How to Configure Sustain / Expression Pedals on Kontrol Keyboards

Connecting Pedals to the Keyboard

The Kontrol MK3 keyboard provides four pedal inputs (in the form of 1/4" sockets) on its rear panel: SUSTAIN, EXPRESSION, ASSIGN 1, ASSIGN 2.

Pedal Settings

The pedal settings let you configure the behavior of each of the four pedal sockets.

Pedal Settings are set by the currently active MIDI Template. To edit the Pedal Settings for any given MIDI Template, press button SETTINGS MIDI on your keyboard. Now, press SHIFT + BROWSER and select a MIDI Template. Then, press Edit or New. Press Button 2 (Hardware) until it shows Pedals.

Selecting the Pedal Socket

Use the 4-D encoder to select the pedal socket you want to configure. Available values are Sustain, Expression, Assign 1 and Assign 2.

The other settings are updated to show the configuration of the selected pedal socket.

Note: The four entries available in this Pedal setting mirror the labels above the four pedal sockets on the rear panel of your keyboard. The Sustain and Expression labels refer to the sockets’ default configuration. You can change this configuration to your liking using the settings described below, however it is a good idea to keep the SUSTAIN socket in Switch mode and the EXPRESSION socket in Continuous mode in order to avoid any confusion.

Selecting the Pedal Mode

You have the choice between three main modes for the selected pedal socket:

Turn Knob 3 (SETTINGS Mode) on page 1 to select the pedal mode. Available values are Off (pedal socket inactive), Continuous (for plugging an expression-like pedal) and Switch (for plugging a foot switch or sustain-like pedal):

The remaining settings on the various pages are updated accordingly.

The following sections describe the settings available in Continuous and Switch modes.

Pedal Settings in Continuous Mode

In Continuous mode, the available settings spread over two pages.

The following settings are available on page 1:

SELECT:

• Pedal: Selects the pedal socket you want to configure. Refer to 'Selecting the Pedal Socket' for more information.

SETTINGS:

• Mode: Selects the pedal mode. Refer to 'Selecting the Pedal Mode' for more information.
• Invert: Inverts the range of the pedal connected to the keyboard.
• Swap: Enables you to use pedals with inverted tip/ring connectivity.

The following settings are available on page 2:

ASSIGN:

• Type: Selects the type of MIDI message used. Available values are Control Change, Pitchbend and Program Change. The following settings will vary depending on the type selected here.

MIDI:

• Channel: Selects the MIDI channel used.
• Number: Selects the Control Change number (from 0 to 127). This setting is only available when the Type (Knob 1 on the same page) is set to Control Change.

RANGE: These settings are only available if the Type (Knob 1 on the same page) is set to Control Change or Program Change.

• From: Selects the minimum value of the MIDI control range.
• To: Selects the maximum value of the MIDI control range.

Pedal Calibration

When your pedal socket is in Continuous mode, you can calibrate the connected pedal.

1. Press Button 8 (Calibrate) to start the calibration process of the connected pedal.
2. Move the pedal all the way to the heel down - toes up position, then press Button 8 (OK) to proceed.
3. Move the pedal all the way to the heel up - toes down position, then press Button 8 (OK) to proceed.
4. Press Button 8 (OK) to confirm and quit the calibration process.

Pedal Settings in Switch Mode

In Switch mode, the available settings spread over three pages.

The following settings are available on page 1:

SELECT:

• Pedal: Selects the pedal socket you want to configure. Refer to 'Selecting the Pedal Socket' for more information.

SETTINGS:

• Mode: Selects the pedal mode. Refer to 'Selecting the Pedal Mode' for more information.
• Invert: Inverts the range of the pedal connected to the keyboard.

Page 2 and 3 contains similar settings for the pedal tip and pedal ring, respectively.

ASSIGN TIP (page 2) / ASSIGN RING (page 3):

• Type: Selects the type of MIDI message used. Available values are CntrlChg (Control Change), Ptchbnd (Pitchbend) and PrgrmChg (Program Change). The following settings will vary depending on the type selected here.

MIDI:

• Channel: Selects the MIDI channel used.
• Number: Selects the Control Change number (from 0 to 127). This setting is only available when the Type (Knob 1 on the same page) is set to CntrlChg (Control Change).
• Mode: Selects the behavior of the pedal between Toggle, Gate, Trigger, and Incr (Increment). This setting is only available if the Type setting (Knob 1 on the same page) is set to CntrlChg (Control Change) or PrgrmChg (Program Change). The various MIDI modes behave as follows:
  - Toggle: The pedal can have two values. Each pressure on the pedal switches to the other value.
  - Gate: The pedal can have two values. One value corresponds to the released pedal, the other value corresponds to the depressed pedal.
  - Trigger: The pedal triggers a specific value when depressed. Releasing the pedal has no effect.
  - Incr (Increment): Each pressure on the pedal increments the controller parameter by a defined value.
• Value: Sets the value of the MIDI message triggered when pressing the pedal. This setting is only available if the MIDI Mode (Knob 4 on the same page) is set to Trigger.

