percepto
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Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
I have been looking at the Kontrol 61 from NI which would obviously be a great choice as I have Komplete 10 Ultimate, but the Akai Advance and Nektar Panorama also look interesting.
Does anyone else have other recommendations and why?
I want to have hands on control of as many parameters as possible to manipulate the sounds in real-time, without having to go to the laptop keyboard all the time.
Quick and easy integration with Sonar/Komplete is also a requirement.
Is anyone else using Komplete and Sonar?
What are your experiences regarding which keyboard you use, or which would you buy if you were purchasing now?
Many thanks for any feedback/info
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percepto
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/30 18:43:53
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Can anyone point me to another thread/post that may help?
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gswitz
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/30 19:20:40
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StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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jpetersen
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/30 20:09:33
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Everyone has criteria important to them.
For me, hammond organ simulations have 9 drawbars and nearly all master keyboards only have 8 sliders.
So I gave up on those with built in controls, got separate controller and
I got the Korg miniKeys 61 (new versions coming with foot pedal and even with bluetooth)
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lawajava
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/30 21:17:38
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There is another thread on this topic.
I went for the Komplete Kontrol S61 myself. I very much like the touch and response of the keys. The light guide is very helpful. Personally, I like the features - such as scale settings. I don't need an onscreen monitor on the keyboard itself to make a patch selection. It's on sale for $100 less than usual through the end of the year.
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Snehankur
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/30 22:18:21
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Please check AKAI advanced how much they integrate KOMPLETE. Then decide for Komplete S61 with NKS as many of the VSTi adopting NKS. I regret for buying S25 as that time I didn't have fund, wish I took S61 instead S25. Light guide is awesome and helpful as Lawajava suggested. Also Gswitz adviced to do some research and look around before you finally jump.
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TerraSin
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/31 12:17:10
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Hold off till after NAMM. There are going to be some new boards released this year.
Kontrol/Advance both have great features and are solid boards. You need to decide for yourself what will do what you need it to do and what features you want and will use. A lot of these boards have many features I'd personally never use regardless of how cool they are on paper.
I personally like the idea of Advance and that the company themselves are mapping everything rather than relying on developers. That said, if Akai ever decides to stop supporting it after a couple years, then it will be a nice controller with few features that are usable.
I'm personally waiting to see what Novation announces this year.
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Snehankur
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2015/12/31 23:19:27
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Also please don't rule out Roli's Seaboard
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percepto
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/01 14:33:39
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Thanks for the helpful responses.
Already decided on a 61-key as I already have a Yamaha 88-key E-piano.
It won't be transported much (couple of times a year at most) and it is mainly for integration with Sonar's synths and Komplete.
Real-time parameter editing is important so I can manipulate sounds on the fly. Komplete has some great synths like Rounds which would be ideal for this purpose.
The logical thing would be a Kontrol S61 I suppose, as I have already invested a lot of money in K10U. I just want to make sure I am getting the most value for money and, more importantly, to have an easy a set-up as possible and a fluid workflow.
I will research after Namm and then see what the situation is.
Thanks again.
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TerraSin
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/01 15:58:16
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SnehankurAlso please don't rule out Roli's Seaboard At $2000 for a 37-key board, it's already been ruled out in my books. I'll wait till one of the other companies makes a similar product at a much lower price before I consider it. What it does is simply not worth the inflated costs in my opinion.
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percepto
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/01 16:01:25
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TerraSin
SnehankurAlso please don't rule out Roli's Seaboard
At $2000 for a 37-key board, it's already been ruled out in my books. I'll wait till one of the other companies makes a similar product at a much lower price before I consider it. What it does is simply not worth the inflated costs in my opinion.
Yup, me too. Nice gimmick, but overpriced for a controller.
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Fleer
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/02 11:53:37
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"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" (Wish You Were Here)
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Vastman
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/03 05:40:15
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Sounds and Gear compare Akai Advanced & Komplete Kontrol keyboardsThis is a great review and illustrates the huge differences between the two... https://youtu.be/lvYmXSjxjow Personally I'm leaning towards the Akai as it does many things I like but am holding off in hopes they'll come out with a semi-weighted 88... I agree, wait till Namm... If you want an instant hit with Sonar, the Nektar Impact lx 61 or 88 is very inexpensive and a great bargain. However, you don't get all the vst control of the Advanced/Kontrol units.
post edited by Vastman - 2016/01/03 05:56:22
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azslow3
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/03 08:32:17
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percepto
I have been looking at the Kontrol 61 from NI which would obviously be a great choice as I have Komplete 10 Ultimate, but the Akai Advance and Nektar Panorama also look interesting.
...
Quick and easy integration with Sonar/Komplete is also a requirement.
Except mentioned Nektar Impact, modern controllers have no Sonar support. They can be somehow integrated but I have not seen any success reports. Nektar Panorama communicates throw proprietary protocol, so the probability it will be integrated with Sonar at the same level as with other DAWs (big part of its advertisements) is rather low (can be done by Naktar only). Other 2 are more open for third party developers and so Sonar integration is feasible. Still some parts of DAW integration (like NI Kontrol) can be done by corresponding producers only.
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percepto
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/03 10:06:05
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azslow3
percepto
I have been looking at the Kontrol 61 from NI which would obviously be a great choice as I have Komplete 10 Ultimate, but the Akai Advance and Nektar Panorama also look interesting.
...
Quick and easy integration with Sonar/Komplete is also a requirement.
Except mentioned Nektar Impact, modern controllers have no Sonar support. They can be somehow integrated but I have not seen any success reports.
