buttons allow you to switch between the Factory
pane and the User pane.
Factory Pane
The Factory pane shows all factory libraries available. These libraries will appear in the Factory
view of the Browser’s Library pane.
Preferences
Preferences panel – the Library page’s Factory pane.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Element Description
Location column Shows the path of each library. If you have moved any library
to another location on your computer, click the folder icon on
the left of that library and select its new path.
Product column Shows the name of each product. These names cannot be
edited.
Rescan button If you have made any change to a library (e.g., changed its
location), select it in the list and click the Rescan button to
rescan that library.
Preferences
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Global Controls and Preferences
User Pane
The User pane shows all user libraries currently used. These include KOMPLETE KONTROL’s
standard user directory as well as any other user directory you might have defined. These libraries will appear in the User view of the Browser’s Library pane.
Preferences
Preferences panel – the Library page’s User pane.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Element Description
Location column Shows the path of each library. If you have moved any library
to another location on your computer, click the folder icon on
the left of that library and select its new path.
Alias column Shows the alias stored for each library. Click an alias to edit it.
Defining aliases for your user folders is not mandatory, but it
can be of great help when working on different computers (see
description below). After adding a location (see Add below),
click the field in the new row and in the Alias column to set
the alias for that new location. The alias of the default user
folder, Native Instruments User Directory, cannot be edited —
this is the location where all your user files will be stored by
default.
Preferences
Scan user content
for changes at start-
Enabled by default, this option automatically detects any new
added user content when starting KOMPLETE KONTROL.
up
Add button Click Add to manually add directories to the user library. See
below for more details.
Remove button Click Remove to remove the selected user library. Files will
only be removed from the KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser, not
from your hard disk.
Rescan button If you have made any change to a library (e.g., added/removed
files), select it in the list and click the Rescan button to
rescan that library.
You can resize the Preferences panel at your convenience using the usual method on
your operating system. You can also resize each column by clicking and dragging the
limit between both column headers.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Adding Folders to the User Library
In the User pane of the Library page, you can add other folders to the user content of your
KOMPLETE KONTROL Library. To do this:
1. Click Add at the bottom of the pane.
A folder selection dialog opens up.
2. In the dialog, navigate to the desired folder on your computer and click OK (Choose on
macOS).
→ All KOMPLETE KONTROL-compatible files found in the selected folder are added to your
user content in KOMPLETE KONTROL.
KOMPLETE KONTROL-compatible files include ens, rkplr, nrkt, nksn, nfm8, nabs, nki,
nmsv, nbkt, nis.
Furthermore, the attributes (Instrument/Bank/Sub-Bank, Type/Sub-Type/Mode tags, as well as
properties) of all imported files will be retained.
By adding a folder to the user content of your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library, you make their
files available in the Browser’s Library pane for quick searching and loading.
Preferences
Paths to folders added via the IMPORT button in the Browser’s Files pane will also show
up here. The only difference between adding folders via the Add button in Preferences
panel, described here, and via the IMPORT button in the Files pane of the Browser is
that the latter allows you to directly tag the files as they are imported.
Please note that the selected folder cannot contain, or be contained within, a folder already
listed in the User or Factory pane. If KOMPLETE KONTROL detects such a folder as you press
OK (Choose on macOS) in the folder selection dialog, a Duplicate Location message appears:
Click OK to return to the folder selection dialog and select another folder on your computer.
Removing Folders from the User Library
You can also remove any user folder from your library—except the default user content directory Native Instruments User Content.
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Global Controls and Preferences
7.5.5 Preferences – Plug-ins Page
The Plug-ins page allows you to manage your VST plug-ins in KOMPLETE KONTROL.
At the top of the page, the Manager and Locations buttons allow you to switch between the
Manager pane and the Locations pane.
Manager Pane
The Manager Pane allows you to view and manage all VST plug-ins available in KOMPLETE KONTROL. By default, all available plug-ins are activated for use in KOMPLETE KONTROL.
