Akai LPK25 review
New review up on the site and I’m following on after the Akai LPD8 review by reviewing the Akai LPK25.
The Akai LPK25 is a nano midi keyboard with 25 velocity sensitive keys and a built arpeggiator. It’s also the main contender to Korg’s nanoKey which was, quite frankly, rubbish.
Click here to read the review.
Akai LPD8 review
I’ve just put up a review of Akai’s LPD8 nano midi controller. Certainly some competition for Korg’s nanopad but you lose some pads and gain some knobs. Interesting how these two will face up to each other. Same price by the way, well korg lowered their price to match the LPD8′d. Let the battke begin.
Novation 25 SL MKII
Well I’ve been quite quiet on here recently but the other day I got a chance to review Novations new 25 SL MKII midi controller, the update to the popular SL series controllers.
The update sees some features removed such as the second LED display but new features added such as LED rings around the knobs, touch sensitive knobs, buttons and faders plus improved drum pads. Theres loads of other little things that make this controller great so check out the review for the full picture.
Zander
So I just posted a review of Akai’s MPD32 midi controller/drum trigger.
Akai MPK25
I’ve just put a review of the Akai MPK25 midi controller. A feature packed midi controller indeed and boasts, among other features…
12 MPC drum pads
12 Q link Knob
4 assignable buttons
25 semi weighted keys
Transport controls
MPC swing setting
Take a look at the review to see if the MPK25 live up to the repretation of its manufactuer.
Zander
Novation Nocturn
Hello
I’ve just put up a review of Novation’s Nocturn midi controller. I’ve had one for about 6 months and i’ve been putting it through a vigerous work out both live and in the studio. It’s a great piece of kit, especially for controling Ableton Live, at a very good price so check out the review and see what you think.
Zander
Korg nanopad
I’ve just finished a review of Korgs nanopad. I’ve had one for about 6 months and there great pieces of kit and great value for money. Especially useful for live performance.
Enjoy
Zander
I’ve just finished a new review of DSK’s wicked mini drumz 2 plugin here . It includes a download. Very cool plugin.
DSK mini drumz 2
Zander
Korg nano controllers
Korg have released a series of nano controllers the nanoPAD, nanoKEY and nanoKONTROL. The controllers are designed to be small and compact for use in live performance.
Korg nanoPAD
The nanopad is a drum pad controller similar to an Akai MPD or korg padkontrol. it has 12 drum pads and an X Y touch pad. I must admit it looks like this could be very useful, especially the X Y pad for Ableton live.
Korg nanoKEY
The nanoKEY is a 25 note, velocity sensitive, 2 octave midi keyboard with mini, button like, keys. Not sure about this one although it could be useful in some situations but i would even attempt to play it.
Korg nanoKONTROL
The nanoKONTROL is a control surface with nine faders, nine knobs, 18 switches and a full transport section. this could be very useful for a lightweight control surface whether it’s for live work or in the studio.
All the nano series come with bundled software, with the nanoKEY you get korgs M1 LE synth, with the nanoPAD you get Toontrack’s EZDrummer Lite and with the nanoKONTROL you get a discount coupon for Ableton live LE software. All the nano series come with a parameter and midi CC editor/libary which would be useful for custom control setups.
Perhaps the most attractive thing about these products is the price, the nanoPAD retails at about £40 ($60), the nanoKEY about £35 ($55) and the nanoKONTROL £40 ($60). In comparison with other midi controllers on the market these are very cheap, which makes me worry about the quality but i’ll find out very soon as at £40 for a lightweight drum pad controller, i couldn’t resist and ordered one.
The nano series looks to be a promising product due to the size and weight of it making it ideal for live performance. The price is also very attractive but i’ll wait and see whether Korg have skipped out on the quality of the product. I’ll be reviewing the nanoPAD very soon and probably the nanoKONTROL too. In the meantime heres a video review of the nanoPAD.
Merry Christmas
Watkat screenshot
GSI’s Watkat is a free plugin which emulates the classic sound of the Watkins Wem copicat tape delay. This plugin is a must for serious delay and lo-fi haeds. Article includes free download of plugin.
