Preparing for the KORG NanoKontrol

Awaiting and preparing for the "KORG NanoKontrol"

Losing the Electribe EM-1 and Finding a New Friend

So, I've recently been bidding on an Electribe EM-1 on eBay and was hoping that I would be able to snag it for my max bid of *85.00".  As far as I know, it would have been mine, but I forgot to click the whole way in when I was increasing my max bid and it went for $76.00....Oh, what a shame, what a shame.  

But never fear!  I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new KORG NanoKontrol.  The KORG NanoKontrol is a slim-line USB MIDI device that has a set of faders, knobs, on/off buttons and a set of sampling buttons (I assume for envelope generating).  

I snagged it for a healthy $20 plus free shipping on eBay from a seller who calls themselves "UniqueSquared".  The image of the KORG NanoKontrol is taken directly from their eBay post.  They seem to be very passionate and dedicated sellers with a very knowledgable and cool staff.  Their postings include video interviews and product overviews featuring the staff members of Unique Squared.  Their motto is "Be u.  Be unique." 

You can check out their eBay seller page here.  It's full of great deals and usually includes free shipping. 

I must say now, that I am not affiliated, nor do I work for this company in any way, I just happen to like them as a company.  

Here's their full website.  

It also includes a "Pro Audio Forum" for electronic musicians and producers and has users from the whole skill-set spectrum.  Check it out!  They have give-aways on the forum for different items from time to time (Studio Monitors, keyboards, etc.)

Awaiting the KORG NanoKontrol

According to the delivery confirmation number I got, the NanoKontrol should be here within the next few hours.  So now, my preparatory work must begin.  I don't want to waste any more time than I have to putting this bad boy to use!  

The steps I'm going to have to take are going to look a lot like what I detailed in my last post 

(regarding 'User 2 Mode' on Novation's Launchpad).  I will use the NanoKontrol in adjunct with the Launchpad, but more directly, to "kontrol" my Yamaha Portable Grand MIDI keyboard.  The KORG NanoKontrol gives the user access to assignable knobs, faders, on/off switches, and envelope samplers on a slim-line device.  With it's rubber footies and small size, it can easily be placed right on top of the MIDI controller and mapped to maximize effects and envelopes during live performance.

Preparing Instrument Racks and Pre-planning MIDI Mapping

When performing live, either as a DJ or an electronic musician, it's important to know that you're going to need to have a lot of material pre-planned and set up.  Ableton makes this kind of work really simple in the way that you can create a "Live Set".  

Say you're performing a show and you want to use samples,  You can set up all the clips in Ableton and have them launch from the Launchpad and control the mixing and effects as you play.  Once you have everything set up the way you want it, you'll save it as a "Live Set".  The effects settings and MIDI mappings will be saved, specific to the "Live Set" and you will be able to easily recall all of those settings by loading the "Live Set".  

If you're an electronic musician, use Ableton to set up your instrument racks with different MIDI instruments.  If you have another person to help you (another set of hands) OR you're an octopus, you can play all the instruments you have set up live and record the clips as you go.  Editing and adding/tweaking effects as you go.  It's really intuitive and helpful for all kinds of live performance or production.

Korg's NanoKontrol helps toprovide more control over your "Live Set".

When setting up your "Live Set", you can MIDI map different effects for each instrument to be activated by the different elements of the NanoKontrol.  

Say:

On/Off Switch - Delay On/Off

Knob - Frequency Filter

Fader - Phaser or Grain Shifter

Keeping the Control consistent across the controller will help make performance more smooth.  If everything switch, knob, and fader controls the same kind of effect across the board, you won't get overwhelmed or confused about what does what while you are performing Live.

So, 

• The NanoKontrol (or any similar MIDI controller) facilitates FX parameter adjustment on the fly.
• Make sure to MIDI map before you try to use the controller
• Keep the knobs/faders, etc. consistent to avoid confusion.

The Plan

Until my KORG NanoKontrol arrives, I will be setting up a Live Set in Ableton, eagerly waiting to map the effects parameters to the NanoKontrol.  I have a few ideas that I want to put into action and complete.  

The plan is to report back here by the end of the night tonight, or tomorrow morning, and post my findings in video or audio format!

Also, make sure to check out the NanoKontrol User Manual for more information!
Also, check out other great Korg Products here at their official page!

Thanks for checking out my post and please ask any questions you might have or feel free to comment!

Christopher S.