Not as customizable as I'd like 
by Kevin B. from New Orleans, LA USA, June 2008
Music Background:  Electronic Musician

I really like this controller, but it's not close to perfect (for me anyway).

I use this with Ableton Live and Reason, and for some "reason" (no pun intended), it doesn't integrate as well as the Kontro49, for example. There are several hacks online for turning this into a step-sequencer and an LED matrix...all cool stuff, but it's still hard to get this clips to stay lit when you trigger a clip in Ableton (apparently this can be done with a Terminal app in OSX called Farmpad). Anyway, there is no Reason codec and it's not the best with Live.

As far as feel is concerned, the pads are large, sensitive, and feel great. Like a good woman.

  Join The Crowd 
by Ryan Simpkins from Utah, May 2008

Get this thing. Just get it. Seriously.

The feel is amazing. They use sensors under each corner of each pad, so you don't have to hit it square on. It is a little tricky at first as a slight touch will trigger the pad. However, once you get use to the feel of it, you won't want to use anything else.

One thing that no one has mentioned is the extensive user base of pK'ers out there. Users have produced amazing software to enahnce the usability of the unit, if you so desire. There are zillions of tutorials on video sites like YouTube to check out, some of them will blow your socks off. In a nutshell, if you are having a problem with this thing - it is your fault. There is ample proof of the high performance capabilites of this unit on the 'net.

One thing that struck me was how light this unit was. I was a little worried at first wondering why I spent $200 on a cheap piece of junk. However, once you get into it and star cranking away you realize just how durable this unit is. The metal base plate adds considerably to the stability of the unit.

  padKontrol 
by James from Duluth MN, March 2008
Music Background:  Pro Musician

This is a great controller buy it.

Compared to the akai mpd24 much better pads lite up so you know when your hitting them.

Their also fully touch sensitive on the whole square pad big plus for me.

if it was not for the driver software hassles this would be a five star rating a lot more control with this compared to the akai mpd24 but i would have liked the faders instead of the knobs oh well my keyboard handles that

  Best thing I have purchased! 
by Matt Carrico from Chicago, IL USA, January 2008
Music Background:  Hobbyist, Recoriding Engineer in Training, Musician

I think this is probobly the best thing for recording I have ever purchased. I have a Mac and use the Reason 3.0 software that came with it. I am very pleased with what it can do, there are endless possibilities! If you're looking for somthing to make beats and synths with, the PadKONTROL is defenatly what you are looking for. I would say that this is the best buy you can find for laying those beats down. I could go on about how amazing it is, but it would take forever to type. The bottom line is that it's essential for your home studio.

  KORG padKONTROL Midi Studio Controller 
by Nihat Altin from Norway, August 2007
Music Background:  Franz Schubert Konservatorium, Vienna. Composer, Hobbyist

I bought mine some weeks ago and I'm very proud of having it, using it for my home studio. As the lyric goes, Words, don't come easy to me, how can I find a way, Well, I am just a music man, Melody and Korg is so far my best friend.

  Great Product - however the pedal input is USELESS 
by BRAIN from NYC, June 2007
Music Background:  Recording Engineer and Guitarist

I own this piece and use it with Reason3 and it works great. The pads are nice and responsive and coupled with Reason Drumkits, I can get a really good drum sound without much hassle.

I thought the distinguishing feature over the Akai or MAudio was the pedal input. HOW WRONG I WAS.

The pedal input is USELESS and in such a way that is in-excusable. Why on earth would anyone assume this pedal is not velocity sensitive (not to mention doesn't work with standard kick drum pads). None of this info is given up front, it is not even in the user guide, i had to find out by trial and ERROR and then consult some online forums.

To the user who said this is not a drum kit - thank you for pointing that out - i was confused there for a minute but your insightful testimony has set me straight.

