Korg PadKontrol - 2 tips for problems

[Loops.net]

Heya,

Just bought a Korg Padkontrol, and I'm still "in between". It's a cool pad, but since I have not used any other (MPD24 anyone?) I cannot compare too good. My main problem with the unit is the plasticness, and the fact that it mentions "for home and office use" on the bottom. Since I'm trying to figure out if I could use this in a live situation, it's a bit difficult. Anyone with a MPD24 care to elaborate on the sturdyness? Thanks!

On with the tips:

1. I was looking for a solution so that the pads are not as sensitive as they are originally, and couldn't find any settings in the manual. Turns out there are settings, but they are not documented. Found them on some korg forum (don't ask me where, just copied and pasted in a document and wandered off), and here they are:

PadKontrol Velocity Settings - keep these keys pressed when powering up the unit.
a. Current settings hold both the[VELOCITY]& [SCENE]keys
b. Slightly less hold both the [VELOCITY]& [MESSAGE]keys
c. Even less hold both the[VELOCITY]& [FIXED.VELOCITY]keys
d. Least sensitive hold both the [VELOCITY]& [PROG CHANGE]keys

2. I had such a hard time getting that korg librarian editor to work - it always said "Device Inquiry Error". Turns out you have to set the midi configuration to a specific value and then it'll work perfectly. For those having the same problem:

For MIDI In choose "padKONTROL 1 PORT A" and for MIDI out choose "padKONTROL 1 CTRL". Now keep in mind I'm using these settings with USB so it probally won't work with MIDI cable but nevertheless it should help. After that you should be fine.

Have fun and if anyone knows more about that MPD24, please hit me back!

-- P

[rikhyray]

The pads are sensitive perhaps even oversensitive- playing hard may cause random trigerring of other pads, it varies from unit to unit I have chosen on out of dozen- that was less trigger freaky. Initally the shop wanted to send back all of them but Korg said" they are this way" and do not consider it design fault.
Using live is a bit of problem if you really play, the unit moves all over the place, you might have to tape it.
I realised that the better feel of MPC has nothing to do with the pads but the whole construction even though MPD 16 has better pads (same as 4000, 2500, 2000) MPC 1000 fells better to play because it is solid. Very important for percussionist( the is reason why conga players practice on solid wood and not a rubber pillow) Though padKontrol is great for carrying in you backpack with the notebook for performing might be good idea to fit a heavy bottom to it.
If you have such possibility go to the shop you bought it and select most suitable unit.

[coverdale76]

The pads are sensitive perhaps even oversensitive- playing hard may cause random trigerring of other pads, it varies from unit to unit I have chosen on out of dozen- that was less trigger freaky. Initally the shop wanted to send back all of them but Korg said" they are this way" and do not consider it design fault.

Hi!

Do you mean I may get one oversensitive padKontrol(or pads with trigging-problems) from anywhere if I can't try it personally before buy it? I'm considering to buy this very seriously.

The Pros I prefer as below:
1. Light
2. X/Y Pads
3. Roll & Flam Functions
4. Light weight

[mike holiday]

The Pros I prefer as below:
1. Light

keep in mind there is no feedback for the lights

[noborders]

The Pros I prefer as below:
1. Light

keep in mind there is no feedback for the lights

actually, there will be feedback for the lights thanks to the covert operators:
http://www.thecovertoperators.org/archives/145
http://www.thecovertoperators.org/archives/149

[Machinate]

The Pros I prefer as below:
1. Light

keep in mind there is no feedback for the lights

actually, there will be feedback for the lights thanks to the covert operators:
http://www.thecovertoperators.org/archives/145
http://www.thecovertoperators.org/archives/149

Yes. Let there be Lights.

[tylenol]

PadKontrol Velocity Settings - keep these keys pressed when powering up the unit.
a. Current settings hold both the[VELOCITY]& [SCENE]keys
b. Slightly less hold both the [VELOCITY]& [MESSAGE]keys
c. Even less hold both the[VELOCITY]& [FIXED.VELOCITY]keys
d. Least sensitive hold both the [VELOCITY]& [PROG CHANGE]keys

Another way to deal with this is to make a preset for live's velocity plugin that matches your preferences -- it's a little more flexible than the pk's builtin possibilities.

