Native Instruments have been around for a long time and their virtual instrument bundles are nothing short of amazing so it is with much delight that they have released a range of keyboard controllers to work with the software.

Native Instruments Keyboard

The Komplete Kontrol S-Series is the first generation of MIDI keyboard controllers from Native Instruments and comes in 24, 49, 61 and 88 key versions.

If you are already using Native Instruments software then this controller will make your life much easier because all the instrument parameters have been mapped to the controller giving your easy access to make changes. The clear display screen will show you what each knob is controlling and the keyboard light guide will help you determine what the keys are used for which is handy when you are using an instruments like drums and need to know what keys are kick, snare and other types of drums.

The pitch and mod wheels on the native instruments keyboard are touch strips that can be configured to behave like physical objects such as springs and bouncing balls which offers a lot of creative freedom and the ability do to things you may not have tried before.

The keyboards have several modes to assist in playing if you are not a keyboard player and you can set it to only allow the keys within a set scale to be played so you can't hit a wrong note.

The native instruments keyboard requires the komplete kontrol plugin to be running inside your DAW for many functions to work. Some features of the transport controls such as track selection will not work with all DAW software but you can move between instances of the komplete kontrol within most popular DAW software providing a work around.

The keyboard build quality is very good and they are heavy compared to some on the market. The price is very high for a MIDI controller but if you are looking for an integrated solution between a keyboard and virtual instruments bundle then the Komplete Kontrol S-Series is hard to resist.

PROS

- Works smoothly with NI software
- Easy to use with fantastic feeling keys
- Makes navigating NI software quick and easy
- USB

CONS

- Very expensive
- No track selection transport control for many popular DAW software

BUY A NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KEYBOARD

- Buy Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 Keyboard (Recommended for most home recording studios)
- Buy Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 Keyboard (If you need extra keys)
- Buy Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S25 Keyboard (For easy access to complete from your desktop)