How's the Ableton Live version that comes with microKontrol?

[zerobae]

As I'm gonna start playing live this year, I wonder if it's a good choice to buy the Korg microKontrol and use the light version of Ableton Live that comes with it.

Has anybody here tried it yet?

Does it work properly or would you rather describe it as a demo version?

Can it host VSTis?

Thanks a lot for your suggestions,
Zerobae

[milchstrasse]

hallo zerobae! sorry, kann dir deine frage leider nicht beantworten, da ich ableton nicht verwende.
hat mich nur gefreut, dich hier zu sehen. wann/wo trittst du denn auf?
bernhard aka milchstrasse

[Vonbrucken]

i would like to know too , as i want o buy korg microkontrol

[CANE CREEK]

Funny ive just bought a korg microKontrol , i was already running ableton live 4 and the korg collection , i don't like sample tank..so the bundled software was a waste of time for me..
It did bug me a bit thinking i was paying extra for some software i didn't want.

Bewarned....i really like my MicroKontrol , i have small hands , if you have thick set hands then you may struggle with the small keys.

[>v^<^^]

i dig the microK too. mini-keys are lots of fun for some things... monosynth stuff especially. didn't use the software.

[Vonbrucken]

i want to buy it for the pads

[zerobae]

i was already running ableton live 4

Do you get a cutdown version of Live 4 with the microkontrol then?

i have small hands , if you have thick set hands then you may struggle with the small keys

What did you think? I'm an artist! My fingers break from shaking hands!

[CANE CREEK]

yes i did get cutdown version of Live 4 with the microkontrol , but i havent installed it as i have the full version , i haven't even took the shrink wrap off the CD.

and yes the reason i bought it was for the pads...

[autoy]

I just got a microkontrol this week and so far I love it. I would have to register it to benefit from the software bundle, but I already own Live 4 so maybe I won't even bother because the bundled one is well cut-down. Here's the specs:

§ Session View helps you to build patterns and songs in real time by linking audio and MIDI loops/phrases.

§ Auto-Jamming function automatically generates sequences from the loops and phrases in Session View.

§ Tempo/groove/timing adjustment and audio recording are always available.

§ Tap tempo function and automatic tempo adjustment function

§ DJ-style crossfading between tracks

§ Up to 6 scenes can be made in Session View

§ 2 channel audio in/out

§ Up to 8 tracks (6 audio tracks + 2 MIDI tracks)

§ 1 send/return track

§ A host of MIDI editing functions, plus SMF importing

§ Virtual sampler “Simpler”

§ Virtual drum machine “Impulse” (multiple drum kits contained)

§ 1 VST/AudioUnits plug-in instrument per track can be used

§ 5 MIDI effects (Chord, Pitch, Random, Scale, and Velocity) - Up to 3 effects can be used simultaneously.

§ Up to 4 Clip Envelopes can be used to modulate pitch, timing, volume and effect parameters of the individual notes in a sample.

§ Audio effect assignment via drag & drop operation.

§ 13 audio effects (Auto-filter, Chorus, Compressor, EQ four, Erosion, Filter Delay, Gate, Grain Delay, Ping Pong Delay, Redux, Reverb, Simple Delay, and Vinyl Distortion). Up to 3 effects can be used simultaneously.

§ 1 VST/AudioUnits plug-in effect per track can be used.

§ Audio file export, bouncing, resampling functions (up to 16bit)

§ Real time control of loop/phrase, mixer, transport, virtual device parameters by the microKONTROL.

§ Tutorial project “Starter Sets” containing approx. 50MB sampling data.

§ English /German/French/Spanish/Japanese PDF manuals included.

§ Upgradeable to Live 4 full version



*Live Lite 4 Korg Edition does not contain the following functions of the Live 4 full version: Editing in Arranger View, MIDI output to external devices, MIDI sync, ReWire support.

... so it's pretty useless. At least you can upgrade to the full version, I presume for a lower price.

As far as the microkontrol goes, it's pretty awsome piece of kit. Very good construction quality, far better than the Remote25.

Many people ask for the pads and I've seen a lot of bashing on this one. They come quite hard from the factory, but they definitely get softer and more sensitive with use. They are excelent to trigger Live scenes and samples, in fact you can use this combination as some kind of MPC-like sampling/sequencing. You can also set their velocity to an exact value, which is great for electronic drums.

The knobs are big, lots of room between them, accelerated endless pots but BEWARE:
In normal MIDI mode they DO NOT send incremental values, only 0-127 so they really behave like normal knobs, not encoders. Yes, you will get parameter jumps in this mode. I guess it's there because of maximum compatibility for hosts and plugins, as not all support incremental values and parameter feedback.

On the other hand, a true encoder function with parameter value and name(!)feedback is also possible using something called Korg Native Mode. This is not very well documented feature that allows a Logic Control-like operation for any host that supports it, with real V-pot functionality and automatic paramenter assign. In fact, logic users get full Logic Control operation with this using a bridge-software called LC Xmu. Korg legacy cell stand-alone does support it and the results are awsome. Also Reason 3 is going to have support and I'll be looking forward to try it.

The faders are big too and have larger run than I thougth. They wiggle a bit, but feel ok.

I have no problems with the mini keys, in fact I love them, just choose one of the 8 velocity curves for better response to your playing. I guess serious keyboardists will hate this kind of stuff. An extra octave is very welcome on the other hand.

There are other details that set the MK appart, like the usage of colour for various functions and so on.

So this is my short mini-review of the MK for those who want to buy one. I really recomend it.

cheers.

[CANE CREEK]

i like my MK too the only thing i'd change is the joystick , for 2 wheels.

[anopenscroll]

Kontrol49 has 4 octaves, full size.

[autoy]

Kontrol49 has 4 octaves, full size.

Yes, but you loose compactness (?). I'm actually glad Korg chose 3 octave minikeys rather than 2 octave full size, which is a near-useless amount for me.

Oh well... I guess keyboardists will choose K49 then...

By the way, all MK/K49 users should make a petition to all host developers to support Korg Native Mode! I tell you this is great stuff...

[braj]

I don't have a microKontrol, but I have a Ceative Prodikeys and I'd like to add that though I have big hands and fat fingers, there's also the benefit of being able to span an octave incredibly easily. So it's a give and take IMO. I'd love to upgrade my Oxygen8 to a microKontrol, even with the little keys. You get more octaves in the same space, plus those pads are really cool.

[Cone]

Funny ive just bought a korg microKontrol , i was already running ableton live 4 and the korg collection , i don't like sample tank..so the bundled software was a waste of time for me..
It did bug me a bit thinking i was paying extra for some software i didn't want.

Well, you weren't, as the Kreative Control Pack is bundled with newer mK's, and older mK owners can get it for free if they bought it before a certain date (depends on market area, I think) and have registered. It hasn't made a difference on the price of the mK.