Controlling "Blocks Base" with M32 Keyboard

Hi everyone,

Actually, I have two NI keyboards (An S61 Mk1 and an M32) but I wanted to know what controls would help me while using "Blocks Base"

Most of the presets work with the keyboard itself, but quite a few of them have a sequence pattern. these presets do nothing until you press the arrow "Play button" in the browser. (This is the play arrow right beside the BPM setting.)

Is there a way to activate the play button (to start the sequence) from my M32 keyboard?
*edit - I see now the proper term is the "Transport Button".

I feel like it should be the "Play" button on my M32, but that button does not light up or do anything...

 

(I have a feeling my M32 is not working properly. The Loop, Metro, etc...buttons, as well as the Play, Rec buttons do not light up. Oh well!)

 

Your M32 is probably fine...when using Komplete Kontrol, the buttons you mention do not light up because there are is no Functionality in KK for those buttons. KK standalone is not a sequencer or DAW, it is basically just a Library Player that adds functionality to control some of the Instrument Parameters with the knobs.

if you were to open Maschine (if you have it), then you would see those buttons light up because that program has the ability to use those buttons.

There is no way to map the Play button to start the Blocks Base Sequences.

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

Thanks for the detailed reply! It's odd, my S61 transport buttons work with KK but not the M32.

I will try it in a DAW and see how that works out. Thank you for your message.

 

Could you clarify please to me as a newbie, why not being a "sequencer or DAW" prevents Komplete Kontrol from playing a sound?

 

Komplete Kontrol is just a host wrapper for VST's and not a sequencer or DAW. It is in its simplest terms, a preset browser.

 

I never said that, I was explaining why the Play/Stop buttons are not active in KK.

If you are having issues playing sounds with KK and your Keyboard, then I would suggest posting a separate post explaining your problem.

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

Actually the transport buttons should indeed light up in standalone mode as there is a "sequencer" of sorts, well it can trigger playback, which is why you see a BPM setting. Pressing Play starts the sequencer so that plugins that have arp or sequencers (drum machines) can be played.

When I say sequencer, I mean it is able to trigger an emulated playback command to allow plugins to operate that need a BPM to work. There is no actual sequencing capabilities.

If you are having no display of the buttons on your keyboard do you see your keyboard as connected in the icon next to the BPM settings:


On my S61 MK1 the transport lights up once KK is open and I have this icon showing my keyboard is connected. I can then start/stop the playback engine and the keyboard reflects this.

 

Does not appear to work that way for the M32... Mine works fine, never had an issue with it, and when I open KK, no transport Kontrols, tempo etc... I assume it is just due to architectural/functionality differences. Between S and M series. Now if the M32 is supposed to allow transport control in KK, then could it be a bug in KK?

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

This is what is confusing me. The transport controls work on my S61, but not that way on my M32. I wonder why not?

And, I'm slowly going through the 147 page manual (ugh, 147 pages? c'mon!?) and it appears so far that these controls "should" be working, but I'm slowly making progress in my spare time reading. I am hoping there is some functionality that is turned off or something... I know the M32 does not show up in NI's "Controller Editor" program, which is a shame.

 

...and I think that there is there is a bug in the Komplete Kontrol Software, or something wrong with my M32? Any M32 owner's care to try?

If you look on page 38 of the Kontrol M32 manual, it states:

"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).

(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).

 

Yes, it should work. I can only ask again if you see your keyboard as attached (the one that does not work):


and do all other functions seem to work (browse, parameter control) just not transport? I don't have an M series, I do an A series which is basically the same and from memory that works the same way so you should be able to make it work

 

Well it appears you have uncovered a bug...probably due to the addition of the Midi Assignment editor in KK (which BTW would be akin to the Controller Editor) or a firmware upgrade. To tell you the truth I do not use KK for standalone operation as I originally got the M32 to work in conjunction with the Maschine Mikro Mk3.. (have since upgraded to the full MK3) and if I do use KK as a VST in another DAW, it syncs to the host Daw for transport. That is the reason why when you load it in Ableton that the sequenced Blocks work which mean the transport controls are working in Ableton.

will submit a bug report

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

For me at least the SS you posted is correct (except mine says 32) The transport buttons are inoperable in Native KK mode...work in everything else, just not in KK. Thinking Bug based on what is stated in the Manual.

And all other functions of the M32 function as normal in KK.

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

Ok, I was curious and dragged my A series out the bin and I think you are correct, seems to be an omission or bug in both the M/A series. The transport does not light up at all and do not function in standalone.

My S Series S61 MK1 works as described in the manual so could just be something else that was Kompletely overlooked/unfinished...

 

I have reported the lack of functionality as a bug on Centercode KK site.

And thanks for Dusting off the old A series and checking this out!

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

Also added my voice to the bug ticket

 

Sorry for the delay in replying.

thank you all for your help and support in trying to figure this out. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one experiencing this issue.

I bought the NI keyboards to give me the "hardware experience", which is why I would like to control everything from the keyboard itself. I love Reaktor Blocks, Prime, and Base, and the clock sequences (as well as the mapped controls) are the only things keeping me from buying a small modular set-up. I would like these to work perfectly!

This morning I update KK to 2.3.0, as well as the firmware for my M32 (https://www.native-instruments.com/en/support/downloads/drivers-other-files/)
Nothing had changed, still can't control the transport button on KK from my keyboard.

(Another issue...I've update Komplete Kontrol to 2.3.0 via Native Access, but each time I re-open Native Access it tells me I still need to update!? So, I do the update process to 2.3.0 once more. It finishes and says "update complete". KK shows 2.3.0 upon opening. I re-open Native Access and it tells me to update again. What's up with that!?)

 

Fortunatly you are not "Dead in the Water", the ability to run the Tempo-synced presets is still functional just not via the KB. Hopefully there will be some forward motion based on the Bug Report I submitted and JesterMgee Confirmed last night... ( I would not hold your breath though...)

For now, if you do absolutely need the Keyboard transport to control the Tempo-Synced start/stop, loading KK it into Ableton and then using transport to Start/Stop Ableton will work as at that point Reaktor is Sync'd to the Host.

Sorry no quick fix, but at least we know the KB is not "Broken"

Peace,

Blindeddie

 

Thank you. It's embarrassing - I have zero experience with Ableton, but this might be a good time to start learning it.

I tried briefly to use the keyboard to control Live 9 (using one of the included virtual synths) but whenever I pressed the Play, Rec, or Stop button, all that happened was they played notes on the virtual synthesizer (?)