Native Instruments Launches KONTROL-S-Series MK3 Keyboards

KONTROL-S-Series An intelligent keyboard controller in three size options, designed to be at the core of any studio. Virtual instruments meet the real world with seamless Kontakt integration and a high-resolution screen. Plus, polyphonic aftertouch delivers intuitive parameter control across all three models, in combination with weighted, hammer-action keys in the S88. All contained in an overhauled design that looks incredible and is built to last

Key features

• Unparalleled software integration with next-generation NKS technology ensures a direct and immersive connection to Kontakt and partner instruments, effects, and sounds

• Choose between 49 or 61 semi-weighted keys, or 88 hammer-action keys, all set in a Fatar keybed

• All three models come with polyphonic aftertouch as standard, plus Kontrol S88 is the first widely available hammer-action polyphonic aftertouch keyboard controller

• High-resolution full-color screen for intuitive browsing, tweaking, and mixing

• Beautiful, design with metal and glass elements, manufactured to the highest quality

• Stay in key with a redesigned Light Guide, that also pinpoint sounds, key zones, switches, scales, and more

• Anodized aluminum knobs and pitch and modulation wheels

• USB MIDI, USB-C bus-powered, plus sustain, expression, and two assignable pedal inputs

• Integration with all major DAWs that goes far beyond standard transport controls

Thousands of instruments made real

Virtual instruments are brought to life in a genuinely immersive experience. Whatever you’re playing, get in-depth control and integration through advanced NKS technology. Find sounds quickly with intuitive on-screen navigation. Then fluidly adjust and play them thanks to intelligent auto-mapping. This unparalleled direct connection means you can play completely real-feeling Kontakt instruments, plus thousands of partner sounds, instruments, and effects, with no interruptions to your workflow

Polyphonic aftertouch

Take expression one-step further and instinctively control parameters with the slightest pressure on each individual key. Modulate cutoff, pitch, vibrato, and much more without reaching for an extra control. All three models have an industry-leading keybed, developed in collaboration with Fatar to deliver the best possible polyphonic aftertouch experience.

Hardware specification

• 1 high-resolution color screen with glass surface (1280 × 480)

• CNC machined, bead blasted and anodized aluminum, 8 × encoder caps, 1 × 4D encoder cap, 2 × wheels (pitch and mod)

• RGB illuminated pitch and mod wheels

• New button-islands that form a continuous dustproof control surface and are grouped by function

Included software

• Komplete Select

• Komplete Kontrol Software

• Stradivari Cello

• Guitar Rig LE

• Elements Suite

• Hypha

System requirements

• MIDI 2.0 compatible

• Intel Core i5, Apple M1 (and equivalent or higher)

• macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher (compatible with macOS 12 in MIDI 1.0 mode)

• Windows 10 (latest service pack) or higher

• 8 GB RAM

An internet connection and a graphics card that supports Direct 3D 11.1 (feature level 11_0) or higher are required to download and activate this product. Once installed and activated, the product can be used offline

Verve Analog Machines from Universal Audio

Universal Audio has announced the launch of Verve Analog Machines and Verve Analog Machines Essentials, a pair of new native UAD plug-ins dedicated vintage saturation effects. Both utilise the company’s renowned emulation techniques, with the former offering 10 processing modes and the latter equipped with four. Best of all, the Essentials version is being offered as a free download until 30 April 2024.

Both versions of the plug-in feature a simple GUI with a minimal set of controls. Verve Analog Machines sports Drive, Tone and Warble parameters, while the Essentials variant is equipped with just a Drive control. Input and output meters are present, the latter of which is equipped with a slider to keep the volume under control when pushing the Drive parameter harder to achieve more pronounced effects. A row of coloured dot icons along the top of the GUI offer access to each of the different modes, which range in character from subtle tape-style saturation to all-out, aggressive-sounding distortion.

Both versions of the plug-in form a part of the company’s UAD Native line-up, meaning that they do not require any Universal Audio hardware to run.

Ten retro-futuristic tone machines, packed with analog magic.

Give your recordings the colorful saturation and effects heard on countless hip‑hop, lo‑fi, electronic, rock, and experimental tracks. Designed for the modern musician, beatmaker, and producer — Verve Analog Machines puts playful analog sounds right in your DAW.

Add analog sound to your recordings with 10 easy-to-use machines
Shape tones quickly with simple controls like drive, tone, and tape warble
Give kicks, snares, and synths gritty tape textures or add tube warmth to vocals, guitar, bass, or your entire mix
Make mixes sound instantly more expressive and alive with retro-futuristic analog sounds crafted by UA

Unleash Your Creativity with 10 Magical Machines

Verve Analog Machines puts vintage sound at the ready. Giving you 10 colorful UA‑designed effects with settings that are super easy to dial in, it’s like a sandbox full of analog toys right in your DAW.

