Ableton Forum

so im finally getting a piece of gear, the 37 key microcontrol....

ive read some reviews, they seem kinda poo towards this thing, which seems odd since it is a korg.

anyway, do any of you guys use this? like dislike etc?

does it work good with ableton?

I use it, I will give you an honest breakdown of how I like it.

Overall, the metal plating gives an impression of quality (although its plastic on the back!), and it is a nice all around solution; you can play beats on the pads in Simpler, or use them to control transport or whatnot. I like the design of the joystik a lot, its got a good feel. The pads seem stiff to me although maybe I need to adjust the velocity curves on them. The faders are adequate but only just so, the knobs are fine (although 7 of mine broke and stopped transmitting the correct values, good thing I had taken the extra insurance!) The keyoard is really nice, but the keys are small, but maybe I am not a good judge because I have no idea how to play piano.

The screens are cool, the color changing capabilities of the LEDs also cool, but only if you can somehow get the information you need to appear on the screens, dynamically updated in real time- I use LcXmu mackie control emulation, which works great and is highly customizable, (it communicates with the mK in Native Korg mode, which allows it to take over the screens on the mK and tell you what parameter each control is controlling in real time.) Perhaps automap mode would do this as well I don't know.

Anyway as a controller it is good but lacks enough buttons from my point of view (There are 16...do you want to fire clips and mute, or record and solo?), and only really begins to shine when coupled with an automapping software solution which takes advantage of the screens and the LEDs to communicate information to you, meaning you can just look at the controller a lot of the time, not the computer. Yes there are many presets you can flip through and you could customize those as banks for your controller, but changing banks requires 2 buttons I am not a big fan of that it should be instantaneous.

As a drum pad I think it is only good because it is quite portable, I think the pads leave a lot to be desired in terms of responsiveness although like I said maybe I just need to adjust my velocity curves. I think the pads make great buttons but kind of lousy drum pads.

It is very highly customizable, the software librarian is great but seems a little buggy about recognizing the mK, I hear they are working on that.

So, I guess you could say that until I started using the LcXmu software to interface between Live and the mK, I was disappointed. Now its a fantastic Midi control surface and an ok drum pad kit.

is the LcXmu software compatible with win xp? and is it free?

thanks for the review, I tried to cancel the order and reorder the axiom 49 but the thing was already shipped out. So i have 45 days to try it and see if i like it. so we shall go from there.

thanks for the review.

i use the micro control and like it. the keys are small but that is ok because i do not really play keys like a piano maestro. the build is good, and the led screens are a big help. I am happy with mine

MCU emulation for Windows http://www.wisemix.com/mcmu/

I had one. It was good and frustrating in equal measure, largely because of Native Mode. Drum pads ain't too hot, but really great as buttons for live.

Use this instead of mcmu or whatever that link is:
http://www.wthor.com/microkontrol/

Update the firmware, if it isnlt already.

go here: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/korg_microkontrol/
sign up to get into the files area. I put up an explanation of Mackie Control Emulation and some files, which should be useful as a learning aid. If you don't understand them pm me and I'll try to explain. The MCU stuff was realised by other people, not me, those are just some scenes I found useful.

I don't have mine anymore. Miss it a little bit. Having a trial period is pretty useful

thanks for the tips, ill swing over to that yahoo group later today perhaps to find out more about the microcontroller.

I did manually program the pads to correspond to impulse the other night, which was nifty. The keyboard velocity curves seem to be really goofy, and from what bit i have been using it, the MDI learn is mostly non existant.

Im kind of wondering if i should return it ( i got a 45 day return policy ) and get an Axiom....

Im trying to give the microcontroller a chance though...it may be a better all around solution for other things aside from live.....

bumpage.....

I think a Novation SL controller would be a better option now. The MicroKontrol is ok, but there's better options out now.

I think a Novation SL controller would be a better option now. The MicroKontrol is ok, but there's better options out now.

fair enough, and im going to agree, however, i have a budget, so..what im going to need to do is, look with in about a 250.00 -270.00 means, so I suppose the MAudio Axiom 49 would be within my budget, and perhaps a better option?

okay, i think this settles it....

I got my microcontrol through american music supply, their website showed that this thing came with a a/c adapter AND an USB cable. well when i recieved the thing, NO usb cable. huzzah, so that delayed me by a day messing with it. so today I called them to get my usb cable yeah? I spoke with a rep, i said hey, my order that i JUST got didnt come with an USB cable, she puts me on hold, says, okay we sent one to you....

I get an order confirmation and they are CAHRGING ME 10.00 freeking bucks for something that should have came with. I think im gonna return the thing. Yeah...definately..

skumbags.

a small update.

I called american music supply, and the usb cable was free, apparently however their computer system sends out the confirmation as charged. So Im getting a 15 foot A to B usb cable for free....W00t.

Aside from that, they are totally cool with authorizing me a return. and and exchange for an Axiom 49, they would even apply the 20.00 difference towards second day shipping on the axiom.

Problem though, is its gonna take about a week and a half to do all this crud. So i could have them charge my card right away for the axiom and then put the money back on the card once they take the return of the korg.

I like that idea, unfortunately the wife doesnt..so i can keep the MC and learn to work within its limits/abilities...but i think i need to bite the bullet and get something id be more happy with.

on a happier note, I fired up the MC and reason last night, and boy, the MC seems to work like a dream with reason....

to bad im mostly a live use eh? and NOT a millionaire.

mmmmmmmmmmm..............sts9 fan?????

mmmmmmmmmmm..............sts9 fan?????

Huh?

there's a band called sts9

i thought your name was possibly a reference, also thier guitarist uses ableton and a microkorg

but nevermind