I knew we were about to get down to some serious business when you busted out a "conglomerate video" in your sentence: at .30 ! This was very helpful John. Thank you for the video. even 2 years later the information and things you need out of the control surface helped this noob.
I use Korg Nano Kontrol Studio for the DAW controls & live instr/mic tracking, and then I use the Midi Mix to control the Vst and Vsti plugins. It's the most efficient and compact setup ever. 👏
For worlde and pyle they were probably made at the same exact place at the same time and just had different names put on them for who paid for that unit. That's like you can go to the Dollar tree and get the same socks that JoS. A. Bank sales for a lot more. (I know the place that makes the socks that go to both places so that's why it's my reference.)
One thing about the Behringer ,worthy of note. Is that the knobs are endless with led indicator for position. So it receives data from your daw concerning knob position. Like motorized faders. But yes it sucks that they’re knobs, And they have a really long throw ta boot.
@@HeavyListeningMusic there are a myriad of others reasons to use motorized faders. This vs. that, between devices that work well for a multitude of different and similar applications. All youve explained, is that you only know how to use motorized faders for one application and fingers in ears la la la la to the possibilities of others.
I thought about buying both the Korg NanoKontrol2 & AKAI MIDI Mix. Korg NanoKontrol2 for main controls blended with AKAI MIDI Mix for my track EQ tweaking.
I went for the KORG nanoKONTROL2 a year ago and used it with a custom button map on Voicemeeter Potato ever since. It comes with great drivers and software - especially for the price. Next step would be a controller with motorized faders. Dunno if i would actually go that route though.
I bought Akai Midimix to work with Ableton Live. After some reading it was all working fine except one detail that is actually one major issue: the [SOLO] button, which is intented to work shifting the [MUTE] buttons to [SOLO] buttons, plays a D#0 on the keyboard of the armed track... So, yeah, we musicians spend hours practing to get milimetric precision to express ourselves playing the right notes, but, hey! with Akai Midimix you play a note that you don't wanna play by pressing a button that shouldn't send that command. And when you go to the product page on the manufacturer website, guess what... there are no softwares or drivers to download. So there's nothing that AKAI does to provide a solution to that.
Do any of these have motorized faders? The X-Touch Mini and nanoKontrol2 both looks great! Although motorized faders would be dealbreakers here. Thankful for replies.
Nice video ! I was about to get the midimix and checked to see reviews on youtube....really glad I clicked on your video because I will def pay a little bit more for the Nanokontrol studio. I didn't knew it had bluetooth connection and I really think it's a good idea (saving one usb port when you have a shitload of stuff in several (if not all) ports is a godsend)
Midimix for the win! Hard to beat $110.00 new for a controller with 24 knobs and 9 sliders and 16+ buttons. Oh, and you can find a printable overlay to make custom overlays! :)
i cant get it to work properly with fl studio. how can i do it? how can i get a normal script or how should i do it? the mapping is too much if i do it all the time for everything. i want to have something that works with whats in front. if in front i have the mixer then it should control the mixer. if i open flex, it should controll flex. how do i to that?
I had KORG nanoKontrol Studio. I love the idea of being wireless on a controller but it didnt work out for me. It works fine for apple users, but when you on windows korg gets in to allot of conflicts in bluetooth mode. I hopew this will improve in the future. For now its not good enough. I have X-touch mini. I kinda like it, but I am too dumb to program that thing. I dont like the usb cable that comes with it and that usb port. Its old port, and the cable is so chunky it feels like something thats going to break.
You ever play with the maschine Jam? They need to release the mixer on it. The led light to show you the volume on there and the touch pad makes it cheap with no motorized faders but its always in the correct position.
They should definitely update the Icon I-Controls with motorised mini-faders :) If they do that, they may even keep it as thick and keep the price at $75, I don't care :)
Nice breakdown, I have the Akai but I’ve been thinking about getting the NanoKontrol Studio as my main mixer controller and using the Akai as my organ drawbars/synth knobs, have you tried anything like this?
