Korg Nanokey Studio demo: Good points, bad points

[@Stendekmusic]

Thanks for this video. It definitely influenced my decision to buy a nanokey.

[@gearfacts]

Glad it was helpful PS. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :) GF

[@notsofunnynowisit]

Your videos are exceptionally informative and when I catch them in my feed I'm all like, "Cool! What's this then?" this one is no exception - I barely have any interest in chunky "fatpad" plastic toylike midi controllers because of what I can only describe as "setup fatigue", ie, by the time you get it up and working in any daw you've clicked on a mouse more that 50 times and completely lost your flow. This is one of the major reasons I'm heading DAWless as much as I can for recording things now and it's been wholly liberating. But it's still interesting to see how new things function and I appreciate your hard work. One thing I'm interested in knowing - why you have an aversion to softsynths? I'm recording them predominantly through means outside of DAWs and have found it pretty useful (like with midi from an old yamaha, ASIO drivers and VSThost to analog out). Cheers!

[@gearfacts]

Thanks for your message Lance, and for your previous comments :) I don't really know why I dislike soft synths... I know they sound good and are very flexible. I guess it's from all those hours lost in the 90's and 00's trying to make simple things work on computers. This is the tablet-age though, and making this video demonstrates that things have improved massively since those times. Next up i think I'll get one of those keyboards that neatly integrate an ipad as if it were part of the whole device. This might easy my thoughts of "Oh mannnn I'm using a computer here! Danger, danger! Hours lost! Hours lost!"

[@notsofunnynowisit]

@@gearfacts lol, I feel ya there, man - so many toys, not enough time to play with them!

[@jdmurcielago]

I clicked because of your intro

[@gearfacts]

Much obliged!

[@peterwaringofficial]

Thank you for your informative video! I have a question - Let's say you get a drum beat going in London and set it playing, and then use the Nanokey Studio to play a melody on another synth whilst London is playing - if you use the arpeggio function on the Nanokey Studio, does the Arp speed sync with Gadget / London playback? Thank you :)

[@gearfacts]

I haven't tried that myself, but I believe that as soon as you change the tempo on either the computer or the Nanokey, then everything will sync to that new tempo. I'm not sure which device gets first say in it though, probably the computer/ipad :) #gearfacts

[@TheWingedRhinoShow]

The nanoKEY2 was my only keyboard for an year or so when I got myself reacquainted with the instrument. There's actually riffs which still I can't play on my new CT-X870IN because I composed them for low profile keys. The low profile makes bouncing between adjacent notes with a light touch easier methinks!

[@gearfacts]

Yeah I have to say I liked the feel of those little keys

[@chriscopeman8820]

This is very interesting. I really want this nanoKey for travelling, but when I felt the keys in the store I walked away thinking it those keys are very cheap and would not work for me.

[@NazaJamesReyes]

is there a way with this controller assign the function GATE ARP, that that not come with this and come in other like the nanokeypad 2, or in the korg electribe 2 ?

[@jnny7182]

Very helpful thank you!

[@gearfacts]

So glad!

[@godders7594]

And yet another top review Mr G

[@gearfacts]

Cheers Gary. I filmed this on a video camera i got from a second hand store for $10. Was interested because it had a line for direct recording as well as a headphone socket, greatly reducing the amount of paraphernalia needed to make these kinds of videos ...But the results speak for themselves, I think I'll just keep dealing with the paraphernalia... :)

[@visualnoisebyjmra1778]

Heya mate, love the video. Quick question When I play various piano sounds, the Korg NanoKey works but when I use them drum kits, the pads just don't work. Would you know how to troubleshoot this?

[@gearfacts]

Hmm, the mysteries of the Nanokeys continue... I get a lot of correspondence about it with all kinds of weird things going on. Sadly I have no answers for you, anything I say would be pure guessing... But you aren't alone! Hopefully someone else on this thread has an idea.

[@SoulSheIS]

I noticed this on sale recently, wondering if a new version maybe coming to out.

[@ReneeNme]

Did you see my message about the Alesis Micron auction on eBay AU ?

[@gearfacts]

I did, but it's out my my price range this week! I've bought two Yamaha synths ...not the *greatest* synths around but they generate a lot of interest among Gearfacts viewers

[@hamerray]

I just ordered one from guitar Center. How’s the battery life on it.

[@gearfacts]

Pretty lengthy :)

[@Khordmaster]

No way to control transport???

[@gearfacts]

Too long ago my friend, I think you'll have to look up the manual (just google "nanokey PDF" and it'll appear) /Gearfacts

[@jorpriet]

Hi, I ask you to consult, I use garage band and I want to configure the knobs and I can not do it. you know is compatible with that software. All the buttons work except the knobs. I appreciate your response. regards

[@gearfacts]

I don't know the answer, sorry... Have you tried using different software?

