I'm getting started making some tracks and am looking for a controller. The MicroKontrol looks sweet and seems to have decent reviews - was wondering if anyone on here had experience w/it? Is there a loop or hold function for those 16 pads similiar to what is possible on a MPC?
At the moment, I am only using Garageband, but will be getting Reason 2.5 and an MBox w/ProTools LE shortly. I don't really want to get some rinky-dink controller like the Oxygen which seems like I'd outgrow it rather quickly.
thanks in advance - other suggestions for sub-$400 controllers would be welcome!
-Peter

I am also considering a MicroKontrol.

I would love to know about any experiences with
this puppy and the Macintosh specifically Panther, Reason, Live, and DP4.

Thanks!

Be aware that it doesn't have full-sized keys.

I got a MicroKontrol and was dismayed when i got it - dismayed at myself for not paying enough attention to the desription of the unit before I bought it. As gdoubleyou points out - the keys are not full size. They are not only not full size - they're downright tiny! And, the feel is not good either! The unit is well built, very cool looking, but the key size and feel of the keyboard are so negative that I sent it back and got an Edirol PCR-50. Even if you're not a keyboard player, you will be much better off getting a keyboard with standard-sized keys.

here is my limited experience..
this is my first keyborad, or controller so a grain of salt may be needed...
I didn't know anything except i wanted to play around and make some music/noise. I got the nicroKontroller because i liked that it seemed to have a lot of options for a decent price. I've been playing around with it using reason 2.5 and the korg presets, (just got tracktion too, but haven't investigated much) and so far it has done nearly everything i want it too. It's true the keys are small & the 'mpc' pads are also not as sensitive as real ones, or so I hear, but that doesn't matter to me much when i am pounding on them recklessly.
I know before purchasing things it is best to do a lot of research and check things out at the stores and figure out what you want to do exactly w/what you buy & I did a little of this, but got impatient because i just wanted to make things. Not the best argument, and not a comprehensive review I know, but for a beginner like me it has been a fun tool that I will look back on happily after I've outgrown it. And it doesn't feel cheaply made like the oxygen et al.
good luck
rock.
c
<www.cwht.net>

Despite the posts listed above, I was still interested in
the Microkontrol, so I went on down to a local Sam Ash
and a Guitar Center (they are right next to each other).

While I am sure it is a decent midi controller, the keyboard
is f*cking crap! If you don't believe me go check it out yourself.
The keys are super tiny, I knew they were small, but these
are too small and the feel is kind of spongy meaning the
response sucks. I was totally disappointed as the unit looks
so cool, but just wouldn't be worth the cash. Now I am back to
square one on a finding a midi controller that will compliment
my Yamaha DX-11. I am thinking just a straight controller,
no keyboard right now.

Something like the:

Behringer BCF2000 $219
or
M-Audio UC-33e $329

Anyone, have any other suggestions?

I also considered the Microkontrol, but passed b/c of the key size. Instead I picked up a open-box Edirol PCR-A30 for just over $160. Only 30 keys, but nice action, relatively compact, and a decent number of controls - 8 rotary, 8 slider, 8 button. More than I know what to do with, that's for sure. ;-)

Check out Novation's Remote25. Great product and you get a good keyboard and lot's of sliders and knobs.

I have an oxygen 8 that I've used for some time and it "was" great, compact, good key feel and size, and cheap, just a very straight forward controller, but for some reason (being so portable, it has "touched" the ground a few times) it doesn't work anymore, (something is loose inside), since then I've moved up to an edirol pcr50, not portable,which for me right now is ok (no chance of brakin it) but very good indeed more control, programmable, good keyboard. I'm planning to fix my oxygen though, because of the portability.

re: keyboards/controllers

I bought a M-Audio radium 49, with midi/usb interface, very nice

they also have a larger model too

I also bought a Tascam US122 for connectivity for live instruments. got that from midiaudio (they included a sennheiser vocal mic and a 20 ft xlr cable it was 199.00

the Radium 49 was from sweetwater.com (149.00)

all are functional with Garage band and are mac/pc(yuch)

hope this helps

dwwave[LPM: PLEASE DON'T PUT YOUR EMAIL IN YOUR POSTS, or at least pu it in an antispam way!!!]adelphia.net

This post has been edited by lepetitmartien: Mon 21 Jun 2004, 03:34