Hi i m trying to understand if i can utilize and set someone in some I pad pro’s DAW like GarageBand iOS or others. For example Akai midimix will work with ipad pro GarageBand iOS or some other DAW for iPad Pro ?thnx, bless
Hmm...Ipad Pro Garage Band with Nanokontrol2 or X Touch - which one do you recommend? I read somewhere to assign the transport buttons with the Nano2 is a pain in the ass just like the usb recognition. Did you experience any issues?
Thanks for the video ... I didn’t find a good contrôleur for Alchemy and Logic Pro X live loops to obtain a good work flow ... can you give me a advice thanks
i cant get it to work properly with fl studio. how can i do it? how can i get a normal script or how should i do it? the mapping is too much if i do it all the time for everything. i want to have something that works with whats in front. if in front i have the mixer then it should control the mixer. if i open flex, it should controll flex. how do i to that?
Excellent video John Mike thanks! :D really useful info. I already got the behringer, but I'm working to get the roland studio one, seems great specially for synths.
Hi john, just found your video, helping a lot, thanks so much. I would like to ask question, which controller that has unlimited knobs rotation? Such as if you turn left or right it won't stuck. Thanks john.
I'm looking at options to have a set of faders I can use while mixing so I can mix several tracks at the same time instead of using the mouse in my DAW, but I feel like having motorized faders is important to me. Is there anything within this price range that can set fader positions to emulate the position in the DAW when I select a track?
I've been looking for a solution to this exact problem all day, it seems like motorized faders drastically affect the size and therefore the price of the mixer. Meaning that the motorized faders are definitely a luxury for home mixing. I'm honestly debating just buying an iPad instead so I can use the iOS Logic Remote mixing surface and not worry about the faders being out of position when I open a project. The only other option is to just save until I have a thousand dollars to drop on a Presonus or Mackie Control Surface lmao.
Hi John, I have a question. I understand you use one of these controllers as help to adjust the panning and volume controls in the mixer section of your DAW, but what happens when you open other projects in your DAW? I guess you can't use it on more than one project at the same time because all of them require different mixing settings :/
guys I need help. I'm really tired to print automations with the mouse and I'm looking for a fader controller. I'm in a small room and I don't have a lot of space. I've seen scheps uses the fader port. but I would like to use it also as controller for volume/esperssion/vibrato with the sample libraries. I'm on a MacBook pro i5 with 16gb , I use logic pro. please help
Hi, thanks for the good review. I have Arturia Keylab 88 and Roland Integra-7 as standalone sound module (so no need to use laptop for vst). I need to play all channel simultaneously so I can do layering and adjust the volume with fader. For example, when I need piano+strings+pad, I can just turn up the ch1, 2, and 3 volume. If I need synth lead, then I can turn up ch 4, 5, 6. The problem is my key controller can only send MIDI message to one channel at a time, so I am only able to choose one active MIDI channel. Do you have any suggestions? I hope there is MIDI control surface that can convert/send a single MIDI message to all/omni mode. Thanks!
Pyle / Worlde - I think they're the same company. A lot of different names use Worlde's designs, but I think those two companies are owned by the same corporation now. Kinda like Akai / Behringer / M-Audio.
Ive never invested in one of these cause i have faders on my controller, but lately ive been wanting one as add on, but main reason i wud want one is more preciseness in fader movement translating to daw, n i wud think in that department out of all these brands the icon has to be best, i mean they are def most hi end brand out of them all, and i wasnt aware they had a mini version that cheap, have you tried it at all since this vid? Any feedback on the response/fine tuning in daw with the faders?
Nvmnd just saw ur solo vid about it lol i subd too good channel👍 im def buying one just from watching u move those faders i see its exactly what i need, you shud give it a shot controlling actual mixer in daw i bet its leaps better then faders on the cheaper ones, thats what the tiny buttons n knobs are about too icon makes like premium controller boards in big stuff and i feel like the extra space is to give your hand room to live on that fader when doing precise adjustments, just sayin, but regardless thank you i didnt even know they made this or anything at this low a pricepoint lol n its exactly what i been looking for as little add on...looking for one online now🙏
No, not with these cheap controllers. (I have the Worlde one myself). They are just dumb boxes with lots of buttons and dials that send out MIDI signals. Something that actually has motorized faders and communicates with your DAW is a whole other level of complexity and expense.
