NID: Native Instruments Komplete Audio MK2

Iron1

Shredder
TGF Recording Artist
Messages
1,575
After asking for some recommendations in this thread to replace my "ancient" first gen Scarlet 2i2, I ultimately ended up buying what I was already focused in on, the Komplete Audio MK2. While it sounds like the whole "ask for recommendations, then ignore them" schtick, what was recommended actually did help me explore the options and really hone in on what I wanted, which was solid preamps, good meters (instead of rings) and two headphone/audio outs for monitoring. All of which the Komplete has in it. So, thanks again to all who suggested other options - it really was a big help.

After contemplating a bit, and nearly pulling the trigger on ones recommended in the above mentioned thread, I figured I should just grab this one and if I don't like it, I can just return it and move to the next in the list.

KompAudio6mk2-large.jpg


So far it feels/sounds/seems to be a substantial upgrade over the Scarlet.

In order to get it up and running, I simply had to go to the Native site, download the Narrative Access app, ignore the insistence that I download Abelton, and plug the Komplete 6 in. Unlike my disastrous attempt over the holidays to upgrade to a Scarlet 2i4 third gen, the Komplete was a breeze.

The gain/preamp options give me much better control over the signal gain into my DAW. The Scarlet seemed to have that thin line between too low and too loud that required a lot of knob tweaking from the Helix Rack output to the HX Edit output to the Scarlet input gain to get it just right. No more.

The other bonus is the dual headphone/monitor outs. On the Scarlet, I only had one so either I could run both 'phones and monitors off a splitter, which I don't dig, or I could just un/re plug them all the time when I switch back and forth. Which is what I've done for the last 8 years. With the Komplete, I can leave them both plugged in and just adjust the volume controls for whichever I want to use and/or just don't turn my monitors on if I need to roll with just the cans.

From what I can tell so far, the signal is cleaner/clearer than the Scarlet... but that might also just be a bias to new gear. I'm not the world's best audio engineer, so not gonna act like I can empirically prove the sound is clearer... but it sure seems like it. Signal to noise ratio is better and the gain swing is larger, ie I can get more DBs out of my monitors now than I could with the Scarlet, and at the higher volumes, it sounds better.

While, at the end of the day, it's an Audio Interface and there's only so much to rave about, knowing it does what I want it to do and does it better is a huge win for me.
 
Also just got an email from Native that it comes with all these free downloads:

Traktor Pro 3 LE for KA6
KOMPLETE START - Reaktor Factory Selection
KOMPLETE START - Komplete Kontrol
KOMPLETE START - Kontakt Factory Selection 2
KOMPLETE START - Kinetic Treats
KOMPLETE START - Mikro Prism
KOMPLETE START - GUITAR RIG 6 Player
KOMPLETE START - Supercharger
KOMPLETE START - Expansions Selection
KOMPLETE START - Play Series Selection
Maschine 2 Essentials Application for KOMPLETE AUDIO
Maschine 2 Factory Selection
KOMPLETE START - TRK-01 Bass
Guitar Rig 6 LE for KOMPLETE AUDIO HW


Haven't spent any time deciding if I want any of it, but pretty cool that a buyer gets the options for all this plus Ableton.
 
It probably will be my next audio interface. Are you still happy with it? Planning to use it with captor X, recording signal from high gain preamp
 
It probably will be my next audio interface. Are you still happy with it? Planning to use it with captor X, recording signal from high gain preamp
Yep - love it still. Really glad I went with the two outputs as I've been doing vocals lately and it makes going from headphones to monitors much quicker.
 
Yep - love it still. Really glad I went with the two outputs as I've been doing vocals lately and it makes going from headphones to monitors much quicker.
Good to hear, I'm gonna check the software they give. Studio grade effects like reverb, delay etc. would save a lot of money
 
I kinda like Guitar Rig, their “ICM” models are actually quite nice imho, without going down a tweaking rabbit hole. Also helps that they have some pretty wicked effects, like the reverbs. Sometimes it’s refreshing with a guitar plugin made by otherwise not so guitar centric companies.
 
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