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Korg Nanokey2 & NanoKontrol2 or Korg Nanokey Studio?
Beginner here, I have an iPad and a Macbook Pro 13 (2015) (seldomly left) I bring with me pretty much everywhere if I have my backpack.
So I'm looking for a portable midi controller I can bring with me to use for breaks somewhere or at home/bed/travel with the iPad. I have limited space on my desk at home too so the Nanoseries/Nanokey Studio looks pretty attractive to me.
I actually have a Worlde Tuna Midi controller since it was readily available where I am... And it costs $60 compared to the $170 for the Akai MPK Mini II so I cheaped out (regrets tho since the Tuna was problematic). But due to its size it's not portable for me. Since I'm here, would like to ask as well if it would be possible to connect two keyboard controllers to the iPad and have one if for playing keyboard be a different octave range from the other? I have Midiflow since the Tuna's velocity mapping really sucks so yeah. I also have a Casio CTK-496 61 key keyboard at home, but I need to buy a power adapter for it as well as a midi to usb adapter since it's pretty old. Is large tho so yeah.
Or would the experience actually still be better if I went with iPad screen only?
I was going to go for the Nanokey Studio since it seemed "all-in-one". But it's like $150 where I am where as the Nanoseries 2 is like $60 each.
So I would like to ask your opinions on this as I can't seem to find much reviews comparing the two.
Would also like to know if anyone knows, if the Nanokey2 and Nanokontrol2 can be connected to the ipad without a powered usb hub? Or if just for my use case a Nanokey2 and on-screen controls would suffice?
I have a photography and graphic design hobby too that I use for work and volunteer work so Idk the Nanokontrol looks interesting with a Macbook. Or maybe the Nanokey Studio so I'll have a reason to use it more hehe.
Btw a beginner hobbyist in all of this and have just started this month, looking at what next steps are best with price considerations (I'm in my early twenties). Although I do have some music experience years ago.
Ty so much in advance to anyone who'll reply! 
I know I have a lot of questions... But I thought I'll post them all in one thread since they seem to be related anyhow XD
Comments
Update: I learned that I can ship things from Amazon US to where I am for a cheaper price than things are here including shipping fee! So more keyboards like K-board etc are open to me suddenly =D Suggestions would be great if you can
I have the Nanokey Studio and I find it very useful and good for many purposes. Not for a real keyboard player obviosly!!! It goes on Bluetooth very well
@Sinthemau is it sturdy enough for being put inside a backpack with a laptop sleeve? It's appeal to me is that it has many features aside from just keys and I can fiddle with controls, but I realize that sturdiness is also something I should consider. Which also led me to consider the Nanokey2 since I can use the keys as pads as well.
But then I discovered about the Amazon thing and 0 tax for below $200 purchases thing, so suddenly more options opened. Including the K-board amongst others. Much regret about several purchases I made in the past actually.
At the moment no problems at all: It's solid plastic outcase, knobs and pads are sturdy. Quality construction is at least on par or better than all other MIDI devices I see around
I am very happy with the Studio. It is surprisingly sturdy given the price, can be powered with batteries and therefore doesn’t drain the iPad battery and has a good assortment of knobs and pads. It also works well together with other Bluetooth devices, making for a completely cable-less setup.
As mentioned, it is not exactly the first choice for a keyboard virtuoso. Of that’s your main focus, a CME XKey Air 25 or an iRig Keys by IK Multimedia would perhaps be a better choice.
Lastly, keep in mind that the Korg needs software (PC/Mac) to be reprogrammed.
Another thing: any keyboard like the Casio with traditional 5pin MIDI can be turned into a Bluetooth device by a Yamaha MB-BT01 dongle. You should probably still get the Camera Connection Kit, if you don’t already have it.
@Philandering_Bastard thanks for the advice! I already have the Camera Connection Kit which I use with my Worlde Tuna. Oh that's cool will check that dongle!
Not yet sure where to find it though will check if Amazon + shipping of $20 is worth it 
))
Right now it's just that local stores here have the Nanoseries for $60 each. And I was wondering if it's more worth it to get Nanokey2 and Nanokontrol2 and just use a USB hub (since I don't think they consume much power to warrant a powered one).
But the Nanokey Studio I have to order online for costs ranging from $134 to $160 including shipping.
Big drawback for Korg midi controllers are that they are battery powered when in Bluetooth mode. The micro USB port is flimsy. I’d say the novation keyboard controllers are better, and Bluetooth compatible if I remember.
Depends on what you want, really. The keyboard appears to be identical on both devices. The Nanokey alone is of course smaller but you’d need the CCK and a cable. You’d also lose the touchpad, pads and knobs of the Studio. If you go for both, you’d gain eight faders but lose any space advantage and would need another cable and a USB hub, as you pointed out.
I eventually went for the more spendy Studio for those very reasons but, again, ymmv.
I can run Bluetooth when it is USB powered, without any problem: directly from a PC USB or thrugh a Power bank.
Have you tried?
I'm speaking about Studio, also the USB port is standard and not mini or micro, normal sturdiness
@Philandering_Bastard @Sinthemau ty for the comments! Wondering though, what can you say about its weight? Haha I'm now wondering what would happen to my backpack's weight with the Nanokey Studio being around 600g or 1lbs. Seeing as my Macbook Pro 13 2015 and iPad 9.7 2018 is part of my edc
))
I just realized this right now as I'm walking and feeling like my bag is heavy as is
))
@Philandering_Bastard @Sinthemau I mean is the added weight of the knobs and pads worth it for the 250g vs 650g weight difference?
This cannot be that up to you: value it and choose
Yep, i’m powering my NanoKey Studio with my iPad charger (while connected to iPad with Bluetooth).
