Thank you for this extremely informative video.

No longer "forgotten" are you, sir.

I'm glad I came across your comment. I am visually impaired and have been looking for a new MIDI controller. I have the Keylab MK1 and I got it because it was cheap. But I really hate the keybed, and I have to use a magnifying glass that I have to use when I want to read anything on it, which really inhibits my workflow. The fact that you made this comment saying that the NI has accessibility options, really hit home for me. I'll likely get one now that I know that. Thanks brother, and God bless!

@@agentooe33AD Hi! In fact, my post is one year old and since then, there were great news for accessible music production. Since about a month, all Arturia V Collection 9.2 is fully accessible through text to speech. That and Analog Lab. I really prefer their synths. The good news if you don't like Arturia keybeds is that any CC message can be assigned to presets, types and favorites/collection etc.. So, if you prefer another controller, you can enjoy the amazing V Collection 9 with text to speech for all presets, parameters setup etc.. And if you use Reaper (which is, no doubt, the most accessible daw ever with OSARA script), you can access all your vst parameters. I love NI accessibility, straight on the controller, with touch sensitive encoders that output the parameter, the value and all parameter pages are accessible. You're visually impaired so not fully blind, NI software is not fully accessible yet but when everything is installed, the controller will talk to you by pressing shift and the sixth control key at the top of all their A series controller. The good thing is the voice output can be directed to another audio port so the text to speech can only be heard in headphones if you play live. Same for Arturia. Good to know that great vst's like OZONE are fully accessible using tab and arrows, same thing for pianoteq and a couple of other plugins. English isn't my birth language, I hope it's clear enough. :) Reach the Reapers without peepers forum if you need some help on Reaper's accessibility and other info for visually impaired musicians. I'm working on an accessibility plugin for Ableton Live since I still love it for ideas. Note: I don't know the KL Mk1 but I must say that I love the keybed of the Mk2 for orchestral vst's. The feel is great. I use my Korg D1 for piano playing though.

Can you let me know how it's held up a year later? Would really appreciate to know how this keyboard stands the test of time, especially if it's used daily. Please and thank you!

I see that the Studiologic SL88 is just $100 cheaper

Thank you! The specs I find just say "Fatar Keybed" but not which one. Much appreciated.

Similar situation too me, it's a great way to enjoy your golden years 😊

Yeah me too 57 years and receiving the keylab Mk2 61 tomorrow hopefully. I feel like a kid when I was young at christmas

@@williamoregan9646 nice 😊

i don't understand, he said that the komplete S88 and the keyload 88 mk2 have both the same keys.

@@Bozo--- The keybed on the Arturia MK2 88 is a Fatar TP/100LR, with very heavy action. From what I understand, NI use the 100LR key bed also.

Yes sirrrr! Rev you already know my setup...between the Raven and the Presonus faderport...I’m good on faders and knobs...I just need the keys! Lol

🙏🏾

Yes, the LED's help IMMENSELY when you have one or more key splits.

I took the Komplete Kontrol home and it instantly felt and looked like a toy. Now I already have a Metal Kurzweil which I love, but even my outdated long abandoned by AVID Axiom Pro 61 felt much more professional. Other reviewers say the Arturia has the superior software. it depends on your style of music really. Contact seems very intune to Electronic music and people that use samples and arpeggiators that have no real knowledge of Music theory and still call themselves artists and song writers. Hence the Shiny Disco ball attraction lol But I bet I know which software has the more organic sounding piano lol There are plenty of reviews that say over a year the thing is falling apart and malfunctioning, no surprise there. I played Casios with better integrity. Anyway needless to say I returned the Komplete and am awaiting the Arturia. Really stoked. Its a matter of classy and long lasting relationship vs the cheap thrill hooker lol. That said, great honest review, as there are many this is the only one I seen with both 88 key versions. I also like that teh Arturia is more compact in girth and width despite being heavier. For a log lasting Studio keyboard there's only one choice, for gigging quite the other. To be honest I wanted both but the Komplete is way overpriced for what youre getting. Seems like they are more Koncerned with getting people hooked to their software and brand than anything else. The Arturia however plays well with all DAWs. You knwo theres a whole entire unit with even more lights that goes with it to give you the Actual Komplete Kontrol, and thats over priced too and still no Sliders. How can you not have sliders? So even the name is deceiving. I also have an elaborate Control Surface configuration, the AVID Artist series to be precise. However this 88 keyboard will be on my keyboard stand not console since its such a beast, but even with my Axiom Pro61 sitting on my sliding platform, Id rather not have to reach over it to my control surfaces for such simple often used parameters like Volume when I can have it right there at my fingertips. I still dont know why this Keyboard is so popular. The screens fade after a year and it just malfunctions all around from heavy usage. There are more than enough substantial reviews to confirm this. Toital Game changer, or as one KZfaqr said, if it breaks down thats not good lol Again no surprise by the feel of it. I should also add I only tested the S61 and knwo the 88 key versions are the better for both units. As far as the Arturia I know those are the only ones with fatar keys, dont know about the S61. Sure didnt feel like it though they were easy and smooth to play

Have you tried to use your Arturia with something like an external sound module? Or with any plugin configured to use different sounds on different midi channels? I'm hoping someone that has one can tell me if it works properly so I buy one. Let me explain: I'm extremely dissapointed with the Komplete Kontrol S88 because it SUCKS as a midi controller. The mod and pitch wheels are ALWAYS on channel 1, you cannot change that. And the pedals can be set to a desired channel, but you have to choose a channel and leave it there! This means that, if you configure the keyboard to change between channel 1 and 2 (or other channels), only the keyboard switches channel but your pitch/mod wheels and your pedals don't change channel with the keyboard, which makes it the worst controller ever. Same thing happens if you split your keyboard to play one channel on the left half and another channel on the right half: your pedals won't send signal to both channels, only one, and your pitch/mod wheels will stay always on channel 1. Also, you cannot use the midi cable unless you disconnect the USB cable, and, in that case, you are stuck on channel 1 and all buttons and knobs are disabled! I hope you can let me know if all of this works properly on your Arturia. Thanks!