VALUE: These settings are only available if the MIDI Mode (Knob 4 on the same page) is set to Toggle or Gate.

• Off: In Toggle mode, this sets the first of two alternative MIDI values sent when pressing the pedal. In Gate mode, this sets the value sent when the pedal is released.
• On: In Toggle mode, this sets the second of two alternative MIDI values sent when pressing the pedal. In Gate mode, this sets the value sent when the pedal is pressed.

RANGE: These settings are only available if the MIDI Mode (Knob 4 on the same page) is set to Incr (Increment).

• Min: Sets the minimum value of the MIDI message sent by the pedal.
• Max: Sets the maximum value of the MIDI message sent by the pedal.
• Step: Sets the size of the increment added to the MIDI message value for each pressure on the pedal. You can set a negative increment, in which case the value will decrease on each pressure on the pedal.
• Wrap: If set to Off, when the range limit is reached the value will stop changing when you further press the pedal. If set to On, when the range limit is reached the value will cycle the range upon the next pressure.

Connection

1. Switch off your Komplete Kontrol keyboard (or disconnect it from the computer).
2. Connect your Sustain pedal to the input labeled PEDAL A and / or connect your Expression pedal to the input labeled PEDAL B on the KOMPLETE KONTROL rear panel. 
   

   Note: the A-Series and M32 have only one Pedal input.

3. Switch on your Komplete Kontrol keyboard (or re-connect it to the computer) and launch the Komplete Kontrol software in standalone mode (not in your DAW) at this location of your computer:
   macOS: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Komplete Kontrol
   Windows: C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > Komplete Kontrol
4. Click on the MIDI icon at the top-right of Komplete Kontrol and select the PEDALS tab.
   

Assignment

Read below to learn how to assign your Sustain or Expression pedal. In this example, we are assigning Sustain to Pedal A and Expression to Pedal B. You can switch the setting pages with the left / right buttons in the header and clicking Pedal A or Pedal B:

Note: If using an A-Series or M32 keyboard, follow the steps below for Sustain or Expression, depending on which pedal you wish to configure with your keyboard.

Sustain (Pedal A)

1. Select and click Pedal A and set the Mode to Switch.
   
2. Set your pedal's connectivity type to either Tip or Ring, depending on the physical characteristics of your sustain pedal connector. This is important to ensure that the full VALUE range is interpreted correctly by the Komplete Kontrol software. Please consult your sustain pedal's documentation for more info.
3. Click Tip and set Number to MIDI CC# 64.
4. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
5. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
6. Set Mode to Gate.
   
7. Click Ring and set its Number to MIDI CC# 65 (keep Type, Channel, and Mode settings the same).
   
   

   Note: Some pedals have a polarity switch which can invert or reverse the pedal's function. If you have issues with the direction of your pedal, please use this switch. You can find more info in the pedal's manual.

Expression (Pedal B)

1. Select and click Pedal B and set the Mode to Cont (Continuous).
2. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
3. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
4. Set the Number to MIDI CC# 11.

The additional parameters Invert and Swap T/R allow you to further customize the assignment according to the characteristics of your expression pedal model. Please consult the Komplete Kontrol user manual as well as your pedal's documentation for more info. You may also calibrate your pedal to ensure that the Komplete Kontrol software interprets the full continuous range correctly. See chapter "Calibration" below.

The complete assignment for Expression is summarized in the image below.

Half-Damper (Pedal B)

1. Connect a footswitch that is capable of Half-Damper pedaling.

   Note: Please check this article for a compatible list of pedals.

2. Select and click Pedal B and set the Mode to Cont (Continuous).
3. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
4. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
5. Set the Number to MIDI CC# 64.

The complete assignment for Half-Damper is summarized in the image below.

Note: Not all virtual instruments support half-pedaling. Further configuration within your plug-in may also be required.

Calibration

You may calibrate your expression pedal to ensure that the Komplete Kontrol software interprets the full continuous range correctly.

1. Click the Calibrate button:
   
2. When prompted to move the pedal all the way down, move the pedal to the heel down - toes up position and click OK.
   
3. When prompted to move the pedal all the way up, move the pedal to the toes down - heel up position and click OK.
   

Your pedal is now calibrated.

