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Good if you use NI Instruments
I'm using the controller as my main composing tool together with Cubase and Garage Band. I purchased the smaller one (M32 version) because it has a smaller form factor, perfectly fitting on my desk, but still has a decent amount of keys. (A bit more than two octaves)
I was surprised how good you can play on the small keys, it's nearly perfect for me, since my fingers aren't that long.
The build quality is rather decent and the keyboard feels good and sturdy. Unfortunately my unit doesn't sit level on the desk, meaning it slightly wiggles a bit. It doesn't disrupt the feel while playing it so it's fine.
You also get quite an amount of software with the keyboard. I'd used the Komplete Kontrol software already, since I'd purchased two plugins from Native Instruments in the past and I really like their products since they are programmed with the user in mind and can be used quite intuitively.
The free sounds and instruments that come with it are also quite decent if you just want to start making music. Keep in mind, that the shipped sounds are more fitting for musicians in the electro/synth genres. You even get a light version of Maschine 2. I didn't test it though.
Since I'm composing orchestral music, I didn't use many of the shipped plugins but rather the plugins I'd purchase in some of their sale offers. It's really easy to install everything, and as soon as you load Komplete Kontrol into a track, you're good to go. I highly recommend to read the quick start guide found on the Native Instruments Homepage as well as to watch some videos on Youtube, since you can work with it quite faster if you know some tricks. Even if it's quite intuitive to use most of the time, there are some functions and workflows you can't find out by trial and error.
To use many of the features like scale, arp and parameter mapping, you need to use their plugin Komplete Kontrol. But this plugin allows you to include other plugins not officially supported by NKS (I guess every VST plugin) but it's not as straight forward as the supported plugins.
All in all its a good keyboard, especially for beginners. It has nice features compared to its price, but you have to consider, that its meant as a hardware product to be used with Native Instruments software.
I was surprised how good you can play on the small keys, it's nearly perfect for me, since my fingers aren't that long.
The build quality is rather decent and the keyboard feels good and sturdy. Unfortunately my unit doesn't sit level on the desk, meaning it slightly wiggles a bit. It doesn't disrupt the feel while playing it so it's fine.
You also get quite an amount of software with the keyboard. I'd used the Komplete Kontrol software already, since I'd purchased two plugins from Native Instruments in the past and I really like their products since they are programmed with the user in mind and can be used quite intuitively.
The free sounds and instruments that come with it are also quite decent if you just want to start making music. Keep in mind, that the shipped sounds are more fitting for musicians in the electro/synth genres. You even get a light version of Maschine 2. I didn't test it though.
Since I'm composing orchestral music, I didn't use many of the shipped plugins but rather the plugins I'd purchase in some of their sale offers. It's really easy to install everything, and as soon as you load Komplete Kontrol into a track, you're good to go. I highly recommend to read the quick start guide found on the Native Instruments Homepage as well as to watch some videos on Youtube, since you can work with it quite faster if you know some tricks. Even if it's quite intuitive to use most of the time, there are some functions and workflows you can't find out by trial and error.
To use many of the features like scale, arp and parameter mapping, you need to use their plugin Komplete Kontrol. But this plugin allows you to include other plugins not officially supported by NKS (I guess every VST plugin) but it's not as straight forward as the supported plugins.
All in all its a good keyboard, especially for beginners. It has nice features compared to its price, but you have to consider, that its meant as a hardware product to be used with Native Instruments software.
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p
I love my M32! If you mainly work with software synths, the keyboard has all you need. Very nice to play, the build quality is awesome; the knobs are touch-sensitive and if you're going to make use of the NI integrations (I suggest you do) you can control the devices right from the keyboard quite nicely. Some basic DAW integration is also there (Ableton) and the Internet has a script to make it control Live racks in the MIDI mode. Tighter integration with Live would be great, but hey, for the money it's fair. All in all, very nice compact keyboard on budget; I made quite a few tracks without touching any of my other controllers.
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A
A must have for Komplete Kontrol / MK3 Owners
The M32 increases your production and creativity with 300%. So nice that everything is preconfigured with NI Komplete Control.
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j
a bit clicky but still awesome
my first controller. Native Instruments is my first ecosystem and it only makes sense to get a feel on their portable controllers. Wanted to experience this first before moving in to S61 or S88. So far so good. Only gripe is the clicky buttons which my neighbors notice. But overall integration with the software is awesome. Will recommend for newbies like me, but will definitely get the upgraded S61, Vapor gray to be exact. If these were rides, S-series would be the Ferraris and M32 would be the Ducatis
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S
Perfect tool for a home studio
For a new home studio and someone who is starting in the world of music and bedroom music, it is totally amazing, is has a lot of good features and once you get to set it up with your DAW, it is really intuitive and friendly.
Totally recommend it.
Totally recommend it.
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JS
Love it!
Got this just to experiment with playing/recording simple riffs and fills in my DAW...love the quality, super value for money!
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I
I'm not keyboard player
I don't have space for larger keyboard and I'm not keyboard player. So this is good for me to make some basic lines and experiment with sounds... It has some basic features and it is good with Cubase.
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t
Best in class
I’ve used quite a lot of mini-keyboards and this one in my opinion has the best keys in this price range. Other parts and knobs are nice and sturdy, top-notch manufacturing and quality control!
I use it in Reaper to record virtual instruments and partially as a DAW controller. In both cases it works flawlessly, no issues with drivers.
I use it in Reaper to record virtual instruments and partially as a DAW controller. In both cases it works flawlessly, no issues with drivers.
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WL
The KEY to Music Production
I think this is the perfect MIDI-keyboard for it you are on a budget or if you travel a lot. The keyboard fits perfectly into 15''-laptop bags and doesn't take up too much space on a desk. Yet the 32 key layout feels just right and gives you enough flexibility to play complicated chords and it's a huge step up from anything under its price range! The software it comes with is high quality and very intuitive and the integration of the MIDI-keyboard is very good with the most common DAWs and plugins! I would honestly recommend this product to anyone looking for a MIDI-keyboard to jumpstart their music production career with!
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G
Amazing midi
I am using Komplete Kontrol M32 for my studio recording purpose. Its really amazing ,the best part is the keys are very handy to play individual notes such as playing drum notes really helpful. Over all I am very much satisfied.
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