Nektar CS12: IS IT The Ultimate Logic Pro Controller? (Review & Demo)

[@Lematidas]

Nice video, thanks! I just ordered one for myself, looking forward to trying this thing out :)

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah I expected nothing but gold from Nektar since my experience with P6 in the past which was superb controller for Bitwig. CS12 is awesome for Logic. Finally a great controller! 💪😄 Now Apple need to make the plugin addition more streamlined for controller protocols. It’s way easier / convenient to add plugins in Bitwig, compared to Logic. I hope they take it seriously. But its been the same for ages so… 😂

[@TheRealNativeSun]

If they added a audio interface to this it would an even bigger game changer. I’m sold either way.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah def 😄👌

[@CedarMist]

Thank you for a great demonstration!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thx for the sweet feedback! CS12 is a great device for Logic Pro.

[@UrbanGarden-rf5op]

Thank you for guiding me through the first use of my shiny new toy. Great stuff. Som sagt, stort tack.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Superb, happy editing 😄🚀☕️👌

[@philipbard2333]

Very thorough; I appreciate you taking the time to record this.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thanks Philip, CS12 deserves all the attention because it's a sweet upgrade for Logic Pro if you like to work with a tactile controller and less mouse fiddle. Very useful for mixing and tracking. I didn't show the Undo, Redo but there are dedicated buttons for that on CS12 which is sweet!

[@MrDroig]

the best demo I've seen of this gear.... thanks!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

You are welcome. It’s a ”logical” take on controlling Logic. 👌

[@markgiddings8382]

Excellent clear vid Matthias …… you gave an excellent demo of this - will order !!!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thanks, happy to hear you appreciate the breakdown and presentation of the CS12. 🙏😃🥁

[@KordTaylor]

Thanks for your great video. This looks super useful. 🚀

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jetlag_beats]

I've been a fan of the Nektar products since I got me a Panorama P6 in 2019 for perfect integration with Propellorhead's Reason DAW. Amazing to see that there's now this awesome controller specialised for seamless integration with Logic Pro as well. Thanks for the nice review!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Oh yeah awesome. I also had the P6, it was a beast with Bitwig. Loved it! But I fried the usb port on it 😭 CS12 is a beast indeed! Really smooth integration with Logic Pro 👌😄

[@Zaqwilson1]

wish they could the same with reason

[@diemcarpemusic]

Looks like so much fun to have freshen workflow. I told myself if it's gong to be up to 250€ I will take it but when I saw 430€ haha but I decided to not to. In my eyes Logic is fastest DAW with shortcuts, even with only TouchPad and it's super easy to link knobs and buttons on any midi controllers. When I moved from FL I felt 10x faster on Logic. This controller would be so much fun but I can't justify 430€ to just have more fun. Personally it wouldn't improve my workflow or speed. Or maybe it does. Maybe in future.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah it's not one of those cheap budget controller with broken functionality. Nektar has a long history of making solid controllers and deep access to DAW features. I don't feel the speed is increased, but it's rather the "experience" that is different with a tactile controller. I guess it all comes down to if you want to work with a "studio mixing console kind of experience" rather than mouse fiddling. And if you like the controller aspect....other controllers require so much fiddling with midi learning and pre-setup that eats a ton of time. CS12 just works out of the box after a quick install / firmware upgrade. No need to make those tedious midi learn fiddlings.;) Some people are happy with the transportbar features you find in most midi controller keyboards, but if you want to be able to do channel strip / mixing / tracking, project navigation this is the best hardware I've come across.

[@johnplainsong9769]

This is excellent; nice to see real world use on a mix. I'm in the process of upgrading my Mac system, and will be picking up one of these controllers (and selling my X-Touch One). BTW, PlugSearch 3 by Speakerfood is a great little utility for selecting plug-ins. Until Logic adds support, its worth considering.

[@Juliano_DJOL]

Im liking this thing! I used to use an Impact lx+ midi keyboard that I liked, just limited keyz and all. Ive been using a Akai MPK249 the last few years which I love, but wld also pove something like this!

