Korg Microkey compatibity with Akai LPD 8 ?

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Aelita
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Korg Microkey compatibity with Akai LPD 8 ?

Post by Aelita »

Hi everyone,

As the title says, my question is : Can i plug in chain an Akai LPD8 with korgs microkey keyboard (37 keys) ?
If i understand right korgs microkey keyboard has two usb plug dedicated to allow chain plugin. But would it accepte an Akai product ?
Or maybe i could plug the two controlers in a different usb plug into my computer (windows xp sp3)? I just though that plug them in chain would be the right way to do it for my daw (ableton live 8 suite) to understand?!
Well, i don´t really figure out the all thing anyhow. These midi controlers that i am thinking of buying are going to be my first aquisition in the domaine, so i have no experience at all with midi controlers and how to plug them and how they interfer together so far.
Thank you for your concerne and eventual respons in advance ;-)
Ps : escuse my english writting quality, i´m a girl from finland...

Aelita`
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X-Trade
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Post by X-Trade »

All it does is act as an integrated USB hub. You can plug any USB compatible device in. Such as for example a memory stick or webcam.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
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Aelita
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Post by Aelita »

Thank you X-Trade for your quick response!
So, my idea of plugin the microkey and the LPD8 together would work logicly?!
I ask again because the only info that i could find on the net is a post speaking of incompatibility between them two. I post the post that i found, (it has no response...):

First i get the LPD8 and it was working like charm, but now as i plugged additionally a microkey the knobs on LPD8 doesn't work as before. I can see that Live receives signals (blinking rectangle), but when i want to assign a knob (rotating it) nothing happens. Pads still working.
For LPD8 i've set a remote script from somewhere the web and set it in Live's preferences. The microkey i don't. Shall i? Any tips?
= not so convincing...

X-Trade, i see that you got many controlers!
Can i ask you, what do you think concerning my choice for a first buy ?
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X-Trade
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Post by X-Trade »

I have no experience with the two pieces of gear you've mentioned.

I do know that the microKey features an integrated USB hub. Basically its exactly the same as if you had a USB hub and connected the microKey and your other controller to it. Or connected them directly to the computer itself. No difference.

The issues you mention you read about... Well, they could either be related to driver incompatibilities between the two, or (more likely I think) could just be a problem with the user understanding how to set up Live to use the properly.
Theoretically, nothing should stop the two from working together. It should be just the same as plugging any two USB/MIDI devices in.
Without knowing more I can't really tell either way though. So don't take my word for it.

I like my ReMote37SL and APC20. They work really well together, especially in Live. Although the ReMote is too complicated if anything, it does have some useful features, I hardly even use half of it. Mainly I got it as a mixing surface and keys input for Cubase.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
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Aelita
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Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:06 pm

Post by Aelita »

X-Trade,
Basically its exactly the same as if you had a USB hub and connected the microKey and your other controller to it.
Or connected them directly to the computer itself. No difference.
I see now !
The issues you mention you read about... Well, they could either be related to driver incompatibilities between the two, or (more likely I think)
could just be a problem with the user understanding how to set up Live to use the properly.
I also think somehow that theres an understanding issue of the user not knowing how to set up live propely, it makes event more sense when i read :
Theoretically, nothing should stop the two from working together. It should be just the same as plugging any two USB/MIDI devices in.
And it couldn´t be a driver issue because the AKAI LPD 8 is Plug-and-play...
I like my ReMote37SL and APC20. They work really well together, especially in Live. Although the ReMote is too complicated if anything, it does have some useful features, I hardly even use half of it. Mainly I got it as a mixing surface and keys input for Cubase.
I can easily understand that you like your ReMote37SL and APC20 hihi !
Definitly not the same budjet!

Thanks for your replies :)
Good night`
Aelita`
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X-Trade
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Post by X-Trade »

Well yeah, probably not the same budget. I wasn't suggesting you copy my set-up.
Good luck building your own setup. Remember that if you have any compatibility issues that aren't solvable, you can always return it.

Alternatively, if you're worried about compatibility, perhaps it'd be better to look for something that has everything you're looking for in one unit?


By the way, Finland - a beautiful country. I've been there twice and I think its one of my favourite places in the world.
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
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Aelita
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:06 pm

Post by Aelita »

Hello X-trade,

Yes there´s always the possibility of returning the products if...but lets stay positive and think that no issues would appear !

With my quite low budget i don´t really found anything responding to my needs in "all in one unit".
Well there is the AKAI MPK MINI, but it only has 25 keys and no Pitchbend, Modulation wheel.
The BEHRINGER U-CONTROL UMX 490 feels right but has no pads and it´s not compact.
I want something compact with + than 25 keys. In the market there´s no
real concurrence for the korg microkey + I have the feeling that because it hasn´t got full size keys would help me play/learn piano...
The AKAI LPD 8 has nice pads !

It´s quite difficult to make a choise actually. But i think that i would go for this set up.

Yes Finland has its charm ! ;-)
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crofter
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Post by crofter »

I've used an Akai LPK25 with a korg microkey, no problems.
microkorg
KP3
Kaossilator
DS10
Mini KP
alesis Micron
Juno D
Blofeld
monotron
Microstation
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Aelita
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:06 pm

Post by Aelita »

Thanks Crofter for your reply :)
I've used an Akai LPK25 with a korg microkey, no problems.
That´s nice to know !
Could you, if it´s not too mutch to ask; tell me briefly your impressions regarding the microkey keyboard ? I´ll appreciate ;-)
Aelita`
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crofter
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Post by crofter »

Aelita wrote:Thanks Crofter for your reply :)
I've used an Akai LPK25 with a korg microkey, no problems.
That´s nice to know !
Could you, if it´s not too mutch to ask; tell me briefly your impressions regarding the microkey keyboard ? I´ll appreciate ;-)
Aelita`
Nice little keyboard, I don't mind mini keys, I got it because the Akai doesn't have mod or pitch wheels and it also has more keys, responsive and very like the keys on my Microstation, very good for the price, plug a Nano Kontrol into the USB port and you have a very compact and versatile setup.
microkorg
KP3
Kaossilator
DS10
Mini KP
alesis Micron
Juno D
Blofeld
monotron
Microstation
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Aelita
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:06 pm

Post by Aelita »

Thanks Crofter; what you telling me confort my opinion about the product ;-)
I´m gona go for it!
But instead of the nano kontrols i would get the Lpd8 from Akai because there´s the pads (mpc like) + the knobs to mess around for approximatly the same amount of money...
Thanks again`
Aelita`
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