@@Zarabozo Yes, I have. The Arturia is VERY flexible and will allow you to set it up anyway you see fit. It'd designed for complex midi situations.

There may have been a bad run of instruments. I'd read some of the same criticisms about the S88. But 3 months in I haven't had any problems. Hopefully I can say the same after 6 months.

@@mwright80 Any news? :)

@@NirHason no. We're good! I'm a functional player so it's not under much stress. And it's in a non-smoking studio so there's no chance of build up on the contacts. It was slow to start up a couple of times but that could have been some interaction with the laptop. Overall I'm very happy with it.

DEALING WITH THIS RIGHT NOW. Think ima replace it and get an Arturia :)

Interesting. Thanks

You have to try the product for yourself rather then relying on other saying things about any product. I would visit a music shop and try it for myself.

It’s on my list to check out soon!

I don’t think it’s graded

You can use with any board…like you said main benefit is the pre-mapping

Thanks man for clarifying that. I was looking into a weighted keyboard so now I understand my options better . Thank you!

Funny enough, I had to return my Arturia Keylab Mk II due to same issue :D Very disappointed..

Slate Raven and the Presonus faderport 8

Yes, you can use it with "komplete kontrol", the S88's encoders are then premapped accordingly. But that does not work for Arturia Labs.

Native instruments S61 is probably my favorite feel of all time...

@@Johnmike Hello John and thank you for your advice, on your recommendations I bought the Komplete Kontrol s61 mk1 today ... 250 dollars to a friend it is like new I love it I am super happy I thank you for everything.Tony

Thus it be for building muscle memory too which is what you’d mostly be accustomed to in the real studio (now inside my bedroom🤪) just wanted to ad that port.

@@professahbruno1578 This controller is perfect for playing live music.

The clue is in the name KOMPLETE KONTROL, of the NI Ecosystem.

No the arturia doesnt

No

I prefer the S61

@@Johnmike thank you mike i dont know why nativeinstruments dosent provide pads like arturia its even expensive then arturia

Hmmm… I use the transport on my S61 mk2 without issue.

Why not spend $1000 or more on a keyboard? I find that more often than not, you get what you pay for.

A huge difference in features, Keybed and build.

Can you control with both at the same time ?

@@JamalNe yes you can~

@@seok84 Thank You!

@@seok84 I’ve got an Native Instruments MK32 which is great for browsing NI stuff, but I’ve been lusting over any of the Arturia Keylabs MK2 controllers for ages as I’m both heavily invested in both eco systems. I think I’ll have to go the “both” options route 😁

I’m thinking Browse on the Native Instruments MK32 and perform on the Keylab. ?? 🎹💻🎹

I really like my 49SL MK 3. I too would love to see a hammer action 88SL MkIII (or IV.) I went with the 49SL MKIII due to current space constraints, but after I move around the end of the year, I'll be in the market for 88 hammer action keys. Seeing as Novation did recently launch the LK88 MKIII (with synth keys) one can only hope this is in the pipeline. At the time I passed on the S49 MKII because I had use for the faders and pads and sequencer on the SL. Now I have a Launchpad Pro MKIII and some motor faders, perhaps the S88 makes more sense as I have Komplete.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says “Everything you need to create” specifically mentions that Komplete Select comes with the board and you get 11,000 sounds www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keyboards/komplete-kontrol-s88/

@@Johnmike my bad, and you're absolutely right! Now please fix the stock issue and thank you 🥺.

@@AramAzhari ha ha..right…I think the pandemic has put a lot of these companies at low stock…

I think Komplete Select is currently 50% off. If you buy that now and they also make the upgrade to the Standard version 50% off later this summer, the total money spent would be less than Kontakt 6 alone. Kontakt 6 is included in Standard along with a bunch of other stuff.

@@metalore I seriously considered getting Komplete Standard and eventually Ultimate at one point but honestly there are only a few plug ins that I would actually use out of those bundles and I would hate to have a hard drive full of stuff that I won’t ever use.

@@robinbramlett110 Welp, 50% Summer Sale started today, including Kontakt 6. But only the upgrade versions of everything are on sale, not the standalones. I don't think the standalones ever go on sale, so now's the big chance.

@@metalore The stand-alones usually go on sale during Black Friday. At least they did this past Black Friday. I’m still going to check out the summer sale though. Thanks so much for the heads up.

@Robin: do you have experience using the Keylab to control NKS plugins? I’m very inclined towards the Keylab because of the extra controllers (faders, pads, etc.) as it would tidy up my worktop. But I tested it at a shop today and it wouldn’t control any NKS plugin and the chap at the shop although very helpful couldn’t figure it out. Any advice? Thanks in advance!