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

So if you’re starting up your own small studio, you could get by with just using this & a good interface? There’s no need for a physical mixer, apart from aesthetics, and customers expecting to see a mixer in a studio? Especially if you’re not recording acoustic drums?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Absolutely! The Cs12 is a great Logic controller. You’ll be find in the studio with clients, as long as you have a fat audio interface that supports multiple I/O…if you’re gonna track drums. 👌🥳

[@morgan8937]

Hi Mattias, I don't know where to ask Q's. Idea for a vid: that I think affects people most (especially those who are desiring to make some kind of structured, evolving arrangement) How to get out of a loop trap. Do you have any tricks and tips for working your way out of a melodic loop trap? I dont necessarily mean loop samples. I mean sequenced patterns that you create using one-shot sounds and synths that naturally want to loop more thsn once before (hopefully) transitioning into the next section of the arrangement. You dont want it to be too much the same, but cant break straight out of a recurring loop into something too different either. So hard to try to explain 😅

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi, sure! 😃 Did you take a look at my Arranging Course? Which deals with exactly this issue. ”From loop to full song”. edu.morningdewmedia.com/products

[@morgan8937]

@MattiasHolmgren Thanks Mattias, I've bookmarked it. Maybe a little down the road, I'll give it a revisit and a closer look as it looks perfect.

[@dadamoog]

Hi Mattias, nice video. Did you try it with BITWIG? 😉

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi, not yet. I will try it with all my DAWs including Bitwig next up! ;)

[@dadamoog]

@@MattiasHolmgren thanks. Looking forward to watch the video 😉

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

@@MattiasHolmgren I think currently it only works for Logic, but they will be writing code for other DAWs over time

[@TheJonHolstein]

​@@Arthur_My_DearIf i remeber correctly they have stated that cubase is next. But they have only announced they are working on one other daw. So no promises for ableton, bitwig, no studio one, no protools. While they may eventually get around to support those daws, it will take time. And they might find out down the line, that a hardware change is needed, and release a new version, meaning that buyers of this might never get support for their other daws, even if newer versions will. I really dislike this release strategy. I am not a logic user. But one of my daws were supported with no promise to support any other, I would probably not be willing to budget for this, as it might never get support for other daw needs. It is also a bit worrying that logic and cubase are first, because if I have understood correctly, they are more open for 3rd party controllers than the other big daws. So if support comes eventually for other daws, there might be clear limitations. And one might be tricked by a demo in one daw, only to find out that all those features are not supported in other daws.

[@bmsmusician]

Great video! Is it possible to automate CC with either the fader or the knobs?

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

that thing looks really good, so much cheaper than buying the SSL one

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah, I never tried the SSL one. But Nektar Tech surely crammed a lot of functionality into the CS12 and it's a breeze to work with!

[@jo_tsktsk]

We need it to be compatible with any DAW.. otherwise u got waves and ssl that already allow any vst to their channel strip/fx controllers.. dont take to long..

[@Nynex]

ahh I would love 2 or 3 faders

[@MattiasHolmgren]

😄🎁🏆

[@rastamarriott6361]

I appreciate you creating a beautiful tune! the majority of these videos I have to sit through 15 minutes of musical monstrosity

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thanks, yeah I try to make my videos very focused and clear.

[@allvalley]

can you also control instruments?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Its for insert strip fx.But you can midi learn whatever u want so 👌💪

[@dischimagalotti7025]

Wow nice I have just got a new Mac with Sonoma and Logic 11 Does it work good with it too?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yes, I run latest works like a charm. 🥳

[@jordibuch]

When you change channels, it seems the fader movement is very slow

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Its fast enough IMO. Probably some golden ratio to not wear out the motor. 😄🎹

[@MadelnMachines]

I can't wait to see the Ableton Live version

[@MattiasHolmgren]

💪😄

[@AOEarlobe]

Great Video, Do you know if and how it would work with other controllers in tandem, CS12 with and UF8?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

I have no idea, but I don't know why it shouldn't work. Only thing to keep in mind is that if you have Komplete Kontrol keyboards (like I do) you have to edit those controller slightly (or remove them) because the KK controller scripts is made to bring up the plugins / instruments when you select a channel. And that gets a bit annoying when you walk through track channels with the CS12. So I removed those scripts and the problem went away. ;) But again it's not a Nektar CS12 issue, it's how the scripts are programmed for the KKs. As you saw in my video here, CS12 just works beautifully for Logic control! Can't wait to try it with my other daws and see how that works out.

