Best MIDI keyboard for Studio One

[MisterE]

I hear little keyboard noise on mine - and when I have a sound like a piano, I really notice no sound. You sound like you were unlucky. Very pleased with mine and the software integration between the Nektar control surface, and Presonus, is flawless and smooth. I don't work for them! Just trying to steer Studio One users in the direction of something really good.

There are lots of reports confirming Davey's position about noisy Nektar keys -- which isn't to detract from your own positive experience or say no one could possibly enjoy the ride. As others have noted, there simply is no perfect keyboard controller. There is going to be something about every single one that's annoying whether it's price, keybed, size and resolution of sreen, lack of or too many sliders and knobs, not enough integration, and so on. But I haven't read a single knock about Nektar integration with S1, so there's that in their favor.

 

[Fizzlewig]

So are the P series an updated version of the T series? So would it be better to go with the P series if this is true?

 

[Davey]

So are the P series an updated version of the T series? So would it be better to go with the P series if this is true?

The P Series came first in 2012/2013. The T series came about 5 years later. A big feature on the P series was support for Propellerheads Reason (now Reason Studios Reason). Studio One support was added later. Both P and T series have good integration with S1. No idea whether one is better than the other in this respect.

 

[Adam_Arcturus]

Whatever you get, I highly recommend supplementing it with the PreSonus Atom SQ… beautiful integration with SO, amazing pressure sensitive pads and native step sequencer support, automatic knob assignment, SO specific features.

I use a Push 3 as my main MIDI controller, it’s a bit of a learning curve, but wow, it’s like a machine from the future. If you’re using any MPE plugins, I really recommend having a look at it!

 

[Midiboy]

I personally love my Komplete Kontrol S88 mk2 keyboard. It works great with Studio One, especially since Studio One now supports Komplete Kontrol natively.

 

[MisterE]

I personally love my Komplete Kontrol S88 mk2 keyboard. It works great with Studio One, especially since Studio One now supports Komplete Kontrol natively.

Although the original post asks for opinions on the controller with the deepest S1 integration—without mentioning price—it's pretty easy to make a case that in the present moment the KK MkII series (replaced by the more controversial series III) offers the most bang for the buck when considering all aspects of keyboard controllers. The other advantage is that these often came with a collection of NI VSTs that should be transferable to the new owner.

 

[lokeyfly]

I personally love my Komplete Kontrol S88 mk2 keyboard. It works great with Studio One, especially since Studio One now supports Komplete Kontrol natively.

Same here, Midiboy! I have a 49 key Mk2.Midiboy.The DAW navigation, mixer display, keybed quality, aftertouch ar excellent. Not even going into the KK eco system. Its a powerful keyboard contoller.

Just so everyone is aware, the OP started this thread over one month ago, and hasn't responded once. So I'd be willing to bet, they're not even paying attention.

 

[MisterE]

Same here, Midiboy! I have a 48 key Mk2.

Just so everyone is aware, the OP started this thread over one month ago, and hasn't responded once. So I'd be willing to bet, they're not even paying attention.

Hey, if you have a second, could you go over again how the KK MK2 keyboards display actual track names and why not having sliders is actually not a detriment in actual use? Thx in advance.

btw, for anyone looking to strike, since a) it's a direct offering from NI, and b) it comes with Komplete 14 Select without having to transfer ownership, I consider this a great deal: https://reverb.com/item/71957031-native-instruments-komplete-kontrol-s61-mk2

 

[Midiboy]

Hey, if you have a second, could you go over again how the KK MK2 keyboards display actual track names and why not having sliders is actually not a detriment in actual use? Thx in advance.

btw, for anyone looking to strike, since a) it's a direct offering from NI, and b) it comes with Komplete 14 Select without having to transfer ownership, I consider this a great deal: https://reverb.com/item/71957031-native-instruments-komplete-kontrol-s61-mk2

I guess I'm not sure what you are asking here.

