Native Instruments Kontrol S49 Mk3

Aside from their laptop, for most in-the-box-style producers, the MIDI keyboard is their most important chunk of hardware, so picking out the right model is crucial. Thankfully, Native Instruments' third-generation Kontrol line-up does away with choice overload. Designed for in-the-box production, the Kontrol S49 MK3 is perfect when it comes to controlling Kontakt libraries and not only features the latest modern perks, but a nice stack of included software. The Native Instruments Kontrol S49 MK3 First of all, the large, high-resolution colour display means that you're looking at an even cleaner control lay-out compared to the MK2 model. The LEDs just above the keys are still there and still colour-match with Kontakt so you can quickly access key switches or certain zones. If you want, you even assign a different colour to every key in Kontakt. More importantly even, NI have decided to build in polyphonic aftertouch, giving you deep control over the sound of every individual MIDI note which is especially useful when playing strings and wind instruments. Once you know what it can do, you'll never want to write, make or produce music without it again.