► To deactivate a plug-in for use in KOMPLETE KONTROL, click on the checkbox icon next
to its name so it is unchecked.
The option to Always use latest version of NI Plug-ins selects whether or not your Library content is always loaded with the latest version of the associated plug-in. If this option is disabled,
your Library content is loaded with the lowest required version of the associated plug-in found
on the computer.
Preferences
For example, this option is required if you have installed both the full version of REAKTOR 5 as well as a KOMPLETE Instrument that came with REAKTOR 6 Player. By disabling the option, the REAKTOR 5 Factory Library will be loaded with the full version of
REAKTOR 5, while the KOMPLETE Instrument will be loaded with REAKTOR 6 Player.
This is necessary since the REAKTOR 5 Factory Library is not authorized for use with
REAKTOR 6 Player.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Preferences
Preferences panel — the Plug-ins page's Manager pane.
Element Description
Checkbox column Activates or deactivates a plug-in for use in
KOMPLETE KONTROL.
Plug-in column Lists all available VST plug-ins in KOMPLETE KONTROL.
Always use latest
version of NI Plugins
If this option in enabled (default), Library content is loaded
with the latest version of the associated plug-in.
If this option is disabled, Library content is loaded with the
lowest required version of the associated plug-in.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Locations Pane
The Locations pane allows you manage the folders containing your plug-ins on the hard drive.
KOMPLETE KONTROL scans these folders for VST plug-ins and adds them to the Manager
pane. You can Add and Remove folders from the list, as well as use the Rescan function to
update the available plug-ins in KOMPLETE KONTROL according to any changes made to the
folders or their contents.
► To display the Locations pane, click the Locations button at the top of the Plug-ins page.
Preferences
Preferences panel — the Plug-ins page's Locations pane.
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Global Controls and Preferences
Setting Description
Plug-in column Lists all folders that KOMPLETE KONTROL scans for VST
plug-ins.
Add Opens a file dialogue that lets you add another folder to the
list.
Remove Removes the currently selected folder from the list.
Rescan Scans all folders in the list for compatible plug-ins and
updates the Manager pane accordingly.
7.5.6 Preferences – Hardware Page
The Hardware page enables you to customize how the keys react to your playing, as well as
switch the Light Guide on or off.
► To display the Hardware page click the Hardware tab on the left of the Preferences panel
while the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard is connected.
Preferences
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Global Controls and Preferences
Preferences
Preferences panel — Hardware page.
Setting Description
Keyboard
Velocity Scaling Velocity Scaling determines how your playing is translated
into velocity values: starting from Soft 3 (a soft touch is
enough to get a big velocity value) through Linear
(default) to Hard 3 (you really have to press the key hard
to get a big velocity value).
Light Guide
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Global Controls and Preferences
Setting Description
Enabled Light Guide allows you to switch the colored LEDs above
the keybed on or off. The Light Guide visualizes MIDI
patterns being played back from the host as well as shows
you the active keys in any scale from the Perform Panel.
Navigate
Browse Mode Switches between the Hardware and On-Screen Overlay
modes for browsing with the keyboard.
Accessibility
Enabled Enables the text-to-speech feature for visually impairment
users (macOS only).
Volume Controls the volume of the text-to-speech feature
Preferences
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MIDI Communication
8 MIDI Communication
KOMPLETE KONTROL provides you with flexible MIDI control and host automation capabilities for easy integration with your MIDI environment.
Incoming MIDI
KOMPLETE KONTROL and the Instruments you load inside it can be controlled via MIDI and
the host (when KOMPLETE KONTROL is loaded as a plug-in):
▪ Triggering Instruments via MIDI notes: By default, incoming MIDI notes trigger the loaded In-
strument and will also be visually reflected by the Light Guide.
