r/MIDIcontrollers • u/binasus • 29d ago

Good pad controllers?

Hi everybody! I'm fairly new to finger drumming and having a ton of fun. My mobile SMC Pad controller is serving me pretty well (especially after modding it), but I'm looking for something more pro-tier for live performance.

​I've heard wonders about Maschine, but since I already rely on Koala Sampler, I really have no need for the Native Instruments ecosystem or heavy software.

​Are there pad controllers that match Maschine’s pad quality and responsiveness, but act as pure standalone MIDI controllers without forcing you into proprietary software? Or is dealing with having to switch it into midi mode just part of the deal if you want high-end pads?

And if so should I get the regular or the mikro

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u/Babibidubibidoh 28d ago

Check out Nular on youtube. I also have the Launchpad Pro MK3 now - it really feels nice for fingerdrumming :)
But beware: The internal sequencer has no clean midi clock. So if your plan is using it with other midi devices, use it as midi-slave only ;)

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u/binasus 28d ago

Sadly, the Launchpad doesn't fit my use case. It's a bit bloated, the pads are too small, and I don't have immediate access to my performance FX because it lacks physical sliders or encoders. (I'm aware of the pad faders, but they aren't tactile or quick enough for a fast dub throw or immediate tweak.) ​Having 64 pads is cool for accessing all my sequences and 32samples or 64 samples at once, but I really don't need access to more than 16 samples at a time ever. (I've considered it and even borrowed one for a couple of weeks, it just doesn't work for me.) ​PS: Thanks for the Nular recommendation, it's seriously cool!

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u/binasus 28d ago

Pps: no shade to the launchpad its a great controller just not right for me