Add Some Energy to Your Modern Mixes

Need to energize drums, guitars, vocals, synths, or your whole mix? From gluey tape warmth and hi‑fi tube saturation to all‑out distorted mayhem, Verve Analog Machines makes your in‑the‑box productions sound instantly more expressive and alive.

Get Vintage Tone That’s All Your Own

Whether you seek the strange sound of thrift store tape machines, that tiny speaker effect from a vintage guitar amp, or the big-studio luster of a premium tube channel strip – Verve Analog Machines instantly levels up any mix with vibey analog color.

Compatibility

Verve Analog Machines is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.15 and higher. VST, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.

Novation FLkey 49 & FLkey 61

he FLkey range just got bigger and better with FLkey 49 and 61 — the ultimate full-sized keyboard controllers for hands-on music production in FL Studio.

FLkey 49 and 61 add dedicated controls for the Mixer and Channel Rack, giving you hands-on control of volume and pan with eight pots, nine faders, and nine fader buttons for easy mutes and solos.

Whether you’re just starting with FL Studio or a power user, a beatmaker, composer, or anything in between, FLkey can help you express your creativity and make the most of your studio sessions. The new 49 and 61-key editions extend the core features of FLkey 37 with controls for FL Studio’s Sequencer, Faders, and creative Scale and Chord modes.

The all-new Pattern Pad mode keeps you in the flow by allowing you to select and edit patterns directly from the pads – without needing to reach for your mouse. Existing owners of FLkey 37 will need to update to the latest firmware via Components to enable Pattern Pad mode.

Each FLkey keyboard includes essential buttons for quick access to transport controls and your score log, and you can also undo, redo, quantise, or toggle the metronome in an instant. When using Image Line plugins, you can even change instruments and sounds fast, directly from your keyboard.

FLkey 49 and 61 come with a six-month trial of FL Studio Producer Edition, so you can get to grips with everything you need to create, mix, and master your music. You’ll also get XLN Audio Addictive Keys’ Studio Grand, the AAS Session Bundle, Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings, Klevgrand R0verb, and Klevgrand DAW Cassette to boost your sounds and beats.

Included Software

FL Studio Producer Edition – 6 Month Trial

FL Studio is the complete software music production environment, everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master your best music.

XLN Audio Addictive Keys

Bring authentic piano sounds to your pieces with a choice of Modern Upright, Studio Grand, Electric Grand, or Rhodes virtual instrument. Tweak real mix controls and blend mics to get the perfect keyboard sound for your track.

AAS Session Bundle

Essential sounds for your tracks: Lounge Lizard’s authentic classic electric piano tones; Strum Session’s acoustic and electric guitar sounds; Ultra Analog Session’s easy-to-use, huge synth sounds.

Spitfire Audio LABS Expressive Strings

Exclusive to Novation: get immediately expressive and realistic strings sounds. Control release, delay and reverb or fade in experimental warped layers to add colour to your tracks and scores.

Klevgrand R0Verb

A hybrid between a simple reverb and a very complex delay in an easy-to-use plugin. Design your own reverbs and put your sounds in their own unique space.

Klevgrand DAW Cassette

Bring your sound back to the golden age of cassette tapes, with an accurate recreation of saturation, distortion, noise and wobble.

FLkey

Key Features

Seamless Integration with FL Studio

Produce music easily with essential controls at your fingertips.

Mixer and Channel Rack control

Adjust volume and pan with eight pots, nine faders and nine fader buttons.

Step sequencer

Take control of FL Studio’s step sequencer and programmer drums easily.

Channel Rack playability

Play directly into the Channel Rack from FL key 49 and 61’s pads.

Scale mode

Choose your scale and always hit the right note.

Instrument control

Trigger FPC and SliceX with the pads for more expressive beats and melodies.

Plugin control

Tweak Image Line plugins and record natural-sounding automation with FL key 49 and 61’s nine pots.

Preset Browsing

Find your favorite presets from Image Line plug-ins directly from FL key 49 and 61.

Fixed Chord mode

Play custom chords with one finger.

User Chord mode

Assign 16 custom chords and play them with just one finger. Store chord progressions for rapid song building and performance.

Scale Chord mode

Play 32 pre-made chords in eight different scales straight from the pads.

Custom modes

Assign custom controls to the pads and pots on FL key 49 and 61 to tailor your music production workflow.