  Once U Go Pad Kontrol You'll Never Go Back 
by Mouf Pieceof God from TX, June 2007
Music Background:  Holy Hip Hop producer, artists, performer, and minister

The Korg PadKontrol is the best investment I have made into my midi studio. This controler is Ideal for producing Hip Hop especially if you are familiar with the MPC. I use Reason 3 with this Kontroler and it works seamlessly with Reason. Although it has a preset templete for Redrum, playing my synths and other instruments on it has been great. I am not a keyboardist and this has helped me make some melodies that I know would not have been possible without the PK. It is really easy to program. The Manual is clear and if you still don't understand ckeck out some of the tutorial video on "everybody's favorite independent video website where everybody and they momma can have a video online." All kiding aside I was trying to decide between the PK and the MPD24 and I am glad I listened to my sales engeneer Brad Every. I hardly even touch my X-Station now.

  One AWESOME Product with Tons of Software Included 
by David Kasminsky from Ohio, November 2006
Music Background:  Hobbyist

I am still in awe of this product and the amount of software included(such as Reason 3.0 adapted for Korg,
DFH Superior Drum Kit from ToonTracks, LIve Lite LIte Version 4(with free update to 5)Sample Tank 2 Korg Edition, MD-X FULL version of Korg legacy Edition,
Ultimate Soundbank and UVI Korg Edition) thats all included WITH the outstanding Korg Pad Kontrol, for the price you get a high tech Midi Controller/Drum Machine plus a ton of very usable software. I could not afford Reason and now I am learning it! Can't say enough about the product or service from my Sales Engineer Ted. I considered the Akai version for $99.99
but for a extra $100.00 you get way, way more for that extra $100.00. I have several Korg products and they all work great!

  A must have! 
by brett from portland, or, July 2006
Music Background:  hobbyist

Padkontrol is so much more than a mere drum triggerer! Play your favorite plugin synth or fire clips off in Ableton and much more.

This might be the prettiest piece of plastic I own. This blows away the Trigger Finger in terms of looks and playability. The pads are really comfortable. Its only downfall really is not as many features as the TF, like pressure sensitivity which is great for modulating effects. Also you can have only note or CC info on each pad...not both. In fact, the Trigger Finger lets you program note, CC and program change onto each pad. The Padkontrol is setup more like a keyboard with velocity sensitivity.The editor librarian is intuitive and quick. Its also great for lazy keyboardists. Just program in your favorite scale and never hit a wrong note again. The included Kaoss/XY pad makes up for the lack of knobs or sliders and the fact the pads light up red when touched is pure geek appeal.

re: HEADS UP 
by Dave from Ontario Canada, April 2006

Just a rebuttle about the kick drum.
Guys.. Korg doesnt have to write about it in here. This is NOT A DRUM KIT... this is an input device designed to be used by the FINGERS. Beleive me... i can drum on this 10 times faster with my fingers than I can as a sit-down kit. If you want a kit BUY A KIT. This thing is a god send.... keep rocking.

Time to get creative! 
by Matt Davis from AL USA, March 2006

I write elctronic dance music and my computer based studio is slowly growing. I bought the padKONTROL to kill two birds with one stone. I wanted a way to get live with my drum patterns and also a way to get creative with the X Ys on some of my software's effects. I got it all right here! Plus it looks cool! There are different light modes you can program. The touch sensitive pads pick up the slightest tap. The touchpad snaps back to a programmable value when you release your finger... Unless you have the "hold" button activated. There are many features I haven't even touched yet. It is easy to program on the unit, but the included softwaremakes it even easier. Plus it includes a bunch of loadable scenes for a lot of todays software. It did not include a power adapter, which I found odd, but it runs off USB great. It is very light but the pads feel strong. I'm glad I bought it... Now if I could find more time to play twith it...

bangin *** beat maker 
by m garner from al, March 2006

i make beats as a hobbie and think this is one of the best midi interfaces i've ever reviewed. not to mention the creative software pack that's included with the hardware!!!!

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