[@marvinbernal]

As far as I know Garageband on iOS does not have any type of MIDI Learn feature which is a bummer. There’s no way to map keys directly to that software.

[@garyusinger]

are the pads programmable?

[@gearfacts]

I couldn't see any way of programming them but I am very open to be corrected on that :)

[@pietuamusse371]

Using Korg Kontrol software you can assign them to different midi note, program controls etc.

[@patrickfontaine2290]

im having connectivity issues. The bleutooth disconnects. Its my second one (I sent the my first nanokey back) is there a setting that im overlooking?

[@gearfacts]

So you get some proper activity and then it disconnects? That sounds like low batteries. I found that good quality batteries made a big difference - pretty much essential. Also yes there are a couple of settings that have to be changed - I have a feeling there was a connection app that had to be downloaded ...I recommend having a look at the manual which is free from Korg's website. Sorry I can't be more specific, we don't get to keep gear for long at the Gearfacts studio :(

[@patrickfontaine2290]

I changed the battery, but it does the same thing

[@lundsweden]

If you have an Apple IOS device that you're connecting to, you need to update the firmware as IOS13+ broke Bluetooth connectivity with Nanostudio. You need to go to the Korg website and follow their instructions.

[@alanwilton6806]

I’ve got one of these and Bluetooth doesn’t work on my iPad Pro or my PC. I’ve downloaded and installed the Bluetooth driver but I think that KORG are taking the piss.

[@gearfacts]

I seem to remember that there was some kind of enabler app that you had to download ...check that manual, I can't remember now. But yes, mine wouldn't connect the first time and I couldn't see any reason why until I looked it up. If you don't have the manual just google "Nanokey PDF" and that should find it :) GF

[@alanwilton6806]

Gearfacts There’s an app from KORG and I’ve installed it but it doesn’t work.

[@gearfacts]

Oh ok. So you've got Gadget or something similar, and bluetooth is enabled in the device (ipad I assume), in the app itself and on the Nanokey? Just re-iterating, it IS a pain in the arse to connect...

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

Had to do the firmware update on my old MacBook, because I couldn’t vind Midi device in Windows 10. After that it worked fine on iOS 13

[@britishboxer6875]

tiny keys no? what about repeater or slicer, to hit with 16th note drum snares etc

[@gearfacts]

British Boxer Yep small keys, tricky to play. And no effects like slicers or arpeggios, just lotsa knobs

[@britishboxer6875]

@@gearfacts i thought it had fixed arp and slice (KORG) aka repeater (AKAI mpkii) functions, you sure it dont?

[@TheChameleon2008]

@@britishboxer6875 it has a arp but cant confirm the slice

[@brainstemriff]

Feels a bit game of thrones south park

[@GreenHoleSun]

Great integration with Gadget, and bluetooth is fine, but that keyboard, for me, is terrible to play...

[@gearfacts]

Oh absolutely, I don't think anyone would be serious about using it as a performance tool. I think it's just to play chords and put those melodic notes in the right place :)

[@GreenHoleSun]

@@gearfacts agree...why didn't they simply put a traditional keyboard? For example I now use with gadget an M-audio oxygen mini pro (which btw costs less, has 7 notes more and the form factor is more or less the same) and the keyboard is surprisingly good...

[@gearfacts]

@@GreenHoleSun It all comes down to the golden rule: Buy the one that makes you smile :)

[@joeyscarseat]

Mine is detected but doesn’t connect to Bluetooth.

[@gearfacts]

I think there's an app you have to download from korg

[@joeyscarseat]

Gearfacts I downloaded an app called BLE-MIDI by Korg. It is still recognizing the device but it still wont connect.

[@carlosramirezfabian1256]

The device shows up in the Bluetooth Midi Connect app on my iPad but it won't pair up. It won't even display the pair up message dialog that pops up on my iPhone. It feels like there is something wrong with the Korg Nanokey Studio

[@gearfacts]

THis was a while ago now so i can't remember the details, but there is an extra app you have to install to enable communication. Sorry you'll have to google it. Or go to the manual by googling 'nanokey pdf' ...hope that helps! Gearfacts

[@carlosramirezfabian1256]

Gearfacts yes the Manual. I read the manual and I downloaded the Bluetooth Midi Connect app. I just sent it for a refund. It didn't work.

[@gearfacts]

Bluetooth Midi-connect, yes that's the one ...clearly not the missing link on this occasion though :(

[@fickfehler3866]

this nanokey is a wireless fart in the wind albeit bluetooth !

[@gearfacts]

Yeah there are a LOT of people having trouble with it ...

[@fickfehler3866]

@@gearfacts sending midi sysex over 2.4ghz should be a no brainer. Plus Korg Gadget's a total rip off.

[@gearfacts]

FICKFEHLER The problems are quite varied. I guess a company that makes as many different products as Korg is bound to have the occasional dud