Hi, im trying to use my nanoKontrol2 in CC mode and trying to get different banks or changing midi channel without needing the editor, just straight from the hardware. Do you know if this is possible? Thanks
Hey, could you please tell me a midi controller ("Control Surface"? this type without keys) up to $ 150, which would include a drum pad and knobs? (alternatively faders). Currently I have a Nektar Impact GX61 controller, I would like to buy an additional controller for drums and parameter automation.
@@Johnmike Bought this about 6 months ago, usb port "dropped out" from PCB... Pads had different sensitivity, they are hard to activate. I heard that akai218 is okay, only it is a lottery. You can got better or worse product (in terms of pad sensitivity)
Links To Products mentioned in this video:
Zzounds:
Midimix: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--AKAMIDIMIX?siid=180014
Korg NanoKontrol: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--KORNANOKON2?siid=103792
NanoKontrol Studio: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--KORNANOKONST?siid=183503
Sweetwater:
Korg NanoKontrol: imp.i114863.net/x97r0A
Akai Midimix: imp.i114863.net/a10rRW
Behringer X-Touch Mini: imp.i114863.net/P0PR2X
Amazon:
Icon iControls: amzn.to/2ErT0aD
Korg NanoKontrol: amzn.to/2Eql0LL
Akai Midimix: amzn.to/2Nqk3pR
Nanokontrol Studio: amzn.to/2EdTaku
Behringer X-Touch Mini: amzn.to/2U2tEpn
You literally started right at the list, no preamble, no plugs, not even an intro explaining the video. 10/10. Immediately liked and subbed.
I knew we were about to get down to some serious business when you busted out a "conglomerate video" in your sentence: at .30 ! This was very helpful John. Thank you for the video. even 2 years later the information and things you need out of the control surface helped this noob.
I have been looking all over the internet for a review like this.
I use Korg Nano Kontrol Studio for the DAW controls & live instr/mic tracking, and then I use the Midi Mix to control the Vst and Vsti plugins. It's the most efficient and compact setup ever. 👏
For worlde and pyle they were probably made at the same exact place at the same time and just had different names put on them for who paid for that unit. That's like you can go to the Dollar tree and get the same socks that JoS. A. Bank sales for a lot more. (I know the place that makes the socks that go to both places so that's why it's my reference.)
Pyle and Worldwide are not copies, they are identical products packaged under different names by the manufacturer. Standard practice.
One thing about the Behringer ,worthy of note.
Is that the knobs are endless with led indicator for position.
So it receives data from your daw concerning knob position.
Like motorized faders.
But yes it sucks that they’re knobs,
And they have a really long throw ta boot.
Endless encoders are better than motorized faders for anything except mixing.
@@HeavyListeningMusic there are a myriad of others reasons to use motorized faders.
This vs. that,
between devices that work well for a multitude of different and similar applications.
All youve explained, is that
you only know how to use motorized faders for one application and fingers in ears la la la la to the possibilities of others.
Behringer's encoder lights have two-way operation, so it's pretty much like motorized "faders". I just bought it and it was a big surprize.
I thought about buying both the Korg NanoKontrol2 & AKAI MIDI Mix. Korg NanoKontrol2 for main controls blended with AKAI MIDI Mix for my track EQ tweaking.
I picked up an oldschool BCF2000 a month ago and have made over a dozen live ambient tracks with it. love. love. love.
The World & Pyle are most likely made by the same manufacturer & both World and Pyle buy from them with a license agreement ...
I went for the KORG nanoKONTROL2 a year ago and used it with a custom button map on Voicemeeter Potato ever since. It comes with great drivers and software - especially for the price. Next step would be a controller with motorized faders. Dunno if i would actually go that route though.
I bought Akai Midimix to work with Ableton Live. After some reading it was all working fine except one detail that is actually one major issue: the [SOLO] button, which is intented to work shifting the [MUTE] buttons to [SOLO] buttons, plays a D#0 on the keyboard of the armed track... So, yeah, we musicians spend hours practing to get milimetric precision to express ourselves playing the right notes, but, hey! with Akai Midimix you play a note that you don't wanna play by pressing a button that shouldn't send that command.
