With the latest update for Kontrol MK3, the Play Assist feature can now be used with any device that accepts MIDI, without requiring Komplete Kontrol as a plugin host. This enhancement allows Play Assist to function with both hardware synths and software instruments alike for the first time on a Kontrol keyboard.
The latest firmware release, Kontrol S MK3 OS 1.8, introduces the Scale / Chord engine in a new 'Keyboard' mode. However, this release does not yet include Arpeggiator (Arp) functionality in 'Keyboard' mode. The Arp functionality is currently under development and will be released in an upcoming update.
Installation
1. Please follow the instructions in this article to update the keyboard's firmware:
How to Update the Firmware of Your Kontrol S-Series MK3
2. After updating, launch Native Access and install the updates for Hardware Connection Service and the Komplete Kontrol software.
Usage
1. Once everything is updated, connect your keyboard to a midi controlled instrument, whether this be in your DAW, in Komplete Kontrol, or a hardware synth.
2. Press the PLAY ASSIST button on your keyboard:
3. Starting from Kontrol S MK3 OS 1.8, two operating modes are available for the Play Assist feature on Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboards: Keyboard Mode and Plug-In Mode.
To switch between these modes while in Play Assist, hold down the SHIFT button and press Button 7 or Button 8:
- Button 7: Switch to Keyboard Mode
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Button 8: Switch to plug-in Mode
Note: Plug-In Mode is only available when the keyboard is connected to an instance of Komplete Kontrol.
4. Keyboard and Plug-in Play Assist Modes in Kontrol S MK3
The two modes are as follows:
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Keyboard Mode operates independently of the Komplete Kontrol software, allowing the Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboard to function as the source for the Play Assist feature. In this mode, Play Assist outputs MIDI directly from the Play Assist engine. This enables the use of Play Assist features, such as Scales and Chords (available in this release), with any software instrument plug-in in your DAW or any hardware synth that accepts MIDI.
Keyboard Mode is indicated by a blue banner on the display (shown in the image below). When enabled (via steps 5 and 6), it is reflected by two icons on the top-right corner of the screen, which remain visible in the plug-in view even outside the Play Assist page. For more details on these icons, refer to step 7. -
Plug-In Mode utilizes the Play Assist feature provided by the Komplete Kontrol software. Any settings changed in this mode are unique to the active instance of Komplete Kontrol and will be saved with your session. In this mode, MIDI is processed within the Komplete Kontrol software, rather than by the keyboard itself.
Plug-In Mode is indicated by a Komplete Kontrol-themed banner (shown in the image below). When enabled (via steps 5 and 6), it is represented by two icons on the top-right corner of the screen, which remain visible in the plug-in view outside of the Play Assist page. For more details on these icons, refer to step 7.
5. Enabling the Scale Engine in Keyboard Play Assist Mode
In Keyboard Play Assist Mode, you can activate the Scale engine by pressing Button 1. Once the engine is enabled, a dot next to the word "Scale" will turn blue, indicating activation. Press Button 1 again to disable the Scale engine.
6. Enabling and disabling Engines in Plug-in Play Assist Mode
In Plug-In Play Assist Mode, you can enable or disable the Scale or Arp engines using the following steps:
- Press Button 1 or Button 2 once to highlight the desired engine (Scale or Arp).
- Press the same button again to enable the selected engine. When enabled, a dot next to the name "Scale" or "Arp" will turn blue.
- To disable the engine, press the same button once to highlight it, then press again to turn it off.
Alternatively, you can toggle the engine on or off directly by holding SHIFT and pressing the corresponding button for the engine (Scale or Arp), without needing to highlight it first.
7. Iconography for Keyboard and Plug-in Modes
When Keyboard Mode or Plug-In Mode is enabled, corresponding icons will appear in the top-right corner of the screen. These icons remain visible even when viewing the plug-in interface outside of the Play Assist page. If both modes are enabled simultaneously, both icons will be displayed, as both modes can be active at the same time.
Keyboard Mode iconography:
Plug-in Mode iconography:
8. Accessing Play Assist Modes
Once a mode (either Keyboard or Plug-In) is enabled, pressing the PLAY ASSIST button will navigate you to the currently active mode.
9. Selecting and adjusting Engine Parameters
Use Button 1 and Button 2 (located above the screen) to switch between the Scale and Arp engines (Arp is only available in Plug-In Mode). Once an engine is selected, use the corresponding knobs to adjust its parameter settings.
10. Important: Managing Engine activation
It is the user’s responsibility to manage which engine is enabled. The Scale and Arp engines can be enabled in Plug-In Mode, along with Scale engine in Keyboard Mode, all simultaneously. This is intentional and allows you to preserve Play Assist settings within Komplete Kontrol instances.
11.The Play Assist Scale & Arp feature
The Play Assist Scale and Arp feature (within both Keyboard and Plug-In modes) is identical to the already existing feature within Komplete Kontrol, Full details can be found in the Kontrol S-Series MK3 manual.
Here's a video walkthrough: