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The best MIDI keyboard controller for beginners
By Al Griffin This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to MIDI keyboard controller for beginners. After 30 hours of research and hands-on testing, we think the Arturia MiniLab MkII is the best all-around 25-key MIDI keyboard controller for most people looking for an easy, cost-effective way to get into creating electronic music with computers. Arturia's controller is compact enough to fit in a backpack but has solid build quality and an uncluttered design that both beginners and experienced musicians will appreciate. The Arturia MiniLab MkII has the feel of a professional instrument. The keyboard and pads, though small, are highly responsive and can produce natural sounds from software plug-in instruments right out of the box. While customizing the controller's MIDI functions requires use of a separate app, the MiniLab MkII comes preconfigured to work with most popular computer music-making software, and it's bundled with Arturia's excellent Analog Lab Lite and UVI Grand Piano virtual instrument plug-ins. The Nektar Impact LX25+ makes a good choice for anyone who might be put off by the Arturia's small size, mini keys, and lack of onboard controls to configure its settings. This model also provides buttons to remotely control music-making software on your computer. Of all the controllers we tested, the Impact LX25+ proved the best option for live performance—the full-size keys had good action and responsiveness, and the rubber-coated pitch-bend and modulation wheels had a solid feel. The Nektar is the only controller of the bunch that doesn't offer out-of-the-box compatibility with the popular computer music software Ableton Live, but you can still configure it to work with that program. We recommend the Akai MPK Mini MKII to anyone seeking a compact, portable input device for making beats and triggering samples. The Akai's generously sized pads have a good feel and allow for a decent range of expressiveness when you're finger-drumming. And although the stiff keyboard action makes this model a lesser option for live performance, we found that the thumb-controlled pitch-bend and modulation joystick worked well. Also, the built-in arpeggiator is fun and easy to use, letting you trigger and shape complex synthesizer melodies on the fly.
Joué's MIDI controller adds tactile fun to music-making
The Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) arrived in the '80s to help digital instruments communicate with each other. Nowadays, with much of the action on computers, a new breed of MIDI controllers has emerged. Many of today's designs include built-in pressure sensitivity to provide a semblance of analog expression when played, but Joué is a bit different. It was developed to free digital music artists from the lockstep confines of keyboards, button rows, glowing displays and marching lights, while providing modular flexibility and, above all, fun. The name Joué, translated from French, literally means "play" or can be interpreted as "I play," and the company would like you to approach the device with an open and creative mind. It's a USB-powered pressure-sensitive board that works with a variety of soft -- and occasionally squishy -- pads that are detected and uniquely identified through embedded RFID tags. You map portions of each pad to any MIDI-capable program like Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Garage Band or iPad apps to help bring your music to life. They're swappable on the fly, and the tactile interfaces offer an alternative to high-tech distractions. The device is currently on Kickstarter; the company is raising funds to move from industrial prototype to final product, and as usual, early bird deals are available. You can buy a Joué board and starter pack of pads for just over $300, with the eventual retail price expected to be under $500.
Pulse is a '3D' music controller for the multi-instrumentalist
Tapping out everything from a bassoon to a bass drums with a MIDI keyboard and a sampler is no big deal -- it's been a staple of electronic music for years. But, as anyone who's tried it will attest, that's a long way from "playing" those instruments -- to the point MIDI drumming has become an art in and of itself. Enter Pulse, a versatile hardware controller recently shown off at London's famous Abbey Road studios as part of its Red program, and launching on Kickstarter today. It's modest claim? Being the future of music playing.
iRig Pads offers multicolored MIDI control for iOS and more
It's no secret that we're fans of handy audio gear here at Engadget, and if you're looking to kick off that DJ habit, IK Multimedia may have a compact option for you. The company's new iRig Pads brings a 4 x 4 grid of multihued touchpads (as the name suggests) for MIDI control of iOS, Mac and PC apps. Those 16 rubber pads are also pressure sensitive while flashing red, green and orange. What's more, a smattering of buttons and a slider are programmable to handle custom presets alongside onboard edit controls. At less than an inch thick, the outfit says it's the smallest of its kind available at the moment, and it grabs power from whatever device it's tethered to via either a Lightning or USB cable. As you might expect, this latest iRig offering plays nice with IK Multimedia's suite of audio apps (SampleTank, DJ Rig, etc.) as well as popular MIDI-friendly options like Ableton Live, GarageBand and more. If you're itchin' to start composing those trance grooves, the gadget is now shipping worldwide with a $150/€120 price tag.
