Migrant on channeling emotion with his Kontrol S-Series keyboard

Migrant’s new single “Anahata” moves with intention. Named after the heart chakra, it channels openness, balance, and vulnerability through evolving melodies and carefully layered textures. The track feels both human and hypnotic, showing a producer focused on emotional depth rather than surface-level energy.

That feeling comes through his process as much as the sound itself.

Using Native Instruments’ Kontrol S49 MK3 and Kontakt, Migrant builds each idea from feeling first, shaping rhythm and melody only after the emotional center is clear. The controller and its light-guided workflow let him play intuitively, while Kontakt provides the atmospheric foundation that grounds his work in warmth and realism.

Jump to these sections:

• Beginning with emotion
• The role of his Kontrol S49 MK3
• Writing away from the screen
• Building atmosphere with Kontakt
• Playing with feeling
• Staying human in a tech-driven world

We spoke with Migrant about the creative process behind “Anahata” and how tools like Komplete Kontrol help him stay connected to the emotion at the core of his music.

Discover Kontrol S-Series keyboards

When you’re producing something rooted in emotion or energy, where does that process usually begin for you: melody, rhythm, or sound design?

It always starts with a feeling.

Whatever I’m experiencing that day – an emotion, a sound that inspires me, or sometimes even another artist’s energy – becomes the seed of the track. I like to create an atmosphere in my studio that reflects that emotion before I even touch the DAW. Usually, rhythm comes first, and it sets the foundation and movement.

From there, melody takes shape, and I start weaving in layers of sound design to bring that mood to life.

Pro tip from Migrant: Always start with an emotion before opening your DAW. Your feeling is the true tempo of the track.

Where does the Kontrol S49 MK3 sit in your studio setup? Is it the central controller, performance instrument, or both?

It’s absolutely my primary controller.

I love how the blue light guide adapts to the scale mode. It’s such a thoughtful feature. It opens up creative freedom even for musicians who aren’t classically trained, letting them explore without second-guessing.

I often call it a live guide. It directs me through ideas, keeping me within a particular musical map while still allowing room to wander and discover new emotions through sound.

Pro tip from Migrant: Use scale mode creatively. It’s not a crutch but a map that can guide spontaneous expression.

How does using physical control change the way you approach composition compared to working entirely inside the DAW?

Sometimes you don’t want to stare at a screen for too long.

Closing your eyes can elevate the journey. It connects you more deeply to what you’re feeling in that exact moment. There’s a reason people meditate with their eyes closed. It’s about tuning inward. In the same way, having a physical controller lets me step away from the visual world of the DAW. I can just hold a key, feel the rhythm, and let ideas flow naturally.

It becomes less about programming and more about feeling – about letting your hands translate emotion into sound.

Pro tip from Migrant: Build atmosphere early. It defines the energy of your entire composition.

What role did Kontakt play while shaping “Anahata”?

Kontakt has always been a core part of my process. Its atmospheric sounds create the bed, the emotional landscape, for almost every production I do. It’s the question that the rest of the track answers. There’s a sense of life and depth in those textures that I can’t imagine my music without.

These textures breathe emotion into my sound, making each track feel alive.

Pro tip from Migrant: Close your eyes while jamming. If it doesn’t feel right, it won’t sound right.

For producers trying to capture more emotion in electronic music, what advice would you give them about how to play rather than program?

In this age of AI, as much as we should embrace technology, music remains something that can only be felt. A computer can process information, but it can’t feel emotion, and that’s exactly what separates human creation from automation. I can always sense that difference in the music.

I’ve learned from artists like Massano, Innellea, and even had moments of guidance from Boris Brejcha – and one thing they all agreed on was the importance of atmosphere. Early on, I used to wonder why they emphasized it so much. Over time, I realized atmosphere is another word for feeling. It’s like walking into a room and instantly sensing whether the energy is positive or heavy. That same invisible energy lives in music.

When you play with emotion, not just program it, you invite the listener into that atmosphere, that feeling.

Pro tip from Migrant: Don’t over-quantize. Let human imperfections stay. They carry your emotion.

Looking ahead, how do you see tools like the Kontrol S-Series continuing to shape the next phase of your creative evolution?

What I appreciate about Kontrol keyboards is that they don’t overdo the technology.

In a world moving fast toward AI, they could easily add features that make the controller “think” for you, but instead, they’ve chosen to keep it human. That’s important to me. There’s a fine line between a tool that helps you and one that creates for you.

I see a lot of VSTs now generating melodies or ideas automatically, and while that might be useful to some, it doesn’t feel organic to me. The Kontrol keyboard, on the other hand, elevates my writing process without replacing it. It assists, it guides, but it still leaves space for my emotions to lead. That balance keeps my music honest. It keeps my feelings true.

Pro tip from Migrant: Use tools that serve your creativity, not replace it. Technology should support your soul, not silence it.

Wrapping it all up

Migrant’s words cut through the noise of modern production. His relationship with Komplete Kontrol and Kontakt shows how the right tools can help artists stay grounded in what matters most – emotion, intuition, and honesty. By prioritizing feel over perfection, he continues to carve out a sound that connects on both technical and spiritual levels.

Thanks to Migrant for sharing his process and insight. “Anahata” is available now across major streaming platforms. To explore the same creative workflow he relies on, check out the Kontrol S-Series now.

Discover Kontrol S-Series keyboards