Korg nanoKEY 25 Key USB Controller Keyboard, White Review

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(More customer reviews)The Korg Nano Series is, quite simply, among the most useful sets of tools ever produced for the COMPUTER... Let me say that word again: "COMPUTER."
I write, arrange and orchestrate music for a living. The nanoKey, in particular, is a lifesaver! It's portable, so I can stuff it into my laptop bag when I'm on the road. It works seamlessly with Finale, Encore and - my personal favorite - Sibelius (the "Big 3" of notation programs). It isn't as convenient for real-time sequencing, unless you've developed "the touch." It took me a while to get used to that, but I do play scratch tracks in Logic and Sonar, on occasion.
Anyone considering the purchase of this device should realize up front that it isn't really designed for stage performance, etc. It's best suited for computer entry. In fact, it's PERFECTLY suited for computer entry.
...and for fifty bucks it's WAY ahead of anything else!

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The nanoKEY is an ultra-compact keyboard controller, featuring a great-feeling 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that's ideal for song production. Each key on this USB-MIDI controller can also be set to send MIDI control data, further expanding its power.

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Squier by Fender Stop Dreaming-Start Playing Set: Affinity Special w/ Fender 15G Amplifier, Metallic Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are looking for your first guitar and don't want to invest alot of money, this is a good guitar. The amp that this pack comes with is good for the first month or so, then it starts to sound plain and makes the sound seem dry. The guitar is not to be blamed; if it was plugged into something with more effects or sounds it would be much better. The strings that it comes with are terrible, throw them away right away. They rust and loose tone after 2 days of using them. The only awfull thing about the guitar itself is the neck. When it arrived, it had a bow. When I took it to a guitar shop they said it was the worst they have ever seen. I left it with them and it got fixed so it isn't permanent. Also, the bridge and neck pickup hum alot. To fix that just use either the neck/middle or bridge/middle pickups, or get away from anything electronic.

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Akai MPK 49 Controller Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)First of all, the pads DO suck. MPC's are known for their pads so you'd think Akai would at least be able to put the same type of pad/contact design on their MPK line. Instead they put a bunch of pads with no play that feel like buttons and make the keyboard housing vibrate when you pound them. On top of that they placed the contacts so far away it's damn near impossible to get 127 velocity on the pads without going Full Level. Even my LPD8 feels better than this thing. And even though they look like the MPC1000 pads, the 1000 pads are twice as thick as the ones here. I would have loved for them to have put the 1000 pads on this. At least then I'd be able to play back a chopped loop without feeling like I'm dialing a phone number.
The best part of the controller is the control surface. The transport keys, knobs, and sliders feel great. The LCD screen looks great.
Something unique about the controller is that it has built in MIDI settings that mimic classic MPC functions (16 level, MPC swing, note repeat). Too bad the pads keep you from fully enjoying these features.
The keys are decent but slightly noisy because they vibrate on release. The controller is also one of the few 49 key controllers out there with aftertouch. I prefer the lever-like feel of the Axiom when it comes to using aftertouch but the keys here are not a dealbreaker.
There's also a simple arpeggiator you can use. It's fairly simple in that there are only 5 settings you can use to separate notes in a chord. If you've used a more sophisticated arp (like the one on a Yamaha KX8), you'll be disappointed though.
The MPK is a good controller but Akai could have done way better than this. If you're using this for the keys and control surface it's a decent investment. But if you're thinking of buying this for the pads so you can drum and play back chopped loops, get an MPD instead.

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More than just a USB/MIDI controller, the Akai MPK49 USB/MIDI Controller Keyboard helps you maximize your musical ideas on-stage or in the studio. It combines a high-quality, 49-key, semi-weighted keyboard with aftertouch and 12 genuine MPC drum pads. It also offers 48 total accessible pads via 4 pad banks, and you can control up to 72 different parameters via 24 assignable Q-Link knobs, faders, and buttons as well as optional footswitches.

