Released: Komplete Kontrol S-88 MK2

EvilDragon not to knock your credentials or anything, but upon what basis would you say that the keybed is not the same as that in the Mk1? As far as I can see, the only info out there is that the Mk2 has a 'Fully weighted Fatar hammer action' keyboard, which is an identical description to that of the Mk1? Have you been informed otherwise?

 

Not to put words in his mouth, but my guess is that EvilDragon figures that NI is aware of the complaints about the Mk1's keybed (on this forum and others, user reviews), and since this company seems to listen to its user base, they have addressed that complaint with an upgraded keybed.

That said, it sure would be nice if someone from NI chimed in and cleared this up for us. I am hoping the keybed provides a good balance between piano feel and fast synth action, as I need both. According to the product page at Sweetwater, that should be the case:

"In addition to being extremely well built, they feel fantastic, offering enough resistance so that you can really lay into the keys while recovering fast enough for synth-style repeats. Whether you're playing a Drumlab kit or a searing Monark synth lead, these keys won't let you down."

Who writes these, by the way? I don't see this language on NI's site, and the description varies over at GC as well. You would think resellers would all show the same description. From what I can tell, NI's own language describing the action hasn't changed from the mk1, so .... yeah, some clarification would be appreciated.

 

I had just sold StudioLogic SL Grand because the keys were a bit too much for me. Great for piano, almost great for rhodes (a little less so for wurly stuff), not cool for organs, clavinets, synths...

I'll definetly try out the new s88 - if there's a point between TP100 and TP400 and they got it right I'll buy it.

 

I have a feeling it's going to be a compromise between my ideal action/feel, and not having to fiddle with the octave transpose buttons in order to access VST switches, as I do on the S61 mk2. The light guide is great but it gets confusing once you start jumping around.

Wish I could run across town to try any of these controllers hands-on, but I'm looking at a minimum 3 hour one-way drive to do so. Which means, it's cheaper to just pay the return shipping if the S88 mk2 doesn't feel good to me. Pre-order processed, so I'll know by the end of the month!

 

As an owner of the S88 mk1 I reached out to my Sweetwater rep and he said that NI has stated an updated keybed but like others have mentioned here it would be really nice if they disclosed which FATAR keybed model they went with instead of keeping it a mystery. As a result I am certainly going to wait to hear from other people and reviews to find out what it is before I decide if I want to sell the mk1 and buy a mk2.

I was also looking at the comments on how mk2 no longer uses MCU transport control and now uses OSC protocol. Does anyone know if this was done with the end goal of allowing two mk2 controllers to be used with Komplete Kontrol with full functionality on both controllers? Ideally I would really like to have an S88 mk2 with the fully-weighted, hammer action keybed for playing piano tracks and an S61 mk2 with the semi-weighted keybed mounted above it for playing synths and organ tracks. I've read in previous topics from a year or two back that it's possible to use two Komplete Kontrol controllers at once but that only one will get the full integration with the software and the other will only work as a midi controller.

With the switch to OSC in the mk2's does anyone know if the ability to use two Komplete Kontrol controllers at once with full integration with the software is eventually going to be available with this hardware?

It seems like a huge limitation to me given that I can currently use my KK S88 mk1, my maschine studio and maschine jam all at the same time but two KK controllers will not work at the same time.

 

That’s a really good point and I’d also like to know the answer. I use a KK S61MK2 and might pair it with the S88 MK2 if what you say is possible. As an alternative, another option for me if that doesn’t work would be to get an A25 for keyswitching and use larger keys for the playable range only. But this wouldn’t work well for instruments with the full 88-key range.

 

I also own the Output Platform and I really hoped to see either a 76 key version, or a slightly shorter 88. Oh well. My S61.2 is great. I am really pleased to see that, while updating their flagship product lines, NI also added the lower priced units like the A series keyboards. I love that you can now justify having a nice S61.2 on the Platform AND pick up the A-series for throwing in the portable kit, or use them both at the same desk for different purposes - without breaking the bank!

 

S88 MK2 added to my studio yesterday . . . !

 

How are you liking it? Would you happen to know what kind of keybed is in it?

 

Mk2 collected from dealer yesterday!

The keys do feel slightly different from the Mk1, they are perhaps a little quicker to recover, a little more damped... it could just be my imagination though, as I no longer have a Mk1 with which to compare (sold it a few days ago) and unfortunately I don't have enough experience to be able to guess the model of the keybed in use - but I'm pretty happy with it.

 

Would really have hurt to put one damn fader on that huge beast?? Who would it have killed to include faders on these keyboards? How can we call them Komplete when they lack so much...?


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I do like it!

I can't really comment on the action, compared with the MK1, since I haven't had that board for about eight months. My impression is that it is similar, though. I would have no way of actually knowing what it is.

I have already found the two screens and additional buttons useful.

 

Congratulations! I think we are among the first to acquire this new board.

 

I think you guys are the first haha. I have no idea how you both managed to get it so early. I'll be next too once I find out more about this keybed!

 

I have query into the Sweetwater folk to track down if its the TP40 and which iteration. The L is most popular as it has lighter touch but weighted ... and same used on best Kurzweil models.

 

I emailed Sweetwater and they only told me "The s88 Mk2 has a Fatar Keybed."

 

Yes. But there are several quality levels, going from economy to premium. For instance the TP100 model is more budget focused, while the TP40 is a premium keybed. You can visit the Fatar website to see the differences.

So, many of us are hoping/expecting the KK88M2 has the TP40/L or similar.

 

Yeah fingers crossed. Otherwise I think I’ll get a Roland A-88 instead!

 

Assuming nobody straight up tells us, is there any way of knowing short of a teardown? Not it! LOL

 

I suspect that it's a middle-of-road level keybed. I've played better and I've played worse.