Do You Love Your MIDI Controller?

[Tj Shredder]

In Europe you have the right to send stuff back by law. Even if you don’t have a store around you can test it. I bet some dealers elsewhere would offer this policy without being forced to as well...
Usually not possible if you buy used, better do that locally...

[midierror]

I love my MIDI leg!

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I love my MIDI leg!

[Hewitt Huntwork]

Thanks everyone who has chimed in so far!

Chemo saved my life but left me with nerve damage that compromises my playing (guitar, keys) quite a bit. I picked up a Kordbot that I hoped would allow me to accompany myself, but it seems to have 3 velocities: 0, 127, and one in between somewhere. I'm planning to sell it, and also a Maschine MK3 that wasn't quite for me. I'm the OP and my nerve damage was what led me to look into so many controllers and ultimately prompted my question. I was curious about the answers well beyond what might apply to me personally.

I'm using a Novation Launchpad Pro (despite not being a Live user) and enjoying it. The online controller editor is a nice feature and works well. I need to learn the Launchpad a little better. I love the number of pads but miss the sustain pedal and the way other controllers handle mod/pitch.

I'm a Studio One guy so the incoming Atom SQ looks interesting.

[clipnotic]

I hated all DAW controllers I had and bought an old Yamaha Workstation for 150 Euro, which has much better keys than "modern" midi controllers.

[tapper mike]

Thanks everyone who has chimed in so far!

Chemo saved my life but left me with nerve damage that compromises my playing (guitar, keys) quite a bit. I picked up a Kordbot that I hoped would allow me to accompany myself, but it seems to have 3 velocities: 0, 127, and one in between somewhere. I'm planning to sell it, and also a Maschine MK3 that wasn't quite for me. I'm the OP and my nerve damage was what led me to look into so many controllers and ultimately prompted my question. I was curious about the answers well beyond what might apply to me personally.

I'm using a Novation Launchpad Pro (despite not being a Live user) and enjoying it. The online controller editor is a nice feature and works well. I need to learn the Launchpad a little better. I love the number of pads but miss the sustain pedal and the way other controllers handle mod/pitch.

I'm a Studio One guy so the incoming Atom SQ looks interesting.

The linnstrument (128 or 200)
-MPE compatible
-Requires less force for attack/sustain than other grid type surfaces
-Full velocity sensitivity with four settings (Fixed, High, Medium, Low)
- Aftertouch settings (High Medium, Low, On/Off)
- Two foot controllers, two switch controllers.
- No expression pedal, bend or mod wheel (all done by touch)

[Hewitt Huntwork]

The linnstrument (128 or 200)
-MPE compatible
-Requires less force for attack/sustain than other grid type surfaces
-Full velocity sensitivity with four settings (Fixed, High, Medium, Low)
- Aftertouch settings (High Medium, Low, On/Off)
- Two foot controllers, two switch controllers.
- No expression pedal, bend or mod wheel (all done by touch)

That was beautiful!

[Hewitt Huntwork]

I grabbed the Atom SQ and I don't love it. The "keys" just lay there, like a Keith McMillen K-Board.

I Kickstarted the Orba for fun. It's interesting but impractical for real music making (for me). I could see some real use for it if they allowed you to customize the chords in the app.

Still searching!

[gondii]

I'm pretty happy with my set up currently. I enjoy using the NI Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 quite a lot, it's very satisfying for just playing, performing and transforming ideas. I use the launchpad pro to control Live and I use the Launch Control XL to control all plugins outside of KK with this script and editor. Would I say I love them? Yes, definitely.

[chk071]

I hated all DAW controllers I had

You too?

The only one I really liked was the first one I ever had, my beloved M-Audio Oxygen mk2 25 key controller. *sniff*

[3lu5iv3]

pretty happy with Keylab 61 Essential and MIDI Fighter Spectra.

[WatchTheGuitar]

One big hassle with controllers is not knowing the current value and having to rely on soft takeover.

Kept meaning to ask does anyone have a MIDI controller like the MIDI Fighter Twister with endless controllers that also have halo LEDs that show a value and how easy is it to get values to sync like CC values in a plugin via a DAW? Do you have to set the same plugins up each time or is there a way to save favourite settings?

[earl_wyte]

I recently sold my NI S49 to fund the purchase of an M-Audio Hammer 88- no regrets. The Hammer action on the M-Audio is totally worth it, makes for a more satisfying playing experience (I'm not a classical pianist)

[pdxindy]

After trying a number of midi controllers for controlling DAW's (for example Push with Live) I realized I preferred using the mouse and screen the majority of the time.

I like Logic Remote on the iPad more than any hardware controller I have tried. It is clear and visually obvious without having to remember lots of button combinations.

So my main midi controller these days is my Linnstrument. I will never part with it.

Also a simple controller with 8 knobs for controlling performance macros on synth sounds. I mainly use Bitwig these days.

[trusampler]

I use a Novation SL Remote Zero MK2 for assigning cc's,sysex,nrpn while in advanced mode with their editor. I've tried too many controllers to name, and this is by far the most advanced controller by far. Nothing else even comes close in terms of being able to assign sysex,nrpns and cc's/..