[@AOEarlobe]

I have just ordered one. Yes, I have NI stuff, how do you remove the scrips 🙏🏾 ?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

@AOEarlobe just go to controller settings in Logic Pro and remove the image of the KK device. You can also edit a single key, but I can show that in a YT shorts next week. Easter celeb here 🐇🐣🐰😄

[@AOEarlobe]

@@MattiasHolmgren 🎉thanks Happy Easter!

[@AOEarlobe]

​@@MattiasHolmgren, I have my unit now, just installed it. I set it up with my UF8, seems to work really well. I select any track on my UF* and the CS12 shows all the channel parameters for it. Easy as pie. I just needed to set it up as one controller with the UGA an bank of 9 not 8. Do you have any idea when the protools integration will be ready?

[@gainofdysfunction4135]

Does it do Serum? Or other VSTis..?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yes it can controll params of any insert / send. I’ll make a second video.

[@Guitarpch1]

The Comeback Kid, the delay plugin from Corey Feldman

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Is lovely 👌🥳

[@lafemmedevastation]

This looks like it has the potential to be *the* DAW-demystifying controller for those who come from purely a hardware background (for e.g. even using a hardware mixer in a DAWless setup), but who are of course needing to still do final mastering. For me at least, the idea of owning the Nektar makes the copy of Logic Pro X I got with my machine seem more approachable / less tedious to get music finalized.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi, yeah I definitely think that this is the closest ever to making Logic Pro feel more like a dedicated console. Really quick access to audio fx, sends etc. I was surprised I never felt the need to jump to the mouse / keyboard.

[@carlosfedericolopezspindol3103]

Anyone have this and the iCON Pro P1-M for comparison?

[@Carak74]

hi first of all congratulations for this video, I have a question to ask you, I recently purchased the CS 12, I installed it for Logic Pro, but I don't understand why when I select a track and press the MUTE, SOLO and ARM buttons nothing happens, could it be a manufacturing defect? thanks bye

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Try resetting your logic preferences / controls etc. And then make a fresh reboot and accept the new cs12 controller in Logic. Should sort out any problems

[@Carak74]

@@MattiasHolmgren Hi and thanks for the reply, I did a total reset, I reassigned the CS 12, but when opening a project, in the beginning the mute, solo, and arm buttons work, but as soon as I navigate with the select button in the various settings and parameters, they don't I can no longer use the mute, solo, and arm buttons, this is what I can't understand, maybe I'm doing something wrong in using it? I hope I was clear in explaining the problem to you, thank you and have a good day

[@dharmaone77]

thanks for the review. debating between this and Novation Launch Control XL. Out of curiousity have you tested if this works with Logic iPad?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Not yet. Only tested with mac Logic 🚀😃

[@Zyswest]

as someone trying to find a midi controller to use with my ipad Logic Pro, and finding this frustrating bc of no midi mapping yet, would this work for channel strip purposes? i know there’s no midi learning/mapping; would there be a channel strip controller better option for ipad daw? also, since i’m trying to find a nicely capable midi controller for ipad Logic (but no luck just yet) 😅 i would take any suggestions you might have or anyone else reading this! thanks for the great video.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Sorry no idea about iPad Logic controls, but I am going to try that next week as I also have Logic Pro on the iPad.

[@mybassistight]

Will this work alongside a Mackie MCU Pro?

[@BearLew]

How about bitwig?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

They are making CS12 compatible with a few other DAWs slowly. CHeck their website for latest news on new compatible software.

