Kontrol

I've just bought a Korg NanoKontrol from Music Workshop (geelong) for $59 delivered through their ebay store.

It is a USB device that shows up at a new midi port, and can be configured to map any movement of sliders, knobs or button presses to any midi CC number.  There are 9 sliders and 9 knobs on the NanoKontrol, but only 8 on the NanoKontrol2, so don't miss out on the original. (I think the NanoKontrol2 boasts more accurate sliders.  Big deal.  Anyone, as Archie Moncrieff says, can play accurately. I play with expression.)

My K5000W synthesiser offers at least 16 tweakable parameters on every complete sound, and often more: filters, cutoff, resonance, the various effects that go into each sound, and so on.  But the K5000W (unlike the K5000S) does not have 16 knobs on the front. Kawai used to offer a 16 knob box called the Macro Control Box, but they were $300 and have become as rare as hen's teeth.

But more than that - since I was last getting musical, things have changed.  Basic PCs are now able to cover all the bases of a big studio setup with digital modelling.  There are several standards, VST & VSTi, DirectX instruments and effects and so on.  Notably Mylo's hit albumn 'Destroy Rock & Roll' was recorded? assembled? using a midi controller keyboard and software instruments and effects.  Only vocals needed to be recorded.

The other important thing use for me is Synth1, a VST that emulates the Clavia Nord Lead (a virtual analog synthesiser with magical properties and redness).  It sounds awesome, and is free.

The nanokontrol is a beautifully fit piece of tech for the time. It is like an axe handle that you can plug into most of your possessions so you easily can swing them around and have them wreak their effect in many new.

Here is a cool demo.