Nano-Nano BZZZT!

As I threatened in my last blog entry, I purchased the set of Korg Nano controllers and I shall expound upon them now; with three months of use under my belt, my feelings have changed somewhat, and I've shifted love affairs among them several times - leading to a lasting relationship in one case, and a bad break-up in another.

Korg NanoKontrol

From what I can tell, the NanoKontrol is the most popular of the Nano series controllers. It is also probably the most intense device of the lot, featuring nine "channels" of slider/knob/button sets, a set of control buttons and a scene-saving system. I first ran across one of these at a seminar where I was teaching; one of the students brought the control up and dared me to use it as a control surface for a Max-based drum machine I was making. I was shocked by the size of the device, but decided to give it a swing. 2 minutes later, I was using it as the surface for the module, and was sold on this as a take-along control surface. I've subsequently used it for Max programs, Ableton Live sessions and even as an emergency remote for a Logic Pro session. I don't take this unit everywhere (because I seldom find myself traveling without a number of controllers), but when I need a lot of controls in a very small area, this is a goto device.

NanoKontrol Relationship Level: Good Friend

Korg NanoPad

Where the NanoControl might be the best seller, the NanoPad is the device I saw everywhere at the NAMM show in January. Featuring 10 pads, an X-Y pad and some mode switches, I saw it everywhere - used by the drummer in the Victor Wooten NAMM/Jam band, as a front end for all sorts of Groove Machine-y software bits and connected to the laptop of almost everyone else. I love a good drum pad, and this was going to be my Prom Date of the Nano series.

Alas, it was not to be. If you've ever met me, you know I'm not really an, um, petite individual. Normally this doesn't mean much when it comes to music gear, but in this case I just couldn't get over the top of it. I felt like a team of Shriners trying to squeeze into the little car before the parade - just too cramped for words. The next time I went to the music store, I asked to try out the Korg PadKontrol - it was just right, and the device I really needed. I guess that, when it comes to percussion pads, I'm a little more picky about having it feel right vs. having it tiny.

I bought the PadKontrol and decided to make the NanoPad go away. I put it in the mail for a friend of mine; giving the USPS a chance to bend, fold and mutilate the thing well past its manufacturing tolerances. Luckily, it is cheap enough that I could shrug it off and return to my PadKontrol for an evening's pleasure. It's not like we were married or something...

NanoPad Relationship Level: Bad Breakup Due to My Cheating

Korg NanoKey

This is the device I was least excited about: a two-octave keyboard that initially showed all of the charm of a cheap pencil case. I got a good deal on the whole set, so I picked it up - even though I was sure I'd never use the darned thing. I mean, it rattles when you shake it! That's never a good sign...

Alas, it won my heart with a combination of simplicity and portability. It doesn't try to do more than it can: it is two octave of clackity keys (moderately velocity sensitive), quick-access octave-switching buttons, a Mod button set (for Mod wheel emulation) and a CC-mode switch that I never use. There isn't much there, and there shouldn't be. It is simple as sin, but oh so very useful.

It's the portability that makes it My True Love. When traveling, I normally take either an M-Audio Axiom 25 or (if I'm cramped for space) an Edirol PCR-1. The Axiom is actually useful as a keyboard, but the PCR really isn't. On the other hand, the Axiom, while short, is still big - hence, not very friendly traveling companion. The PCR is thin, but still big; it is simply too big for my in-flight backpack. So it becomes part of the check-in pack, where it has to compete with audio interfaces, cable stacks and tube socks for room in the suitcase. It also plays pretty terrible, so I'm not all that jazzed by taking it along. Hence, I'm finding myself, more often than not, traveling without a keyboard.

The problem is that it leave me plunking out basslines and chords on the laptop keyboard, which is about as musical as a broken arm. No matter what they try, plinking on a QWERTY keyboard does not feel like making music. Hence, the reason why the NanoKey has become my betrothed: because the keyboard you will take with you is the best keyboard to have. Not only can I stick the NanoKey in my backpack for the flight, but I can actually use it during the flight. I get some crazy looks by the Frontier Airlines staff, but I couldn't care less...

NanoKey Relationship Level: True Love Conquers All

So there, after living with these devices for several months, is my view of the Nano series of Korg devices. A brilliant set of devices, but ones that may ebb and flow in your personal workflow. I don't doubt that there will be people that love the Pad and hate the Key, but these devices are so inexpensive that I can't imagine anyone not giving them a try.