PUC interface connects iOS, MIDI devices wirelessly [Updated]
The PUC MIDI interface (US$129.99) connects MIDI devices (keyboards, drum machines/pads, DJ controller, floor pedal, etc) to iOS devices (or Macs) wirelessly. This is fantastic news, because the joy of the iPad and iPhone is that they're wireless, multi-function devices. Connecting wires makes them stationary and often singular in purpose, which is more often than not a nuisance. Hardware The PUC looks like, well.. You guessed it. A puck. It's round, plastic, black and fits in the palm of your hand. On the top is a single power button and a light indicator shaped like Apple's symbol for wireless connectivity. The underside has a removable cap, which exposes a compartment for two AA batteries (included). On the front side is a standard MIDI port connector (cable included, too). The backside has a micro-USB input for auxiliary power. The top and bottom of the PUC are covered in a shiny, glossy plastic, while the sides are covered in a lighter colored, rubber-like material. It's a good looking design, with a pleasant feel to it. With the two AA batteries inserted, the PUC feels weighty and solid, just like a real puck! Functionality The PUC is really easy to use. Connect the MIDI cable to the PUC input and the other end to the output of a MIDI device -- I used a M-Audio Axiom 49 MIDI keyboard. To turn on the PUC, press the power button on the device after making sure you've inserted the AA batteries or you're connected to a power source via the micro-USB port. You'll see the power button light up in green as well as the wireless connectivity symbol flashing green. This means the PUC is waiting to be connected. On your iOS device, download the free PUC Connect app (iOS App Store link). Once downloaded, connect your iOS device's wireless network to the PUC's network and open the app to complete the connection. The flashing green on the wireless indicator turns solid, indicating that you're connected. From there, I launched GarageBand and started playing through the various MIDI keybaords, synths and drums without a hitch. A nice touch is that whenever a signal is being sent from the MIDI device through the PUC to the iPad, the solid green lighting on the PUC flashes red. Conclusion Not having wires connected between my MIDI device and iPad was a great experience. Too often I've felt the process of using my iPad as part of a music setup -- requiring wires trailing all over the place between devices -- cumbersome and frustrating. Thanks to the PUC, the process was a pleasure. I could move my iPad around, get someone else to tweak a sound setting, or even just pick it up and walk away without worrying about cables or disrupting the setup. That's exactly why the PUC is awesome, because any scenario where you don't have to use a cable is a good one - especially when it comes to the creative process in a portable context. The PUC is available for pre-order now and will ship in mid-June. Update: Regarding latency, during my test there were a couple moments where I did wonder if I could hear a slight latency between triggering a sound on the MIDI controller and that sound registering on the iPad. I got in touch with Zivix, makers of the PUC, to ask them about latency. They said, "The Zivix team has noticed a negligible latency between the PUC and an iOS device registering a MIDI signal, and one that doesn't affect the overall performance or experience by using the PUC." I do agree with Zivix. While there may be a slight latency, in most applications I can't foresee it being a problem. It's worth noting that the MIDI controller simply triggers the audio that's stored on the iOS device (or Mac). That audio is not traveling through the PUC, just the MIDI signal that triggers it.
Pioneer announces XDJ-R1 all-in-one digital DJ deck with MIDI, iOS control features (video)
Sure, DJ controllers might be the emerging force in spinning, but CDJs are still largely the club standard. Pioneer has always had thumbs in both of these pies, of course, but the new XDJ-R1 sees the brand uniting them for the first time. The all-in-one unit offers two CD players, USB media playback and MIDI controller functionality. Additionally, you can keep things moving wirelessly via an iOS device thanks to a new dedicated "remotebox" app. Wireless direct means that you won't need to worry too much about flaky connections while you wander into the crowd with your iPhone. You'll still be able to control almost everything directly in the app. Back on the physical (and built-in) two-channel mixer you can spice things up with the usual loop, sync, hot cue and sampling features, plus a choice of color effects. The inclusion of XLR outputs and booth out shows that Pioneer wants to see this in the DJ box, and at $1,099, it should appeal to anyone who'd been eyeing up the component parts. It's available in June, but in the meantime there's a video tour cued up past the break.
Ben Heck mods midi controller into guitar enclosure, scores pinball soundtrack in return
Love pinball? So does professional modder Ben Heck -- he's building a ghost hunt-themed pinball machine, and needs it to sound just right. Luckily, a local musician is happy to help, provided Heck can rejigger his midi controller into a guitar. Challenge accepted. With the help of his musician friend, Heck spends the first episode of a two-part Ben Heck Show disassembling the instrument, desoldering its components and reassembling them in the desired pattern -- stitching together a few undersized circuit boards along the way. Ben lays out the key pattern too, which will dictate how large the axe's case will need to be. It's classic hardware modding, and a darn fine break to the deluge of CES news. Check out the first episode in the series after the break.
Pioneer XDJ-Aero review: a DJ controller that loves music, hates physical formats
Pioneer has enjoyed a fairly tight grip on the upper-end of the DJ market, but if you step out of the professional DJ booth, and into the bars and bedrooms, the competition starts to heat up. So when we heard about the XDJ-Aero and its curious new WiFi functionality, we were interested to see how this $1,399 controller would be received. That's not to say the DJ mainstay doesn't hold its ground in this busier market -- it does -- but as the far more frequent product release schedule will attest, the industry standard crown is still up for grabs. There's the other issue of software to consider, also. Pioneer has remained fairly neutral so far, releasing controllers for the big two platforms already, with the paint barely dry on its latest addition. The XDJ-Aero, however, hints at a new approach. One where you don't need to choose your software gang colors to be involved. This isn't the first bit of kit that lets you play direct from USB drives or skip the laptop, but it's the first from Pioneer that clearly heads out in its own direction. Ditch the Traktor, wean yourself of Serato, even forget CDs and just get on with the mixing. That seems to be what the XDJ-Aero is about, but does it hold its own? We popped a few of our favorite ditties on to find out.
Pioneer cues up DDJ-SX Serato controller, adds performance pads to the mix (video)
Pioneer's had a little bit of a new-product spree of late, and it isn't over yet. The latest slab-o-buttons? The DDJ-SX. For those of you familiar with the firm's naming convention, this means it's a software controller with a Serato flavor. As such, integration with the popular DJ application is tight, and includes dual deck, slip mode, FX mode and hot cue functionality. The four-channel mixer section can be used with external hardware, which you can hook up via a pair of phono inputs, and, as usual, the DDJ-SX can be used as a MIDI controller with other software should you so desire. As for outputs, you've the choice between XLR and RCA, as well as a separate output for the DJ booth, and as it has its own audio interface, there's no need to bring anything else in there with you. The DDJ-SX will be ready to play in November for a bass-heavy $1,199, but if you're quick to the game, the first 10,000 buyers can snag a free license for the Serato Video plug-in. Nice. Bewildered by all those pots and faders? Then shuffle past the break for the official tour.
Clash of the MIDI keyboard controllers: Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 versus Samson Carbon 49
This is a post that has been a long time in coming. Quite a few months ago, two manufacturers sent me keyboard controllers that are compatible with iOS devices, Macs and PCs, but it's taken me until now to get these two devices tested. The Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 (US$199.99 MSRP) and Samson Carbon 49 (US$89.99) are both 49-key keyboard controllers that are useful with music apps like Garage Band. Both are USB powered, so you don't need to plug in any sort of AC power brick or use a stack of batteries. I was surprised at how little current draw the keyboards seemed to have, as using each for an hour or two with Garage Band on the iPad didn't seem to have much of an impact on battery life. Line 6, for instance, says that you can use the Mobile Keys 49 with an iPad for almost 9 hours. The keyboards are perfect for musicians on the go and for music students. Let's see how they stack up, and then you'll have an opportunity to enter a giveaway for one of these two keyboards. Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 The Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 is a rather compact USB-powered 49 key MIDI keyboard controller that works with iOS, OS X and Windows devices. Unlike the Samson Carbon 49 described below, it comes with a special "mobile" cable that is designed for use with the iPad or other iOS devices so no Camera Connection kit or other accessory is required for us. %Gallery-163139% Upon hooking up the Mobile Keys 49, I was notified by an iOS dialog that I needed to download an app. This app is apparently enables MIDI recording, but is more commonly used to apply firmware updates to the keyboard controller. The firmware update took very little time to install and a "reboot" was performed by unplugging the cable between the iPad and keyboard. Line 6 doesn't provide any software with the Mobile Keys 49, but notes that it works perfectly with Garage Band, 50in1 Piano, NanoStudio, Music Studio 2.0, and Pianist Pro. I liked the feel of the keys on the Mobile Keys 49; they weren't as noisy as those on the Samson Carbon 49, and the velocity function -- which emulates a real piano by playing "louder" as you hit the key harder -- seemed more accurate. The Mobile Keys 49 has 1/4" ports for both sustain and expression pedals, a USB port for connection to your Mac or PC (this port uses a printer cable), and a special mobile port that allows attachment to your