Hi everybody,

I am considering purchase of the Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3.

I've already found that one can install Kontakt legit alongside cracked Kontakt, so one can use official libraries as well as cracked ones (correct?). However, I was wondering whether or not cracked libraries work just as well with the NI hardware as official ones.

Let's say a library works just fine in Kontakt itself. Would this automatically mean that this library also works just as well with the keyboard? Or is it possible that using the keyboard could not work as well (controls / covers) or worst case scenario even break something that worked fine before the keyboard was connected?

I am currently working on an (old) macbook with cracked Kontakt 7 (latest version that supports the old OSX version running on that Macbook). I have no experience with Komplete Kontrol yet.

If I purchase the keyboard and register Kontakt, then use both cracked and legit Kontakt side by side - do I also need two versions of Komplete Kontrol? Or, worst case, is this not possible at all, and I'd be stuck with KK for my registered version (no purchases, only hardware and whatever libraries come free with the Keyboard), but could not utilize KK for cracked Kontakt (and cracked libraries)?

Last one: I am also considering new hardware. This would either be a Mac Mini of some sort, or a regular mini PC running windows. Are there any pros/cons regarding the operation system is the before-mentioned setup (NI hardware, legit Kontakt, cracked Kontakt/libraries, perhaps cracked Komplete Kontrol)? Or does this not matter at all?

Sorry, total beginner with all this (didn't do anything in years and starting fresh now). Thank you in advance for your help

 

Hi, no you can't use both legit and cracked Kontakt, if you do so you will end up with all librairies in demo mode, just keep on with cracked Kontakt. And yes librairies in cracked Kontakt will work perfectly with Kontrol S61 MK3, that's what I use right now on Mac as yourself.

 

Thank you!!

 

NI software on Apple hardware is a lousy mess.
I am struggeling with this combination for several years. Komplete Kontrol (with Kontrol S49 MK3) and Maschine 3.x (with Maschine Mikro MK3) never worked as expected. NKS seems to be a huge chaos. Licening and maintaining apps and libraries with Native Access is awfull, especially if you want to use non-standard installation locations or external drives.

Last but not least: No more NI-support via phone or e-mail, only a chatbot that often doesn't understand the problem. Last year it took three (!) weeks to finally redeem a voucher for a bundled Komplete Kontrol Select package.

Now I began to switch to alternative products (mainly EW libraries on OPUS platform, Ample Sound for guitars, Toontrack EZKeys and EZBass, Omnisphere 3). Time to say good bye to NI products.

At the moment, the future of NI with preliminary insolvency is doubtful.
You should consider this before invensting a lot of money into a company that is already beginning to die.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2026 at 9:51 AM

Thanks for the heads up.

While the device has been ordered, I have a decent return time frame.

But: while Kontakt worked "fine" (fine-ish on OSX), I was not able to get Komplete Kontrol running.

OSX (my system ist old. 11.7.10):
- Kontakt 7.10.9 [HCiSO]
- Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 [HCiSO]

Kontakt works okay. Not all libraries work, but this is likely due to my old OSX. If a library is made for Kontakt 8, Kontakt 7 cannot use it. I cannot test Kontakt 8, because my OSX version does not support it.

Another issue: Kontakt 7 integrated in Logic Pro X. Then, after a restart, Logic Pro X would not load Kontakt any longer. Something about an AU error (cannot reproduce the error at the moment). Komplete Kontrol does load, but it does not display or allow loading any of the libraries (even those that do work with Kontakt 7).

Windows 11:
- Kontakt 8 Portable (8.8.1)
- Komplete Kontrol:
- first tried Native.Instruments.Komplete.Kontrol.v3.5.3.Incl.Patched.and.Keygen-R2R
- then tried 'Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol v3.5.1-bobdule'

I just checked and realized, that my Windows (virtual machine via qemu) must have deleted both KeyGen Files automatically. They were nowhere to be found on Windows, while they are still in the original download directory (which I copied 1:1 to the VM).

However: when I tried to authorize Komplete Kontrol, I would get an error about required software not being available. So there was no "enter your key" or anything like this, but rather Windows wanted to open __some__ program that was not installed on my PC in order to register Komplete Kontrol.

