Native Instruments Announces NKS Support for AKAI, Novation, Nektar, KORG & M-Audio
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NKS Hardware Partner Program · Source: Native Instruments, AKAI Professional, KORG, Novation, M-Audio, Nektar
Many keyboard controllers from AKAI Professional, Novation, Nektar, KORG, and M-Audio will soon support the Native Instruments NKS standard. At NAMM 2025, the developer announced the NKS Hardware Partner Program.
NKS Support for 3rd-Party Keyboard Controllers
If you own a current keyboard controller from AKAI Professional, Novation, Nektar, KORG, or M-Audio, or are thinking about getting one, you could soon benefit from Native Instruments NKS support. The standard, which was first rolled out about a decade ago, enables intuitive control of many plugins and software instruments by NI and many 3rd-party developers. With compatible plugins and a supported controller, you no longer need to manually assign the knobs and faders. Pre-configured mappings make short work of what used to be a tedious task.
Until now, you needed a Native Instruments controller to make full use of the standard. The new NKS Hardware Partner Program, which Native Instruments announced today, brings support to many controllers from the aforementioned manufacturers.
The AKAI MPK Mini series controllers (MPK Mini MK3, Mini Play Mk3, Mini Plus) are among the first to be supported through the program. Native Instruments announced an extended collaboration with AKAI Professional today, which also includes exclusive content for the MPC series.
The Novation Launchkey MK3, Launchkey MK4, and FLkey series will also receive NKS support to complement the already seamless DAW integration of the keyboards.
Native Instruments will also extend support to the Nektar Impact LX25+, KORG Keystage, and the current line of M-Audio Oxygen controllers.
Support for the aforementioned keyboard controllers will be rolled out over the coming months.
Komplete 15 Select Included
As an added bonus, owners of NKS-compatible keyboard controllers will receive a free license for Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select. You can choose from the Beats, Band, or Electronic editions, each of which includes a different selection of software instruments and effects. Vouchers for Komplete 15 Select will be available from the manufacturers of the keyboards once NKS support is available.
Most of the controllers included in the program are available from Thomann (find the complete list here*).
More Information
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