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Komplete Kontrol | How to Activate the Komplete Kontrol Accessibility Features

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Kontrol S-Series MK3
Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 & MK2
Komplete Kontrol A-Series & M32
Use Training Mode to Locate Controls

Komplete Kontrol offers a set of Accessibility features for visually-impaired users. In this article, we explain how to activate these Accessibility features on Komplete Kontrol keyboards.

Kontrol S-Series MK3

Kontrol S-Series MK3 now includes full support for visually impaired users via the redesigned NI Accessibility Helper.

Installation

Please update the Kontrol S-Series MK3 firmware, the Hardware Connection Service, and the Accessibility Helper app. You can find detailed instructions in the Installation Guide section of the following article:

How to use the Kontrol S-Series MK3 Firmware 2.0

Run the Accessibility Helper

Launch the new NI Accessibility Helper once to grant the required permissions for auto-launch.
An icon will appear in your system tray (Windows) or status menu (macOS).
The Accessibility Helper will run silently in the background once enabled.

How to use the new Accessibility Helper

Ensure the Helper is running in your system tray (Windows) and status menu (macOS) (it launches automatically).
Ensure your Kontrol S-Series MK3 hardware is connected.
Use the SHIFT+DAW button combination to activate voice readout

macOS 15 Sequoia Speech Settings

The NI Accessibility Helper respects your macOS system settings for chosen voice, speech rate, and speech volume, with the exception of macOS 15 Sequoia, due to a known issue in the OS. A bug has been filed with Apple, and we hope it will be resolved in a future update.

Workaround: On macOS 15 Sequoia, use the NI Accessibility Helper’s internal controls:

Go to the NI Accessibility Helper system tray (Windows) or status menu (macOS) icon.
Open Settings.
Adjust Speech Rate and Speech Volume to your preference.

Accessibility Mode Cheat Sheet

Feature	Description
Toggle Accessibility	Press SHIFT + DAW to enable/disable voice readout
Training Mode	Press SHIFT twice to activate button-readout without triggering actions
System Tray (Windows) / Status Menu (Mac) Helper	Runs silently in background, auto-launches with startup
Use with mapped Hardware Synths	MIDI templates now support spoken readout for mapped hardware synths
OS Integration	Respects language, speed, and voice settings from “Spoken Content” system preferences
NI Accessibility Helper App - Zone navigation	While in the app; use the Up/Down Arrow keys to move between zones on your controller, and the Left/Right Arrow keys to move within each zone.
NI Accessibility Helper App - key commands	While in the app; press the ‘T’ key to enter tour mode through the zones, ‘H’ key to enter Help page mode ( overview of the app), and the ability to adjust font size or toggle announcements (Space Bar, Return key).
macOS 15 Sequoia	Use NI Accessibility Helper → Settings to adjust Speech Rate and Volume (required due to OS limitation).
Other macOS versions	Uses system settings by default. NI Accessibility Helper controls are optional if you prefer separate settings.

Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1 & MK2

Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK2	Press Shift + Mixer
Komplete Kontrol S-Series MK1	Press Shift + Preset (up)

For orientation purposes, you will find the Shift button on the top left of the keyboard panel.
You will find the Mixer (or Preset Up) button on the top right of the keyboard panel.

Note: For more info on S-Series MK1 / MK2 Accessibility, please check Chapter 3 in the S-Series PDF Manuals linked here.

Komplete Kontrol A-Series & M32

Komplete Kontrol A-Series	Press Shift + Ideas
Komplete Kontrol M32	Press Shift + Ideas

For orientation purposes, you will find the Shift button on the top left of the keyboard panel.

You will find the Ideas button on the same side of the panel, third to the right, in the second row.

Note: For more info on A-Series Accessibility, please check Chapter 2.9 in the A-Series PDF Manual linked here. For the M32 info, check Chapter 2.8 in the M32 PDF Manual linked here.

Use Training Mode to Locate Controls

Once the Accessibility features are enabled, you can double-press the Shift button on any Keyboard to enable Training Mode.

This makes it easy to locate a specific button or parameter without actually changing a parameter or triggering an action.

In Training Mode, all button presses and parameter names are announced by the Accessibility voice.

To exit Training Mode, double-press the Shift button again to continue using Accessibility Mode.