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Novation 49 SL MkII USB Midi Controller Keyboard 49 Keys Review

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(More customer reviews)I found it strange and unfair that this item didn't have a single review despite being bought so often. So I'm going to think that you guys are just being plain lazy :D.
On to business, this midi controller is awesome in many ways. Let's start with how its built. I've heard some people say it is cheaply built, but I found it perfect and I love the layout of the controllers. The knobs light up according to the parameters you set, which comes very handy in live performances, DJing and well, in general. The keys are as they described it, semi-weighted, and I found them so comfortable to play. The touch-sensitive controllers are a plus, and the LCD screen gives me a clear view of what's going on. The pitch/mod wheel is cool, I personally like this one instead of the two wheels, but that's just me.
So now let's go into the Automap feature. At first, I was like what is all this, but it turns out it is so simple to use. Unpack, install the automap CD (note that it will always tell you to download the latest version), plug in, open the DAW, and update OS. That's it, you are done and running with Automap. While I cannot say it is "perfect", it saves a lot of time. It also comes with Ableton Lite, and some plugins and packs. So far, I tested Automap with FL Studio 9 and Ableton 8, and they both run like a charm, you just have to follow the instructions specifically made for each DAW.
There's only one tiny minor flaw. The drum pads are not very good. I mean they work, sometimes you have to hit them a little bit harder, but I think the major flaw with the drum pads is their position. They are too close together and are small, with time you get comfortable with them anyways, but since this is a review I have to put everything so that you guys can decide and know what you are buying. However, if you use the drum pads as controllers for other parameters, they are perfect. If you want comfortable pro drum pads for drumming, then you are better off buying a pad controller, I mean, some midi controllers come with very good drum pads, but if you definitely want some good drum pads and well, still enjoy all the amazing features of the novation sl mkii, then yes you are better off with a drum pad. I personally use sometimes the keys for drumming, and if you look up in youtube.com you'll see videos of other people that do too, whatever fits you best.
Since the drum pads aren't a major thing, that is why I decided to give this product its well deserved 5 stars. Despite not having reviews, people seem to buy this product a lot so I thought as a way to thanks Novation, I'd write a review so that other users know whether this works or not. I hope this review helps you guys to decide whether to buy or not this midi controller (or the 29 or 61 version where the only difference is the number of keys) Thanks Novation for this amazing product!

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Korg PadKontrol USB Drum Pad Studio Controller, White Review

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(More customer reviews)The KORG padKontrol has only one purpose and that is to make the use of its input pads easy, flexible and reliable. The included manual is very thorough and explains every aspect well. The included editor software called Librarian, lets you program the entire pad very easily and requires little instruction, it is mainly click the image on the padKontrol on the screen and then set its parameters.
The pads are really what sets this unit apart though as they will register a hit even when they are struck on an edge or corner. If you've got sloppy fingers and are triggering things accidentally then just adjust the velocity curves to dial back the sensitivity. The pads light when the trigger which is a nice way to instantly see that you have a successful input. They can be set as momentary on/off or as toggle types. In toggle mode they act more like a switch where one hit turns it on and a second hit turns it off which is useful for sending MIDI events that you may want to remain "ON" longer than a split second like the momentary trigger gives.
The other buttons also light up as they are used which gives good feedback. The knobs are solid and have a very smooth action to them. The feet on the bottom of the unit are really sticky, not in a glue or tape sort of way, but rather in a it stay where you put it despite tapping away at it like mad. The touch-pad allows some very cool roll/flam effects but takes some practice to use well, it can also be reassigned to other functions.
Mine came with software samples from several manufacturers in the box. I am especially pleased with the one from Pianoteq and KORG's own M1Le synth engine. Those were unexpected, are very functional and have me thinking of actually upgrading them to their respective full versions.
KORG is a top tier name and this unit lives up to the reputation. Do not settle for cheaper imitations, you can see a big difference in quality.

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