So currently I don't know how to proceed. Neither on OSX, nor on Windows, does Komplete Kontrol work. While it "works" on OSX, there are no libraries. If I understand correctly, without Komplete Kontrol I cannot utilize all those features (browsing directly on the keyboard, RGB keys, etc.) that are the main reason for this purchase.

I can try and see if there is a way to completely deactivate all windows security features (it's just a VM anyway) and if the KeyGen works then / doesn't automatically get deleted. However, even if the KeyGen would work, I cannot enter the key, as this would require this additional program that I don't have (and it doesn't say __which__ program it expects).

Or can I use all features with __just__ Kontakt and without Komplete Kontrol? This already feels like I should cancel the order and stick with the "dumb" (no screen, no Kontakt library browsing) keyboard that I already have...?

 

I actually have a Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3 and a Maschine Studio MK3 for sale if you're interested. Both units are barely used. The keyboard came with a defective keybed. I just got it back from NI repaired in the box, practically new. Asking $450 for the keys, $200 for Maschine.

Yes they both work with cracked software, but be careful with NI Service Center.
OK the next post after mine is gold. I was too lazy to write it all out!

Yes US, sorry.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2026 at 8:51 PM

I'll try to help with your problem.

First, back up all your important data to an external storage device.
You should also back up the items/contact libraries you purchased to a second external hard drive, etc.

When you receive your MIDI keyboard, you need to download and install Komplete Kontrol from the website. Then, you need to activate your new MIDI keyboard or register it online using the corresponding codes; otherwise, you won't be able to use your MIDI keyboard.

Important: If all of that works, uninstall Komplete Kontrol and install Komplete Kontrol from Team R2R. Read the R2R instructions carefully. Before extracting the files, disable your antivirus software. Otherwise, the antivirus software will interfere with the keygen.

If you have old software from different teams, you should completely uninstall it; otherwise, leftover files will cause problems. Always download the latest version of Kontakt. Please always include your operating system and the full names of the software you have installed or intend to install in your questions.

Other things you can do to get a stable system:

O&O ShutUp10++:Free antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11
In reality, Windows 11 works perfectly and without problems once you have configured it correctly.

1. https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes All-in-One Dec 2025
https://www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one/

2. The Ultimate Guide to Optimize your Windows PC for the Stage
https://gigperformer.com/docs/ultimate-guide-to-optimize-windows-for-stage/index.html

3. How to Disable User Account Control in Windows

Problem: You want to disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows to troubleshoot a software issue or to improve the performance of a program, especially if it interacts with other software.

Solution: User Account Control (UAC) is a Microsoft security tool that helps prevent malicious software from entering your system. It's not a full-fledged malware or virus protection solution, but it will notify you about changes that are about to be made to your computer. Temporarily disabling UAC can help isolate or resolve application problems. Re-enable this security setting once the issue is resolved.

How to Disable UAC:
1. Type "uac" in the Windows Start menu.
2. Click "Change User Account Control settings."
3. Move the slider down to "Never notify."
4. Click OK and restart your computer.

4. Run System File Checker
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, and press ENTER:
sfc /scannow
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...em-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

 

Alright... It was related to UAC and/or Tamper Protection. I just deactivated everything. This allowed me to patch Komplete Kontrol V3.5.1. Yes!

Sorry if these are all beginner questions... but

1) on OSX, there was a "add_library_4.dmg" and a "Add Library.command"; iirc, the "command" worked better than the dmg. This allowed me to get certain libraries into Kontakt 7 that previously would not work. Before, I tried loading the individual nki files directly, then get an error message. Now I have the actual library listed in Kontakt 7 (again, mac, Kontakt 7.10.9).

Is there something similar for Windows? I am able to load some libraries, but only when manually doing so. No library is displayed at all like it was on OSX.

2) while I was able to now patch Komplete Kontrol V3.5.1 on Windows as mentioned above, I still do not see any instruments / libraries there. And even those that I can manually load via Kontakt 8 Portable (for example, on Windows, "Scoring Dulcimer") cannot manually be loaded via Komplete Kontrol.

