A-Series MIDI Mode

I am considering to buy the A-61 and have some questions.

1. Do the knobs work without running Komplete Kontrol?
2. What does NI actually mean by “MIDI Assignment Editor?” Is this for customizing the MIDI CCs of the knobs or even the modulation wheel?
3. Would these mappings require that the Kontrol software run in the background too?
4. Can I create pages with different encoders assigned to different MIDI CCs and channels for use in FL Studio?

Thanks.

 

1. Yes, in a MIDI mode configuration same as any generic midi keyboard so it can be used with whatever software for whatever midi reason.
2. As you describe. The MIDI assignment editor (within Komplete Kontrol) allows you set the CC numbers/channels of your controls and save as a template
3. No. Once the template is created and saved you can use it without KK running at all.
4. Yes

 

If you are going to use the A61 with FL Studio you will also be able to use the DAW integration mode just like on Ableton Live and Logic Pro X. On the Image-Line forums, there are two MIDI scripts that enable this functionality (with different functionality), and you will be able to use them in parallel with the MIDI assignments you create for the keyboard by switching back and forth between the DAW mode and the MIDI mode.

Links to both MIDI scripts (you will need the latest FL Studio version to use them):
https://forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?p=1512833
https://forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?p=1497550

 

Thanks, so is this a good universal device? Are there any restrictions in configurating it? Is there ability to change key velocity?

 

Does scales and arp features work without KK software?

 

Not unfortunately. Those are a part of the Komplete Kontrol software.

 

The only thing configurable are the MIDI CCs of the knobs and some other stuff related to the pedal input. There's no way to change the key velocity curve of the keyboard (the only thing you can do is to lock velocity to 100% using the "Fixed Velocity" feature, it doesn't need the Komplete Kontrol software for that).

If you want to change the velocity curve, you could do so directly on the FL Studio MIDI settings.


However, this setting will be applied to all MIDI keyboards/devices connected to FL Studio. If you need to do it on a per-plugin basis, you can do so using Patcher and either the VFX Level Scaler or the VFX Key Splitter.

 

Thanks you, but I am still confused. Should I buy this one for FL Studio? Or should I look at Arturia Essentials 61 for example? I have never had such midi keyboards so it's quite a hard decision for me. I want to have a good keybed in this price range.

 

I have tried the keybeds of several keyboards on the same price range and the keybed on this one is wayyyyy superior to any other keyboard. Yes, you are not getting the same high quality keybed of the S-Series, but it's outstanding for the price range. Many people have complained about other keyboards like the Novation Launchkeys feeling clunky, but I have never had an issue with my A61.

Out of the box, the knobs of the keyboard might feel like they have different levels of resistance or are too hard to use. However, this normal on this keyboards and a bit of use will make all the knobs easier to move and have the same resistance.

 

I heard that A-series keyboards have issues with velocity. Like you should press key hard to reach 127 value. Is this true? And what can you say about Arturia comparing with A61?

 

My A61 has no issues with velocity, everything is on point. Many people complain about "having to press to hard" because they probably aren't used to the semi-weight of the keys. Yes, it is "harder" to reach 100% velocity values, but that's because the velocity range is much more wider than in many keyboards. It isn't uncomfortable by any means and you will just get used to it, and if you strictly need that 100% velocity on every note you can always enable "Fixed velocity" for that.

I haven't tried the Arturia that much, but all I can say is that their keys are NOT weighted. This means you won't get as much tactile feedback when playing the keyboard like you would with an A-Series or an S-Series. This is a deal breaker for me, as you might end up not liking the keybed at all.

I tried to learn to play keys on a non-weighted keyboard before getting the Komplete Kontrol one and I almost thought it was something wrong about me because I always had to keep an eye on the keyboard to know if I was hitting a key or not. Then I discovered that the problem wasn't me but that the keyboard didn't have any weight on the keys so there was no way to feel the key other than looking at my finger pressing it.

 

How many pages with encoders assigned to different CCs and channels you can create? Could you share some screenshots of KK section where you can do the mappings? Because I can't find it in my KK.

 

The MIDI Assignment Editor for Komplete Kontrol keyboards is only accessible when an actual Komplete Kontrol keyboard is connected to your PC:


For the A-Series, it will look like this:


For the knobs, you can change between CC and Program Change, the MIDI CC number, channel and if you want it to be absolute (like normal knobs) or relative (they report the direction of the rotation, so they add or decrease value instead of forcing a concrete one based on the physical position of the knob). You can have up to 4 different pages of assignments making up to 32 different assignments, 4 for each knob. You can see the editor on the picture above.

For the keys, you can only change the MIDI channel notes are sent through. If you need keyboard splitting, you can do so on FL Studio using Patcher and the VFX Key Splitter.


For the pedal, you can change between CC and Program Change, the MIDI CC number, channel, the miniJACK ring the signal comes from and the pedal mode:

 

Wow, thanks for such a detailed answer, really appreciate it.

 

It's also well detailed in the manual along with many other new user questions... Worth a read:

https://www.native-instruments.com/...TE_KONTROL_A-Series_Manual_English_200127.pdf

 

Thanks, is there an ability to assign different CCs to the wheels (mod/pitch)? Didn't find that info in the manual.

 

No, those are locked to hardware. However, you can still assign them to whatever you want in FL Studio.

 

I have bought this keyboard lately and can't understand why the hardware knob assigned to CC 16 on the keyboard doesn't control midi out controls? It works only if I use "Link to controller" feature.

 

My midi settings

 

That has nothing to do with the keyboard, but with the fact that I think you don't understand how the MIDI Out utility works in FL Studio.

It will happen like that with any keyboard. as the MIDI Out plugin allows to just send MIDI data to other plugins in FL Studio without needing a physical MIDI device. That window you show on your screenshot titled "Controller settings" configures the MIDI CC messages the virtual knob of the MIDI Out plugin you are setting up will send to the specified port on the main MIDI Out window. MIDI Out isn't a mapping tool for you to map knobs from a physical MIDI device to parameters in FL Studio.

If what you want is to map the knobs on the keyboard with parameters in FL Studio, you have to use "Link to controller".

And as you are using the MCU implementation, I would advise you to check this out (you need at least FL Studio 20.7.3 to use it).