Connection

1. Switch off your Komplete Kontrol keyboard (or disconnect it from the computer).
2. Connect your Sustain pedal to the input labeled PEDAL A and / or connect your Expression pedal to the input labeled PEDAL B on the Komplete Kontrol rear panel. 
   

   Note: the A-Series and M32 have only one Pedal input.

3. Switch on your Komplete Kontrol keyboard (or re-connect it to the computer) and launch the Komplete Kontrol software in standalone mode (not in your DAW) at this location of your computer:
   macOS: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Komplete Kontrol
   Windows: C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > Komplete Kontrol
4. Click on the MIDI icon at the top-right of Komplete Kontrol and select the PEDALS tab.
   

Assignment

Read below to learn how to assign your Sustain or Expression pedal. In this example, we are assigning Sustain to Pedal A and Expression to Pedal B.

Note: If using an A-Series or M32 keyboard, follow the steps below for Sustain or Expression, depending on which pedal you wish to configure with your keyboard.

Sustain (Pedal A)

1. Click Pedal A and set the Mode to Switch.
   
2. Set your pedal's connectivity type to either Tip or Ring, depending on the physical characteristics of your sustain pedal connector. This is important to ensure that the full VALUE range is interpreted correctly by the Komplete Kontrol software. Please consult your sustain pedal's documentation for more info.
3. Click Tip and set Number to MIDI CC# 64.
4. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
5. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
6. Set Mode to Gate.
   
7. Click Ring and set its Number to MIDI CC# 65 (keep Type, Channel, and Mode settings the same).
   
   

   Note: Some pedals have a polarity switch which can invert or reverse the pedal's function. If you have issues with the direction of your pedal, please use this switch. You can find more info in the pedal's manual.

Expression (Pedal B)

1. Click Pedal B and set the Mode to Cont (Continuous).
2. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
3. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
4. Set the Number to MIDI CC# 11.

The additional parameters Invert and Swap T/R allow you to further customize the assignment according to the characteristics of your expression pedal model. Please consult the Komplete Kontrol user manual as well as your pedal's documentation for more info. You may also Calibrate your pedal to ensure that the Komplete Kontrol software interprets the full continuous RANGE correctly.

The complete assignment for Expression is summarized in the image below.

Half-Damper (Pedal B)

1. Connect a footswitch that is capable of Half-Damper pedaling.

   Note: Please check this article for a compatible list of pedals.

2. Click Pedal B and set the Mode to Cont (Continuous).
3. Set the Type to Ctrl Change.
4. Set the MIDI Channel to 1.
5. Set the Number to MIDI CC# 64.

The complete assignment for Half-Damper is summarized in the image below.

Note: Not all virtual instruments support half-pedaling. Further configuration within your plug-in may also be required.

Sustain

1. Switch off your Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 keyboard.
2. Connect your sustain pedal to the Sustain Jack on the Komplete Kontrol rear panel.
3. Turn the Komplete Kontrol keyboard back on.
4. Launch the Controller Editor software at this location of your computer:
   • macOS: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Controller Editor > Controller Editor.app
   • Windows: C: > Program files > Native Instruments > Controller Editor > Controller Editor.exe
5. Click to select the Sustain Pedal port in the Controller Editor interface as seen in the example below. When selected, the port will be outlined in red.
   
6. Go to Assign > Tip and set Number to MIDI CC# 64. In the same area, go to Assign > Ring and set Number to MIDI CC# 65.
   

Your Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 keyboard is now set to accept control messages with your MIDI Sustain pedal.

Note: Some pedals have a polarity switch which can invert or reverse the pedal's function. If you have issues with the direction of your pedal, please use this switch. You can find more info in the pedal's manual.

Expression

1. Switch off your Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 keyboard.
2. Connect your expression pedal to the Expression Jack on the Komplete Kontrol rear panel.
3. Turn the Komplete Kontrol keyboard back on.
4. Launch the Controller Editor software at this location of your computer:
   • macOS: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Controller Editor > Controller Editor.app
   • Windows: C: > Program files > Native Instruments > Controller Editor > Controller Editor.exe
5. Click to select the Expression Pedal port in the Controller Editor interface as seen in the example below. When selected, the port will be outlined in red.
   
6. Go to the Assign tab, and set Number to MIDI CC# 11.
   

Your Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 keyboard is now set to accept control messages with your MIDI Expression pedal.

Expression Troubleshooting

Follow these steps below, if you notice your Expression pedal function is inverted or reversed.

1. Open the Controller Editor Preferences from the menu bar.
   
2. Select the Komplete Kontrol S tab, and tick the Invert Range checkbox.