Woody is the man, marking a video as paid promotion without some whiny rant about anything and proceeding to make the review awesome (and honest) and earn a lot of respect to already highest level of respect he already had. Woody is an OG and a legend.

Woody is hip to the newest gear. I like how he embraces the new technologies.

Native Instruments needs to bring back Maschine support and integration ASAP!!!

Great demo great playing. Looks a nice controller upgrade.

Awesome demo, Woody! Thanks for the explanation in the middle on KK and NKS. It's a topic I'm aware of but still trying to understand and I appreciate the clarification!

That silent smile on your face, after playing the parts with Poly Aftertouch, says everything that needs to be said regarding the power/expression/complete thrill of using Aftertouch. My music can't be completed w/o it (was a Arturia 88 key user). I am also a Maschine user. I never had keyboard control of Maschine, don't need it, won't miss it once i get this this new NI keys.

One of the best demonstrations of this keyboard on here. It may not go into as much depth as some of them, but is much closer, I feel, to what my experience of unboxing and playing is goping to be like! I too, have been chasing polyphonic aftertouch for years, and have had a few keyboards that had it, but nothing that integrates like this. I have the Exprssice-E Osmose arriving at the end of this month, so I'm going to be spoiled for choice - but I like the way this integrates with the NK software. It means I can ditch my NI S49 Mk2 and a trio of Roli Lumis I've been using to get that poly aftertouch. Good one, Woody! 🙂

Thinking of buying this. So your review is important

I love the Poly AT on my Hydrasynth, and judging by your smile, I’m thinking it’s a feature you loved too!

Looks like a really nice controller keyboard, especially if you're in the NI ecosystem.

Poly aftertouch is definitely not an overrated feature- I've been searching in vain for years, its just so expressive. Looks like a really good keybed action too, maybe similar to the Access Virus TI in feel?

Loved that groove!

This is how reviews should be done, thank you!

It's a lovely premium looking product and the fact that there is no KK wrapper required to use Kontakt is definitely step in the right direction. The screen also looks lovely and no issue for me it's not touch sensitive. I do hope they have sorted the issue where you can't fully use multiple KK boards at the same time. Presently if you have two or more in use, one has to be the master for the light guide, whilst others play a supporting role. I actually picked up a MK2 S61 a few weeks ago as were being sold off. I had seen a leaked image of the MK3 before buying but to me it didn't really offer enough for me to consider what would be a few hundred more. The MK1 didn't of course offer proper mod and pitch wheels, hence needed to make a change. NI bombard us with deals at the moment, (many I take up), but the lack of 3 or 4 faders (or touchstrips if they need to keep costs down) would have been a much stronger draw to buy this new version. When you consider things like MODX6 plus are only around £400 more and actually offer sliders and a fantastic synth included, I feel NI is pushing itself into the realm of only attracting NI die hards. AT of course is great to have, but not a show stopper if need to make any compromises financially. And with the recent cost of living crisis, many have to do just that Whilst you can understand why no pads, the lack of Maschine integration is also a worry. So whilst I completetely understand that NI want to move forwards , they need to be clearer to customers the route they are taking and not make them feel their current NI gear will all need be be changed as a job lot if choose to follow along. So far my purchase of the Mk2 is looking a wise one as the three units KK, Maschine Studio and Jam work really well as a team within my setup. Of course there is room for improvment like anything, but probably not enough to want to pay thousands more for.

I like what you've done with the video production, Woody. Some nice work. Not too sure about upside down shots, but the editing in general is really impressive. Imho anyway. Really good work, and still informative and entertaining. Nice stuff.

The biggest negative is the removal of the Maschine DAW buttons. My hopes of having a single controller on my desk for composing and arranging have been dashed. I will have to stick with my Maschine Mk3 and a keyboard, although it won't be one from NI since I can control the plugins (and arrange, and mix, and ...) from the Maschine Mk3. I have the impression that NI is no longer interested in investing in Maschine. The Maschine software hardly gets any updates the last three years and development on the Maschine Plus in fact seems to have stopped completely, which is a great shame.

Thanks for the honest review and the full declaration of a paid promotion, Woody. The MK3 doesn't offer enough to justify an upgrade from my MK2, and I can't believe they still haven't incorporated a USB audio interface, but I guess they've at least moved the touch strip to the top of the control wheels where you can't accidentally bump it every few seconds whilst playing. Just 30 minutes of MK2 beta testing would've told NI that placement was a mistake. Aftertouch? Nice to know it's there. Poly aftertouch? I'm sure it looks good on the glossy brochure specs, but I'll never use it. Here's hoping for the MK4 in 2029 where NI has actually listened to their customers for once.

That musical interlude 🔥🫨😮‍💨🔥

Great demo! Polyphonic aftertouch will become a standard.

The reverse sticker removal 😂😂

Hi does this have any built in sounds or I have to connect this with laptop or iPad?

After touch is great until you come to a passionate part of the music and all of a sudden, Beethoven is accompanied by tremolo birds.

