MIDI – Controller

A MIDI Controller is a "mute" keyboard, which enables to direct the various functions of music software. Pressing the key, MIDI information sent to a computer, what key and how is touched. Many controllers have additional knobs, which is programmable for driving different functions of software. Usually these seemed like piano keyboards. Range in size from portable 25-key models to 88 weighted action keys. Available are also controllers on a different type, like drum pads, control consoles, foot pedals and more.

M-Audio Oxygen 8 – MIDI keyboard

A MIDI Keyboard with good action, plus eight MIDI-assignable knobs to control any MIDI parameters, if you desire, in your hardware or software.
I choosed it to my Home Recording basic gear for playing soft synth`s. M-Audio Oxygen 8 is good enough, when you are not piano player or need additional – or mobile MIDI-controller. This enables comfortable “one hand playing”. Coverage is 2 octaves, but for solving a drawback, includes an octave up/down switch.
MIDI isn’t just about triggering notes and the Oxygen series has what it takes to access all those deep parameters in your software and hardware so you can get the most out of them. Map the eight knobs to any synth parameters you want to program or perform with to mixer controls like volume, panning and effects send. Assign the buttons to trigger samples and anything else that is MIDI-programmable.
Oxygen keyboard controllers are made with high fidelity, all the plastic knobs & keys a working properly. Connecting to computer it`s simple – after installing driver, just plug & play.
Even so, you find it`s short for the real piano playing – in Oxygen series are also available 49 & 61 & even 88 key usb MIDI keyboards: as Oxygen 49 & Oxygen 61 & Oxygen 88

In my opinion, M-Audio Oxygene is well-suitable to Home Recording gear.
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Korg pad KONTROL is ideal for creating drum beats, bass beats or whatever synthesizers sounds. This control board is fully customizable. Each of the sixteen pads can be individually assigned a note number and MIDI channel so you can control a single drumkit or map it to control different devices in your setup at the same time. This allows you to set up certain instruments to feel as you like, and others to always play the perfect velocity, no matter how you strike the pad. You can also set up multiple pads to play the same drum but at different fixed velocities, giving you varied but predictable performance every time.

This is an ideal tool for recording drum tracks without having real drums. I like to use pad Kontrol with Toontrack EZ drummer software. An optional foot pedal enables to play a bass drum sound, just as if a real drum was being used. Likewise, it`s good for synth bass playing. I saved even bass guitar strings tuning set up – to device memory.
The Pad Kontrol is USB bus-powered (no power supply necessary when connected to a computer). A construction is quality made with a plastic case and gum rubber pads. In my opinion, this has more features than the M-Audio Trigger Finger or Akai similar devices. There are so many various settings for midi signals and a fingerboard is pretty handy.

Its fun to jam, with pad Kontrol
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Alesis Control Pad is USB MIDI Percussion Pad Controller, that functions equally well as a recording tool and as an on-stage electronic “trap table.” The Control Pad features 8 velocity sensitive pads with gum rubber surfaces for excellent stick response as well as two trigger inputs for connecting external pads such as the Alesis Drum Pad and Cymbal Pad expansion kits. Further, there are two switch pedal inputs to accommodate open and closed hi-hat as well as kick drum. Percussion setups are stored to internal memory and are accessible via MIDI program change commands.
For basic Home Recording, this provides a workable solution. For a low budget, can play, like a real drummer.

Key features

• 8 high quality, velocity–sensitive percussion pads
• 2 trigger inputs for connecting external pads (compatible with Alesis Drum Pad and Cymbal Pad expansion kits)
• 2 foot-switch inputs
• Up/down foot-switch input
• USB bus–powered (no power supply necessary when connected to a computer)
• PC and Mac compatible
• MIDI I/O
• Pad sensitivity adjustment
• Stores MIDI setups with program change capability
• A/C power adapter included

I want to own this cool drummer console, but I have`nt yet.
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Novation Nocturn is an intelligent plug-in controller that promises to unleash the full potential of all your favourite instruments and effects. Nocturn provides automatic, instant and intelligent control of all automatable plug-ins within every major sequencer. These are accompanied by eight user-assignable illuminated buttons and a smooth & cross-fader.
Control technology exclusive to Novation, Automap provides instant and intelligent control of all your Music software. Just boot up any majorapplication and the parameters automatically assign to your Automap-compatible controller. Little or no user setup is required and control of your software can be customized just the way you like it. Little or no user setup is required and control of your software can be customized just the way you like it. Massive flexibility means that you can assign a potentially infinite number of parameters for each application.

This device makes a software control and a mixing flexible & quicker.
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