Native Instruments
Komplete Kontrol M32
$129Cheaper
Released 2019-03
Best MIDI Keyboards · head-to-head
Komplete Kontrol M32 vs A-49
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Komplete Kontrol M32 is cheaper at $129. Every spec and price links to its source.
Roland
A-49
$175
Released 2012-10
Which is better: the Komplete Kontrol M32 or A-49?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Komplete Kontrol M32 is the cheaper at $129.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Komplete Kontrol M32 | A-49 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $129 | $175 Current street price per Thomann |
| Brand | Native Instruments | Roland |
| Released | 2019-03 | 2012-10 |
| Keys | 32 | 49 |
| Key type | synth | synth |
| Drum pads | 0 | 0 |
| Knobs | 8 | 2 |
| Faders | 0 | 0 |
| Aftertouch | No | No |
| Connection | usb | usb_midi_din |
| Bundled software | Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials | Ableton Live Lite |
| Release | 2019 | 2012 |
Sources — Komplete Kontrol M32: native-instruments.com (verified 2026-06-19). A-49: roland.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Komplete Kontrol M32 and A-49?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Keys: Komplete Kontrol M32 32 vs A-49 49
- Knobs: Komplete Kontrol M32 8 vs A-49 2
- Connection: Komplete Kontrol M32 usb vs A-49 usb_midi_din
- Bundled software: Komplete Kontrol M32 Komplete Kontrol software, Komplete Select, Ableton Live Lite, Maschine Essentials vs A-49 Ableton Live Lite
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Komplete Kontrol M32
Only one whitelisted, hands-on tester (Engadget) covered the Komplete Kontrol M32 in its five-controller roundup. Engadget praised its studio-grade build, satisfying clicky buttons and encoder, best-in-roundup touch-sensitive knobs and an Arturia-rivaling keybed, but flagged that it failed on Windows 10 out of the box (needing a firmware update), has no pads, and is barely portable at 18.7in/2.3lb with fiddly Ableton transport setup. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Studio-grade build with satisfying, clicky buttons and encoder; Best touch-sensitive knobs in its class; keybed in the same league as Arturia; Integrates seamlessly with NI's Komplete Kontrol software.
Flagged: Failed on Windows 10 out of the box; needed a firmware update; No drum pads; Barely portable for its size/weight (18.7in, 2.3lb); fiddly Ableton transport setup.
A-49
No sourced tester review yet.