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Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61 Smart Keyboard Controller Demo

61-key MIDI Controller Keyboard with Custom Controls Designed for Total Integration with NKS-ready Software, Komplete Kontrol Software, and Maschine Essentials
18 Write review Item ID: KompKA-61d2

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Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61 Smart Keyboard Controller
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Komplete Kontrol A61

Take control of your virtual instruments and effects with Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol A61 keyboard controller. The Komplete Kontrol A61's informative OLED display gives you intuitive, at-a-glance navigation, while its best-in-class, custom semi-weighted NI keybed, eight touch-sensitive control knobs, and ergonomic pitch and mod wheels give you a powerful platform for expressive performances. An affordable entry point into the NI world, the Komplete Kontrol A61 provides pre-mapped control over Komplete, plus hundreds of Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) plug-ins from top manufacturers via Komplete Kontrol Software. Keyboardists at Sweetwater are excited about the Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol A61. We're sure you will be, too!

Related Videos: Komplete Kontrol A61 Smart Keyboard Controller

Designed for tight integration with Komplete

Using the Komplete Kontrol A61's informative OLED display, you can you call up any NI instrument in your collection and select individual presets. Once you've loaded your sound, Komplete Kontrol A61's touch-sensitive control knobs let you dial in and tweak your tone on the fly.

You'll love playing this responsive keyboard

You'll love the feel of the Komplete Kontrol A61's semi-weighted custom Native Instruments keybed. Simply put, it feels great, offering enough resistance so that you can really lay into the keys while recovering fast enough for synth-style repeats. Whether you're playing drums, a piano patch, or a synth lead, these keys won't let you down.

Includes bundled software

  • MONARK – iconic mono synthesizer
  • REAKTOR PRISM – polyphonic synthesizer
  • SCARBEE MARK I – electric piano
  • KOMPLETE Kontrol software
  • MASCHINE Essentials
  • KOMPLETE 14 Start
  • Ableton Live 10 Lite
  • $25 E-voucher to be used at the Native Instruments web store

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol A61 Features:

  • Smart, streamlined keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments and effects
  • Affordable entry point into the NI world
  • Best-in-class, semi-weighted custom NI keybed
  • Informative OLED display for at-a-glance navigation
  • 8 touch-sensitive control knobs
  • Ergonomic pitch and mod wheels
  • Quad-directional push encoder for one-handed sound browsing and project navigation
  • Tag-based preset browsing via the Komplete Kontrol Software lets you find sounds quickly and hear instant previews
  • Smart Play lets you 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 top manufacturers via Komplete Kontrol Software
  • Full VST and VSTi FX support
  • Deep integration with Maschine software
  • TRS pedal input, assignable to sustain or expression
  • USB 2.0 bus powered; MIDI over USB
  • DAW control over Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, GarageBand, Cubase, and Nuendo
  • Includes Komplete Kontrol Software and Maschine Essentials (full Maschine software plus 1.6GB Maschine factory selection)

What is Demo Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call a "demo" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

What demo means to us is that we've had it out of the box, or maybe it was in a customer's hands for a few days and isn't "factory fresh" as a result. Every demo item we sell has Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty, and has been tested and verified up to "new" specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it's in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Keyboard Controller
  • Number of Keys: 61
  • Type of Keys: Semi-weighted
  • Other Controllers: Pitchbend, Mod Wheel
  • Encoders/Pots: 8 x Touch-sensitive Control Knobs, 4-way Push Encoder
  • Dedicated Transport Control: Yes (DAW dependent)
  • Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4" TRS (sustain/expression)
  • MIDI I/O: USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Computer Connectivity: USB
  • Software: Komplete Kontrol, Maschine Essentials, Komplete Instruments and Effects
  • Format: NKS, VST, VSTi
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Intel Core i5 or higher, 6GB RAM or more recommended
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Intel Core i5 / AMD Quad Core or higher, 6GB RAM or more recommended
  • OS Requirements - Mac: MacOS 10.12 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later
  • Power Supply: USB bus powered
  • Height: 3.5"
  • Width: 38.7"
  • Depth: 10.1"
  • Weight: 10.4 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 25244

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Customer Reviews

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Mostly Perfect

I needed an inexpensive set of MIDI keys I could slide up under my studio desk when not in use (see pic) and, after reviewing the menagerie of options in my price range, this beasty, NI Kontact Kontrol A61, came out on top. I use Presonus Studio One 4.5 as my DAW and have a Presonus Faderport 8 as my dedicated controller for tracking/mixing. However, when tracking from keys, I wanted to be able to keep my hands on the keys to stay in the creative workflow.