Nektar Panorama communicates throw proprietary protocol, so the probability it will be integrated with Sonar at the same level as with other DAWs (big part of its advertisements) is rather low (can be done by Naktar only). Other 2 are more open for third party developers and so Sonar integration is feasible. Still some parts of DAW integration (like NI Kontrol) can be done by corresponding producers only.
That's a game-changer, thanks.
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Fleer
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/04 11:17:50
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Personally, quite fond of my Kontrol S49 and Nektar Panorama 61.
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" (Wish You Were Here)
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/29 09:23:28
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Any opinions on the Arturia Keylab? There seems to be plenty of demo/review vidios but these concentrate more on the Keylab software. I have the V Collection so I know all about that! How is it as a universal MIDI controler. The NI S61 has my attention I would prefer a few more sliders/knobs (Like the Akai Advance) but I really like the idea of the light guide for key switches, the downside being It looks like you have to run the VSTi inside the Komplet Kontrol shell to use the keyswitch light guide.
post edited by Glyn Barnes - 2016/01/29 09:35:59
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/29 10:14:19
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If you make heavy use of Komplete, it's almost a no-brainer (browsing patches, light guides, etc).
Keybed is better than most...
Takes a while to get comfortable with the pitch/mod ribbon controllers (if you haven't used them).
Build quality is pretty decent. Much better than many lower-cost MIDI controllers.
I've got the 61-key version.
Would like to get the 88-key version at some point.
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/01/30 13:52:05
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I have been playing around with the Komplete Kontrol software today and watching a few videos. Once you start digging deeper into the software you can get some idea of the control you will get from the keyboard. Its clear that some of my preceived reservations are not valid. It seems unfortunate that output from the chord, scale and arpeggiator modes cannot be captured as MIDI in a DAW, I am not sure I would use those features that often but messing around with the chord mode was kind of intresting. (Of course you could always freeze the track and use Melodyne to extract the MIDI  )
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/02 07:58:32
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Well after playing aroud with the software, which gives you a pretty good idea of what the keyboard will do I decided to order a S61. Nothing has all the features I would like but Komplete Kontrol comes closest. The touch strip mod and pitch bend controlers are my biggest doubt, but I am sure I will get used to them.
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lawajava
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/02 09:40:56
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I don't even have Native Instruments Komplete. I have Kontakt and that's about it. (Well, I have Guitar Rig 5, but don't use it). Nevertheless, I have a Komplete Kontrol S61 and couldn't be happier with a controller keyboard. Great touch on the keys, the touch strip mod wheel is very nice. The keyboard/controller has useful, easy to understand features. The sustain pedal works just as I hoped. Playing Addictive Keys with it is a joy. It's great. The light guide works with Kontakt and with the sample set of Komplete software that Native Instruments throws in with the purchase. Third party libraries also work in Kontakt with the light guide. Someday I'll save up enough to splurge and actually get Komplete.
post edited by lawajava - 2016/02/05 20:41:46
Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/04 15:07:50
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The S61 was delivered yesterday and I am loving it so far. I am impressed with the way the light guide works automatically for keyboard zones on all Kontakt instruments, not just supported ones. (exception - Kirk Hunter, see thread on the Software forum.) Some unsupported VSTi map quite well to the control encoders without any template editing. Synthmaster in particular where mapping changes with the patch presenting the most useful controls for that patch on the first or second page. Others will need a little bit of work, and of course out side of the Komplete Kontrol environment you can always use the good old Midi learn.
post edited by Glyn Barnes - 2016/02/04 15:23:50
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lawajava
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/05 20:29:58
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There's a Groove3 tutorial now on the Komplete Kontrol series keyboards. Nicely done. If there was any mystery about the keyboard functions, the tutorial now provides a way to see how everything works. It's short and sweet.
Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/06 08:06:25
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lawajava
There's a Groove3 tutorial now on the Komplete Kontrol series keyboards. Nicely done. If there was any mystery about the keyboard functions, the tutorial now provides a way to see how everything works. It's short and sweet.
Oh, excellent. I have a "all areas pass" I shall go and watch it.
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/06 10:49:04
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The Groove 3 video did not throw up much I have not figured out already but it did clear up a couple of points so it was well worth while taking the time to watch it. The most significant thing is it debunked miss-information I had got from elsewhere about MIDI output when using the scale, chord and arpeggiator modes. It is possible to capture this within a DAW as the Komplete Kontrol plugin will output the full MIDI. I have not tried to set this up in Sonar yet, but its added to the to do list.
There is nothing about creating custom templates, but that was not to be expected at this level.
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/06 16:15:12
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So - some more sucess this evening. I sucessfully loaded the Korg MonoPoly and Polysix templates downloaded from the thread on the NI forums. There are a lot of other templates, but I don't have those synths. It all seems to work well. I confirmed there are no issues routing the MIDI out fron the Komplete Kontrol plug-in to a MIDI track in SPLAT and recording the chords and arpeggios as MIDI. I managed to make a template in "Native Instruments Control Editor" that key mapped the zones for a patch in EastWest Symphonic Orchestra Gold. This is used outside the Komplete Control software and the configuration called up in the control editor. While its not as slick and automatic as the supported instruments its reasonably easy to call up. Next step to improve this templae is to asign encoders, this looks a laborious but straight forward. I am hoping that once completed this template will only require adjustments to the key zones for th erest of EW Symphonic Gold. All in all its working out quite well!
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Which controller keyboard to purchase? Sonar Platinum with Komplete 10U
2016/02/09 09:14:52
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So a bit of a road block with non NKS Kontakt libraries. Is primarally a software issue so I started a new thread on the software forum. http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3367122Edit. Issue is resolved. Details in the other thread. The S61 is turning out to be all I hoped. Now, if I could just add an extra octave 😊
post edited by Glyn Barnes - 2016/02/09 13:47:51
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