Native Kontrol Standard

Native Kontrol Standard

KOMPLETE KONTROL continues its evolution with Native Kontrol Standard (NKS®)*. NKS is Native Instruments’ extended plug-in format that opens up the KOMPLETE KONTROL system.

It allows VST and KONTAKT instrument developers to integrate their plug-ins with KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE at the same deep level as KOMPLETE Instruments. This means that even instruments not built by NI can be fully integrated in the KOMPLETE KONTROL and MASCHINE browsers, with instrument parameters intelligently mapped straight out of the box. NKS instruments can access the Light Guide, Smart Play features, and the full creative potential of KOMPLETE KONTROL. And what’s more, the NKS version of an instrument will be a free update for existing owners.

NKS delivers deep hardware and software integration between third-party plug-ins and S-Series keyboards like never before.

Third-party instruments are tagged by the manufacturers themselves, ensuring that these tags are relevant and useful. NKS instruments show up alongside your KOMPLETE Instruments in the Native Browser – total browsing unification.
Native Map is also extended to third-party instruments. This means that plug-in manufacturers can design mappings that suit the instrument specifically. And that you get useful, musically-relevant parameters mapped to the eight control knobs automatically when you load an NKS instrument.
Light Guide revolutionized playability when it appeared on the KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboards. Now, third-party instruments can use this industry-first technology to easily display key switches, sample mappings, and keyboard splits.
Every NKS plug-in is set up to make use of the creatively-empowering Smart Play features in the KOMPLETE KONTROL software – including the touch strips, scale mapping, Chord Sets, and the powerful arpeggiator.

Numerous software industry leaders are now actively updating their existing products to be fully NKS-ready. The list is growing constantly as more partners join the KOMPLETE KONTROL system. The future of integration is here!

Confirmed partners using NKS technology: