Hi guys. I need your thoughts about getting a new midi controller. I have two midi controller M-audio, and both suffer from pitch bend and modulation wheel. Thanks

Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2 or Nektar Panorama P4

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/compare.php?items=(KompKS2-49,PanoramaP4)

 

they are both capable keyboards, i guess s49 would be the one if you use their products, since its supposed to be well integrated with their software instruments

i assume you really use the controller abilities, right?

because if you just use the keys like me then its a waste of space. the only thing i need are the octaves (more the better) and transport buttons. all the knobs and faders are totally cumbersome to use, i may use a knob or a fader once every ten projects at the most just to make some automation. if i really count the times its totally useless.

i have some m-audio etc keyboard controllers and they are fine but the amount of stuff mounted on them could have been saved for getting a much smaller unit.

semi-weighted and minimalistic is the way, for me at least

 

Last edited: Oct 31, 2017

+1 kontrol.

Not sure about the s49 but the s88 has touch strips instead of mod wheel/pitch bend. Cool in their own right but just a few days ago I found myself longing for the real deal.... Otherwise an all around excellent controller

 

I got the komplete kontrol mk2 a couple weeks ago. If you get it don't be disappointed the software isn't completely there yet. You should check the NI Forums in the komplete section you'll see the issues. NI said they are going to release an update november/december. If you use Ableton or logic pro it will probably be good enough for you for now. Hopefully they bring some really nice improvements by the end of the year.

 

I've owned a couple of M-Audio controllers and a sound card. All of them ended up turning to shit. I'll never get anything from them again. Period.

Currently, I'm using two Novation keyboards: An old X-Station (Which works both as an 8-voice monotimbral synth - Just like Novation V-Station but in physical form - and as a MIDI controller) and Impulse 61, which only works as a controller. The keys feel great to play in both of them (perhaps the X-Station's have a nicer touch). X-Station has a joystick for Pitchbend & Modulation, which I do not really care for. You have to keep it up when using the Modwheel Y axis, otherwise it returns to the Zero value position. Pitchbend is on the X axis. The X-Station also includes a two-axis touchpad which sends two MIDI CC's at the same time when you slide your finger on it. Nice feature. No drumpads on it. 9 sliders.

Impulse is a more modern controller keyboard. 8 drumpads, 9 sliders, 8 rotary controls. a pitchbend wheel and a modulation wheel. Works quite well.

Both keyboards feature channel aftertouch (not assignable in the X-Station, I'm afraid). You can assign it to a different MIDI CC in Impulse.

None of them are cheap, I'm afraid. I remember the X-Station was much more expensive (about €500, being a synth, a MIDI controller AND an Asio Audio Interface at the same time). The Novation Impulse was about €300.

Hope my advice will be of some use to you.

Regards.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLI-Seabo...523952&hash=item1a385e410b:g:dmAAAOSw2xRYdAKg

 

I owned a Nektar P6 for several years. Great build quality, the Nektar support team is awesome as well. Everything you've read about it thats good is true. However, I will say one thing that will contradict what others have said about it in the past. It does take a while to wrap your head around the workflow. I didn't find the navigation nearly as user friendly as some have said, but once you get used to it, its fine.

I haven't used the Komplete Kontrol keyboard, but I do have a Maschine MK3 which has a similar architecture and I find it a lot easier to navigate through. That may not mean much considering Ive been using Maschine for several years now, so take that with a grain of salt. Regardless, I think once you start using a display screen like the one on Maschine or the KK keyboard, its hard to go back to anything else. And if you plan on using NI software at any point in time, its a complete no-brainer.

 

Last edited: Oct 30, 2017

Its easy to navigate but only if you're using maschine software

 

I would go for komplete kontrol. I'm starting to see a growing number of NKS ready product, including non-kontakt 5 sampler based instruments. Should give more advantage over the others, like pre-mapped and ready to play. Nice.

 

Thanks guys for your responces and replay. I appreciate it.

 

Obviously its not the same, thats why I said it was similar. But youre right.

@Maduka The key take away here is based on what your end goal is. If need more custom control for both plugins and daw, Nektar is the better choice. The learning curve is a little bigger but worth it. If youre a heavy NI user, KK is the better choice in my opinion. It has better integration with NI software and like @Futurewine mentioned, NKS support is constantly being updated with many third party developers.

 

KK, there is no alternative

 

I was looking for a midi controller like you and I was looking at the kontrol also, but after asking around in here, I ended up getting the AkAI MPK-261 which I must admit is really quite good. I am not saying it's better or worse than the Kontrol but it does have may more pads, sliders and stuff. I do think that the Kontrol has a fatar keyboard bed which make the keyboard have a better feel, but in all honesty I like my mpk-261. Integrated with Reaper and Cubase really nicely.

 

Thanks guys for all the comments. I'm a Cubase and Ableton user. I was thinking to get something that integrates well this these DAW.

 

I had two , Novation before and now AKAI MPK61...Both with pitch issue and now I have to think about replacment. I like Komplete concept but the pitch and mod wheels are kind of same like on other controlers except s88. I'm afraid I will get in same trouble with other mechanic pitch wheels too.

 

Novation keyboards to be honest is nothing like the quality of the komplete controllers. I've had many midi keyboards and the mk2 is the best build quality i've ever used by far. Worst case scenario, there is one touch strip that is assignable on the mk2 like s88

 

Can you explain the pitch issue? I do not have that or I never experienced it.

 

hi Maduka,if you want something cheaper/newer and work with ableton have a look here :

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KeyLabEss61

If your main D.A.W is Cubase,you can't go wrong with any of the nektar controllers :

https://www.sweetwater.com/c513--MIDI_Controllers?params=eyJmYWNldCI6eyJCcmFuZCI6WyJOZWt0YXIiXX19

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PanoramaP1

komplete controllers are great with ableton & intergration with N.I plugins and others.Akai controllers have great built quality & pads

An old but good controller with a fatar keyboard is the novation sl 49/61 mk2 with good integration with D.A.W ' s but maybe wait a bit novation hasn't refreshed/upgraded this range for a long time :

http://global.novationmusic.com/keys/sl-mkii#

hope this info helps you

 

@Maduka Have you seen these?

 

What do you mean by sufferes from pitch bend and modulation wheel. I just bought an 88 key midi https://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Keystation-88-II-Controller/dp/B00IWTS58A anything that i should be worried about? Thanks