@valcroft Personally I’m using iPad only (no controllers). But i would take the NanoKey Studio if I had to. Same size as iPad and lightweight.
Perhaps try to see how you experience without a controller before buying one?
Uhm, that’s why you have roadies
The Korg Kontrol Center for my Nanokey Studio doesn't work anymore since the Windows 10 may 2019 update. More people on several forums are complaining about it. So take when you want to buy this keyboard.
Love my Korg Nano Studios!
I have them for a year without any problems. Love to work wireless! 😊
@Sinthemau @R_2 actually as I'm new to this, I think I tend to rely on presets and don't modify the knobs or sliders much for synths and instruments. So yeah I'm trying to future proof about that thing too hehe.
I've been using the iPad on its own these past weeks and on a vacation trip, and I realized that not using a keyboard can be a drag unless if I'm using something like Beatmaker or on screen drum pads.
What apps do you use it with btw? The nanokey studio I mean? Right now I'm partial to Cubasis and Garageband since I'm on a natural sounding trend right now. I just can't find the natural sound I want with Korg Gadget 2's Marseille. Is it easy to map, or is it auto map with other apps outside Gadget?
Re the bag thing I realized just earlier that it's heavy even without the Macbook or iPad so yeah haha I need to see whats up with what I pack.
@chandroji thanks for the rec! what apps do you use with it?
@Pierre118 damn that's really bad. Thanks for the warning btw! I wonder what happened. Like really what kind of security blocking is this. I'm going to be using it with mostly the iPad, and the Mac. Tho the option to use it with Windows should be something there I think. Future proofing wise.
@valcroft
The Studios are perfect for Gadget and Electribe Wave but I use the Studios also with any other music app. No problem to control AUM, Synths etc.
I have and love Korg nanokey studio. Its plenty sturdy and has several uses depending on what software you use. Easily surpasses its cost.
Lately, I’ve been using just iPad with Velocity keys by @Blue_Mangoo which I highly recommend. For me, it is among the best midi tools you can use on any platform (easy to connect to Mac). Essential turns iPad into a Sensel Morph minus the overlays.
The plus to Korg Studio is the knobs and X/Y pad. However, the minus is also the knobs and X/Y pads.lol
There is no minus to velocity keyboard and costs the same as my favorite Vente ice tea from starbucks.lol
There are Korg driver problems with the Windows may update. Some owners of the Studio had solved it with adding keys with the registry editor, I had no luck with that (yet). The problem is that now I cannot edit my scenes anymore, and that makes the Studio useless for me.
Do any of you have problems with the drum pad's velocity? @WillieNegus @R_2 @chandroji I was looking at ordering this from Amazon JP so it'll be cheaper in my area (for around $120 in total), but came across this review:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/aw/review/B01AT2AT6S/R29HDFGHK1T3AD/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_3?ie=UTF8&cursor=3
I'm thinking he got a defective item though. Which thus makes me wary about ordering it online. About the keys I have tried the Nanokey2 earlier today at a store and they were fine with me. They didn't have the Nanokey Studio in stock at the time though.
Part of the text from the review I put in Google Translate:
Below is a bad point.
1Trigger pad sensitivity is poor
I will put a video.
This is not really a special training I grew up to be able to make as loud a beat as I could from the early days of the KORG's trigger pad.
If you are interested in it, it is good at one time, so please try at the store and then consider the purchase.
The structure of 2nanoKEY specific keys has changed
At first glance it looks the same, but the keys of nanoKEY2 and nanoKEY Studio are different.
There is an increase of about 1 mm in the studio.
As a result, the sensitivity gets worse and it becomes like a bad PC keyboard.
Have you ever wanted to do something under the key?
I checked, but I did not find anything like that.
Ty for the rec! I didn't know there was something like that :O does it have something like chord buttons too like Garageband does? I've been missing that since I'm not really that good with keyboarding yet hehe.
In that case, you might also be interested in KB-1 by Kai Aras. Several keyboard layouts including MPE, chords, drum pads and X/Y pads.
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/kb-1-keyboard-suite/id1437919435
Mine has micro usb, but bought in China and probably a first generation. Anyway many thing about the NKS are good but it leaves a lot to be desired.
No problems here but I use these pads not very often. I think they are quite ok but surely you will find some better drum pads somewhere else... 😎
How do you guys store this device btw? Like where do you put it when you carry it around a bag/backpack?
I used to just toss my NKS in my sling bag or backpack with my iPad or Laptop. All my bags have a padded sleeve. 4 years later no broken keys or knobs.
Far as velocity keys, no issues with drum pads for me but I primarily use BM3 for tracks where I play drums. For me, BM3 pads have no peers and I like to use Chordpolypad and KB-1 for playing chords...
Ok ty to everyone I jumped the gun and bought one from Amazon JP (to hopefully save costs hehe)
If anything else, I think I would be enjoying this piece of hardware even if I might not bring it all the time. Or at least I hope so haha. There's really just something about hardware that makes inspires the creative juices for me. And I'm a software person too (everything digital is the way to roll). Although I suppose it's how the flow happens that matters
Wow you have tried a lot of midi controller apps! Which one would you recommend amongst Velocity Keyboard, Chordpolypad, KB-1 and the other choices out there like Navichord, Chordion etc? I suppose I'm looking for an easy way to try out different chords (that I don't know yet), as well as a way to configure certain buttons to be the chords I need to use for whatever I'm doing. Also an app, which can be the same app or a separate app, that would be I suppose more ergonomic or a good on-screen keyboard usable with different apps.
And would AUM or Audiobus be a must buy? I have stand-alone Midiflow but I haven't found the need yet to use either AUM or Audiobus due to IAA or AUV3.