Is this because I do not yet have the keyboard and did not register it, then uninstall, then install the cracked R2R?

3) Is the following okay? I will start with a fresh Win11 VM with nothing installed but perhaps cubase. Are these steps okay, or do I need to go differently?

1 - connect keyboard
2 - download and install official Komplete Kontrol
3 - register keyboard
4 - uninstall official Komplete Kontrol
5 - restart (?)
6 - install KK 3.5.3 R2R
7 - install Kontakt 8.6.0 R2R
8 - restart (?)

Or can I prepare the VM by installing Kontakt 8.6.0 R2R beforehand? I don't know whether or not the official Komplete Kontrol will "destroy" anything cracked...

Okay, but let's say these steps work (or I follow different steps provided). Then I am there:

- Keyboard registered
- R2R KK
- R2R Kontakt
- no libraries

Where do I go from there? I liked the OSX appraoch of having the "Add Library.command" file. While it only worked with one particular library (London Solo Strings) so far, the technique is what I need: get the libraries into Kontakt (and ideally KK as well so that they will be controlable via Keyboard). Are there specific tools for Windows that I need to find and use as well?

Either for assuring that my libraries are actually accessible via KK and Kontakt, or for blocking certain network traffic, or anything else?

I have hardly any experience with Windows any longer, for 10+ years now. My desktop is Linux, my planned producing machine was the Macbook (which I cannot actually use because my OSX version only supports Kontakt 7, so I need to test everything in a Windows VM and, if everything works, get a dedicated Windows producing machine).

And do I need anything else other than KK and Kontakt? Some cracked NI Service Center, or any other NI software that I have just been missing so far?

Current situation is:

MACBOOK:
- can only install Kontakt 7 (works)
- Kontakt does not integrate with Logic Pro X any longer (used to work once, but got the AU error after restarting the system)
- KK is installable, but does not have any libraries (again, perhaps this is due to having to register a keyboard first, as you had mentioned)
- easy-ish way to actually integrate the libraries into Kontakt via script/tool, which I would prefer to manually loading nki (or similar) files!
---> since I want libraries that require Kontakt 8, I need either some sort of new Mac device, or manually update my OSX version >>> meh!

WINDOWS (currently VM):
- was able to install Kontakt 8 Portable (not R2R, I will attempt doing so after posting this)
- was able (now after UAC and Tamper Protection fix) to install Komplete Kontrol (also not R2R, will attempt doing so after posting as well)
- KK does not have any libraries, just like on OSX (again, perhaps this will change after registering the keyboard)
- currently not clear whether or not there is a tool that actually gets my libraries INTO Kontakt -->
--- there IS "KTP Library Manager" which allows me to add libraries, but they are then only in this KTP Library Manager, not in Kontakt. Clicking "Open" opens the folder, I can then manually load the nki and it will open Kontakt (even if already opened it will start a new instance), then NOT display the library, but let me pick it as a preset on the right side menu, not as a library...?
- Kontakt can be used as instrument from within Cubase, but again, libraries are not displayed AS libraries in Kontakt there, either
---> I wouldn't mind buying a dedicated Windows machine for this. Even switching from Logic Pro X to Cubase would be fine. But I cannot wrap my head around being able to USE libraries/instruments, but NOT having them displayed in Kontakt, nor Komplete Kontrol.

Yeah, and if I understand the workings correctly, everything I want my keyboard to do (browse libraries, have labels for different articulations etc. on the screen above the dials, ....) requires me to have the libraries in Komplete Kontrol (so even if I had them in Kontakt, but not KK, then this wouldn't work - is this correct)?

------

voidSeeker: since you mentioned $450, I assume that you are located in the US? I am from Germany, so shipping etc. would probably make it just as expensive as a new keyboard ordered directly from a German seller. But thank you for the offer.

 

Last edited: Feb 18, 2026 at 3:49 PM

Ask the two users @bobdule and @clone.

P.S.: Please don't post direct links to the sister site, otherwise you'll get a warning.
Warez links are not allowed. Delete both links!