Maschine | How to use Advanced MIDI Routing with the Kontrol S-Series MK3

Note: Please make sure to install the latest firmware update for your Kontrol S MK3. Please also install the latest Komplete Kontrol software and NI Hardware Connection Service in Native Access.

This article explains 'Advanced MIDI Routing' with Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboards. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Advanced MIDI routing
  • Flexible Output via USB & 5-pin DIN
    • Example 1: Switch between external MIDI instrument on MIDI page and NKS instrument on Plugin page
    • Example 2: Split Keyboard to Play Hardware and NKS Instruments (Advanced)
  • Important Notes

Advanced MIDI routing

Flexible Output via USB & 5-pin DIN

Kontrol S-Series MK3 gives you powerful control over how MIDI is routed — whether you're working with software instruments, hardware gear, or both.

At the core of this feature are two key settings:

1. Global hardware setting (MIDI Out USB, MIDI Out Dual)
   Sets the default MIDI output behavior in both NKS and MIDI modes.
2. MIDI Output port (set per MIDI template)
   Overrides the global setting, but only when a MIDI template is active (i.e. in MIDI mode).

Here are 2 examples:

Example 1: Switch between external MIDI instrument on MIDI page and NKS instrument on Plugin page

Configuration:

• Global hardware settings: MIDI out USB
• Template settings: MIDI Output port = MIDI

Usage:

• NKS Plugin: in NKS mode, MIDI is sent via USB only — ideal for controlling a plugin in your DAW.
• Hardware Synth: in MIDI mode, the active template overrides the global setting, sending MIDI via the 5-pin DIN (Ext Out) instead.

Result:

This allows seamless switching between a hardware synth on the MIDI page and an NKS instrument on the Plugin page — no cables or settings need to be changed.

Example 2: Split Keyboard to Play Hardware and NKS Instruments (Advanced)

Configuration:

• Global hardware settings: MIDI out Dual
• Template settings: MIDI Output port = Global

Keyzones:

• Keyzone 1 (external MIDI instrument): Color=Red, Channel=2, Priority=Keyzone
• Keyzone 2 (NKS): Color = Blue, Channel=1, Priority=Plugin

Hardware / External instrument setup: Only listens to channel 2

NKS Instruments (Komplete Kontrol or Kontakt 8) setup: Only listen to channel 1

Usage:

This setup uses MIDI channels to separate the two instruments.

• MIDI Out Dual ensures MIDI is sent to both USB and 5-pin DIN in NKS mode.
• Priority = Keyzone ensures the keyzone channel assignments remain active in NKS mode.

Result:

• Play your external MIDI instrument with the left (red) side of the keyboard.
• Play your NKS instrument with the right (blue) side.
• Switch freely between the MIDI page (to tweak your hardware) and Plugin page (to control the NKS instrument) — the split routing stays active.

Important Notes

• Permissions
  The installation process requires certain permissions to be granted for successful setup. Please ensure these are provided during installation.
• Scale & Arp Activation
  Please note that the Scale & Arp can be enabled in both plug-in & keyboard modes at the same time, identified by the iconography.
• Play Assist Button
  You will be taken to the currently activated Play Assist mode (either 'Keyboard' or 'Plug-in' when pressing the 'PLAY ASSIST' hardware button.

If you are unfamiliar with the Play Assist Arp feature, please refer to the full documentation in the user manual for detailed instructions on setup and use.