iPad or iPhone with a proprietary cable. That special cable worries me a bit -- that sees just like something you'd lose on the road and never be able to find a replacement for... Controls on the Mobile Keys 49 include pitch and modulation wheels, volume and pan knobs, and octave up/down buttons. The shift button can be used to access transpose, MIDI Channel, program change, velocity curve, and controller assign functions. Instead of having these functions printed above the keys on the keyboard, Line 6 decided to include a sticker. This seems kind of tacky in comparison with the printed function names on the much less expensive Carbon 49. Conclusion While the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 has a better feel and quieter keys than the Carbon 49, I'm not sure it it's worth $110 more than the Samson keyboard. Pros Keyboard is quieter, has a better feel than Samson Carbon 49 Cons Requires that an app be installed on an iPad to install firmware updates Over double the price of Samson Carbon 49 Special functions printed on a cheap sticker instead of screen-printed onto the keyboard itself Connection to iPad uses a proprietary "mobile" cable that may be hard to replace Who is it for? Musicians and others who want a 49-key MIDI keyboard controller with a very piano-like feel. Samson Carbon 49 It's surprising: this is a much less expensive keyboard controller -- by $110 -- but as far as I'm concerned it has equal chops to the Line 6 keyboard. It does require that you have one other little bit of Apple hardware if you're going to use it with an iPad; you'll want to buy a Camera Connection Kit if you don't already have one. Once you've attached it to computer or iPad, you're ready to roll. In fact, if you're planning on using it with an iPad, there's a bonus -- a slot on the top of the keyboard that your iPad slips into. There are two small plastic "feet" that keep it upright; those are stored along with the USB cable in a compartment on the back of the Carbon 49. Only one problem -- if you use any sort of back cover or case for the iPad, like the Apple Smart Case, you'll have to remove it before placing the iPad into the slot. %Gallery-163140% For musicians who know what they're doing with MIDI, the Carbon 49 has dedicated transpose and octave buttons for changing the key of an instrument or expanding the keyboard to a full 4-octave range. As with the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49, there are pitch bend and modulation wheels to provide a bit more tone manipulation. Also on the top left of the keyboard is an assignable data encoder and volume slider. An edit key allows keyboardists to adjust various performance-related control parameters, and there's a 3-digit LED display to show the behavior of various keyboard functions in real time. On the back of the unit is a traditional MIDI Out port, a sustain pedal input, and a USB connector. The 49 keys have a good amount of travel and are velocity sensitive. I did think they were a little noisy, but then my only comparison is with the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49, which seemed a bit quieter in operation. There's one other goodie included if you're planning on using the Carbon 49 with a Mac or PC; it comes with a copy of Native Instruments' Komplete Elements software. Conclusion Much less expensive than the Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 keyboard controller, the Carbon 49 is equivalent in capabilities and more iPad-friendly. At this price, it's also within the budget of virtually anyone who wishes to experiment with Garage Band or other apps on an iPad or Mac. Pros Very Inexpensive Built-in slot for iPad to sit upright in Keys have good travel and response Native Instruments Komplete Elements software included Cons Requires Apple Camera Connection Kit to connect to an iPad Keyboard is a bit noisy Who is it for? Anyone who wants a low-priced but functional MIDI keyboard controller. Also a great keyboard for kids or teens who want to try their hand at composing or playing music with Garage Band on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Giveaway That's right, we're giving away both of our review keyboards! Two winners will get to take away one of the keyboards courtesy of Line 6 and Samson. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 26, 2012 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. Two winners will be selected. One will receive a Line 6 Mobile Keys 49 MIDI keyboard controller valued at $199.99, while the other winner will receive a Samson Carbon 49 MIDI keyboard controller valued at $89.99. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Pioneer's new WiFi-enabled XDJ-AERO controller says goodbye wires, hello dancefloor (video)
The advent of digital DJing removed the jumps and skips of vinyl, while introducing a bad case of cable spaghetti, as spinners bring their own kit to the party. Pioneer saw that, and has finally cut them free with the new XDJ-AERO. The WiFi-enabled DJ controller lets you load up the next Moombahcore banger direct from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC -- with support for four connected devices at once. This also means that the audience can get involved in the track selection -- a la Nexus Q -- but you might want to keep that fact quiet. The XDJ-AERO is designed to work with Pioneer's own rekordbox application, but can also be use as a MIDI controller for other popular software. On the actual hardware-side of things, there's a built-in 24-bit audio interface, two-channel mixer (which can be used standalone) plus the usual array of cue-point triggers, FX and filters we've come to expect. What price does the cutting of cables command? £869 (about $1,399), and the beat can begin some time later this month. Can't wait 'til then? Drop past the break for the ridiculously cool video (and slightly less cool press release).