So, When I put a Komplete Kontrol track into Studio One, I name it what I want (Not necessary, but I do for Mixer purposes). When selecting the track in Studio One, if it's a KK track, the keyboard shows what Library you have loaded. Shows a screen rep of the instrument on the right screen and the settings window on the left screen. The KK system makes it SUPER easy to select tracks in the DAW as well. You simply move the joystick left and right to go up and down tracks. The track autoselects in Studio One, and shows you what library is loaded on the keyboard.

As for sliders, are you talking about the pitch bend / modulation sliders? Or mixer sliders? Cuz if you are talking about Pitch Bend and Mod...I hated those sliders...but the Mk2 has that stupid slider on the bottom that I keep accidentally hitting....hate that thing....the MK3 put it up on top where it belongs. lol. If you are talking about Mixer sliders...you don't have sliders, you have knobs. They work just as well. You hit the MIXER button, and then the 8 knobs become the mixer.

The little left and right arrows to the left of the screens act like your mixer pages.

But, I also have a FaderPort 8, so I use that mostly for Mixer stuff, but it's super easy to use the keyboard as mixer as well.

 

[MisterE]

I guess I'm not sure what you are asking here.

So, When I put a Komplete Kontrol track into Studio One, I name it what I want (Not necessary, but I do for Mixer purposes). When selecting the track in Studio One, if it's a KK track, the keyboard shows what Library you have loaded. Shows a screen rep of the instrument on the right screen and the settings window on the left screen. The KK system makes it SUPER easy to select tracks in the DAW as well. You simply move the joystick left and right to go up and down tracks. The track autoselects in Studio One, and shows you what library is loaded on the keyboard.

As for sliders, are you talking about the pitch bend / modulation sliders? Or mixer sliders? Cuz if you are talking about Pitch Bend and Mod...I hated those sliders...but the Mk2 has that stupid slider on the bottom that I keep accidentally hitting....hate that thing....the MK3 put it up on top where it belongs. lol. If you are talking about Mixer sliders...you don't have sliders, you have knobs. They work just as well. You hit the MIXER button, and then the 8 knobs become the mixer.

The little left and right arrows to the left of the screens act like your mixer pages.

But, I also have a FaderPort 8, so I use that mostly for Mixer stuff, but it's super easy to use the keyboard as mixer as well.

Actually I was asking lokeyfly since he weighed in on that stuff extensively in the defunct forum ... which of course is permanently inaccessible now. I personally have zero flight time with a NI keyboard other than touching one in Guitar Center. But I meant the 8 sliders that many keyboard controllers have which KK keyboards mkII and mkIII have none.

 

[Midiboy]

Right, but they have knobs instead of sliders...work the same way exactly...and are VERY sensitive, not "quirky" like some. Super smooth.

 

[lokeyfly]

I see Midiboy covered track names. Great. Sorry for getting back late on your question, MisterE.

As for the endless encoders, they are not dependent on physical position as opposed to non motorized faders which are. So in the case where your channels shift by 1, 2, banks of 8 channels, etc. the position of that fader, let's say at 80% will sit there at 80% (physical position and relative value).
The fader will have to move (with no value change during movement) to eventually pass and latch, to regain the software value of that new channel.
That is unless the channels were identical in value.

Such pots or faders either jump, or you slide the fader until the fader re engages with the software's position. This latch engagement is the standard scenario for soft takeover. The downside of this is if you're further into a mix sensitive song, can you afford latch re positions? They do change because when latching, the user tends to move the position a little extra. Almost always. Its certainly better than having it force a jump which really won't happen on the mixer channels. Jump can or will happen in certain parameter adjustment situations. Just saying.

If you check your Arturia Keylab mk3 manual, it allows you to select latch or not.

On the contrary, with an endless encoder, or motorized fader, there is no such shift because the encoder instantly reads from any change in value. An increase of 3% will result in an increase of 3% with the software. Sent or received. Changes are seamless and always updated.

I'm not a fan of itsy bitsy 30mm to 50mm non motorized faders having to latch, and re-engage software values when they switch channel positions. Some won't care, and that may be fine for their needs. Features often come at a cost, but its good knowing what one needs ahead if at all possible.

While endless encoders don't rely on position, a subtle advantage is when they have LED's positioned around them. They won't be as visible or tactile as motorized faders, but they will display position. The choice would be up to the user and how they work. Perhaps more towards synths, than mixing for example.

