Akai Professional Brings NKS Integration to MPK Series: A Workflow Game Changer

One of the standout features of NKS integration is the elimination of manual parameter mapping. As soon as the MPK controller is connected, it automatically syncs with Native Instruments plugins, providing instant access to key controls. This means no more digging through menus or assigning CCs by hand—everything is ready to go from the moment you launch your DAW or the standalone Komplete Kontrol application.

The video demonstrates this streamlined process, showing how quickly users can get up and running. The focus here is on enhancing workflow efficiency: with NKS, the controller becomes an extension of the software, allowing for a more intuitive and productive creative process.

A major highlight of the integration is the ability to browse and tweak sounds directly from the MPK controller. Users can select presets, scroll through sound banks, and make real-time adjustments—all without reaching for the mouse. The video walks through a practical example: loading a Native Instruments Play Series instrument, browsing presets using the MPK’s pads, and adjusting macro parameters with the controller’s knobs.

The macro knobs on the MPK are tightly synchronized with the plugin’s on-screen parameters, adapting dynamically as users navigate between different macro pages. This allows for nuanced sound sculpting, from adjusting volume and filter cutoff to manipulating more complex effects like bit crushing and EQ. The workflow is clearly designed for creative exploration, with the controller’s hardware layout mapped intelligently to the software’s architecture.

Navigation isn’t limited to a single instrument—users can move between multiple plugins and effects within a chain, using dedicated pads to switch focus. This layered approach means that even complex plugin setups remain accessible and manageable from the MPK, reinforcing the controller’s role as a central hub for performance and sound design.

The NKS update represents a substantial workflow upgrade for MPK users, allowing for comprehensive plugin management directly from the controller. The ability to browse, load, and tweak sounds without ever touching the mouse is a clear nod to the demands of modern producers who value speed and immersion.

While the video focuses on the immediate benefits—instant mapping, macro control, and curated sound bundles—it also hints at a broader shift: the MPK series is now positioned as a true command center for hybrid hardware–software setups. For those seeking a streamlined, tactile production environment, this integration is a compelling step forward.