[@Fistful0fSteel]

The software is still janky af. But it is unlike anything else out there. But lots of bugs and glitches. Sometimes the CS12 doesn't come out of the boot cycle for 10 minutes. Lots of restarts and complete remappings, "Rebuild Defaults" is your friend. Even if all your work is gone. You will usually not have to change very many of the defaults, but if you want to, its not that easy.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Oh yeah, mine has never locked in boot cycle yet. Weird glitch.

[@Fistful0fSteel]

@@MattiasHolmgren it is a very cool, and unique piece of gear though. Have to say. There’s a lot of potential

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Absoutely. Im having a blast with automation and channel strip editing. I wish there was a way to select and add plugins from the device. But I understand the ”hurdle”.

[@Fistful0fSteel]

@@MattiasHolmgren Isnt it Apple that is not handing out those APIs?

[@MusikalHuman]

what's cold vs whats hot vs what's fire. I don't get it, help me understand.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

It’s getting warmer… 🦊😄

[@MusikalHuman]

Logic 11 now… nothing for session tracks….oh well figures right years of dev fo4 10.. then boom

[@MattiasHolmgren]

oh dunno what you mean with that. The session tracks are pretty fun. But I REALLY enjoy the new instruments, they sound just gorgeous! The pianos, basses...drums are stellar!

[@MusikalHuman]

No display or control over amplitube

[@MattiasHolmgren]

oh yeah? Didn't try to fire up Amplitube yet.

[@daymanfighterofthenightman]

I want it so bad. Right now I got a FaderPort V.2 and an AKAI MPK Mini I set up to talk to each other, I mapped all the drum pads and the keyboard keys to access Logic Pro's shortcuts and I got the knobs on the MPK mapped specifically to Logic's compressor. This thing would replace a lot of the nonsense I got on here, not ALL of it however. I would probably marry this thing with something an Icon Pro Audio V1-M when I get more money. But I can literally buy this thing with my tax refund and still be able to do everything else I need with it. The reason I'm going down the DAW control surface rabbit hole is because I learned on a board and I miss being on a board and I'm sick of my trackpad. This won't eliminate my trackpad entirely but it's a start and it will make me appreciate my DAW more and motivate me to master it more if that makes sense.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah the real impressive thing with CS12 is the instant mapping, no need to fiddle with that tedious task. Just plug-in, install ControlCore (which is communicating with the CS12 and making the smooth protocol between Logic Pro and hardware). And Logic recognized the unit directly as you normally expect from a controller surface. I didn't spend much time with it before making this demo. So I got along with the CS12 pretty quickly compared to other controllers which often has very odd combos and seldom work very convenient. I'm totally blown away! Same here, we made several albums on outboard mixers and hardware back in the 90s and it's very satifsfying experience to work with a dedicated controller and forget the mouse / comp.keyboard for a while! Looking forward to hear you impression when you get it!

[@daymanfighterofthenightman]

@@MattiasHolmgren thank you for responding 🤘🙏 Yooo, you know what would be sick? If they upgraded the P1 with motorized faders to marry this with. Maybe put access to more shortcuts on it and slap a jog wheel on it.

[@daymanfighterofthenightman]

​@@MattiasHolmgrenit's coming and I'm excited! I went to B&H, they were sold out almost everywhere else!

[@runningroman]

🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Indeed awesome controller for Logic Pro 11 ;)

[@sequentia2]

🙋🏻‍♂️🇲🇽

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hey there! 😄

[@slidersson]

paid promotion, you are like a salesperson then....I don't trust this "review" one bit

[@MattiasHolmgren]

It is not paid…they sent me the product. But you have to select this option in YT nontheless. No money exchanged hands.

[@paulmenezes9572]

Not really a review either. He’s just showing how things work. lol

[@merochingon]

How to use NEKTARINE, was trying to Map some basic commands to my CS12 but I couldn't use Nektarine at all, please share a tutorial

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah maybe we need to do a little Nektarine tutorial. 👌😄

[@_20nine_]

I spy a Zentour

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Oh yes and it rocks! 😄🏆