Topic by JerryKnight

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Topic: Korg NanoKontrol

So I just got a NanoKontrol for my birthday, and I'm in the process of setting up as many PT parameters as I can to the 9 sliders, 9 knobs, and 18 buttons (times four banks of settings).  I might need to pull out my label printer to keep track of all the settings.. or maybe print out a cheat sheet, since there are so many possible parameters to map.

http://korg.com/services/products/nanoseries/nanokontrolb.gif

I noticed that there are a lot of CC messages that for whatever reason, PT doesn't seem to respond to.  Thankfully, Korg's editor program lets you map each slider and button (in each of the four "scenes") to any CC message number.

So far I'm mapping parameters like volume, dynamics, lid position, hammer hardnesses, and the tuning parameters.  It's also very handy to have the play, stop, rewind, record buttons mapped to the built-in MIDI player.

I imagine it could be very useful for any kind of live performance. It's certainly great for demoing Pianoteq.  I mostly got it to easily configure everything without a lot of touchscreen tapping.  It's compact, about the width of a small laptop, and it connects via USB.

So far, a highly recommended accessory.  MSRP $60 (USD) but B&H has it for $45.

Be sure to save your midi mapping often!  I had to start over a couple times when I forgot to save.

Reply by sigasa

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

well handy piece of kit Jerry!

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Korg's Nano stuff is cool. But NanoKey is not really worth it. NanoPad, on the other hand... blimey!

Hard work and guts!

Reply by iaoranaemaeva

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

JerryKnight wrote:

I noticed that there are a lot of CC messages that for whatever reason, PT doesn't seem to respond to.  Thankfully, Korg's editor program lets you map each slider and button (in each of the four "scenes") to any CC message number.

You can do the same in Pianoteq too, Jerry! Each controllable parameter is assigned a CC that can be modified (then saved) through Options: MIDI, or the "MIDI Automation" learning feature (through right click on the fader)

This is interesting if you want to keep the same CC assignation for the same action in various VST programs. Otherwise, it can be more logical to map your NanoKontrol to each controlled VST, as long as 4 memorized "scenes" are enough for your needs.

I intend to buy a NanoKontrol soon (mandatory for VSTs that need real time controllers, e.g. drawbars in VB3 organ).

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Reply by JerryKnight

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Right, I know all about the MIDI learning feature - much faster than clicking through all the CC messages.  What I'm talking about is that some of the buttons and sliders on the NanoKontrol are sending CC messages that PianoTeq simply doesn't detect.  It doesn't show up in the MIDI message log window at all.  Like the first slider is CC#2 by default.  This works.  The fifth slider is CC#6 - PianoTeq completely ignores this one, so I had to set it to CC#7, and it works.  Then of course, it then runs into reserved CC messages like #64 for the pedal, etc.  It just takes trial and error to pick the right CC messages for the various sliders and buttons so that PianoTeq recognizes and reacts to them.

This only means that it's not 100% usable out of the box - there's some tweaking involved, but it's worth it.

Reply by iaoranaemaeva

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

JerryKnight wrote:

(..) some of the buttons and sliders on the NanoKontrol are sending CC messages that PianoTeq simply doesn't detect.

Yes, but this is normal: a MIDI instrument is never expected to recognize all MIDI messages! It must recognize CC that correspond to parameters that can be controlled from outside, preferably for parameters that match their function in MIDI specs.

The fifth slider is CC#6 - PianoTeq completely ignores this one, so I had to set it to CC#7, and it works.

Again, this is normal, since CC#6 is intended for Data Entry in the MIDI Spec, which Pianoteq has no use for. Conversely, CC#7 is Channel Volume in MIDI, so Pianoteq recognizes it for this function... precisely .

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Reply by JerryKnight

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

I'm not talking about Pianoteq recognizing all MIDI CC messages and responding according to their "standard" meaning.  I'm saying that it doesn't even see some messages going across the MIDI channels.  It should at least show CC#6, etc. in the log window, regardless of how it responds to it, should it not?

I could understand if the NanoKontrol messages were being routed through the piano, and the piano didn't pass all the messages through, but this is going straight into the computer, and Pianoteq is the only MIDI program running.

In the end, it really doesn't matter much because you can change the NanoKontrol to avoid such message numbers.

Last edited by JerryKnight (14-05-2010 15:14)

Reply by iaoranaemaeva

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

JerryKnight wrote:

I'm not talking about Pianoteq recognizing all MIDI CC messages and responding according to their "standard" meaning.  I'm saying that it doesn't even see some messages going across the MIDI channels.  It should at least show CC#6, etc. in the log window, regardless of how it responds to it, should it not?

No Jerry, because relevant messages would be buried into a lot of real time messages etc. Pianoteq chose to filter and show only CC messages they expect.