[SubFunk]

PadKontrol Velocity Settings - keep these keys pressed when powering up the unit.
a. Current settings hold both the[VELOCITY]& [SCENE]keys
b. Slightly less hold both the [VELOCITY]& [MESSAGE]keys
c. Even less hold both the[VELOCITY]& [FIXED.VELOCITY]keys
d. Least sensitive hold both the [VELOCITY]& [PROG CHANGE]keys

Another way to deal with this is to make a preset for live's velocity plugin that matches your preferences -- it's a little more flexible than the pk's builtin possibilities.

funny, the extremely high sensitivity is what sets the padKONTROL in the first place miles apart from any other of the pad controllers, for me...
i love it, you can use feel rather then train your finger / hands muscles.

[fatrabbit]

I prefer the pads of the padKontrol - although I haven't used the MPD24 for any long period of time. The padKontrol pads can be activated right from their very corners with the lightest of touches - give it a go!

To adjust the sensitivity, can you not change the velocity curves with the software editor? Or other settings in there?

[husker]

those sensitivity settings are different from how velocity is mapped - exactly how I don't know but they are 'extra' hidden factory settings according to Korg

[coverdale76]

Hey everybody!

I just got my own padKontrol in the local store today! Very excited about it! I'll try it out tomorrow~ Thank you for all the information...

Try it all day~ Really cool, easy and comfortable to use, stable good pad!
And my first MIDI pad.

[Sherman Banks]

"2. I had such a hard time getting that korg librarian editor to work - it always said "Device Inquiry Error". Turns out you have to set the midi configuration to a specific value and then it'll work perfectly. For those having the same problem:

For MIDI In choose "padKONTROL 1 PORT A" and for MIDI out choose "padKONTROL 1 CTRL". Now keep in mind I'm using these settings with USB so it probally won't work with MIDI cable but nevertheless it should help. After that you should be fine."

Damn, this is the dumbest software ever. The help file only contains the version #! WTF? I'm glad I found this because I was getting frustrated with this. Thanks man.

[jrathkopf]

i think the padkontrol is awesome...never tried triggerfinger, and it does have some cool things that padkontrol doesnt like the 8 pots and 4 faders, different aftertouch for each pads....
but i think the padkontrol scene/preset switching is awesome, and the xy pad is nasty, especially for synthy bass parts
in terms of software, i think the padkontrol editor is pretty easy to use, never had a problem, and my pads are not retriggering other pads no matter how hard or soft i hit it.

Machinate...if you get the lights working, my padkontrol will go from 8 to a 9 (10 would be with more faders/pots)

if you made the program shareware for liights, i would throw in, because it is way over my head to program that, and the added functionality would be fantastic (especially since i have my scenes programed so that 8 pads for an impulse and 8 to mute the slots)

it is a little plasticy, but it wouldnt be too hard to make it more solid by adding some rubber padding on the bottoms and sides

[fatrabbit]

As for it saying "for home and office use" most pieces of equipment say this. Probably something to do with the CE mark you see, legal requirements etc. My MOTU Ultralite has it on the bottom, and it's sturdy as hell.

[coverdale76]

Check this out!
http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... highlight=

I got the same problem!

My hard and soft wares specs as below:

Notebook: Toshiba M50
System: Windows XP SP2
Software version: padKONTROL Editor Librarian V1.0

Problem Solved!

Install new driver [1.8.0.2] from UK site:
http://www.korguksupport.co.uk/upload/DrvTools_e.exe

Choose the right port for MIDI in & out in preference setting:
For MIDI In choose "padKONTROL 1 PORT A" and for MIDI out choose padKONTROL 1 CTRL.

"2. I had such a hard time getting that korg librarian editor to work - it always said "Device Inquiry Error". Turns out you have to set the midi configuration to a specific value and then it'll work perfectly. For those having the same problem:

For MIDI In choose "padKONTROL 1 PORT A" and for MIDI out choose "padKONTROL 1 CTRL". Now keep in mind I'm using these settings with USB so it probally won't work with MIDI cable but nevertheless it should help. After that you should be fine."

Damn, this is the dumbest software ever. The help file only contains the version #! WTF? I'm glad I found this because I was getting frustrated with this. Thanks man.