which 25-key controller to DJ with?

[bluehen]

got it down to the Akai mpk 25 and the Novation SL MKII 25

[reticent]

I'm bumping this because I'm in the same boat; which controller should I get for Live? Novation is a bit pricey though.

Thanks!

[Taylor Barclay]

I've got the Novation.

I also thought that spending $400 was too expensive so I stalked eBay for a couple weeks and ended up getting a mint condition SL MKii for $275.

Automap, for me, works wonderful. I've got it along side the Launchpad, and although I'm still getting used to the extra tools, I think it will be phenomenal down the road.

[reticent]

So the Novation SL25 would be better you think, rather than the MPK25?

[Mr.CK]

For last few hours I've been digging through the internet regarding this exact issue - which to choose. My conclusion for now is that they're very close. A lot of times it depends what your other controllers are.

[23kon]

No competition at all! Novation for Automap HUD making things sooooo much easier!
you can see everything thats assigned at a glance without havign to remember what's assigned to what or having to put stickers all over your equiptment.

[ansiaaa]

if you want to use EVERYTHING you have on your controller, get yourself a MPK25 and fix the pads like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mI4SutQJpQ (or cut squares from a rubber sheet, or buy new pads from mpcstuff.com).
the pads on the SL MKII are even worse than those of the MPK without the upgrade, and you can't fix 'em.
I also read somewhere on the forum that their release signal works in a strange way, but if you want to be sure you should have a search.

apart from that both are great controllers and they work very well. they are sturdy and don't fear gigs.

[Tarekith]

MPK feels a lot better to me, much more solid (i've owned both). Automap can be useful, but honestly I never used it that much.