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Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A49 - 49-Note Controller Keyboard
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3 models to choose from:
Smart, Streamlined Keyboard Controller
Music-making is at its best when it's fast, fun, and physical. Find the right sound, make it your own, perform, and capture the results all from a responsive, semi-weighted keyboard. Complete with four premium instruments plus MASCHINE Essentials, A-Series keyboards come with everything you need to bring your ideas to life.
- Intuitive pre-mapped control for hundreds of KOMPLETE and NKS plug-ins, plus full VST support
- Perform on a custom NI keybed with 25, 49, or 61 semi-weighted keys
- Includes MASCHINE ESSENTIALS, MONARK, THE GENTLEMAN, REAKTOR PRISM, SCARBEE MARK I, and more
- Full integration with MASCHINE, Logic Pro X, and GarageBand - Ableton Live, Cubase, and Nuendo coming soon after release
FIND YOUR SOUNDS FASTER
With hundreds of presets to choose from, finding the right sound can be a chore. With KOMPLETE KONTROL, however, all of your KOMPLETE and NKS presets are intuitively tagged and organised, so finding the right one is fast and easy. What's more, you can hear a preview of each sound as you browse, without loading individual instruments.
PRE-MAPPED AND READY TO PLAY
All of your KOMPLETE and NKS instruments and effects are pre-mapped to the KOMPLETE KONTROL hardware by the people who know them best - the instrument designers themselves. Essential parameters like envelope controls and filter cutoffs are instantly displayed on the OLED display as you touch the corresponding knob. That means you can see exactly what you're adjusting in real time whether it's in kHz, dB, or BPM.
PERFORM CREATIVELY
With Smart Play, you never need to worry about hitting a wrong note - just pick a scale and play. Activate chord mode to create a rich progression by playing single keys, then switch on the arpeggiator and turn it into an expressive musical performance. And for keyboard novices, Easy Mode maps the white keys to whichever scale you like.
CAPTURE YOUR IDEAS
No matter your setup, A-Series is designed to fit right into your existing workflow, with immediate access to transport, mixing, and editing controls in your favourite DAW. Logic Pro X and GarageBand are currently supported, with advanced integration for Ableton Live, Cubase, and Nuendo coming soon after launch. And if you're just getting started, the included MASCHINE Essentials allows you to capture and arrange your ideas direct from your hardware no additional software needed.
INSTRUMENTS INCLUDED
With more than 4,500 sounds and 9.7 GB of content included, A-Series keyboards come with everything you need to start making music. Register your hardware and get two powerful synths, two meticulously sampled pianos, and more. Plus with MASCHINE Essentials, you'll have all the tools you need to go from inspiration to finished track.
And when it's time to expand your collection, you'll be eligible for a discounted upgrade to KOMPLETE 13 SELECT, KOMPLETE 13, or the full MASCHINE library.
PRODUCE, PERFORM, PLAY OUT
Pair your A-Series keyboard with its compact beat making companion MASCHINE MIKRO (sold separately) for a fun, intuitive production setup: Tap out a groove on the MIKRO's RGB-backlit pads and layer on chords and melodies to ignite your idea. Once your tracks are wrapped up, it's time to kick off the party: TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 (sold separately) is a club-standard DJ controller that lets you take your mix anywhere.
Features and Specifications
• Smart, streamlined keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments and effects
• Best-in-class, custom NI keybed, available with either 25, 49 or 61 semi-weighted keys
• Informative OLED display for at-a-glance navigation
• 8 touch-sensitive control knobs
• Ergonomic pitch and mod wheels
• 4-directional push encoder for one-handed sound browsing and project navigation
• Tag-based preset browsing directly from the keyboard or via KOMPLETE KONTROL Software: Find sounds quickly and hear instant previews
• Smart Play: Stay in key with over 100 scales and modes, play chord progressions and arpeggios with single keys, or map any scale to white keys only
• Pre-mapped control of KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects plus hundreds of Native Kontrol • Standard (NKS) plug-ins from leading manufacturers via KOMPLETE KONTROL Software
• Full VSTi and VST FX support
• Deep integration with MASCHINE software
• Intuitive control over Logic Pro X and GarageBand at launch. Ableton Live, Cubase, and Nuendo integration coming soon after initial release.
• TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain or expression
• USB 2.0 bus powered
• Can be used as a MIDI controller
• Includes a collection of KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects, KOMPLETE KONTROL Software, and MASCHINE ESSENTIALS (full MASCHINE software plus 1.6 GB MASCHINE Factory Selection)
Hardware Specifications
KOMPLETE KONTROL A25
• Dimensions: 488 x 257 x 89 mm / 19.2" x 10.1" x 3.5"
• Weight: 2.4 kg / 5.3 lbs
KOMPLETE KONTROL A49
• Dimensions: 820 x 257 x 89 mm / 32.3" x 10.1" x 3.5"
• Weight: 4 kg / 8.8 lbs
KOMPLETE KONTROL A61
• Dimensions: 984 x 257 x 89 mm / 38.7" x 10.1" x 3.5"
• Weight: 4.7 kg / 10.4 lbs
Kontrol A61 Includes:
- Keyboard, USB cable.
- KOMPLETE KONTROL Software, a collection of KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects plus MASCHINE ESSENTIALS provided as downloads after hardware registration.
- Setup Guide and documentation supplied as downloads.
Connectivity
- Can be used as a USB MIDI controller
- TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain or expression
System Requirements
• macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 (latest update), Intel Core i5, 4 GB RAM
• Windows 10 (latest Service Pack), Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, 2GB RAM
• An Internet connection and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 2.1 or higher are required to download and activate this product. Once installed and activated, the product can be used offline.
