Korg PadKONTROL

The Korg PadKontrol can be purchased in White or in Black. The price is very good, and it was when it first came out many years ago. Just looking at the face of the PadKontrol you can tell that it is an older unit because it just has that old style look to it. The PadKontrol is very expressive and can do pretty much anything you would want out of a MIDI controller. Every single pad out of the 16 of them can be assigned to a different MIDI channel so you can control different functions with it. All of the pads are velocity sensitive or you can turn the velocity off and get the perfect strike on the pad every single time you hit it. The pads are pretty well built but I still think AKAI’s MPD has better pads than this unit does.

Setting it up was really easy and no effort was involved, just have to make sure that your system requirements are right because this unit is so old, all of the new operating systems could run you for a loop when trying to install this. You might have to download some new drivers and patches online to get it to work but in most cases you should be good to go with the original drivers right out of the box.

The PadKontrol is well built and will last you a long time. I purchased a used one and had it for a few years then sold it to a friend and he has been using it for years so it has been in at least 3 different owners hands and it is many years old. It still works great, it does look a little tarnished though but that doesn’t effect the playing or usability of it. But if you want a better built controller with better pads check out the MPD by AKAI you will get more bang for your buck.

Since I started to write and perform with Ableton Live, I felt the need to acquire more and more MIDI controller devices. The Korg padKontrol grabbed my eye because of its compact size and its very helpful features.

I paid only $180 for this MIDI controller.

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I guess the first thing to consider when purchasing a pad controller is, obviously, its pads. The Korg padKontrol features nice rubbery pads that not only makes it comfortable to play with but also helps with its sensitivity. There were several features that I liked with this piece of gear. For one, how easy is to change the pad sounds once you have the instrument loaded up and the parameters set for each pad, such as velocity. Also, two assignable knobs for further control of effects and the XY pad that lets you create roll patterns. You can plug in the padKontrol via USB without having to worry about power or a MIDI Audio interface. I use the padKontrol not only for beat making but also for creating sound textures with synths as well as a controller for my DAW. It%92s really handy for songwriting especially when traveling.

I wish they had built this controller with a couple more assignable knobs. You can never have too many knobs to play with.

In spite of its light weight, the Korg padKontrol is a well built machine. The only downside is its knobs seem a little cheap. Here is its specifications: 16 velocity-sensitive trigger pads with LED illumination, X-Y pad, 2 assignable knobs, assignable pedal jack (pedal not included), 7-segment, 3-digit LED display, 16 user scene memories, 30 preloaded scene templates, USB bus power, MIDI I/O, USB port, power supply jack (DC9V, not included), pedal jack Includes USB cable and CD-ROM containing padKONTROL Editor/Librarian software.

The Korg padKontrol can be very useful for songwriters, DJ and producers who need a portable MIDI controller for beat creation or hands on DAW control.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

For how long have you been using it?

About three years now and not a single fault with it.

What thing do you like most/least about it?

Ok its like this once you buy the Korg Pad Kontrol you will never feel like using any OTHER Midi Studio Controller...Period, this machine will never fail you or let you down, the only thing I dislike about it is the roll function does not work to well with any sequencer eg, Fl Studio and Ableton live.

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

No I Had been using my typing keyboard to make beats before that and it was a big step up to say the least!

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Ok you could go and get a Akai Mpd Or A M Audio Trigger Finger but waste your money on those things when you could buy this for alot less...

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...

Yes most definitely without a single doubt this is the best midi drum pad ever on first sight you will feel the pads and the will feel hard and rubbery but once you load some sounds then you will apreciate the softness of them.

Hi all !! Here I have a problem pti I just bought the Korg padKONTROL and I have encountered a pb. For now it works on Fruty loops, but the problem is that I can not seem to load my drums DIFFERENT sound bank presonnel.TT like I can not load the drums kit supplied with.
When I work with Fruty from the pad kontrol I arrived ka kontrol the pattern on lekel I Fruty boss on such a clear ecaisse or a hi-hat, and it's loaded on 16 pads, so I am obliged denrgister chak sequence sparemen Alor ke ke I wanted to play my drums ct assigning clear caiise a pad on a big kaisse otr .... for the dune equivalent mcf. I would like to know if it is possible to do from the bank of its staff !!! if kelkun can help me it would be really cool because I ke hopeless Thank you.