I don't think...I not look for a full review but colour coding you have on the MP since first release....and don't forget you have the plug on your touchscreen and you can also control it with your finger ....

 

And for anyone complaining about the wrapper...yes I don't like wrapped Plugs either not..but it this one is really good...look for the video about the favourite plugins Page...it's so nice to load your plugs from this page with a touch of a finger you don't have to scroll through big lists or to tag everything now like in Live 12

I don't think that for the moment no Controller comes near this MP

 

Agreed. You are ignoring that the MP MIDI has a touch screen, which has touch and drag functionality, so can be used for faders (can have a whole bank on the screen not just the one), and can also use it to do things like patch cables in VCV, Rack, and Modular if you play with modular synths plugins, meaning able to play with modular stuff without needing to interact with the mouse as much.

 

I saw that. I think it was released in their April software update.

But doesn't Nektar use their Nektarine wrapper for the more itnergrated stuff too? And they generally don't have particularly deep intergration with some DAWs, including some major ones like ABleton.

 

You can even change Preset Patches from Synths on the touchscreen....as I told yes expensive for A touchscreen with knobs but I don't regret my buy cause I gave me the HW feeling from the past and I learn also how good the plug's sounds with own programming

 

Just to look... what controller can do this? Touch on the screen the plug is loaded

 

My opinion is that the Nektar controllers vs the MP, although they have some overlap, they differ in many ways.

Primarily one needs to think/decide what is the motivation behind buying a controller, what is the value expected to get out of it and ask how will it change my workflow.

The MP was designed to offer an in-depth control level on plugins, as much as physically possible, using physical encoders, mouse and touch screen. It bundles all up on the same area and makes it really comfortable and easy to work with a plugin, to a degree much like having the plugin “as” a dedicated hardware unit in front of you.

A major difference analog hardware vs software (audio FX and synths) is that with hardware, every additional feature has to be well thought/designed before adding it. There are technical challenges (thinking about how a feature affects critical and non-critical functions) that need to be addressed and features cost money in parts etc. With software plugins adding one more oscillator, another set of envelops, a complex mod matrix is just a matter of adding code (not saying that is easy, but you see the difference). If things don’t work out, code can be changed and so forth. This advantage in software plugins enables the makers to create complex plugins with a plethora of options, otherwise not possible (or insanely more expensive) with hardware.

Take for example U-He Zebra or Diva. On Diva with a click you change the oscillators set or the filter set. You get the drill. Both of these synths have hundred of parameters to be controlled. And the fact is that most plugins have many, perhaps hundreds of, parameters, probably for the reasons I described above. Oversampling, input/output, envelops, oscillators, filters and what not.

With this in mind, if the goal is the ability to work in depth with plugins and have the ability to experiment faster then the MP is hands down, the choice. How do we get to the desired sound when using a plugin? By experimenting with values. It’s kind of an alchemy if you think about it.

If the goal is to just be able to change a few parameters and record automation then there are many controllers out there that can do that. The Nektar controllers have other features as well for DAW control, a fader on the CS12.

One other advantage of the MP is that is allows all the linking/mapping to parameters to be done on the spot without the need to use another software. You don’t like where parameters are linked, no problem, just unlink and link it somewhere else.

In terms of hardware comparison, the MP has a high-quality touch screen, it is made of metal and hence the more expensive value. However, the touchscreen is an additional monitor and can be used for anything, which is nice because you can have a DAW window there, mixer etc.

Another cool aspect of the MP is that it is kind of an open hardware system or a platform. This means that the MIDI controller and touchscreen can be used by any software. Perhaps another company would create software that offers other functionality.

The MP does not only work with the MP Host plugin, they have already launched control surfaces for Ableton 11/12 and Cubase 12/13 using their API much like the CS12 controls Logic. See

and

I saw some YT posts that Bitwig and Logic are next.

They also released a new software that makes the MP a configurable MIDI controller to send/receive CC

In regards to wrappers or host plugins. I think Novation’s automap has left a bitter taste for anyone that has worked with that system, but that was different and lot of time ago. It was wrapping/creating new plugins.

If the host plugin works well and it is transparent then there is no problem. BC Patchwork is an all time favorite that has served me well for more than 10 years and still use it to load up chains of effects I created over the years. DDMF is also a solid host plugin that has been around for ages that many sound designers use. With the MP you can work without having the controller connected and hide the wrapper window so you can work on a laptop on the go and then when back in the studio just connect it.

 

So, I just did a thing and then 24 hours later had a knock on the door...

 

I got model 2a for sale if anyone's interested. Based in UK, Manchester.

 

Hi lumcia, I sent you a private message about your MP Midi 2A.

 

It's not a new idea: attempts to sell controllers like this have already been made for years. I believe the biggest issue is the speed with which plugins progress: it often happens that limitations of the hardware do not allow it to support new software updates, in the end you’ll have a hardware that is only useful as a doorstop (been there, done that) .
The idea of the physical controller on the plugins is inviting, but I wouldn't invest my money on it: too risky. Of course, there are dedicated controllers built by the same company who develops the plugin (Softube, SSL), but I don't trust those either: I'm sure that within a few years they will become obsolete and customers will be forced to buy the new model.
If you really need tactile control then, in my opinion, a Raven is better:



https://raven.stevenslateaudio.com/

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jun 21, 2024

@LinoBanfi, what I like about the MP is physical knobs. The combination of a touch screen and physical knobs is what makes it a unique controller, almost a perfect one for my needs.

 

I don’t have the Model 2A myself, but I’ve been eyeing it too. From what I’ve read, the 32 dials and 512 parameters are a huge upgrade, especially for electronic music production. I’ve heard great things from people who use it for techno and tech house. If you’re looking for something to give you more hands-on control, it seems like a solid choice!

 

I have a 2A and really like it. I made a YT review here (I had covid when I recorded, this, so it's not my most charismatic).

They've recently had another software upgrade, which is described in some of their YT posts. The company is great. I wish they had a user forum, which is actually how I ended up here, creating an account just to post this. Very unique little piece of gear. Expensive yes. But the ol' monkey brain likes the turny-knobs.

@Bunford - nice packaging right?