Korg nanoPAD2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Pads - Black

This pad controller is extremely compact, low profile and packed with very interesting and useful features. I also like the feel of both the sixteen pads and X-Y pad very much. The pads are great for drumming with good sensitivity. The downloadable editor software is pretty easy to use( as far as the basics go) but the documentation is a bit confusing, so a lot of discovery through experimentation is needed, but that is normal in the world of digital audio. The scale on the sixteen pads can be set to anything you like, with each pad individually adjustable for any note or cc value. But there are also some preset scales that you can choose from including major, minor, etc. The default scale setup is whole tones from left to right in each row with the top and bottom rows separated by a semitone, giving it a transposing arrangement by a shift of the hand(as long as you don't shift off the edge!). You can also select any midi channel for each pad, as well as choosing between momentary or toggle modes. The X-Y pad has several tricks of its own and gives some fun effects when combined with the arpeggiator. You can also assign the X and Y control to any cc value. Given that having sixteen pads and an X-Y pad is a useful tool to have in your midi arsenal and this is a well made instrument for a low price, it is a must have!You may wonder if you should spend more and get a sampling pad controller. Instead of spending a lot more, you could use this with sampling software, some of which you can get for free. After all, what makes a pad controller a sampling controller is the software. One excellent free sampling program is TX16wx. It is used as a plugin to your DAW and is superb! Another no cost option is the use the free DAW, LMMS which has a built in sampler(the sound file processor) and is an excellent DAW. LMMS does not do audio file recording so you can just add the free AUDACITY program which is also excellent.

Hi allBought the Korg Nano pad II, to help out with my DJ'ing, I also run the Hercules 4mx controller with VDJ 8-Pro, and the Nano pad needed to be re-mapped, after a Skype call and talking with the fellas @ auto mix Products, we both worked on the Mapping code, and even re wrote some of it, the Nano Pad II works floorlessly. After a few tweak's, we even got the X/y pad to effect the deepness and width of Whatever effect, Via re-mapping the P1 and P2 controls, Also Note that the Nano pad II also has a "Scene button", so infact, you have 16x4 banks (of pads) that you also can re-map to whatever you need to EG trigger off Loops, Cue points, Samples EfX etc, whatever you wanna re-map.It is a solid unit and the price was right, however, none of the pads have back lit LED's, So you really got to watch the screen to see whats triggered when you fire things off, Hopefully the Korg Nano pad III will have back lit LED's built into the pads... Nano pad 3 ideas fellas...You also need to set Limits on the P1 and P2 controls, or they will go out of Range, and then you run into audio issues. the Nano pad II has 6 padded feet on the bottom so it don't Slip n slide all over the place.The Nano pad II is only about:1/2 inch tallby:12 inch and: 7/8th Longby: 3 inch: 3/8th Wide, so it is very compact indeed ;).I also stuck clear tape over the pads so i can mark what they are used for that way, the tape can be removed and no INK makes left behind also did the same as a separator if you look at my pic below, you will see a Black Line right in the middle, one part controls the "whatever effects" for deck "A" while the other half controls "whatever effects" for Deck "B"all in all i give this unit a 8/10, if the back lit LED's in the pads, I wold give it a 10/10..NOTE I have set the Nano pad up and it works with VDJ 8 Pro, I do not "own any other DJ Programs such as Traktor" so please don't ask for the code sorry, However I do have the code for VDJ 8-Pro..Pros:1. Small and compact. Works off USB with low consumption Power.2. Use's USB "A"-mini connection.3. Has X/Y pad to control the P1 and P2 controls.4. Has 16 pads laid out, that can expand to 64 pads via the Scenes,5. Light weight.6. Remap-able.7. LED Status light.8. includes the USB Cable.9. Super fast delivery. no dings scratches or banged up A+++.10. Works with VDJ 8-Pro. (so I am happy)11. Downloadable software to test out the pad. its very Basic..Cons:1. No Back Lit LED's in the Pads so you have to watch the monitor for whatever effects you use as long as you map it.2. Background lettering that's molded into the unit is hard to Read White on White? really duh.3. * Mono color LED's RED (Scene's) and 1 Status LED White, not sure if that's a con or pro yet...Note: Mapping is a bit tedious however, I did find a Map App (if you will) midi mapping app, that allows you to see the Nano pads code in action and you can Build your map out the way you like it. Google "Midi Trace" it will work for almost anything Midi/USB..Tip:Before doing any work, for installing the Nano pad, you need to instal its "Driver" for the Korg Nano pad II, and get it recognized by your system first.Thank you and enjoyDJ.MGS

I’ve been using these for controlling DMX lighting software, and have zero complaints. Many years of use with no issues at all.