KOMPLETE KONTROL A61
by Native Instruments
SMART, STREAMLINED KEYBOARD CONTROLLER
- 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 Komplete Select
- Full integration with MASCHINE, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live, Cubase, and Nuendo.
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.
Need some serious low end? Use the encoders and OLED display to select SYNTH > BASS > SUB BASS, then listen through the presets and load up the right one for your track.
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 favorite DAW. Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live are currently supported, with advanced integration for Cubase and Nuendo coming in a future update to the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
INSTRUMENTS INCLUDED
A-Series keyboards come with everything you need to start making music. Register your hardware and receive a voucher for the Komplete Select edition of your choice.
And when it’s time to expand your collection, you’ll be eligible for a discounted upgrade to Komplete Standard.
KOMPLETE KONTROL SOFTWARE
Browse and preview all your instruments and effects directly from your A-Series keyboard. This software also makes KOMPLETE and NKS instruments and effects accessible to visually-impaired users – feature coming shortly after initial release.
ABLETON LIVE LITE
A lightweight version of Ableton Live. It comes with all of Live’s essential workflows, instruments, and effects – everything you need to record songs.
Komplete Select
Komplete Select is a gateway to professional-grade sound, offering hand-picked selections of cutting-edge synths, sampled session instruments, and studio-quality effects. It’s now available in three curated editions: Beats, Band, and Electronic – each designed to perfectly suit specific genres and workflows. After product registration you will receive a voucher for the edition of your choice.
E-VOUCHER
Along with your new keyboard, you will get a e-voucher for additional KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects or Expansions.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE A-SERIES
Don’t feel lost staring at a blank screen. Whether you’re making your first track, or wanting to step up your game, we’re here to help. Take an in-depth look at all the controls and workflows of the A-Series keyboards with this animated Quickstart Guide – a fun and interactive way to get up to speed.
[cta label="GET STARTED" link="/pages/a-series-quickstart" title="GET STARTED"]
PRODUCE, PERFORM, PLAY OUT
Pair your A-Series keyboard with its compact beat making companion MASCHINE MIKRO 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 is a club-standard DJ controller that lets you take your mix anywhere.
[cta label="DISCOVER MASCHINE MIKRO" link="/products/maschine-mikro" title="DISCOVER MASCHINE MIKRO"] [cta label="DISCOVER TRAKTOR KONTROL S2" link="/products/maschine-mikro" title="DISCOVER TRAKTOR KONTROL S2"]
| S-Series | A-Series | M32 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of keys | 49, 61 or 88 | 25, 49 or 61 | 32 |
| Why would it suit me? | Stay in the flow with an unmatched connection to instruments and effects, next-gen NKS, polyphonic aftertouch, Light Guide, DAW control, high-res color screen, and more. | Get a smart and streamlined keyboard controller with custom NI keybed, NKS integration, Smart Play features, DAW control, OLED display, and more. | Plug in and play anywhere you go with a portable, micro-keyboard controller. Get a custom NI keybed, NKS integration, Smart Play features, DAW control, OLED display, and more. |
| Keybed | Pro-grade Fatar keybed with polyphonic aftertouch, available with semi-weighted keys (S49, S61), or fully weighted hammer-action keys (S88) | Semi-weighted custom NI keybed | Synth-action, custom NI keybed |
| Browse sounds from the hardware | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Parameter names on display | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| NKS integration | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Parameter mapping | Next-generation NKS | NKS | NKS |
| Advanced DAW control | Ableton Live, Bitwig, Cubase, Digital Performer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Studio One. | Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, and Studio One. | Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, and Studio One. |
| Display | Glass high-res color screen | Graphic OLED display for at-a-glance navigation | Graphic OLED display for at-a-glance navigation |
| Light guide (RGB lights above each key) |
✓ |
— |
— |
| Ergonomic pitch and mod wheels |
✓ |
✓ |
— |
| Touch strip | ✓ |
— |
✓ |
| Foot pedal support | 4 x assignable TRS pedal inputs including a default sustain and default expression | 1 TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain | 1 TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain |
| Bus powered | USB-C |
USB 2.0 |
USB 2.0 |
| Transport buttons | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| 4-directional push encoder | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| 8 touch-sensitive control knobs | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Smart play features | ✓ (Scale/Chord/Arp) |
✓ (Scale/Chord/Arp) |
✓ (Scale/Chord/Arp) |
| Included software | Komplete Kontrol software Komplete Select Available in three curated editions: Beats, Band, and Electronic – each designed to perfectly suit specific genres and workflows. After product registration you will receive a voucher for the edition of your choice. Hypha Guitar Rig 7 LE Stradivari Cello iZotope Elements Suite Ableton Live Lite |
(A-Series Collection) Komplete Kontrol software Komplete Select Available in three curated editions: Beats, Band, and Electronic – each designed to perfectly suit specific genres and workflows. After product registration you will receive a voucher for the edition of your choice. e-voucher to spend in the NI Online Shop Ableton Live Lite |
(M32 Collection) Komplete Kontrol software Komplete Select Available in three curated editions: Beats, Band, and Electronic – each designed to perfectly suit specific genres and workflows. After product registration you will receive a voucher for the edition of your choice. e-voucher to spend in the NI Online Shop Ableton Live Lite |
| Accessibility for visually Impaired users | ✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
S-Series model comparison
| Kontrol S49 | Kontrol S61 | Kontrol S88 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mac macOS 13, 14, and 15 (latest update)
Win Windows 10 (64-bit, latest Service Pack) or Windows 11 (latest Service Pack)
Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, or Apple Silicon (native mode or using Rosetta 2), 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended).