And when you go to the product page on the manufacturer website, guess what... there are no softwares or drivers to download. So there's nothing that AKAI does to provide a solution to that.
Hi 👋🏾 JM
How did you map the NK Studio Jog Wheel to the DAW Scroll line .
Thx in advance
I wish one of those could connect to Nintendo Switch for the Korg Gadget...
Do any of these have motorized faders? The X-Touch Mini and nanoKontrol2 both looks great! Although motorized faders would be dealbreakers here. Thankful for replies.
None of these do
Straight to the point, came out swinging, the way review videos should be.
Hi all,
How would you use one of these if you have like 20 channels to mix?
Is there a way to 'bank' forward and back?
Thank you,
Boogie
Nice video ! I was about to get the midimix and checked to see reviews on youtube....really glad I clicked on your video because I will def pay a little bit more for the Nanokontrol studio. I didn't knew it had bluetooth connection and I really think it's a good idea (saving one usb port when you have a shitload of stuff in several (if not all) ports is a godsend)
Midimix for the win! Hard to beat $110.00 new for a controller with 24 knobs and 9 sliders and 16+ buttons. Oh, and you can find a printable overlay to make custom overlays! :)
i cant get it to work properly with fl studio. how can i do it? how can i get a normal script or how should i do it? the mapping is too much if i do it all the time for everything. i want to have something that works with whats in front. if in front i have the mixer then it should control the mixer. if i open flex, it should controll flex. how do i to that?
This clip is so good, thanks john, Im just thinking to get a fader midi controller to make my mixing life easier!
I had KORG nanoKontrol Studio. I love the idea of being wireless on a controller but it didnt work out for me. It works fine for apple users, but when you on windows korg gets in to allot of conflicts in bluetooth mode. I hopew this will improve in the future. For now its not good enough. I have X-touch mini. I kinda like it, but I am too dumb to program that thing. I dont like the usb cable that comes with it and that usb port. Its old port, and the cable is so chunky it feels like something thats going to break.
You ever play with the maschine Jam? They need to release the mixer on it. The led light to show you the volume on there and the touch pad makes it cheap with no motorized faders but its always in the correct position.
They should definitely update the Icon I-Controls with motorised mini-faders :) If they do that, they may even keep it as thick and keep the price at $75, I don't care :)
Hi, thanks for the video. Please, Worlde Easycontrol 9 works with iPad by CCK? It does not need driver installation, so I think it should work.
Yes it will work with an iPad
Thanks! 🙂
IMO korg for the price is ok , but the only worth for the price is the akai
The Icons really old but you STILL managed to resist peeling off that scratch-protector plastic sheet stuck all over the front? How? :-)
Because I knew I was gonna send that old thing back lol
Super helpful, thank you! You are definitely the go to midi boss.
Hello Mr. Mike. Are you willing to sell your Icon Controller, the first one in this video that you won't recommend? (If you still have it of course.)
Which one should i get ? My budget 200 to 250 and i need fl plug and play and instant working with waves plugins or cla. Thanks
MIDIMIX is awesome - tons of knobs and switches, slider and a master slider. It was the perfect candidate to control some features of my Souncraft UI.
Nice breakdown, I have the Akai but I’ve been thinking about getting the NanoKontrol Studio as my main mixer controller and using the Akai as my organ drawbars/synth knobs, have you tried anything like this?
Hi i m trying to understand if i can utilize and set someone in some I pad pro’s DAW like GarageBand iOS or others. For example Akai midimix will work with ipad pro GarageBand iOS or some other DAW for iPad Pro ?thnx, bless
Can any of those be EXTENDED? that last one is pretty slick
Hmm...Ipad Pro Garage Band with Nanokontrol2 or X Touch - which one do you recommend? I read somewhere to assign the transport buttons with the Nano2 is a pain in the ass just like the usb recognition. Did you experience any issues?
Wow. So no any latency via Bluetooth in nano studio?
My Worlde controller just crapped out on me after a year or so. Stopped the ability to power on.
have the "Worlde/Pyle easy Control" endless rotary encoder?