Onyx Ashanti's beatjazz music machine does everything, looks good too (video)
Onyx Ashanti has sent us over a demo of his beatjazz controller, and we have to marvel at the direction he's taken with this custom electronic music machine following more modest efforts. Onyx's 3D-printed interface receives inputs from a voice / breath-operated synth in the headgear, while the two handheld controls incorporate accelerometers, joysticks and pressure-sensitive buttons. Using this kit and his own software, Onyx is able to create live digital music with an amount of control you would only expect from desktop-based production software. We've embedded two videos for your attention after the break -- a demo of his latest flashy build complete with lightsaber-like effects, and an earlier live performance that really shows what the beatjazz controller can do.
Microsoft applies to patent gesture-based MIDI interface, turn us all into Jean Michel Jarre
Microsoft has applied to patent a free-space gesture controller for a MIDI interface that could see you kicking out jams on invisible instruments. Using a Kinect-style depth camera, individual movements would be mapped to notes and played out by the games console observing the action. The company actually teased a similar function in its Kinect Effect advert, where it showed cellists, violinists and pianists all miming in front of the sensor, although we doubt the technology is at a sufficiently capable stage just yet. If granted, it means we could see plenty of intentional arm-waving in future music games, or an even more outrageous stage show from the world's most beloved Gallic synth maven.
Conductor controls Aussie pipe organ through MIDI and Kinect, explains how he did it (video)
Doing a little desktop DJing with Kinect and a MIDI device is nothing new, but last year a man with loftier musical machinations took Kinect conducting to the next level. Chris Vik composed a piece that he and vocalist Elise Richards performed using the sensor bar and the massive Town Hall organ in Melbourne, Australia last November. Recently, he released a video explaining how he made the magic happen. The organ, despite being built in 1929, was retrofitted to take MIDI input back in the late 1990s, which allowed Vik to use a custom bit of code he wrote, called Kinectar, to communicate with it. That software also allows users to assign various notes, chords, and scales to different spatial zones and gestures, then trigger them through Kinect. The results were pretty impressive, so head on after the break to soak up the sonic goodness for yourself.
Pioneer launches RMX1000 Remix Station, now no tune is safe (video)
Pioneer has been dishing out its line of digital DJ tools for long enough that you'd hope it knows what the spinners want, and these days it seems that's remixing tools. The RMX1000 is a new effects based unit, that looks like an evolution of the firm's EFX range. It still cooks up those chops, rolls, and reverbs, but also has a companion "Remixbox" software, as well as studio-friendly VST / AU functionality. The software lets you overwrite the default set-up with one of your own, and there's an SD card slot so you can leave yours at home, but still bring your settings to the club. Word is that pro DJ settings will be available for download, so nosey DJs can see how James Zabiela likes his high-pass filters. The effects themselves come in four flavors: Scene, Isolator, Release and X-Pad. Connectivity-wise it's rocking a pair of RCA and 1 / 4-inch plugs for both in-and out-put, and there's USB for the computer / MIDI hook-up. It's set to land in June with a $1000 price tag, but in the meantime if you want to see if it'll be worth your savings, hit-up the video after the break, or click the PR for the full specs.
