When Will Kontrol Keyboards Integrate W/ Massive?

I love Komplete 10 & Kontrol, but it's a HUGE CPU hog. Because of this, in my DAW, I often load an instance of Massive, FM8, Absynth, etc. instead of loading them within Komplete Kontrol.

Why does my Kontrol S49 not have macro control with the standalone instance of these synths in my DAW? To me, it seems like a really obvious feature to include so we're not crushing our CPU's with 25 instances of Komplete Kontrol in one session. 25 instances of just Massive would actually be manageable, but as of now, the macro controls are missing outside of Komplete.

Am I missing something? Thanks all!

 

I work around this by choosing the Kontrol VST for new tracks and once the sound setup is done and automations recorded I replace it with the Absynth VST or whatever instrument I chose. That reduces the overall CPU and RAM usage on larger DAW projects. Works nicely in Reaper.

 

Thanks Aymara, but unless I'm missing something, that doesn't address the issue of using the fader knobs for macro control outside of a Komplete Kontrol instance. For me in Logic Pro X, when I load Massive as my instrument bank instead of Massive within Komplete Kontrol, there are no labeled / controllable parameters on the fader knobs of my S49.

 

No, what I explained is just a workaround. For what you want to do, you have to configure MIDI mappings with the keyboard's MIDI Editor or with MIDI learn features of your DAW. I think an Editor template for Massive and other synths might be the way to go. The downside is, that outside of Kontrol the keyboard works in pure MIDI mode, that means, though many things can be mapped, the ARP, Scale and lightguide features can't be used in MIDI mode. But you can map the knobs to any features in any synth, even third party synths.

Regarding your question, if the keyboard will be integrated in single instruments like Kontakt or Reaktor, I'm a bit sceptic, if that will ever happen, though it makes sense, because this makes the keaboard interesting e.g. for pure Reaktor fans or let's say synthesizer gurus.

 

I figured as much... But midi mapping tends to be really finicky, whereas Komplete Kontrol's integration is so fluid. It seems like an obvious software update to all standalone Native Instrument synths. I'm pretty surprised this hasn't been done already- I cant be the only one wishing for this feature.

N-I team, is this coming soon? Thanks!

 

I fear, NI doesn't want to, because they want to push Komplete 10 sales with the keyboards. I don't think, this is a great strategy, because there are many synth gurus out there, who might be interested in the keyboard, but not in Komplete ... think only about the huge Reaktor community.

 

Is there much overhead using a KK-wrapped VST rather than the VST directly? Anyone done any tests?

 

I haven't done any direct CPU tests other than to notice a huge spike on Logic's CPU monitor when loading KK instead of, say, a single instance of Massive.

Aymara, that might be right, but c'mon NI! It seems such a simple fix for NI to implement, e.g. "if user has an authorized installation of KK, then enable Kontrol keyboard macro controls for Massive, FM8, Absynth..."

 

Regarding the overhead I remember, that I read an article somewhere about it. They mentioned, that you save on CPU and RAM, when you don't use the KK VST and recommended to use the VSTs with lesser channels, if possible. Sorry, I didn't save the link, but they didn't have detailed comparison measurements.

Regarding the implementation of KK functionality in every instrument / VST, I don't think, that this is easily done and above discussion regarding overhead shows, that this will also have a downside, which will be a no-go for people, who don't use the KK keyboard. So I guess, that will never happen. It's more important to implement other missing features like favorites in the browser ... the feature request thread is quite long.

 

i don't understand how this would be coded - how would a 'Standalone' Massive knob's - their names - be recognised just by the keyboard?

and BTW, you could easily make a patch in the Controller Editor, where you name the the 8 knobs Macro 1, Macro 2, and use MIDI Learn to assign them to Massive.

personally, i would use Logic's 'Smart' knobs.

FYI, you can put your Massive patches into 'eco' mode to save on CPU.

out of interest, why would you need 25 instances of Massive?

sowari

 

If you're using Ableton, I know of a script you can use that will give you access to the first 8 knobs on any controller. I use it with my Axiom to control the knobs in Massive automatically every time Ioad it in inside of Ableton. I had to save a preset, which took a few minutes to set up. It works like a charm!

 

Ableton user(midi)-control-script.

Some DAWs have this 8 macro knobs. These 8 DAW-macros mapped to massive's 8 macros and saved as preset in DAW, give instant access when loaded. (Not bi-directional)

It is possible to have bi-directional knob communication. I think the KK-Bitwig template does it (..didn't test/not 100%sure).
The NI Maschine template for Ableton-Live has bi-directional support for device-macros, the knobs update when the device is changed (that's great).
But..That means KK in midi-mode...and that means:
Quote Aymara:" ...the ARP, Scale and lightguide features can't be used in MIDI mode."
Imho..NI has to bring midi-out for Arp, scales and chords. (game-changer)

Having the KK in midi-mode and then being able to use the scales(light guide), arp, chords with any VST-instr. + having instant access to 8 macros of the used rack/device with inserted instr.(+ changing rack-presets with the preset buttons on KK), ... would extend KKs usability in DAWs by far.

(Can then play layered instruments with all kinds of other midi-fx, VSTs and maybe DAW modulators + controll parameters of anything inside the rack with the 8 knobs + expression/sustain pedals/aftertouch...saved and recalled as preset)

..correct me, if i am wrong.

 

The script I have is set to with the controller in question. So, it doesn't matter if it's in midi mode or not. If the 8 knobs don't respond immediately in the plugin of choice, then you would just map the macro knobs accordingly and save as an instrument in Ableton. Therefore, whenever you open that plugin you turned into Ableton instrument and the blue hand is activated. You can turn the knobs on your controller and will respond to the knobs in that plugin. So, you may be wrong on that one...

 

Btw, here's a workaround to record ARP and then use it with a third party VST in your DAW:

 

Why did you recommend that to me? I've seen the video before you sent it and I have zero interest in using it. It is a pure creative buster. After spending all of the time it takes to set it up. I wouldn't even want to produce a track. I have Maschine so I can record Arps etc. directly into there when using KK or use a shorter method I saw on YouTube in Ableton.

But what I mentioned in my previous reply has nothing to do with what you just sent me.... We're talking about 2 different topics....

 

I didn't quote you, so I didn't recommend it especially to you.

It is a general tip, how to use the ARP for non-NI VSTs.

I was inspired to post it, because Dexai mentioned the ARP.

 

Ummmm... Ok. The email alert I received had your reply from my post. If you responded directly to Dexai, then I wouldn't have received your reply. Either way, moving right along. Thanks for the tip. It may be useful for someone else.

 

You will get an email notification whenever someone responds to this thread, no matter who or if anybody at all was quoted

 

Got it!! Thanks for explaining that!

 

Apologies, I'm not trying to hijack this thread, and not sure if this is relevant, I just saw a couple of videos on YouTube that confused me regarding similar features in Machine. The guy in the video was playing Omnisphere patches using the chord/scale/arp from Machine's new features? Why would this not doable in Komplete K? It sounds like KK software needs a few serious updates. I'm sure they are well aware of the agenda!