Please note that showing entering MIDI messages is a "plus" most VST's and other MIDI software do not offer

If you want to see all (or filtered according to your convenience) MIDI messages that go through your computer, you can use a MIDI monitor, e.g. MIDI-OX

In the end, it really doesn't matter much because you can change the NanoKontrol to avoid such message numbers.

Absolutely! Have happy CC's Jerry

Last edited by iaoranaemaeva (14-05-2010 19:32)

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Reply by musicjohn

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

I have purchased a Korg Nanokontrol as well.

When I set up the MMC to the Play, stop, record part of the Pianoteq midi player/recorder, it works fine.

But when I reload pianoteq, it doesn't work -  I have to click to a different midi map then back to my saved midi map -  then it works.

I have tried making this default - but......

Anyone got any ideas?

Reply by Michael H

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

musicjohn,

If you've got the demo version of Pianoteq and it's working fine with the Nano, but after 20 minutes when you have to restart Pianoteq it doesn't work, the Nano is possibly still looking for the first instance of PTeq, and it needs to resend the midi map to the restarted PTeq.

If that's not your particular situation, then I have no idea what's up.

Michael

Reply by musicjohn

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Hi Michael H
and thanks for your reply.

I think I've sorted it.  It seems to work anyway.

When I set the transport buttons on the Korg Nanokontrol to operate the midi recorder/player, I have to unattach the midi map from the preset - save a different midi map - attach it to the preset - click it as the default.

That seems to work and rembers everything when I restart Pianoteq.  This is great because when I get an idea for a tune, I have real world transport controls to record it.

I have two Nanokontrols which I also use with VB3 (the best virtual Hammond organ) for upper and lower drawbars.  I've ordered some humbrol plastic kit paints white black and brown so that I can colour my drawbars.  (how sad is that).

I bought Pianoteq because I wanted a Rhodes piano and for me (being an ex Rhodes owner) this is just as good (as the one I owned anyway).  I also enjoy the historic keyboards very much.

Regards

John Hancock UK

Reply by Jake Johnson

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Which historic instruments are you using? (The Erard is one of my favorite pianos.)

Reply by musicjohn

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Yes I like the Erard.

I use that one - The Schantz - which is quite harpsichord like except that you can control the dynamics with touch.  so I prefer to play Bach - Handel etc on that and not the Harpsichord (which I first thought I would).

A favourite of mine that I keep coming back to is the Graf.

Most of these historic pianos have too much much ambience on them which I have changed.  Off with the reverb and closer miking.

Reply by Michael H

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

musicjohn wrote:

I have two Nanokontrols which I also use with VB3 (the best virtual Hammond organ) for upper and lower drawbars.  I've ordered some humbrol plastic kit paints white black and brown so that I can colour my drawbars.  (how sad is that).

Very sad indeed, John   Sitting in my living room is an old Leslie 145 tone cabinet that will be getting restored one of these days. Hammond fanatics unite!

And congrats on working that out with the Nanokontrol.

Regards,
Michael

Reply by musicjohn

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Leslie 145?  I think that may have been the one I had when I went professional in my teens (a long time ago).

My leslie had a wooden rotating baffle (not the newer polystyrene) and it didn't have horns.  Because the baffle was heavy, it used to take a bit of time to spin up to speed.

I had an M100 factory split Hammond.  I don't do gigs now (I teach Piano) but if I did, I wouldn't like to lug that set-up around.

John

Reply by Michael H

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

musicjohn wrote:

Leslie 145?  I think that may have been the one I had when I went professional in my teens (a long time ago).

My leslie had a wooden rotating baffle (not the newer polystyrene) and it didn't have horns.  Because the baffle was heavy, it used to take a bit of time to spin up to speed.

I had an M100 factory split Hammond.  I don't do gigs now (I teach Piano) but if I did, I wouldn't like to lug that set-up around.

John

John,

The Leslie 145 has an upper horn too, so it's probably even heavier than the model you had. It has a wooden baffle like yours also. It's pretty unrealistic for me to think about moving it around, but we'll see...

I had an M100 too at one point, a very nice organ. 'Way back when', we used to move a Hammond CV (full 25 pedal console organ). Nowadays, my back would go on strike if I attempted such a thing. Besides which I'm more of a pianist these days and I love it. Although there's nothing in the world like playing a real tone wheel Hammond with a Leslie.

Michael

Reply by musicjohn

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Re: Korg NanoKontrol

Hmmmmmnnnn.

Maybe it did have horns.  It is a long time ago.  Maybe it was a different model. 

I also am a pianist thru and thru.  I always wanted to have a play on a Hammond again but knew that it would be a once in a while thing so the expense wasn't worth it.  But now have it.  I'm in the process of painting my Korg slider knobs into the black - brown and whites colours.

I'll post a pic when done.