Thanks for the demo Woody - I already have the the KK 61 MK2, only purchased about 12 months ago after the MK1 died - not sure this is in any way worth the upgrade price right now- but if anyone doesn't have a previous version of the controller, you could do far worse. As you say, they really ought to add their current audio interface into it, that would be fantastic. I guess we'll see.

Always good to see a man who coordinates his shirt with his beard and hair. Cool demo.

Good review, nice to get a different perspective on it. Am toying with the idea of purchasing, but there are three things holding me back, a) whether I'll use all the features, b) will it fit on my desk, and c) I'm just not a good keyboard player! Regarding c), maybe the easier ability to switch & tweak instruments and work with scales / modes etc might help. Also, regarding the size, it's good to see that there is space either side on top to put other devices (in my case, I'm thinking trackball mouse, Elgato Streamdeck, and some MIDI controllers - I have Monogram CCs). So, I'll keep thinking... oh, and it's pretty expensive too! But it does feel worth the price, and looks very solid, with so many playability options beyond the usual wheels... touch strip, foot pedals etc.

Why didn't you do your usual discussion of the keybed, lever points, feel etc? What do you think about those things?

Woody, you are absolutely brilliant and always so honest about your reviews which is cool to see ... I have a brand new Apple MacBook Pro 14" and I will most probably invest in the KONTROL S-SERIES MK3 88 Keys as I love Classical and Jazz compositions mainly. I will have to get someone to set it up and learn how to use this DAW and software business :)

Joyful playing, enjoyed it, Woody! To my shame can’t remember the name of it (?). Need to learn smthg that can impress my wife finally 😂

I heard it here first Woody, I promise. Not buying a new keyboard in the near future, so I don't keep up that much. Poly AT? About time someone else offered that feature! I have the Hydrasynth almost exclusively for that reason, it should be on all synths. Oh, and I agree 100% - touch screens do not make everything better. They don't belong on synths or camera's IMO

Oh well. I was able to click on it and it stepped me through to get my MK3 integrated with my DAW.😃

Nice groove though Woody :)

Great review, thanks. Do you think the S49 was the right choice with its compact size, or would you have gone for the S61 on second thoughts?

The design looks nice. When it comes to midi controllers with audio interfaces built in, apprearantly IKmultimedia does exactly that. They’ve got a model with this feature (the iRig keys I/O). For some bizarre reason the audio input is mono only (output is stereo) by the looks of it. I got an iRig Pro I/O interface that I use as secondary audio interface for a microphone and it appears they built the same thing into that keyboard.

I’m surprised they didn’t provide any faders since they’re trying to make it like a synth. The physical controls seem a little sparse to me.

I dont think we get any of those parameter controls on the maschine mk3 screens (unless I'm mistaken) Just instrument presets. Maybe this will be introduced in a future maschine hw product. That would mean that there'd potentially be a chip onboard? The new kb controller is really nice. And tempting!! Enjoyyy! Great vid, ty.

Automagically ? That is pretty old school Haven't heard that one for quite some time :) Great presentation as always

I'm looking for the best value polyphonic aftertouch keyboard with hammer action. Thank you for this helpful video. I'm ordering the s88 tonight. I would like to know the name of that tune demonstrating the aftertouch. Does anyone know the name of that tune?

I wish someone would demonstrate the PA with something other than a synth. Everyone uses the same sound. I want to hear it with a woodwind or violin.

Thanks MUCHLY Woody. I 💯% agree that the lovely screen is largely wasted. We seem to have gone backwards since the Fairchild CMI as far as screen size is concerned. NI don't like faders. I do. So do bedroom producers. Plenty of room. Put additional faders in NI - IT'S A CONTROLLER KEYBOARD. Elephant in the room: MIDI 2.0 how will that affect NKS moving forward? Will they merge? Will this instrument be out of date in a year? Who can tell? Keyboard looked spongey to me? I have an S88 MKll fully weighted and the action is firm as anything for (mono) A.T. Also poly A.T. effectiveness depends on the instrument you are emulating/ playing? I bet it's good when conquered though. Won't be buying until I see what else is coming along the tracks. But I love it. I bet the phone is ringing off the hook now at Fatar with companies asking for quantity poly A.T. keybed prices.

A TENET unboxing? 😂

hello friend, can you confirm if previous versions of kontakt (first version of kontakt 7, kontakt 6) are displayed on the new screen of the ni s61 mk3, or is it necessary to have kontakt updated to the latest one?

Do they have to wait for another BIG anniversary to get us Limited Edition in White?

Woody, can you check your Kontrol keyboard to see if the tops of the keys move upwards when you dig into aftertouch at the bottom of the keys? On my unit, it's like the key pivot for aftertouch is different from the pivot for the main action, as if the pivot is somewhere within the length of the black keys, so the keys sort of see-saw during aftertouch. My Quantum MK2, which also has the Fatar poly-AT keybed does not do this at all.

I have kontakt 7 but it's not showing up on my keyboard's screen. But I am running as vst and not a standalone. Would that matter?

