PadKontrol General Question

Simmo33 · Post by **Simmo33** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:45 am

I own a MicroKorg and was thinking about getting a PadKontrol to go with it, but first I need to know a few things.

Does it work like a sampler i.e. you can make a different sound play by hitting each pad?
Can you program in your own drum beats which will then loop or can you only play the drums on it in real time?
Can you put your own sound files onto it to play/loop?

I might have more questions in the future. Thanks!

--Simmo33

Daz · Post by **Daz** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:35 pm

That very much depends on what software you use it with. What software are you planning to control with it ?

Simmo33 · Post by **Simmo33** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:14 pm

Well I was actually planning on using it as a live instrument, without a computer, just to be played as a standalone instrument after putting on the sounds and samples I want.

Is this possible?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:14 pm

The PadKontrol is a controller - its in the name. it only transmits MIDI or MIDI-over-USB. standalone it wouldn't do anything as it has no DSP processors, DACs, audio outs....

Daz · Post by **Daz** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:19 pm

As X says you're going need to plug into something, either a computer with appropriate software or a MIDI based synth/sampler.

If you want this functionality as a standalone piece for live use look at an Akai MPC 500 or MPC 1000.

Daz.

Simmo33 · Post by **Simmo33** » Wed May 27, 2009 6:46 pm

Thanks, I've heard of those Akai units, I'll check them out.

Out of interest, what would I be able to do with it if I plugged it into my MicroKorg?

firehandszarb · Post by **firehandszarb** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:19 pm

instead of an MPC, you might want to look at a rack sampler such as an akai s3000 or even an s1000 (might be able to get one really cheap).

as for connecting a padKontrol to a microkorg or other synth (assuming it has midi in) you have an alternative way of playing and manipulating the sounds, if the micro korg has drum sounds and is multi timbrel it could be really good. You can also use the knobs and xy pad of the PK to control various synth parameters. I use my PK with a waldorf blofeld, its a very different experience from using a keyboard and the expressiveness is different which gets you doing different things.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 4:52 pm

yeah. it would be interesting. I've had some interesting 'haunting' and rhythmic parts composed using a drum-pad controller like the Pk with a piano sound...

but the microkorg isn't multitimbral and doesn't have any drum kits. so it would be of limited use. however the XY pad and knobs may be useful, especially considering the MK doesn't have many on-board controllers...