▪ Controlling parameters via host automation: You can control parameters of both KOM-
PLETE KONTROL and your loaded Instruments via host automation (when KOMPLETE KONTROL is loaded as a plug-in).
Receiving MIDI Clock
KOMPLETE KONTROL does not receive MIDI Clock. However, when using KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in, it is automatically synchronized to the host tempo. The tempo display in
KOMPLETE KONTROL’s header is grayed out and tempo is adjusted in the host.
Outgoing MIDI
You can also send MIDI data from KOMPLETE KONTROL:
▪ Triggering MIDI instruments and Recording MIDI notes: KOMPLETE KONTROL sends MIDI
Note, Pitch Bend, and Channel Pressure (aftertouch) messages to the host and to any MIDI
application or device.
▪ Controlling MIDI applications and devices: KOMPLETE KONTROL’s MIDI mode allows you to
send Control Change and Program Change messages to any MIDI application or device.
▪ Routing and recording processed MIDI notes: KOMPLETE KONTROL outputs the MIDI notes
generated by the Scale engine and the Arpeggiator through the MIDI outputs of the standalone application as well as the plug-in. You can route the MIDI notes to other MIDI instruments or record them as a MIDI pattern in the host.
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MIDI Communication
Host Automation
MIDI output is only supported by the stand-alone application as well as the VST and
AAX versions of the plug-in. The AU (Audio Unit) version of the plug-in does not support
MIDI output.
8.1 Host Automation
When you load KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plug-in in a host, the parameters of the loaded Instrument, the Scale engine, and the Arpeggiator become available for automation from the
host.
Available Parameters for Host Automation
All parameters available for automation are found in the Perform panel and the Plug-in panel.
Browser controls cannot be automated.
8.1.1 Automation IDs for the Perform Panel
The following automation IDs are reserved for parameters in KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Perform
panel:
Automation ID Parameter
000 Reserved for Instance Recognition
and Automatic Focus Follow
001 Scale On / Off
002 Root Note (Scale)
003 Scale Type (Scale)
004 Key Mode (Scale)
006 Chord Mode (Scale)
007 Chord Type (Scale)
026 Arp On / Off
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Automation ID Parameter
027 Mode (Arp)
028 Type (Arp)
029 Rate (Arp)
030 Sequence (Arp)
031 Swing (Arp)
032 Octaves (Arp)
033 Dynamic (Arp)
034 Gate (Arp)
035 Retrigger (Arp)
036 Repeat (Arp)
037 Offset (Arp)
038 Inversion (Arp)
MIDI Communication
Host Automation
039 Min. Key (Arp)
040 Max. Key (Arp)
041 Hold (Arp)
8.1.2 Recording Automation
Many hosts require that you have enabled transport record in order to record automation, while
others make use of dedicated automation controls. Once the host is ready to record automation, you can start playback and adjust parameters on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard in
order to record them.
For detailed information regarding automation recording in the host, refer to its documentation.
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Changing the State of an On/Off Switch
To change the state of an on/off switch:
1. Click the corresponding button with your computer mouse.
2. Turn the knob on the keyboard currently assigned to the corresponding parameter.
MIDI Communication
Host Automation
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Selecting Another Entry from a Drop-Down Menu
To select another entry from a drop-down menu:
1. Click the corresponding menu with your computer mouse and select an entry.
MIDI Communication
Host Automation
2. Turn the knob on the keyboard currently assigned to the corresponding parameter.
Changing the Value of a Drag Control
To change the value of a drag control:
1. Click and drag the corresponding drag control with your computer mouse.
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MIDI Communication
Using the Keyboard in MIDI Mode
2. Turn the knob on the keyboard currently assigned to the corresponding parameter.
Some hosts let you handle automation by using automation IDs that are mapped to specific
parameters of the plug-in. KOMPLETE KONTROL comes with a predefined list of automation
IDs that lets the host find them automatically.