• 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended for large KONTAKT Instruments)
• USB 2.0 or higher (cable included)
Available Plug-In Formats
Mac OS X (64-bit only): Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX
Windows (64-bit only): Stand-alone, VST, AAX
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
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Favorite studio & stage keyboard 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Absolutely love this keyboard for both studio and stage use. The build quality of this is unmatched by other keyboards in this price range.
The key action is perfect if you prefer a semi-weighted synth action without too much weight but not feeling flimsy.
The bundled sounds are killler and the Komplete Kontrol app lets you edit and browse sounds directly through the keyboard.
The DAW control buttons are some of the most satisfying and robust buttons I’ve ever used as well. There are zero doubts if you’re button pressed or concerns that it double-triggered.
Although there are no drum pads, fader and other bells and whistles, if you’re just looking for a great keyboard with DAW control then look no further.
The key action is perfect if you prefer a semi-weighted synth action without too much weight but not feeling flimsy.
The bundled sounds are killler and the Komplete Kontrol app lets you edit and browse sounds directly through the keyboard.
The DAW control buttons are some of the most satisfying and robust buttons I’ve ever used as well. There are zero doubts if you’re button pressed or concerns that it double-triggered.
Although there are no drum pads, fader and other bells and whistles, if you’re just looking for a great keyboard with DAW control then look no further.
Posted by Gabriel S on Aug 30, 2022
Seems like a nice keyboard, but doesn't function as advertised 4 of 5 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton South, Alberta
I am a hobbyist, primarily guitar, but wanted a decent MIDI controller to be able to add to tracks I'm recording in GarageBand.
I bought this keyboard for two reasons -- 1) getting into NI's range of high-quality libraries of instruments, sounds, and effects; and 2) for the advertised seamless host integration with GarageBand (enabling transport & track control direct from the keyboard itself, rather than having to reach around to my Mac's keyboard and mouse).
The bundled sounds, instruments & effects are great -- no complaints there. The integration with GarageBand, which according to NI's advertising should simply work... doesn't work. At least not for me. I went back and forth with NI's support team, trying various possible fixes, and the NI support guy I dealt with was friendly and professional. In the end, however, I was told the problem is a known bug that NI have no concrete plans to fix. The integration features work fine in NI's own sequencing/DAW software (Maschine).
Also, after I got the keyboard, I realized that the small rectangular pieces of metal I found under some of the keys are the metal weights that fell off the underside of the keys. So the some of the semi-weighted keys are now not weighted at all. I can stick them back on, but the build quality is not confidence-inspiring.
Maybe I got a lemon on the build quality, and maybe the integration issue is just one of those things (GarageBand on an older Mac). But I doubt I'm going to purchase any other NI products based on this experience.
I bought this keyboard for two reasons -- 1) getting into NI's range of high-quality libraries of instruments, sounds, and effects; and 2) for the advertised seamless host integration with GarageBand (enabling transport & track control direct from the keyboard itself, rather than having to reach around to my Mac's keyboard and mouse).
The bundled sounds, instruments & effects are great -- no complaints there. The integration with GarageBand, which according to NI's advertising should simply work... doesn't work. At least not for me. I went back and forth with NI's support team, trying various possible fixes, and the NI support guy I dealt with was friendly and professional. In the end, however, I was told the problem is a known bug that NI have no concrete plans to fix. The integration features work fine in NI's own sequencing/DAW software (Maschine).
Also, after I got the keyboard, I realized that the small rectangular pieces of metal I found under some of the keys are the metal weights that fell off the underside of the keys. So the some of the semi-weighted keys are now not weighted at all. I can stick them back on, but the build quality is not confidence-inspiring.
Maybe I got a lemon on the build quality, and maybe the integration issue is just one of those things (GarageBand on an older Mac). But I doubt I'm going to purchase any other NI products based on this experience.
Posted by Andrew on Feb 16, 2022
Solid product for your NI product and tool needs 6 of 6 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Oshawa, Ontario
I opted up from the A49 to the A61 and happy that I did. I use this prominently with my Maschine MK3 unit. It expands my sound library and allows me to record music by using a proper keyboard. In our group another member has an S61 which I have to say I love all the lights and the dual screens allow me to not have to switch back and forth so much from the Maschine, but the A61 gets the job done. I would say for the price of this great keyboard you cannot go wrong with adding it to your NI kit.
Posted by Kevin Fortier on Oct 26, 2019
A bit of regret 13 of 22 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Vancouver, British Columbia
I researched a lot of smaller keyboards and decided that 49 full sized keys was good for me to record MIDI to my DAW in my home studio as I have limited space. I'm not a keyboard player so I'm not too picky about the keybed. I have the Korg M1 but it's very heavy and takes up a lot of space so I only use it as a sound module.
I looked at M-Audio, Alesis, Novation, Akai, Arturia, Korg, Yamaha, Nektar, Roland and narrowed it down to Native Instruments, Akai, Yamaha and Alesis. I bought Kompete 11 and was sold on the integration with the A49. When I purchased this on Dec 7, I was really excited about using it right away.
I installed Kompete Kontrol on my Mac and PC and found that the load times are very long which makes me regret buying this keyboard. While the integration features are very nice with the 8 touch sensitive knobs, the frustrations of waiting for the instrument to load is very unbearable. I've been reading the same type of frustrations from other A49 owners on the Native Instruments Community Forum so in hindsight, I wished I would have waited a bit longer before pulling the trigger on this keyboard.
Now I wish I went with my gut on the Yamaha MX49 and paid a little more for an established keyboard with built in sounds. I hope NI will release a firmware update to "fix" this and the other bugs that it has.
Posted by TJ on Feb 17, 2019
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