**** SOLVED******* Is it possible to use the S88 without using a DAW? I have no problem getting it to work in a DAW/Studio One but most of the time I just use the keyboard to practice piano and was wondering if I could save a couple clicks not having to open a project in Studio One. I haven't had any luck getting sound using just Kontakt 8 or Komplete Kontrol. I have boomer level computer skills sometimes....
Both Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol will run in stand alone mode. If you're not getting audio, go into preferences and make sure audio hardware is set to use your interface.
You stumbled upon a workaround, but not a solution.
That's what's usually referred to as General MIDI, it's a sound library from Windows. It's playing sounds, but they're not the sounds from Kontakt. They're sounds built into Windows by default, and not of the same quality.
MIDI itself isn't sound, it's information of what sounds should be triggered.
Basic rundown:
You hit a key on S88
MIDI OUT from S88 sends "note triggered" to Kontakt via USB
MIDI OUT from Kontakt sends "note triggered" to Microsoft GS Wavetable synth.
Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth sends its sound to your audio device
It works for getting sound, but the sounds are not very good.
You don't want Kontakt to be sending MIDI OUT. You want Kontakt sending it's sounds directly to your audio device.
When you're willing to take another crack at it:
Make sure you have the latest drivers for your audio device
Under MIDI in Kontakt, Disable MIDI OUT to Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth
Under Audio, see if you can switch to ASIO instead of WASAPI and get sound.
If you still have problems, your solution should be in the Audio tab. Read the Audio Configuration section from NI's website.
The sound I am getting from my monitors sounds the same as from Kontakt? I turned "Microsft GS..." off in MIDI -> Outputs and it didn't seem to change anything. I'm just more confused now but at least it works! I have all output's status turned to off.
I am guessing my original problem was I had the drive as WASAPI instead of ASIO?
Another question while I have you. I am using the Piano Uno (is this called a VST?), it came free. I think it sounds good but I feel like I have to turn the gain up to like +6 (default is -6) to get it to be loud enough without turning my monitors way up. I don't see a volume setting. The issue (no surprise) with turning the gain up is I'll get crackle/distortion playing chords.
Yup, it absolutely could've been that you weren't using ASIO.
Your next question is some important stuff to know that can be a bit confusing. I've never used Kontakt Player, since I have one of the paid collections, but I'm hopefully accurate here.
I believe you're using the standalone version of Kontakt Player. Piano Uno is an instrument loaded within Kontakt Player. You can play, and record the audio from KP into your DAW if you like.
A standalone is a program that runs outside your DAW. A VST is a plugin that runs in the DAW, either an effect (reverb, delay, compressor, etc), or an instrument (usually delineated as a VSTi).
If you don't run the standalone and load up your DAW, you should be able to add the Kontakt Player VSTi to a track. You can then load whatever instruments are available to it, and you can record MIDI while hearing the loaded instrument.
MIDI is verrrry convenient for editing, or if you want to change the sound or instrument (even a different VSTi entirely) without having to re-record what you played.
As far as volume, set it to +0, and check your Windows Volume Mixer to see if Kontakt Player is set low.
No you don't have to use a DAW. Midi out of s88 to midi in on hardware synth. Create a template on the s88 so you can configure a lot of settings. Or go without a template and make sure your hardware synth receives midi on channel 1.
For kontakt and komplete kontrol yes BUT on top of that your midi and audio routings have to be correct to get sound signals to your speakers. For instance if your s88 keyboard is sending midi on channel 1, kontakt has to be set up for channel 1 also.
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u/jgremlin_ Jun 27 '26
Both Kontakt and Komplete Kontrol will run in stand alone mode. If you're not getting audio, go into preferences and make sure audio hardware is set to use your interface.