8.2 Using the Keyboard in MIDI Mode
Besides using the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard in combination with the KOMPLETE KONTROL software, you can also use it in MIDI mode as a versatile MIDI controller to pilot MIDI
applications or devices, both via USB or via 5-pin DIN MIDI connections.
KOMPLETE KONTROL sends MIDI Note, Pitch Bend, and Channel Pressure (aftertouch) messages to trigger MIDI instruments, as well as Control Change and Program Change messages to
control any MIDI application or device.
▪ When you switch on the keyboard and the displays show the message PRESS BROWSE,
you are controlling an instance of the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
▪ When you switch on the keyboard and the displays show various MIDI CC numbers, the
keyboard is in MIDI mode. The keyboard directly launches into MIDI mode when the KOMPLETE KONTROL software is not running.
Switching to MIDI Mode
To switch the keyboard between controlling the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and MIDI
mode:
1. Press SHIFT + INSTANCE on the keyboard.
2. Alternatively, you can call up the on-screen-overlay by pressing the INSTANCE button and
select Switch to MIDI mode from the available options.
3. To leave MIDI mode, press SHIFT + INSTANCE.
When using the KOMPLETE KONTROL plug-in in a supported host, the keyboard automatically switches between controlling the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and MIDI
mode, depending on the content of the selected track.
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MIDI Communication
Using the Keyboard as Stand-Alone MIDI Controller
MIDI Assignment
The MIDI mode’s versatility is made possible by the Controller Editor application, which allows
you to freely define MIDI assignments for the controls on the keyboard. The Controller Editor is
installed during the KOMPLETE KONTROL installation procedure. For more information, refer
to the Controller Editor Manual available as a PDF file in the Documentation subfolder of the
Controller Editor installation folder on your hard drive.
8.3 Using the Keyboard as Stand-Alone MIDI Controller
If you power up the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard without an USB connection (while the
power supply is connected), you can use it as a stand-alone MIDI controller by connecting
MIDI devices to the 5-pin DIN MIDI sockets on the keyboard’s rear panel.
The keybed and the controls on the keyboard send out MIDI messages according to the default
Template for stand-alone operation.
You can change the default Template for stand-alone operation in the Controller Editor
application by right-clicking the Template and selecting Set as Standalone Default. For
more information, refer to the Controller Editor Manual available as a PDF file in the
Documentation subfolder of the Controller Editor installation folder on your hard drive.
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Host Integration
Integration with MASCHINE
9 Host Integration
When using advanced host integration, the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard becomes the centerpiece of your studio setup. You can use it to control not only the Instrument loaded in KOMPLETE KONTROL, but also core functionality of supported hosts.
Advanced integration of KOMPLETE KONTROL is available in the following hosts:
▪ MASCHINE 2
▪ Apple Logic Pro X
▪ Apple GarageBand
▪ Ableton Live 9
▪ Steinberg Cubase Artist 8.5/9/9.5
▪ Steinberg Cubase Pro 8.5/9/9.5
▪ Steinberg Nuendo 7/8
9.1 Integration with MASCHINE
If you own MASCHINE, you can control many of MASCHINE’s functions directly from the
KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. The available functions mapped to the sections of the keyboard are listed below.
In order to connect the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard to the MASCHINE software:
► Click on the Keyboard icon in the Header.