Find out more about Apple Silicon compatibility
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 macOS (64-bit only): Stand-alone, VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Win Windows (64-bit only): Stand-alone, VST, VST3, AAX
COMPATIBILITY INFO
The included KOMPLETE KONTROL software provides unparalleled integration with KOMPLETE and NKS instruments and effects.
All KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards also function as MIDI controllers.
CONNECTIVITY
Can be used as a USB MIDI controller
TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain
ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITY IN THE FOLLOWING HOSTS
Logic X 10.3.1 or higher
GarageBand 10.2.0 or higher
Ableton Live 10.05 or higher
Cubase Artist / Pro 8.5 or higher
Nuendo 7.1.35 or higher
Studio One 4.5 or higher
Pro Tools 2021.10
Please read the KOMPLETE KONTROL documentation for detailed information about host compatibility. For a quick-reference guide to using KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards in the above DAWs, please download the DAW shortcut sheet.
PRODUCT INCLUDES
Keyboard, USB cable.
The KOMPLETE KONTROL software, a collection of KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects, and Ableton Live Lite – provided as downloads after hardware registration.
Setup Guide and documentation supplied as downloads.
HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS
*Requires USB connection
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 the 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 the KOMPLETE KONTROL software
- Full VSTi and VST FX support
- Deep integration with MASCHINE software
- Intuitive control over Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live. Cubase and Nuendo integration coming in a future update to the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
- TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain
- USB 2.0 bus powered
- Can be used as a MIDI controller
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
California Proposition 65 Warning
Due to legislation in the State of California, the following message must be displayed to Californian residents:
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including styrene, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
SOFTWARE UPDATES
Software updates can be downloaded via Native Access.
New user? Find instructions on how to set up your KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard in our setup instructions...
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.3.0
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.3.0 is a free update including workflow improvements and bug fixes:
- MIDI Assignment Editor support has been added for the A-Series and M32 keyboards.
- “DAW port missing on Windows” issue has been fixed.
- NKS scanning bug has been fixed.
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.3
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.3 is a free update including workflow improvements and bug fixes:
- Audio Module has been added to playback loops.
- MCU support has been added for the S-Series Mk2, A-Series, and M32 keyboards.
- When running KOMPLETE KONTROL as a plugin, you can scan plugins and content with one button.
- MIDI mapping has been improved (Value Pickup mode).
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.2
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.2 is a free update including workflow improvements and bug fixes:
- We have now improved integration between KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series MK2 keyboards and Ableton Live (requires Ableton Live 10.1):
- Instrument Rack is no longer required.
- Scripts automatically deployed and auto-selected.
- KOMPLETE KONTROL AU.adg no longer crashes Ableton Live.
- Parameter learning from hosted plug-in to Native Map is now fixed.
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.0
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.1.0 is a free update, adding new features and enabling support for all MIDI-capable controllers:
- Add loops and samples to your music with Sounds.com – create a collection, sync with one click, and everything is tagged and ready-to-play with the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
- Preview each of your samples right in the browser, and then play them immediately with the new built-in sampler. Drag and drop one-shots and loops straight from your KOMPLETE KONTROL browser to your DAW.
- Our latest NKS update means that all your NI, NKS, and Sounds.com content now features consistent tagging throughout – uniting all your sounds to make your workflow even smoother.
- Support for the KOMPLETE KONTROL M32 keyboard is included with this update.
- You can now use KOMPLETE KONTROL with any third-party keyboard controller that has MIDI support.
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.5
KOMPLETE KONTROL 2.0.5 is a free update, enabling support for the new KOMPLETE KONTROL A25, A49, and A61 keyboard controllers:
- Browse through all your KOMPLETE and NKS software instruments and effects with included audio previews, making it even easier to find that perfect sound.
- Manipulate each pre-mapped instrument and effect using hands-on controls.
- Deep integration with your favorite DAW allows for access to transport, mixing, and editing controls in Logic Pro X, GarageBand, and Ableton Live. Cubase and Nuendo integration coming in a future update to the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
DOWNLOADS
DOWNLOAD THE MANUAL
Read the KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series user manual to understand the full capabilities of your new keyboard.