On NI's website, they do make a point of saying that the software is not complete yet and that new features are in the works, a similar situation to Yamaha with their new Montage M series.

Oh dear, I want one! For me I want something that can control non-native VSTs in FLStudio. Recently I've been installing a ton of VSTs to my DAW and didn't know what the NKS option was, and I only picked the VST3 options but if I got one of these...! Until I saw this I was kind of hung up on having DAW integration but now I think this is better as I mainly use non native VSTs that DAW integrated controllers would struggle to control anyway. Just hope all/more VSTs become NKS compatible soon.

Great review thanks Woody. It’s just called Kontrol S-Series now….they’ve dropped the “Komplete”. NIs naming system can be confusing to newcomers.

Addendum: when you mentioned audio interface wouldn't that be where the keyboard controller meets the traditional keyboard workstation? Like a keyboard version of the Push 3 🤔

Woody! I noticed that there's an actual graphic for the CS-80V on your unit. Did you do anything special to get that happening. On mine, it's the just name and the parametes.

cool but how does the keybed feel ?

That is a nice peice of music Woody , Sounds like whales.and trumpets mixed ,, reminds me of Enigma a Little I Love Love Enigma ,

Usual Suspects yes 0:09

Original Komplete Kontrol S49 MK1 had some metal in it and felt much more premium. Also OLED screens under each knob were more intuitive, one giant screen just not as intuitive. Definitely will skip this one. Btw; Judging by the SuperBooth and latest leaks, Korg MainStage will follow the design of original NI S49, but add MIDI 2 bi-directional communication, Poly Afterttouch, MPE and Audio Interface for half the price. PS; What a shame NI haven’t included “stand alone” functionality aka Machine Plus 😮

Channel selector not working with ableton ( that’s not good at all), maschine integration has gone, not that I used it to be honest. Overall I like the new screen and poly aftertouch. Wonder if they now fixed coexistence problems with their kontrol s series. Try having two s series plugged in at the same time, mashine vst and komplete and kontakt vsts don’t like it at all! Especially with ableton AND after changing midi send channel on the two. I just don’t get it why would they not allow two to be connected to their vsts at the same time? Let’s hope they fixed.

can this controller use the roland d50 software ?

Does this new logo read as Con Troll? :p

Muscle memory and physical knobs btns etc are better - but given theres so few physcial knobs and faders etc- compared with other MIDI controllers for example - arturia has 16 knobs dfro example AND fadrs - this is more reason to ALSO include touch - think Genos, PSR SX900 or Montage! best of both worlds! This MKIII release seems frankly half-arsed and unimaginatively iterative.

Hey Woody, that was a kool groove you made! Maybe you can help me out. I have the S88 MK3. My Play, Record and Stop button doesnt stay lit up! Any idea whats going on?

Does it come With 2 usb C cables?

The good lord NI Giveth with one hand - taketh away with another ( no MASCHINE buttons any more ). Frankly not impressed, Will keep my old KKS88 mk II for now.

O it’s for other daw not maschen. But they stop the other controller

"Is this the future of controllers?" It might be, if NI could get it to work well enough to actually release it. I've been a heavy NI user for years, but it is bewildering that a software based company can have such clunky software. Don't even get me started on their customer service....or lack there of. I've had an order in for the 88 for months. My 88MK2 is having issues, so it's time to move on to the 88MK3.

Am I the only one who heard “beta” unit (bay-tuh for American pronunciation) as “beater unit”, like it was a used car? Yeah, we don’t say 0 or Z right, either, over here. 😜

4:18 Not so. Not anymore. See Yamaha Montage M8x. Edit: Unless I misunderstood and you meant the only 88 key weighted action controller with Poly Aftertouch. I know The Montage M wasn't released when you made this video.

what is this keyboard stand?

OK, I'm now starting to regret unchecking the "install .NKS files?" option on the bazillion plugins I've installed over the years. Ooops.

Hoping that NI will implement Maschine functionality SOON!!!

Another bit of kit that does nothing until you connect it to the net and so it can call home. You should be able to plug this in and use it for midi straight away. This is not the line we should be going down. This could be literally switched off by "home" when new models come out and they want to stop access. I also don't think it's good long term for KZfaq reviewers doing basically free advertising for companies. A free device isnt fair payment for your services. Companies used to pay a lot of money years ago for advertising now they just give out gear and KZfaqrs use their own revenue and costs to advertise their product. Remember the RRP price of a keyboard is no where near the real cost to make it so your being well short changed for your hard work. You should get paid to advertise or you should not do it for them. We need to protect ourselves and get paid for our time and skills.

Even the box is a step backwards from the MK2 box. No gloss with graphics on it, just a puke colored standard cardboard box. NI doesn’t even provide a power supply. Less buttons than MK2 version & less screens. So cheap.

Plastic, fantastic No, thank you…

I cannot see any real tangible benefit. Poly aftertouch? so what...

All that empty space - no typical controls -like faders - or more knobs... and in 2023 - I'd have gladly payed more for touch screen support.. BIG MEH.

This seems like a waste of resources