Remember, channel (or bank) reposition throws all of those non motorized fader positions (and knobs with a limit) out the window, once changed. In short, its a hassle. Not so with endless encoders or motorized faders. Thats the big advantage to take away, here.

The most visible advantage are either endless encoders with LED's, or motorized faders. Motorized faders win on the tactile mixer front.

Hope that explains some of the topic.

Consider, on a NI S49, 61, or 88 mk2 or Mk3, while the encoders dont have LED's around each knob, they do have a big beautiful screen indicating each channel level, solo and mute status, and potentially track names for all 8 active channels.

Like Midiboy, I use a Faderport 8 for the mix, sends, bus, and tactile advantage.

 

[MisterE]

I see Midiboy covered track names. Great. Sorry for getting back late on your question, MisterE.

As for the endless encoders, they are not dependent on physical position as opposed to non motorized faders which are. So in the case where your channels shift by 1, 2, banks of 8 channels, etc. the position of that fader, let's say at 80% will sit there at 80% (physical position and relative value).
The fader will have to move (with no value change during movement) to eventually pass and latch, to regain the software value of that new channel.
That is unless the channels were identical in value.

Such pots or faders either jump, or you slide the fader until the fader re engages with the software's position. This latch engagement is the standard scenario for soft takeover. The downside of this is if you're further into a mix sensitive song, can you afford latch re positions? They do change because when latching, the user tends to move the position a little extra. Almost always. Its certainly better than having it force a jump which really won't happen on the mixer channels. Jump can or will happen in certain parameter adjustment situations. Just saying.

If you check your Arturia Keylab mk3 manual, it allows you to select latch or not.

On the contrary, with an endless encoder, or motorized fader, there is no such shift because the encoder instantly reads from any change in value. An increase of 3% will result in an increase of 3% with the software. Sent or received. Changes are seamless and always updated.

I'm not a fan of itsy bitsy 30mm to 50mm non motorized faders having to latch, and re-engage software values when they switch channel positions. Some won't care, and that may be fine for their needs. Features often come at a cost, but its good knowing what one needs ahead if at all possible.

While endless encoders don't rely on position, a subtle advantage is when they have LED's positioned around them. They won't be as visible or tactile as motorized faders, but they will display position. The choice would be up to the user and how they work. Perhaps more towards synths, than mixing for example.

Remember, channel (or bank) reposition throws all of those non motorized fader positions (and knobs with a limit) out the window, once changed. In short, its a hassle. Not so with endless encoders or motorized faders. Thats the big advantage to take away, here.

The most visible advantage are either endless encoders with LED's, or motorized faders. Motorized faders win on the tactile mixer front.

Hope that explains some of the topic.

Consider, on a NI S49, 61, or 88 mk2 or Mk3, while the encoders dont have LED's around each knob, they do have a big beautiful screen indicating each channel level, solo and mute status, and potentially track names for all 8 active channels.

Like Midiboy, I use a Faderport 8 for the mix, sends, bus, and tactile advantage.

The NI take on big, clear, info-laden screens is way more to my liking than the competition. Not everyone seems to care about that, but I do. Since, as you noted previously, the original poster is nowhere to be found, looks like we're free to discuss anything keyboard controller. And thanks for the reminder about KK mkII physical positioning and the clarification (thanks midiboy, too) that actual track names appear on the bottom of the big screen(s). I presently have the Arturia Keylab 49 mkII and the M3 73, with its fantastic non-weighted keybed at my disposal. As a sometimes piano player, the 49 keys I've found too limiting, so I have to have at least 61. The M3 73 is destined to become a Kronos 3 73 at some point ... but I like having a keyboard controller in between the speakers, and in front of the PC screen, as opposed to playing on a bigger workstation off to the side (not enough room under my desk to consider mounting a longer keyboard there, too much of a compromise). I'm anything but a heavy invester in the NI ecosystem. Nonetheless, I'm probably a good candidate for either the KK S61 mkII or mkIII. The other thought is getting a Roland Fantom 6 workstation which has added S1 integration ... though I imagine it's a little less elegant than the S61.