[cta label="A-SERIES QUICKSTART GUIDE" link="/pages/a-series-quickstart" title="A-SERIES QUICKSTART GUIDE"] DOWNLOAD THE MANUAL
DOWNLOAD CHEAT SHEET
Download the cheat sheet for a quick reference guide to controlling KOMPLETE KONTROL, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, Ableton Live, and MASCHINE from your A-Series keyboard. Cubase and Nuendo coming in a future update.
For firmware updates please visit the DRIVERS AND OTHER FILES page.
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-SERIES SOFTWARE BUNDLE
If you already have a KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboard, you can download the software bundle here.
KOMPLETE KONTROL A61
Smart, streamlined keyboard controller with custom NI keybed, Smart Play features, NKS integration, OLED display, and more. 61 keys.
KOMPLETE KONTROL A61 FAQ
1. Which KOMPLETE instruments are fully integrated with the hardware?
Native Map®, sound browsing, and performance features will work for all instruments in KOMPLETE 9, KOMPLETE 10, KOMPLETE 11 or KOMPLETE 12 suites, plus newer KOMPLETE instruments.
KOMPLETE KONTROL is the quickest way to find and preview all your sounds. Its tag-based browser makes all KOMPLETE and NKS instrument presets easily accessible from one plug-in. And, when paired with a KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard, it ensures that all of your instruments’ parameters are intuitively pre-mapped to the hardware controls. The KOMPLETE KONTROL software combines unparalleled integration with KOMPLETE, plus full support for VST instruments.
2. Do the KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboard controllers work with MASCHINE?
The latest version of the MASCHINE 2 software works with KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboard controllers. All A-Series keyboards feature deeper integration, including control over features like pattern creation, organizing ideas in Ideas View, and mixing.
3. Can I use the KOMPLETE KONTROL software without the hardware?
Yes, you can browse all KOMPLETE and NKS instrument sounds by sound tags and keywords, create custom mappings and favorites, hear instant previews, and use Smart Play features.
4. Which hosts are supported?
KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards work with all DAWs that support VST/AU/AAX with intuitive control over Logic Pro X / GarageBand, Ableton Live, Cubase / Nuendo, Pro Tools, Studio One, Bitwig Studio and Motu Digital Performer. Using an integrated DAW will allow you to play/pause, record, set tempo, adjust levels, quantize notes, adjust loop braces, undo/redo, and more – all from your keyboard.
Detailed information about support and integration with different host applications can be found in the KOMPLETE KONTROL documentation. For a quick-reference guide to using KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards in the above DAWs, please download the DAW shortcut sheet.
5. What is NKS
NKS is an extended plug-in format that opens up the Native Instruments ecosystem. It allows VST and KONTAKT instrument and effects developers to integrate their plug-ins with KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE at the same deep level as KOMPLETE Instruments. This means that even instruments and effects not built by NI can be fully integrated in KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE browsers, with parameters intelligently mapped straight out of the box. NKS instruments can access the Smart Play features, and the full creative potential of KOMPLETE KONTROL. The NKS plug-in will be a free update for existing owners.
Each NKS plug-in is pre-mapped and tagged by the sound designers themselves. Their expertise allows you to take control of the essential parameters of each instrument and effect straight away. Tag-based preset browsing and audio preset previews make searching through your libraries easier than ever, delivering a huge range of benefits to musicians and producers at any level.
6. What NKS instruments are currently available?
To see the complete list of instruments currently compatible with NKS, please click here.
7. How well do the keyboards work with VST instruments?
Hundreds of software instruments from leading plug-in manufacturers are NKS instruments, which allow the same deep integration outlined above. An up-to-date list of NKS instruments can be found here.
All non-NKS VSTs feature some automatic mapping. You can load VSTs via KOMPLETE KONTROL, after which all Smart Play functions will work. You can also save presets, add user tags, create custom mappings, and more.
The table at the bottom of this page shows you the features available to all KOMPLETE / NKS instruments in contrast to VST (non-NKS) instruments loaded via the KOMPLETE KONTROL software.
8. Which sustain pedals are supported?
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboard controllers feature one TRS pedal input, to which it is possible to assign a sustain pedal. You only need to make sure that the pedal is configured correctly in the software settings.
A-Series also support half-damper sustain pedals.
9. Is KOMPLETE KONTROL USB bus-powered?+
KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards are USB bus-powered and require no additional power supply. In order to ensure a reliable connection, please ensure that the keyboard is connected either directly to your computer or to a powered USB hub.
10. How can I use the Smart Play features?
Smart Play features enable you to stay in key with over 100 scales and modes. Activate the chord and arpeggiator modes to play chord progressions and arpeggios with single keys, or use Easy Mode to map any scale to the white keys only.
Question 11
| |Sound Tagging|Sound Browsing from HW|Controls mapped|Create Custom Pages|Play Assistance|Multiple View Sizes|Browser Artwork|Included in Factory Tab |KOMPLETE / NKS instruments||
- created by the instrument developer||||
(optional)|| |VST (non-NKS) instruments|User creates tags|
- automapped (no section names, etc)||||||