Native Instruments Adds VST Support, Invites Third Party Plug-In Development, More

Native_Instruments_at_Musikmesse_2015At Musikmesse 2015: Native Instruments has introduced three “major innovations” for their Komplete Kontrol keyboard portfolio:

  • NI announced the inclusion of the new Komplete Select instruments and effects suite with Komplete Kontrol keyboards,
  • a “significant update” to the Komplete Kontrol software,
  • and the debut of Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) – a new format allowing “deep integration” of third party plug-ins.


Native_Instruments_Komplete_Kontrol_S-series
Now with VST support and third party plug-ins. With the introduction of the Komplete Kontrol S-Series keyboards last year, NI established a new level of integration for its software instruments. The company is now expanding on this technology with the addition of VST support this summer, opening up the Komplete Kontrol software to third party plug-ins.

NKS: deep plug-in integration, developer kit. NI is concurrently introducing their Native Kontrol Standard (NKS). This standard will allow plug-in developers to integrate their products as deeply as NI’s own Komplete Instruments. This integration capability will include full parameter mapping, Komplete Browser support, access to exclusive Komplete Kontrol technology such as the Light Guide, and more. A comprehensive development kit, provided by NI, will open up the NKS framework to third-party developers. NI is already working with major software instrument manufacturers, as well as the wider development community, to ensure that the leading software instruments use NKS to provide the deepest integration possible with the Komplete Kontrol system.

Native_Instruments_Komplete_Select

Komplete Select instrument and effects collection. Beginning next month, with the release of Komplete Select, all Komplete Kontrol S-Series keyboards will include a premium selection of Komplete 10 Instruments and Effects. (Registered owners of Komplete Kontrol S-Series keyboards will also receive the Komplete Select package.) List of included Komplete Select instruments here.

Native_Instruments_Komplete_Kontrol_1-1Updated Komplete Kontrol software. Komplete Kontrol 1.1 (coming May 2015) improvements include ability to route and record MIDI output from Komplete Kontrol’s Smart Play functions into your DAW or send MIDI to outboard gear. Adjust touch strip parameters and mod wheel functions directly from the hardware. Save, recall, and manage presets more easily. Furthermore, 2015 will also see an addition to the S-Series keyboard portfolio.

Pricing and Availability. Komplete Select is included in all Komplete Kontrol S-Series keyboards, and is also available free to all registered Komplete Kontrol owners. Owners will receive a download link and serial number via e-mail upon software registration. Registered Maschine users will also receive Komplete Select as a free download.  The Komplete Kontrol 1.1 software update is available as a free download from Service Center.

For additional information, check out the Native Instruments website.

13 thoughts on “Native Instruments Adds VST Support, Invites Third Party Plug-In Development, More

  1. Too Little too Late, you can bundle free software and open up the keyboard to non-NI VST’s – but can you add sliders or a motorised fader or the depth of integration already offered by some other products! For a lot less money the Panama Nektar P6 offer a lot more control, far deeper DAW integration and a high resolution motorised fader….and it offer Komplete Kontrol, even down to scales and Arps!! The only reason I can see to get the NI Keys over the Nektar keys is if you want keys that light up.

    1. Clearly you haven’t had the pleasure of using one. The Fatar key bed on the the S series is wonderful and the build quality is great. The series is not designed to be a “does everything” keyboard, its a very focused keyboard for Komplete users. I’ve used both the Nektar keyboards and the NI ones extensively. For me the NI keyboards win hands down. I agree an S series and a Nektar P1 would be a great combo.

  2. I imagine NKS is something that NI always had in mind with their Komplete Kontrol Keyboards (although Im sure the KKK acronym is something they didnt put a lot of thought into lol)… which is great since allowing support for additional third party software, it definitely extends the longevity of their controllers.

    I’m curious though if this will extend outside of just plugins and work its way into DAW controls. I’m a huge fan of Nektar controllers and they’ve written their own protocols to support not just plugins but to work seamlessly within your DAW. I’ve been using a P6 with Cubase for years now and cant imagine ever switching controllers again. And when you consider they’ve set up deep integration for nearly every major DAW and over 600 existing third party plugins straight out of the box, thats a tough act to follow. Especially now with their 1.5 update which I hate saying kinda rains on everyone else’s controllers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwzELb6z6I0

  3. Hmmm.. Somehow this is positive development, but in in DAW you still need to have that clumsy wrapper vst on every channel where you want to have instruments controlled by this “standard”? Or am I missing something?

    As a happy Nektar P4 owner I’ll miss nothing. 🙂

  4. I use synths and samplers, mixing desks and effects. I really do not get all these computer dependent controllers. I feel I get ten times more value for money using what the software people call ‘Hardware’.
    For me the controllers look like toys and do not actually produce sound etc
    Akai have gone down that route now so it’s a sad day . I have seen friends spend more on controllers , when they could have picked up a sampler or synth for the same money. It is bewildering the dead ends that none music producing interfaces offer.

    1. The appeal of a good controller, at least to me, is the ability to control one or more pieces of hardware, plus software, saving a whole lot of room in the process and making the workflow much easier. It’s a central interface to performing with it all. With tight DAW integration. I can design sounds, compose tracks and mix with the need to touch the computer keyboard or mouse.

    2. To echo evileye’s comment, a good controller will make it feel as though you are using hardware… err.. will make it feel as though you are not “tied to a computer.” In my experience, this is a rare achievement. I have gone through a number of controllers in my time, and my favorite ones are not the ones that offer integration out-of-the-box. My favorites always end up being a huge pain in the neck to setup, but once it is I rarely ever touch the mouse again.

      Good feeling controls, lots of output options (CC, Note, SysEx, RPN/NRPN, etc.) and the biggest possible HARDWARE faders are what I’m always looking for. Not plug and play integration (which for me always feels awkward anyways. I prefer remembering how I setup a controller to learning how a company thought I should setup a controller.)

  5. Fool me once, native instruments.

    Anyone like me that bought into NI’s older version of this ( Kore 2 ) and then NI promptly dumped it after a couple years screwing the people that purchased it, are not likely to participate in this dance again.

  6. Well, John: Don’t you think that NI learned from that? It had to be dropped, because it was just not maintainable. Don’t you think that they know that a mistake like that must not happen again? Of course they know how painful that was to the Kore community. And I personally think, they will do their best to never let that happen again.

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