LIMS: Korg “nanoSeries” Controllers
Korg has unveiled their new nanoSeries controllers at the London International Music Show 2008. nanoSeries consists of the nanoKEY Slim-line USB Keyboard, nanoPAD Slim-line USB Controller and nanoKONTROL Slim-line USB Controller.
All three controllers heavily emphasise both compactness and somehow also functionality with intuitive layouts and bucketloads of controls packed into a small form factor.
nanoKEY
The Korg nanoKEY features a 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that can be used to send MIDI control data in addition to note data. The nanoKEY is smaller than and based upon the key mechanism of a laptop keyboard, it includes octave shift and three velocity curves allowing a range of expression across its minimalist 25-key surface.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve wished I had something like the nanoKEY for trying out Reason 4 patches and entering simple melodies; Korg have certainly hit home with this one.
nanoPAD
The Korn nanoPAD is a compact drum controller with 12 highly responsive pads plus Chord Trigger and control change message functionality. As if that wasn’t enough the Korg nanoPAD offers an X/Y pad with “Roll” and “Flam” modes for adding extra expression and realism to your drum groves. The X/Y pad will even send MIDI control change messages letting you sweep pitch/filters/volume/expression and more.
nanoKONTROL
The Korg nanoKONTROL features a plethora of controllers including 9 faders, 9 knobs, 18 switches and a full transport section. Four programmable scenes allow 4 different control setups and a total of 168 different control change messages or MIDI notes. Attack and decay times can be specified for the 18 switches allowing controller messages to be smoothly fed into parameters such as wet/dry levels for an effect, a filter for a synth or a volume fader; this effectively enabled the switches to emulate sliders.
It seems that what the nanoSERIES controllers lack in looks is more than made up for in functionality.
Price and availability are to be confirmed, check out the Korg nanoSERIES on the Korg website for more information.