Small MIDI controller with nice keys, nice pads, and knobs/sliders?

[Deleted User]

Like the title says. Also, that plays nice with an iPad of course. In particular, Cubasis + AUM + Drambo + Koala + a few synths and whatever else.

Keystep 37 was close in many ways, but it doesn’t have pads.

Korakios

The MiniLab MkII has nice keys ,plenty of knobs , but the pads are not very good (but descent)

Esi Xjam seems nice if you need pads for beatmaking , although haven't seen reviews yet (it's new product) and don't know if it's available

symianbeatz

Launchkey mini mk3 has the best pads imho of all the small keyboards, better than the mpk mini mk3 too.. again this is only my opinion.

timforsyth

A word or warning, just to set expectations, you cannot control any parameters of auv3 apps within cubasis. midi cc learn only covers the native stuff like the mixer etc. I hope they find a way of implementing this some day.

I've got a Keylab essential 49, the transport controls work well with cubasis and I'm happy with the keys but the pads are just awful. Not sure if their premium controllers are any better.

symianbeatz

@timforsyth said:
A word or warning, just to set expectations, you cannot control any parameters of auv3 apps within cubasis. midi cc learn only covers the native stuff like the mixer etc. I hope they find a way of implementing this some day.

I've got a Keylab essential 49, the transport controls work well with cubasis and I'm happy with the keys but the pads are just awful. Not sure if their premium controllers are any better.

Agreed I owned a keylab and frankly the pads were atrocious.. also all of the encoders had a different resistance when turning them.. very annoying..

DanSebPage

@timforsyth said:
A word or warning, just to set expectations, you cannot control any parameters of auv3 apps within cubasis. midi cc learn only covers the native stuff like the mixer etc. I hope they find a way of implementing this some day.

I'm not sure If I'm misunderstanding your comment, but most of the AUv3's I use have 'MIDI learn' in some form built-in, and operate fine within Cubasis - I know for example in Synthmaster 2, you can long press on any knob and click 'MIDI learn' to link it to a MIDI controller...

@emjay I guess by 'nice keys' you probably wouldn't be interested in the Korg NanoKey Studio? The keys take a bit of getting used to, but are quite functional (also has pads & knobs and an XY controller). It connects via Bluetooth and is small enough to fit in the carry-case alongside my iPad. This is my 'mobile' setup, but I do connect up to a 61-key MIDI keyboard when I need the full keyboard experience!

Krupa

I’ve ended up looking at novation sl keyboards, they look really solid, though I might just get a zero as I’m running low on desk space and mainly just need some controls for now. Interesting option though I think…

timforsyth

@DanSebPage said:

@timforsyth said:
A word or warning, just to set expectations, you cannot control any parameters of auv3 apps within cubasis. midi cc learn only covers the native stuff like the mixer etc.

I'm not sure If I'm misunderstanding your comment, but most of the AUv3's I use have 'MIDI learn' in some form built-in, and operate fine within Cubasis - I know for example in Synthmaster 2, you can long press on any knob and click 'MIDI learn' to link it to a MIDI controller...

No, you're not, it's me being dumb. here's me trying to help but actually, you've helped me, thanks!

I think I gave up long ago when apps like model d had the ability to map cc's standalone but this option was missing as an auv3. I never tried again, just launched synthmaster 2 and it works great.

DanSebPage

@timforsyth said:

@DanSebPage said:

@timforsyth said:
A word or warning, just to set expectations, you cannot control any parameters of auv3 apps within cubasis. midi cc learn only covers the native stuff like the mixer etc.

I'm not sure If I'm misunderstanding your comment, but most of the AUv3's I use have 'MIDI learn' in some form built-in, and operate fine within Cubasis - I know for example in Synthmaster 2, you can long press on any knob and click 'MIDI learn' to link it to a MIDI controller...

No, you're not, it's me being dumb. here's me trying to help but actually, you've helped me, thanks!

I think I gave up long ago when apps like model d had the ability to map cc's standalone but this option was missing as an auv3. I never tried again, just launched synthmaster 2 and it works great.

Aha, glad to hear I could help! The thing that catches me out with Synthmaster 2 is that whilst you can MIDI-control anything, only the 8 'easy-knobs' can be automated.

I've therefore 'globally' mapped my 8 MIDI-controller knobs to the 8 Synthmaster easy-knobs, and rather than use the MIDI-learn function, try to link the parameter I want to control to an easy-knob instead, for when I want to commit the movements to recorded automation.

Grandbear

I have a Launchkey Mini mk3 as well and it's good enough for me, the only thing I would change is having real pitch and mod wheels, as opposed to the touch strips. I've heard good things about the M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini, in particular regarding the keybed apparently being much better than the LaunchKey's. The extra keys, mix of faders and knobs and the wheels makes me want to give it a try.