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The Korg MicroKontrol is the new ultimate MIDI controller. It offers all the features you could need for control your computer based music production system |
With a compact and sophisticated-looking design, it includes a three-octave keyboard (37 note mini keyboard), eight encoders, eight sliders, and sixteen trigger pads that you can use to control your favorite soft synths, DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), or other musical tools such as external MIDI sound modules. It is the perfect choice for making music on the go thanks to its compact design, and it will fit into the tightest performance space.
The microKontrol’s velocity-sensitive 37-note mini keyboard provides Octave Shift and Transpose functions that allow it to cover the full range of C-1 through G9. Eight different velocity curves are provided – you can select the response that works best for your playing. Eight encoders and sliders, sixteen pads, a joystick with switch, and support for pedals give you a total of 35 different controllers, making this the ultimate controller for direct and intuitive operation.
The eight encoders and sliders can be assigned to transmit any MIDI control change (including NRPN and RPN messages) to control volume, panning, or anything else. Operating a controller will transmit the MIDI message assigned to it. Each encoder and slider also has an LCD (sub display) that indicates the parameter and the transmitted value, with the backlight color changing between orange and green to distinguish between the encoder and slider. Since you won't have to watch your computer screen while you operate the controllers, your fingers will be linked to your music in a more physical way. The LCD can display either decimal or hexadecimal values.
The microKontrol provides sixteen trigger pads that can be assigned with an unprecedented degree of freedom. The pads can be used to trigger notes with full velocity transmission, or assigned to transmit MIDI control changes to operate the transport of your recording software or act as any type of switch.
In addition to assigning pitch bend to the X-axis and modulation to the Y-axis of the joystick, you can freely assign different MIDI messages to all four directions (up/down/left/right) and the switch in order to control your connected device or computer application.
Making control assignments is extremely easy – just hold down a mode key. Press the “SETTING” mode key, press a pad to select the desired type of controller, and use the controller and the “CURSOR” buttons to specify the parameters.
Settings that assign the controllers to various control functions for computer-based software synthesizers or DAW programs can be saved as one of twelve scenes in internal user memory. You can use the trigger pads to switch scenes instantly. Internal memory also contains twelve preset scenes that support popular DAW and sequencer software.
The microKontrol provides MIDI IN/OUT ports, and can also be used as a USB-MIDI interface. You can use MIDI clock data to control the tempo, or transmit MIDI messages directly. The microKONTROL can also be powered via its USB connection, making the AC power supply adaptor or even batteries unnecessary when connected to a computer via USB.
The included CD-ROM contains dedicated drivers, librarian software that lets you manage your original scenes on a computer, and numerous templates (scene programs) for use with popular DAW and sequencer software. More templates will be released ensuring that the most popular applications will be supported by the microKontrol. The librarian software makes it easy to transfer the twelve scene memories between internal memory and your computer. You can store and manage scenes you create to precisely suit your own setup.
Supported operating systems: Mac OS X, Windows XP
*Specifications subject to change without notice
Memory: 12 User (RAM) locations
Connectors: DC 9 V (AC adapter) MIDI IN, OUT, THRU USB connector Expression Pedal
Power Supply: DC 9 V (AC adapter) or six AA batteries
Power Consumption: AC adapter: 3.5W (Max)
Dimensions: 20.63" (W) x 9.13"(D) x 2.76"(H) 524(W) x 232(D) x 70(H)mm Weight: 2.6kg/5.73 lbs.
Accessories: AC adapter (DC 9 V, 600mA), USB Cable,
CD-ROM: microKONTROL Librarian Software, Template Sheet, Driver, Name Sheet, Seal for Trigger Pad
Options: DS-1H Damper Pedal PS-1 Pedal Switch
System Compatibility: Macintosh: Supported OS: Mac OS X v10.2 or later.
Supported Computer: Apple Macintosh with Mac OS X and USB port Windows:
Supported OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition/Professional Supported Computer: PC with Windows XP and USB port (recommended Intel USB chipset