The controller aspect of these keys was touted as being set up to work with Studio One, and I'd say they do so up to about 65%. Some purported functionality is missing (both NI and Presonus have been alerted, but I'm certain they know.) If this were my only controller, I would be heartily disappointed. At any rate, I await an update.

As to the keys, buttons, and dials, very nice for this tier! The keys have enough feedback (weightiness) to allow me to play as subtle or verbose as I please without feeling all synthesizery. Nor are they noisy, so I can focus on hearing music and not the clickity clack of cheesy keys. Speaking of clickity clack, the buttons seem to have cornered the market here. I almost feel as though I have to give them less a nudge and more of a punch to engage them. And when I do, they reward me with a big, fat "SNACK!" I could do without that. I would be nicer if they felt smoother and were far less talkative. On the opposite side of that concern are the encoder dials. Solid, smooth, enough resistance to feel terrifically professional. No wobble. A thing of beauty. I feel the same about the Pitch and Mod wheels - thick enough for my chonky digits with the perfect blend of springiness and resistance.

Like most who have reviewed this series, the OLED readout seem almost superfluous. Granted, NI needed some manner of visual feedback for this series. But this is almost too small to be useful. It rises only slightly higher in value than "better than nothing."

The final analysis finds me to be happy with my purchase. Hopefully NI will come through their corporate re-purposing with flying colors and either they or Presonus, or both, will complete the templating for this very reasonable entry in an a highly competitive market.
by art from memphis, land-o-elvis, TN on
Music background: Writer, Producer, Knucklehead

Awesome piece of gear!

I got it because of the ravings of the keybed. I can say that they feel great!! I don"t really use the other features, but I wanted something that was smaller and felt good for a non weighted keyboard. It does the job!
by Anthony Truter on

Amazing build and exceptional value

Was hesitant to purchase a 61 key keyboard for my home studio, but I've always heard good things about Native Instruments and their products (never owned one of their keyboards). I was thoroughly surprised by the sturdy build of the keyboard after it arrived and how nicely it was laid with the knobs and controls (in general). I didn't realize the keyboard included software from Native Instruments -- a very pleasant surprise indeed to use NI production software with it at no added charge. Exceptional value and without a doubt a purchase you won't regret.
by Paul from Detroit on
Music background: Tinkering musician

Perfect Semi-Weighted MAGIC

I'm stunned... I've been searching for months for a high caliber 61 key semi-weighted controller for a decent price and I was saving to buy an over $400 controller. I came across the Kontrol A61, crossed my fingers, then pulled the trigger. I'm so glad I did. I expected the keyboard to be cheap and weak. The keybed has a perfect semi-weighted feel, not too heavy and not too light, and excellent velocity sensitivity. I've used a wide range of keyboard controllers for production and used vintage synths with semi-weighted keys and the A-series has equivalent quality. I have no clue why people say they have issues with setup. My setup experience was flawless, I mean it's quite foolproof. There's decent friction on the pots of the knobs making them feel more expensive. The mod and pitch wheel feel so smooth and perfect resistance as well. I've never used a keyboard controller or even a keyboard that has the same quality as this midi controller. I also love the software they include. Machine has killer features, and they even include Kontact and Guitar Rig software.
by Brandon on

Go-to for studio and stage

I have loved using this keyboard for the last year. I have it in my studio as my go-to desk midi controller as well as on my live rig as my secondary aux keys synth controller. The mod wheel is my favorite function as it is weighted perfectly and allow for amazing control. The midi DAW setup could definitely be more functional, especially when trying to connect with Kontakt, but I have enjoyed using this keyboard and would definitely buy again!
by Karl Pohl from INDIANAPOLIS, IN on
See also: Keyboard Controllers, Native Instruments, Native Instruments MIDI Controllers
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