Thanks for the video ... I didn’t find a good contrôleur for Alchemy and Logic Pro X live loops to obtain a good work flow ... can you give me a advice thanks
i cant get it to work properly with fl studio. how can i do it? how can i get a normal script or how should i do it? the mapping is too much if i do it all the time for everything. i want to have something that works with whats in front. if in front i have the mixer then it should control the mixer. if i open flex, it should controll flex. how do i to that?
Have you tried using the Studiologic SL Mixface? Just ordered an SL88 Grand and I'm considering the mixface to control my articulations
Excellent video John Mike thanks! :D really useful info. I already got the behringer, but I'm working to get the roland studio one, seems great specially for synths.
Thanks for the reviews!!!!
Question.....can you use multiple Nano's for studio mixing??
Yes you could
SICK!!!! Thx 🤙🏽
I used to like faders over knobs but tbh if the faders have no motor I wld rather the endless encoder knobs...
Great video! I have the nanoKONTROL 2 but want a new one that is comparable in price. Thanks a lot!
will the ones with faders control roland fa06 organ draw bars
Hi john, just found your video, helping a lot, thanks so much. I would like to ask question, which controller that has unlimited knobs rotation? Such as if you turn left or right it won't stuck. Thanks john.
The only one of these that has that is the Behringer
@@Johnmike copy that, thanks a lot john
Are those gonna work on modules and keyboards or only for Ipad?
on the Worlde you can't assign the cross fader
Just what I was looking for. Thanks bro.
I'm looking at options to have a set of faders I can use while mixing so I can mix several tracks at the same time instead of using the mouse in my DAW, but I feel like having motorized faders is important to me. Is there anything within this price range that can set fader positions to emulate the position in the DAW when I select a track?
I've been looking for a solution to this exact problem all day, it seems like motorized faders drastically affect the size and therefore the price of the mixer. Meaning that the motorized faders are definitely a luxury for home mixing. I'm honestly debating just buying an iPad instead so I can use the iOS Logic Remote mixing surface and not worry about the faders being out of position when I open a project.
The only other option is to just save until I have a thousand dollars to drop on a Presonus or Mackie Control Surface lmao.
No sadly not at this price range...the cheapest controller with motorized faders I’ve seen is around $500
how about their bit-rates of faders & pots? how about their capabilities to map via NRPN or MIDI to control hardware gear (instread of DAW)?
Don’t know enough about that to comment
Great video - Thanks.
Hi John, I have a question. I understand you use one of these controllers as help to adjust the panning and volume controls in the mixer section of your DAW, but what happens when you open other projects in your DAW? I guess you can't use it on more than one project at the same time because all of them require different mixing settings :/
Right...it will only control what session that’s right on the front
guys I need help. I'm really tired to print automations with the mouse and I'm looking for a fader controller. I'm in a small room and I don't have a lot of space. I've seen scheps uses the fader port. but I would like to use it also as controller for volume/esperssion/vibrato with the sample libraries. I'm on a MacBook pro i5 with 16gb , I use logic pro. please help
Which controller would you recommend that is suitable for recording/producing w/Cubase as a portable setup (working while on tour)?
Bless you too, Kind Sir. Thanks for the vid!
New sub. Another commentor got it just right. Jumpin right in no bs is the way to go
Just ordered the Korg NanoKontrol off your link. Good video and to the point.
Thanks!!
Why you don´t recommend reaper?
Hi, thanks for the good review. I have Arturia Keylab 88 and Roland Integra-7 as standalone sound module (so no need to use laptop for vst). I need to play all channel simultaneously so I can do layering and adjust the volume with fader. For example, when I need piano+strings+pad, I can just turn up the ch1, 2, and 3 volume. If I need synth lead, then I can turn up ch 4, 5, 6. The problem is my key controller can only send MIDI message to one channel at a time, so I am only able to choose one active MIDI channel.
Do you have any suggestions? I hope there is MIDI control surface that can convert/send a single MIDI message to all/omni mode. Thanks!
Pyle / Worlde - I think they're the same company. A lot of different names use Worlde's designs, but I think those two companies are owned by the same corporation now. Kinda like Akai / Behringer / M-Audio.
