Topic by kalessin

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  • kalessin
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  • Registered: 06-12-2013
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Topic: Recommendation: Korg nanoKONTROL2

Hi folks,

I just wanted to mention that I have been using the Korg nanoKONTROL2 together with Pianoteq for quite some time now, and I think I can recommend the device.

The nanoKONTROL2 is part of a series of very small MIDI controllers. The other two models essentially are a ultra-small keyboard and a pad controller for easier input (e.g. when composing). The nanoKONTROL2 itself is technically a DAW control surface, but it can be freely programmed.

For use with Pianoteq, the most interesting feature is that all buttons, sliders and knobs are able to send continuous controller (CC) messages. The buttons can be set to 'toggle mode', in which they send a single CC event every time they are pushed. The nice thing is that almost any function in Pianoteq can be configured to listen to CC events. You can e.g. assign a slider on the nanoKONTROL2 to the volume, or the 'condition' value. You can of course switch presets using the buttons, and you can control the recording and metronome functions of Pianoteq.

All in all, I've grown quite fond of the little gadget, although it took some tinkering to program it in a way that really every knob, button and slider was recognisable by Pianoteq. It's useful and not too expensive (about 50 bucks, IIRC).

Pianoteq 6 Standard (Steinway D&B, Grotrian, Petrof, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, K2, YC5, U4, Kremsegg 1&2, Karsten, Electric, Hohner)

Reply by thono2007

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  • Registered: 17-06-2014
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Re: Recommendation: Korg nanoKONTROL2

hi kalessin,

thanks for this recommendation. Sounds really interesting and is addressing my wishes;)

Could share a bit more with us on how you configured your nanoKONTROL2 ?
For instance, I would like to have easy access to some (maybe 5-8) presets. Which buttons did you put them on or would in practice a NANOPAD being better for that task ?
Or another gear with a reasonable combination of big buttons (pads) and knobs (for volume etc.) ?

looking forward for yo input and thank you in advance!

Thomas

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PT5.1 Pro • D4 • K2 • U2 • MacBook Pro i7 2,8GHz 16GB/1TB • Roland F120R/RD64 • KEF X300A • DT990Pro

Reply by kalessin

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Re: Recommendation: Korg nanoKONTROL2

I put all the buttons in CC 'toggle' mode and chose controllers that don't 'collide' with anything, especially the normal pedal controllers. That took a bit of time in the Korg editor, but was not too difficult. This way, each button now sends alternating CC values of 0 and 127, and each button press results in exactly one MIDI event, which I can then assign in Pianoteq.

Since Pianoteq is no DAW, the solo/mute/record buttons for the different channels are pretty much unused, so I appropriated them for switching presets. The nanoPAD effectively has bigger buttons, but actually a lot less in total, so I chose the nanoCONTROL for its additional knobs and sliders. Of those I don't use that many, but those I would miss immediately: I mainly use knobs for volume and dynamics.

Apart from that I use the recording buttons for Pianoteq's recorder (when in standalone mode), and others to control the metronome or turn reverb on or off.

Last edited by kalessin (08-07-2014 09:19)
Pianoteq 6 Standard (Steinway D&B, Grotrian, Petrof, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, K2, YC5, U4, Kremsegg 1&2, Karsten, Electric, Hohner)

Reply by thono2007

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Re: Recommendation: Korg nanoKONTROL2

I got my nanoKONTROL2 today and I'm starting to configure it.

Might take me some nights, but ist fun

Thanks for the hint again

T

_______________________________________________________________________________________
PT5.1 Pro • D4 • K2 • U2 • MacBook Pro i7 2,8GHz 16GB/1TB • Roland F120R/RD64 • KEF X300A • DT990Pro

Reply by Lylo

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  • Registered: 30-09-2013
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Re: Recommendation: Korg nanoKONTROL2

You can edit the knobs of the Nanokontrol with the little software given in the package.
It's useful for turn the buttons in toggle or momentary and you can select the CC.

I prefer the Nanokontrol 1, you have four scenes, it's the same thing than four Nanokontrol.