Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 review

The Kontrol S49 MK3 is the upgrade pick for producers who already live in plug-ins. Native Instruments lists a Fatar keybed with polyphonic aftertouch as standard, so pressing harder on one key can shape just that note. A full-color glass display handles browsing and mixing, and the Light Guide puts a light above each key to show scales, zones and switches. Through NKS, thousands of instruments from NI and developers such as Arturia, Korg, Spitfire and u-he come pre-mapped to the anodized aluminum encoders. Play Assist adds an arpeggiator, note repeat, scale and chord modes that also work with external hardware. Connections include USB, MIDI and four assignable pedal inputs. The bundle includes Komplete Select, a Kontakt instrument voucher, iZotope Elements Suite and Ableton Live Lite. It has no pads and costs much more than the rest of this list. NI's page did not show a US price in our check. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Upgraders who use many NKS instruments and want the best keybed and plug-in browsing here.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• 49 semi-weighted Fatar keys with polyphonic aftertouch
• Full-color glass display for browsing, tweaking and mixing
• Light Guide with a light above each key
• Four assignable pedal inputs plus USB and MIDI
• Play Assist arpeggiator, note repeat, scale and chord modes for software and hardware

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Only keyboard here with polyphonic aftertouch on the keys
• Strength: NKS mapping across thousands of instruments from NI and other developers
• Strength: Bundle includes Komplete Select, a Kontakt instrument voucher, iZotope Elements Suite and Ableton Live Lite
• Weakness: Priciest controller on this list; we could not verify a US price from NI in our check
• Weakness: No drum pads
• Weakness: More features than a first-time producer needs

Key facts

• Keybed: Fatar, 49 semi-weighted, polyphonic aftertouch
• Display: Full-color glass screen
• Pedal inputs: Four assignable
• Expression: Metal-touch wheels and a touch strip
• Accessibility: Voice feedback for visually impaired users, per NI

Where it ranks

Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 is No. 8 in our Best Midi Keyboards verdict.