Good stuff man! 🙏🔥
Helped me a lot, defo going to buy
I am looking for something to control instruments in Garageband. Do you know if the Behringer X Touch Mini works (or any others?)
Yes the x touch should work fine in GarageBand
@@Johnmike I tried it and it didnt do/control anything useful in Garageband :( I might update to Logic though...
Thanks for the helpful review!
Nice video mate! Thanks
Ive never invested in one of these cause i have faders on my controller, but lately ive been wanting one as add on, but main reason i wud want one is more preciseness in fader movement translating to daw, n i wud think in that department out of all these brands the icon has to be best, i mean they are def most hi end brand out of them all, and i wasnt aware they had a mini version that cheap, have you tried it at all since this vid? Any feedback on the response/fine tuning in daw with the faders?
Nvmnd just saw ur solo vid about it lol i subd too good channel👍 im def buying one just from watching u move those faders i see its exactly what i need, you shud give it a shot controlling actual mixer in daw i bet its leaps better then faders on the cheaper ones, thats what the tiny buttons n knobs are about too icon makes like premium controller boards in big stuff and i feel like the extra space is to give your hand room to live on that fader when doing precise adjustments, just sayin, but regardless thank you i didnt even know they made this or anything at this low a pricepoint lol n its exactly what i been looking for as little add on...looking for one online now🙏
Actually just found the “icontrols pro” which was bigger version with motorized faders for $125🙌
super great video. thank you SIR! I am gonna check out those Korg ones
Very helpful!!! Thank you.
Great review and helped make my mind up respect
How can you claim its dated by how it feels in your hand.. You didnt even explain what you meant by old. Anyways.. I watched the video! Thanks
I thought everything negative he presented sounded like something you would want? Thick, Weight to it, simple controls. Yes, yes and yes
Lol
Heh
I need a vid on how to get these setup with a program on voicemeeter and to see witch one is best lol it’ll be dope
Nice review!
i like the reloop KeyPad
I didn't realize the nano studio was wireless!
I love my NanoControll!
If you open a session will the faders set/ adjust to match the faders in the daw?
No, not with these cheap controllers. (I have the Worlde one myself). They are just dumb boxes with lots of buttons and dials that send out MIDI signals. Something that actually has motorized faders and communicates with your DAW is a whole other level of complexity and expense.
Thank you!
Nothing for Novation?
Great overview.
Hi, im trying to use my nanoKontrol2 in CC mode and trying to get different banks or changing midi channel without needing the editor, just straight from the hardware. Do you know if this is possible? Thanks
No you have to use the editor to do that..no way around it
Yo sell me your icon icontrols! :D
I can't find one anywhere...
Its a shame they jacked the NanoKontol Studio price up. It was a good buy under $150 but with the price jump it is competing with other devices.
thaaaaaaaaaaank youuuuuuuuuu this is what i call a
comparison niice
Next time plz start from best to least desired and plz mention the prices for your review style. Thanks 👍
Thanks for the info verry usefull
thanks for the detailed review! Subbing now!
Dope!
Hey, could you please tell me a midi controller ("Control Surface"? this type without keys) up to $ 150, which would include a drum pad and knobs? (alternatively faders).
Currently I have a Nektar Impact GX61 controller, I would like to buy an additional controller for drums and parameter automation.
Akai LPD 8
@@Johnmike Bought this about 6 months ago, usb port "dropped out" from PCB...
Pads had different sensitivity, they are hard to activate.
I heard that akai218 is okay, only it is a lottery. You can got better or worse product (in terms of pad sensitivity)
Thank you sr.
Are there any midi control surfaces in this price range that have a mod wheel or joystick that would work for pitch bending? Thanks!
No not that I’ve found
@@Johnmike Bummer. Thanks for the quick reply!
" Amen ! "
These work for FL Studio ?
Not sure which all do and which all dont
John Mike Thank you
Thank you
Theez are bad boys! Bad boys, bad boys what yo gonna do when they come fo' you!
can't buy most of theses anymore. your links dont work
Only a few...most are still available...I just checked the links...
I have never found any of those useful, they all feel flimsy and they just don’t work well.
prices all went up by $10-$20 if you can even find it...
how do you send more loop?