Connect to MASCHINE using the Keyboard
1. Press INSTANCE and select the MASCHINE instance in the on-screen overlay.
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Integration with MASCHINE
2. Press control encoder to connect the keyboard to MASCHINE.
PERFORM Section
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in MASCHINE
SCALE Enable/disable SCALE for the selected Group
ARP Enable/Disable ARP for the selected Group
SHIFT + SCALE Edit SCALE for the selected Group
SHIFT + ARP Edit ARP for the selected Group
Host Integration
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Integration with MASCHINE
TRANSPORT Section
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in MASCHINE
Basic Transport
PLAY Starts/pauses playback
SHIFT + PLAY (RESTART) Restarts playback at the beginning of the
Loop Range
REC Enables/disables recording
SHIFT + REC (COUNT-IN) Records with count-in
STOP Stops playback/recording
SHIFT + STOP Enables/disables the metronome
Loop Range
LOOP + Control encoder Moves the whole Loop Range
LOOP + Navigate Left + Control encoder Moves the Loop Range’s start point
Host Integration
LOOP + Navigate Right + Control encoder Moves the Loop Range’s end point
SHIFT + LOOP Includes all Scenes in the Loop Range
Playhead Jumps
RWD Moves the song position backwards by Pattern
Grid increments
FFW Moves the song position forwards by Pattern
Grid increments
SHIFT + RWD Moves the song position backwards by Step
Grid increments
SHIFT + FFW Moves the song position forwards by Step Grid
increments
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Integration with MASCHINE
TRANSPOSE Section
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in MASCHINE
SHIFT + OCT- Edits the Touch Strip settings for the Pitch
Strip
SHIFT + OCT+ Edits the Touch Strip settings for the
Modulation Strip
Control Section
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in MASCHINE
Page left Selects the previous Plug-in page
Page right Selects the next Plug-in page
Host Integration
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Integration with MASCHINE
NAVIGATE Section
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in MASCHINE
Control Encoder
Control encoder (turn) Moves the song position by Pattern Grid
increments
SHIFT + Control encoder (turn) Adjusts the Slot volume
SHIFT + Control encoder (push) Sets a Preset file as Favorite when browsing
Navigate Arrows
Left Navigate arrow Selects the previous Plug-in Slot of selected
Sound Slot
Right Navigate arrow Selects the next Plug-in Slot of selected
Sound Slot
Up Navigate arrow Selects the previous Sound Slot of selected
Group
Host Integration
Down Navigate arrow Selects the next Sound Slot of selected Group
SHIFT + Up Navigate arrow Selects the previous Group
SHIFT + Down Navigate arrow Selects the next Group
Other
BROWSE Opens the Browser
INSTANCE Switches between MASCHINE and
KOMPLETE KONTROL instances
SHIFT + INSTANCE Enters MIDI Mode
PRESET Up Selects the previous Preset file
PRESET Down Selects the next Preset file
BACK Goes one step back in the on-screen overlay
ENTER Advances one step in the on-screen overlay
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Host Integration
Integration with MASCHINE
KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series - Manual - 89
Host Integration
Integration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand
9.2 Integration with Apple Logic Pro X and GarageBand
If you own Apple Logic Pro X or GarageBand, you can control many of their functions directly
from the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. The available functions mapped to the sections of
the keyboard are listed below.
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in Logic Pro X / Garage Band
PLAY Starts playback
REC Starts recording
SHIFT + REC Enables/disables count-in
STOP Stops playback / recording
SHIFT + STOP Enables/disables the metronome
LOOP Enables/disables cycle
LOOP + Control encoder Moves the cycle by its own length
Control encoder Moves the song position in one bar
increments
Navigate Up Selects one Track up
Navigate Down Selects one Track down
SHIFT + Navigate Left Undoes the last action
SHIFT + Navigate Right Redoes the last action
RWD Moves the song position backwards
FFW Moves the song position forwards
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Host Integration
Integration with Steinberg Cubase / Nuendo
9.3 Integration with Steinberg Cubase / Nuendo
If you own Steinberg Cubase or Nuendo, you can control many of their functions directly from
the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. The available functions mapped to the sections of the
keyboard are listed below.
