Nice keyboard, but the real star is the Komplete Kontrol Software.

This is no in depth review of all functionality. Please head over to the Sound on Sound website for that kind of review. This is just my personal opinion, based on my own experiences. I hope this is useful to you.

Before we start it is important to note that the Komplete Kontrol Keyboards are the hardware controllers for the Komplete Kontrol software. Without the Komplete Kontrol software, the keyboards work in stand alone mode. You can still use them as midi controllers, but the functionality is greatly reduced. The light guide, scales, chords and arpeggiator do not work in standalone mode.

I bought the S61 mainly to unlock the full potential of Komplete 11, which I already owned and which, I think, sounds great.The S61 has some great features; the way you browse the library form the keyboard is great. Depending on which instrument you have loaded it is also very easy to tweak the sound. The rule here tends to be: the simpler the synth, the greater the "tweakabillity". It has become so much easier to find sounds and to tweak them, that Komplete has absolutely doubled in value for me.

The integration with the DAW, Ableton Live 9 in my case is limited. Play, Record, and Start/Stop work fine, as does switching the loop on and Off. Other functions that are mentioned in the manual do not work.

The light guide is no use to me, and neither are the scale and chord functions. The arpeggiator is great, but, as explained before, these functions are all depending on the software, so in stand-alone mode these functions do not work.

The hardware is very good, though. The keys play very nicely. The buttons and encoders feel great and the screens are easy to read. It all looks and feels very classy.

Favourite DAW MIDI Keyboard

This keyboard works great with all my Kontakt music software and is fairly easy to use. I don't like that I need to use a computer editor to change the Midi channel but other than that it is great. The light guide is very useful with things like Sonokinetic Largo, the dials are sturdy and you get some info from the screens though I am jealous of the lovely screens in the latest version of this keyboard but not enough to upgrade.

Exceptional Integration With Komplete 14; Keys Leave Something to Be Desired

The Kontrol S61 has unparalleled integration with NI software, but I wish the keys felt like a proper piano.

Kontrol s has been working great for me

I bought this keyboard because my old one was old and not integrating as well with everything else. I already had the the Maschine Studio which is the main component that I like to use for making my beats. This is what lead me to the Kontrol S Keyboard. The Keyboard integrated well with what I was using and I like how the knobs correspond to many 3rd party plugins. The keys light up in different colors which is helpful in breaking down the different parts of some plugins. The cons to the keyboard is its expensive for just being a MIDI controller. Also, the maschine studio and Kontrol S both have 8 knobs. I wish NI made it possible to combine all the knobs so that you can use all 16 knobs on one plugin instead of having to scroll through pages on the screen. this would be great for plugins like Sylenth. Other than that I am really enjoying the Kontrol S Keyboard.

Favorite Controller out at the moment.

I just received this keyboard yesterday from Sweetwater brand new. I got it for many reasons. I am a NI fan and already Own the Maschine studio and plan on getting Komplete Ultimate also. Let me just say if you dont have a Maschine or dont plan on buying Komplete Ultimate dont waste your time. But in the long run its worth it but very expensive to some people. I owned the M-Audio Axiom 61 (1st Gen) and just sold it because I needed something a little more to add to the studio im building. But overall I cant wait to use this with all the sounds i`m going to purchase.

Good feel, fantastic integration with Komplete suite

Great feel on the semiweighted keys and an all around good build. Pretty pricey though and currently lacks tight integration with plug-ins outside of the komplete line. However, rumored a fix is coming in the summer of 2015 (not available yet as of July).

Glad I pulled the trigger!

The price of this midi keyboard kept me from even looking in NI's direction. On advice of a friend I got it and now I don't know why $ ever affected my decision. This keyboard is worth it. It's fine as a MIDI controller; even better when you get Komplete 10.

The only way to use Komplete

Extremely useful to pull up the right sounds in the studio or preparing for gigs. Fantastic integration with Maschine for the complete music production and improv solution

Awesome piece of kit! love the backlit keys and easy to use kontrol interface.

I love the back lit keys and easy to use Kontrol interface. Comes with only 8 knobs would have preferred more because some of the VST's have loads of parameter's. And some pad/grid buttons would have been nice.

Pressure is Weird

Love the interface and all but I have to go to a real piano to get good melodies.