Best Midi / Keyboard Controllers for Mulab
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 34 posts since 10 Sep, 2006
As a long time MuTools user (since when it was Luna), I've been using an old 49 Mark-149 Evolution Midi keyboard controller, and it's pretty basic - keys plus pitch-bend & mod wheels with additional keys to set midi channel, octave, velocity curve etc.
Action was never great, and some of the keys are starting to really show their age.
As such, I'm planning on getting a newer 61 or 88 key midi controller (+sustain pedal), and now I see all these fun options with drum pads, controllable knobs, sliders, transport controls, etc. that purport to connect to your DAW, virtual effects, and instruments.
Some seem to be specifically designed to connect to various more mainstream DAWs, but none for MuTools, unfortunately.
I'd be interested in hearing what keyboard style midi controllers people have been using successfully with MuTools, and what their experience has been with set-up, and then maintaining that mapping with the regular MuTools upgrades..
Trying to figure out which features are worth pay extra $ for considering I plan to stick with Mutools, which brands / models will last for years, etc.
Other notes: Running on a PC with a focusrite scarlet interface and have a smattering of different effects and instruments in addition to built in function, including many free VSTs, but also Izotope and recently picked up the IK Total Studio 3.5max. I also like to compose my own drum patterns vs. using off-the-shelf beat sequences.
Your thoughts?
-oldguy
P.S. Any videos or in-depth set-up instructions for midi controllers other than the "Using Midi Controllers" in the docs?
Action was never great, and some of the keys are starting to really show their age.
As such, I'm planning on getting a newer 61 or 88 key midi controller (+sustain pedal), and now I see all these fun options with drum pads, controllable knobs, sliders, transport controls, etc. that purport to connect to your DAW, virtual effects, and instruments.
Some seem to be specifically designed to connect to various more mainstream DAWs, but none for MuTools, unfortunately.
I'd be interested in hearing what keyboard style midi controllers people have been using successfully with MuTools, and what their experience has been with set-up, and then maintaining that mapping with the regular MuTools upgrades..
Trying to figure out which features are worth pay extra $ for considering I plan to stick with Mutools, which brands / models will last for years, etc.
Other notes: Running on a PC with a focusrite scarlet interface and have a smattering of different effects and instruments in addition to built in function, including many free VSTs, but also Izotope and recently picked up the IK Total Studio 3.5max. I also like to compose my own drum patterns vs. using off-the-shelf beat sequences.
Your thoughts?
-oldguy
P.S. Any videos or in-depth set-up instructions for midi controllers other than the "Using Midi Controllers" in the docs?
- KVRAF
- 4870 posts since 25 Jan, 2014 from The End of The World as We Knowit
Closely observe how you work, and keep it simple.
Because MuLab is modular, I suggest:
- a simple keyboard controller with transport controls
- a controller with good faders you can label for each project
- a big knob or trackpad for your left hand that changes focus with the mouse in your right
- something like Metagrid to trigger a sequence of key commands
Because MuLab is modular, I suggest:
- a simple keyboard controller with transport controls
- a controller with good faders you can label for each project
- a big knob or trackpad for your left hand that changes focus with the mouse in your right
- something like Metagrid to trigger a sequence of key commands
F E E D
Y O U R
F L O W
Y O U R
F L O W
- KVRist
- 469 posts since 1 Dec, 2021
I had several "all in one" keyboard MIDI Controllers - the last one was an Akai MPK249 but I wasn't happy with the velocity response, so I went for separates:
- Roland A-49 Keys (inexpensive, good velocity response)
- Korg padKontrol for drums (discontinued but still the best)
- Korg microKontrol (sliders, knobs and micro keys - discontinued)
If you'd like to have "NI Komplete Kontrol" quality keybed for the lower price you can try the Studiologic SL73 studio (73 keys, no knobs, no sliders) and something like Korg nanoKontrol to add knobs and sliders to your setup.
PS. I still use my NI Kore 2 (MIDI knobs and buttons)
- Roland A-49 Keys (inexpensive, good velocity response)
- Korg padKontrol for drums (discontinued but still the best)
- Korg microKontrol (sliders, knobs and micro keys - discontinued)
If you'd like to have "NI Komplete Kontrol" quality keybed for the lower price you can try the Studiologic SL73 studio (73 keys, no knobs, no sliders) and something like Korg nanoKontrol to add knobs and sliders to your setup.
PS. I still use my NI Kore 2 (MIDI knobs and buttons)
- KVRAF
- 2724 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
I'm planning on getting the new akai mini plus next week. Anyone here using it at all? Just wondered how it faired with MuLab.
- KVRist
- 469 posts since 1 Dec, 2021
- KVRAF
- 2724 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
I thought so too, just need something small but feature packed!
I considered arturia's key step mini but don't like the touch strips for pitch bend!
I considered arturia's key step mini but don't like the touch strips for pitch bend!
- KVRAF
- 2724 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
- KVRist
- 469 posts since 1 Dec, 2021
Most of the keyboard (and no-keyboard) MIDI controllers allows you to create a custom CC/note mapping for its sliders, knobs, buttons and pads. It is very easy to use any mapping (pre-configured or custom) with MuLab - you just right-click the MuLabs parameter knob you'd like to control and move any knob/slider on your MIDI controller to assign it (MuLab's "MIDI listen" option is enabled by default).oldguy wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 12:02 am
(...) and now I see all these fun options with drum pads, controllable knobs, sliders, transport controls, etc. that purport to connect to your DAW, virtual effects, and instruments.
Some seem to be specifically designed to connect to various more mainstream DAWs, but none for MuTools, unfortunately.
I'd be interested in hearing what keyboard style midi controllers people have been using successfully with MuTools, and what their experience has been with set-up, and then maintaining that mapping with the regular MuTools upgrades..
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- KVRist
- 469 posts since 1 Dec, 2021
I'm not sure if MuLab supports MMC (Midi Machine Control) protocol to control transport - maybe Joe can answer that question. I use MuLab plugin with other DAW and I work with motorized faders (this requires bi-directional communication and I don't know how it works with MuLab app).
- KVRAF
- 12760 posts since 24 Jun, 2008 from Europe
MuLab does not support MMC.
But it does support mapping MIDI CC to Start/Stop/Record/...
But it does support mapping MIDI CC to Start/Stop/Record/...
- KVRAF
- 2724 posts since 28 Mar, 2008 from a Galaxy S7 far far away
I used to have a novation impulse which worked with transport controls.
If I remember right, you set the button to 127 for both minimum and maximum for play button, and set 0 for both for stop button.
Was about 8 years ago when I set that up, so no idea if it's same now. I'll let you know when I get my shiny new Mini Plus!
If I remember right, you set the button to 127 for both minimum and maximum for play button, and set 0 for both for stop button.
Was about 8 years ago when I set that up, so no idea if it's same now. I'll let you know when I get my shiny new Mini Plus!
- KVRist
- 117 posts since 7 Oct, 2014 from Suisse
I use Nektar Panorama T6 , Fantom 07, Arturia Keystep, Keystep 37. Best is relativ , depend what you want to do.
- KVRist
- 469 posts since 1 Dec, 2021
True, but this doesn't answer the Autor's question: "what keyboard style midi controllers people have been using successfully with MuTools, and what their experience has been with set-up, and then maintaining that mapping with the regular MuTools upgrades.."