Native Instruments keyboard controllers.... pricey? Why.

I think it's mostly due to the high level of integration with NI software (such as Kontakt). I'm sure they are high quality (physically) as well but there are most definitely less expensive options that will do the same thing/have the same physical quality.
 
You'd just have to set them up on your own instead of a "plug and play (with Kontakt)" element.
 
Kind of like how the RigKontrol guitar pedalboard will just hook right into GuitarRig without any futzing but other boards could do the same... you just gotta map them.
 
Often times hardware units (such as controllers) will have maps to hook into various programs anyway.
 
Others who actually own the hardware would know more.
 
Me? I'm cheap (broke) and willing to do my own mapping/routing. It's just MIDI signals which are all mappable.

it is a plug and play for ni synths. you also get bundled synths with it.
 
from NI:
INCLUDES KOMPLETE SELECT

KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series keyboards include KOMPLETE SELECT – a premium instrument and effect package worth 1000,00 € when purchased separately. Includes MASSIVE, PRISM, MONARK, RETRO MACHINES, THE GENTLEMAN, VINTAGE ORGANS, SCARBEE MARK I, WEST AFRICA, DRUMLAB, SOLID BUS COMP.

KOMPLETE SELECT is provided as a download after hardware registration. If you already own an S-Series keyboard, you’ll receive a KOMPLETE SELECT download for free.*
 
but, mind you. there is some bugs i cant get out. one is rendering, where midi bleeds to other midi tracks. but only when rendering to file. in playback and recording it works fine. a quick solution is to freeze all NI synths and render works fine-
 
for the quality. its just great great to play on and you even see what the knobs do, so editing sounds is easy. i love my S61

jbow
I was looking at possibly upgrading my keyboard controller. I have Kontakt 5 Full disks on the way so naturally, I looked at NI controllers. Is there some reason that they al cost more than the others or most others? Are they actually better?
Thanks,
Julien

It's the keyboard plus integration with the Komplete suite (and other 3rd party VST's that are adopting the NKS standard) that makes it a bit pricey. Plus, it has some pretty cool features that really take full advantage of the Kontakt sampler layouts (light guide, etc.) Check out all the demos on the NI site and some of the in-depth demos available on YouTube.

It's pretty much the same price as the Akai Advance keyboard range that has a more generic but in many ways similar functionality...

ok. my system got tonns of bugs with it. causing the keyboard to freeze. maybe they have made this possible by upgrades.

I think you have to own Komplete (full) to use it with Kontakt (with full integration). Maybe they've done something about this since I was considering the Komplete Kontrol..

I was looking at getting either this or an AKAI Advance but I've decided to hold off. I was looking more at Advance because of the deeper plugin integration rather than being limited to Kontakt but part of the allure of Kontrol is the lights which I could run on key switches which would be very useful.
 
I'm now holding off because NAMM is coming and there are some rumours floating around already. I'm interested to see what is coming. Novation has been quiet the past few years and I'm hoping for a huge reveal that puts both AKAI and NI's controllers to shame. ;)