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in Cubase / Nuendo
PLAY Starts playback
REC Starts recording
SHIFT + REC Enables/disables count-in
STOP Stops playback / recording
SHIFT + STOP Enables/disables the metronome
LOOP Enables/disables cycle
LOOP + Control encoder Moves the cycle by its own length
Control encoder Moves the song position in one bar
increments
Navigate Up Selects one Track up
Navigate Down Selects one Track down
SHIFT + Navigate Left Undoes the last action
SHIFT + Navigate Right Redoes the last action
RWD Moves the song position backwards
FFW Moves the song position forwards
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Host Integration
Integration with Ableton Live
9.4 Integration with Ableton Live
If you own Ableton Live, you can control many of its functions directly from the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard. The available functions mapped to the sections of the keyboard
are listed below.
Button on KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Action in Ableton Live
PLAY Starts playback
REC Starts recording
SHIFT + REC Enables/disables the count-in
STOP Stops playback/recording
SHIFT + STOP Enables/disables the metronome
LOOP Enables/disables cycle
LOOP + Control encoder Moves the cycle by its own length
Control encoder Moves the song position in one bar
increments
Navigate Up Selects one Track up
Navigate Down Selects one Track down
SHIFT + Navigate Left Undoes the last action
SHIFT + Navigate Right Redoes the last action
RWD Moves the song position backwards
FFW Moves the song position forwards
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Browsing the Library
10 Browsing the Library
The Browser is the place where you can find and load Instruments and Preset Files in KOMPLETE KONTROL as well as organizing your own Preset files. You will at first learn about the
Browser basics followed by explaining the browsing workflows. This section details both, the
workflows in the software and on the keyboard side by side.
Browse Mode Keyboard is the preferred for the Workflow Descriptions
When browsing with the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard it is recommended to use Browse
Mode Keyboard as it enhances the user experience compared to the on-screen overlay. Therefore this section describes the workflows using Browse Mode Keyboard which needs to be selected in the software in advance. For more information, refer to ↑10.2, Selecting Browse
Mode Keyboard.
If you want to learn more about the workflows using the on-screen overlay, refer to ↑10.13,
Browsing via the On-Screen Overlay.
Browser Basics
10.1 Browser Basics
This section describes some general concepts about the Browser.
10.1.1 Browse Modes
KOMPLETE KONTROL provides two ways of browsing with the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, called Browse Modes:
▪ By default, pressing the BROWSE button calls up the on-screen overlay on the computer
screen, which gives you a full overview over the current state of the Browser, controlled
from the NAVIGATE section on the keyboard. The KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser workflow
with the on-screen overlay is described in detail in the following chapters.
▪ Alternatively, you can use the knobs and displays on the keyboard for browsing your KOM-
PLETE KONTROL Library. In this case, the Browser functions are mapped directly to the
keyboard’s Control section, making the KOMPLETE KONTROL Browser workflow available
without using the computer screen.
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Browsing the Library
You can set the Browse Mode under Navigate on the Keyboard page of the KOMPLETE KONTROL Preferences:
The Browse Mode setting in the Preferences.
When using KOMPLETE KONTROL’s Accessibility features, the Browse Mode is automatically switched to Keyboard.
Browser Basics
10.1.2 About the Library and Meta-Information
To organize, find, keep track of, and provide you thousands of Preset files at any time ready for
loading, KOMPLETE KONTROL makes use of a Library . The Library contains the factory content of your KOMPLETE Instruments and NKS Instruments, as well as your own user content.
Tags
To help you find the right Preset file quickly and efficiently, the Library implements various
techniques that go far beyond the classic folder structure of your operating system—the usage
of tags. For example, each Preset file included in the Library contains tags which describe the
Preset file according to following aspects:
▪ The content type of the file, i.e. whether it originates from an Instrument’s factory library or
if it was created by a user.
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Browsing the Library
▪ The Instrument that the files comes from—this can include, e.g., a hierarchical structure
with an Instrument category, a particular Instrument, and possibly a Bank of this Instrument.
▪ A variable amount of tags used to describe various characteristics of the file, for example,
the type of effect, the sonic character, the context in which it is used—in a word, anything
that might help you find the file.