Pulse Surface Controller System: bangs the drum, desk, window
The Pulse Surface Controller is a vibration-based musical instrument that finally puts those years of air drumming to use. It's a small, piezo-based MIDI controller that lets you turn pretty much any surface into a musical instrument. The device has a built-in suction cup, comes with velcro straps and plugs into your computer's microphone port. The fun really starts with the dedicated controller software, that converts your percussive punches to your virtual instrument of choice. You're not limited to drums either, as you can map your taps to a velocity sensitive melodic generator to create musical tones and scales. Luckily you won't have to sit on your hands to get one of these either, as the Pulse Surface Controller System is available now for $59, or you can tap-tap-tap the video after the break for a demo.
Open source controller framework lets you add the finishing touch
There are plenty of off-the-shelf controllers out there, but what if you fancy something a little more... you? How about fully customized, with a good seasoning of affordability and style? Design student Alex S has built a framework to help you build just that. The units shown above are for DJ-based programs, but you can create interfaces for any software that takes HID or MIDI input, and as they're modular, create endless ultra-custom set-ups. Keen to dismantle any technical barriers, Alex created a step-by-step Instructable, but you'll still need to get your hands dirty with Arduino and some circuitry. The whole project is open source, and while it's a step up from Lego, until we can just print these things, it seems like a great option to us.
Line 6 throws more MIDI love at iDevices, intros Mobile Keys keyboard controllers
Line 6 hasn't been a stranger to uniting musician's iDevices and MIDI controllers with its MIDI-Mobilizers, but now it's unleashing a duo of keyboard-style controllers of its own here at CES. Its Mobile Keys can connect straight to your iPhone's 30-pin port, and even over USB if you feel like recording some loops straight from your computer. The controller features velocity sensitive keys, two 1/4-inch jacks for sustain pedals and the like, and it'll interface with any apps that support CoreMIDI. Thankfully, the controllers are bus-powered, so you won't need batteries -- we'd imagine, however, that the convenience might be at the expense of your iDevice's normal run-time. If you're recording bug is piqued, you'll be able to pick it up with either 25 or 49 keys in the "early 2012, respectively priced at $150 and $200. Full details in the press release after the break.
Akai makes intentions clear with MPC Renaissance (video)
While the majority of technology execs are packing their cases for Vegas, for some it's all about Anaheim. Akai is clearly ramping up its NAMM campaign, outing the latest in its legendary MPC series: the Renaissance. While the new boy is no dumb controller -- it packs a full audio interface, USB hub and lots of I/O -- for the first time the MPC gets dedicated external software. Sound familiar? Well yes, it's no doubt a direct response to the popular Maschine hardware / software combo from Native Instruments, but Akai isn't just playing catch-up here. The new hardware includes a "vintage" mode that recreates some of that legendary MPC3000/60 crunch, and the standalone software comes with a massive sound library, instant VST mapping (so you can work with all your third-party synths) as well as the option to run in VST / AU / RTAS mode itself. If you're worried about the possible implications of a "tethered" MPC, take a peek at the promo video over the jump, which should soon allay your fears.
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 review
Native Instruments Maschine Mikro just wants to make the world dance, forget about the price tag T2 is not a cyborg, is the new more colorful Traktor Moldover's limited edition Mojo MIDI controller for serious musicians with seriously deep pockets (video) In the world of DJ'ing there are few certainties, be it the music you play, where you play it, or what you play it on. One thing's for sure, and that is that technology is changing the craft of mixing as we know it. Controllers in particular are responsible for bringing the craft closer to the masses: they're bedroom-friendly, full of gadgetry and they bring the time honored two-decks-and-a-mixer set up into the 21st century. Native Instruments already has offerings in this area in the form of the Kontrol X1 and Kontrol S4, both of which have been hugely popular. How, then, will its latest addition to the family – the Kontrol S2 – hold up against its established elder siblings, along with an increasingly crowded pool of competing models? Is this an evolutionary refinement of its bigger brother – the S4 – or a stripped-down, slightly more economical ($669) controller for those looking to dip a toe into the whole DJ thing? Let's get under the hood and find out. %Gallery-138510%