Included Files in the Library
The Preset files included in the Library are all KOMPLETE KONTROL-relevant files found in
the folders whose paths are listed in the Library page of the Preferences panel.
You can also save the sounds you created in KOMPLETE KONTROL to the User content section of the Library pane.
10.1.3 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks
Besides of browsing KOMPLETE KONTROL Library the Browser also allows you to navigate
your file system in a classic way. For each way the Browser provides a single pane with its own
tools:
Browser Basics
▪ The Library pane allows you to browse the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library. This is the pre-
ferred way to search for files meeting particular musical requirements. This pane also allows you to tag your own Preset files to your liking.
▪ The Files pane allows you to browse your hard disks by using the hierarchical folder struc-
ture of your operating system. For example you can use it to navigate KOMPLETE KONTROL-relevant files that have not been imported into the KOMPLETE KONTROL Library—
and you can import them from there!
The Library pane respectively the Files pane can be accessed by clicking the corresponding tab
at the top of the Browser.
Click the desired tab to show the corresponding pane of the Browser.
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Browsing the Library
Selecting Browse Mode Keyboard
Browsing and loading files from the file system using the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard is not possible. The Browser called up from the keyboard can only load files that
have already been added to the Library. This is why you should always import all your
files to the Library and tag them using the software Browser beforehand.
10.2 Selecting Browse Mode Keyboard
Browse Mode Keyboard allows you to access your KOMPLETE KONTROL Library by using only
the controls and displays on the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, independently of the computer screen.
To enable browsing with the keyboard:
1. Open the KOMPLETE KONTROL Preferences.
2. Select the Keyboard Page.
3. Select Keyboard from the Browse Mode drop-down menu.
→ The Browser functions are now mapped to the Control section and can be controlled with
the page buttons and knobs.
10.3 Opening the Browser
A click on the Browser button (the magnifier symbol) in the header opens and closes the
Browser. You can also select View > Browser in the KOMPLETE KONTROL menu.
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Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content
The Browser button in the header.
In stand-alone mode, you can also open/close the Browser from your computer keyboard
via the [B] key.
Opening the Browser on the Keyboard
In order to call up the Browser on the keyboard’s displays:
► Press the BROWSE button.
The following image provides an overview of the Browser on the displays of the Keyboard.
Browsing the Library
The Browser on the keyboard´s displays.
10.4 Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content
The Content selector shows two icons, one representing the factory content on the left, and one
representing the user content on the right:
The Content selector.
► Click the NI icon to search the factory content, or click the User icon to search the user
content.
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Browsing the Library
Choosing Between Factory Content and User Content
Choosing Between Factory and User Content on the Keyboard
In order to choose between Factory and User content on the keyboard:
► Press Button 4 to choose between Factory content (USER off) and User content (USER
on). By default, the Factory content is selected.
Choosing Between Factory and User Content on the Keyboard
In order to choose between Factory and User content on the keyboard:
► Press the left and right Page buttons choose between FACTORY content and USER con-
tent. By default, the FACTORY content is selected.
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Browsing the Library
Loading an Instrument with its default Preset File
10.5 Loading an Instrument with its default Preset File
The Instrument selector allows you to limit your search to a certain Instrument category, a particular Instrument, or a specific Bank of the Instrument. You can load an Instrument along
with its default Preset file directly from the Instrument selector in the Library pane. By default
there is no particular selection in the Instrument selector header; it reads All Instruments.
In order to load an Instrument:
1. Click on the Instrument selector header to open it.
⇨ The Instrument selector opens up, showing you all Instruments available in your KOM-
PLETE KONTROL Library.
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Browsing the Library
Loading an Instrument with its default Preset File
2. Sort the Instruments by Category or by Vendor using the Category / Vendor selector.
3. Navigate through the Instrument groups to find the Instrument to your liking.
4. Place the mouse over the Instrument entry in the Instrument selector and click on the arrow symbol that appears in the upper right corner of the Instrument entry.
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