Nektar CS12 - The Controller You Always Wanted For Logic Pro

[@Shawneverette]

Finaly we are getting back to companies making units for Audio engineers vs controllers for keyboard players that use daws. The fader update for anything you click on is dope!!!!

[@chrisr9426]

Consider my mind officially blown. Been waiting for something like this for a looooong time. :)

[@InspelaRecords]

Got mine yesterday and absolutely love it! I've bought stuff like this in the past and always end up going back to the mouse but this truly impressed me and (having now used it), I'd highly recommended it to anyone looking for a serious controller for Logic Pro. Brilliant !

[@Theophanes68]

Man, I’ve been waiting for a dedicated controller for Logic and surprised one hasn’t happened sooner. I know you can use other controllers and map them in Logic, but none of those have ever been exemplary. This looks great, the automation features alone are huge. Thanks for the video Chris, glad to see continued success for your channel!

[@velanche]

As ever, Chris, well done review. I have a CS12 on my desk, and I've not dived deeply into yet. The lack of demonstration videos for it has been something to contend with, so by far yours is the best I've seen so far by a mile. Maybe the Nektar folks can get you to do its video tutorials for the product? (Hint.) Anyway, it really is the controller Logic folks have been waiting for, especially with the stock and third-party mappings that Nektar's been known for (former P4 owner here). It compliments the mouse/trackpad and keyboard shortcuts, and other controllers, well for what it does. It's not perfect (ie,, Smart Controls and single-point automation can be glitchy), but the Nektar folks are on it. Also, a new firmware update just dropped last week and makes that (somewhat) redundant tempo knob more versatile with an additional selection of features. All told, I really do think that Nektar has nailed it. Hope you get to do more videos on the CS12, in the future. Thanks again, man!

[@ZeekBurse]

FINALLY!!!!! Excited for this product! Thanks so much for this quick, yet thorough review!

[@martinthe3rd664]

Yeah this is definitely a buy. Reasonably priced as well, I was expecting such a unit to sell for at least 800 bucks. Hats off to the manufacturer of this gem!

[@nicolaszappa8093]

Best review so far :) About the third party plugins, do we know which ones are already mapped? I think they say 'most of the major ones' or something but it sounds vague.

[@lilNIMPHH]

I am entering the Apple and Logic Pro tech suite at THE BEST TIME apparently! 😀 With Spatial Audio Mixing and Dolby Atmos Mixing capabilities built in along with Apple's Airpods Pro Gen 2 and AirPods Max that have built in Spatial Audio capabilities this is truly a RENAISSANCE for Music Producers! Thank you soo much for making this video! 🙌🏽 I will DEFINITELY get this!

[@trstack]

Thank you. I’ve been on the fence about the CS12 vs an SSL UF1. If I liked the UF1, it would get expensive fast with a UC1 and UF8 to follow. I’m giving the CS12 a shot.

[@Scottyx0x]

I’ve been waiting to buy something for my logic… it’s been so good to me now I can give it something in return.

[@TraneFrancks]

This looks like an incredible addition to the ecosystem. I can easily see working with this on the desk for mixing after using the keyboard controller during recording.

[@DBPawlan]

With the new firmware just released, you can re-assign the shift+tempo knob to control playhead position, scrub, channel gain and other parameters. Makes it SO much easier.

[@funkytransport]

Yeah a tempo knob is pretty useless so good plan..

[@richardparsons]

This was exactly what I was coming to the comments to say would be the main feature that I would miss. Having a play head position/scrub wheel is essential for me.

[@TheWavys]

damn if they are putting out updates based on community feedback that quick i'm excited to see what's next! I put my order in but they are out of stock so im just waiting....

[@anathanholland]

That’s a great idea. I was thinking I’d be so nervous to accidentally bump the tempo knob without realizing and throw off all the audio files

[@joeybassbass]

Just got my CS12. I’m about to unbox it, now. I’ve been dreaming about a Logic Pro controller like this for a good 20 years. Can’t wait

[@KCOR3_Official]

I almost feel exhausted and relieved at the same time. Just to have all those controls (physical controls) seems like a life saver in LPX. I figure once you get over the learning curve the speed and efficiency will be insane.

[@blackink9555]

I'm not a logic user but, I really appreciate Nektar making such a great device.

[@WahPopWah]

What goes around comes around. Still got my beloved Boss BR1180CD multitracker. Replaced with Garage Band then Logic Pro as the versatility and scope and ease of use of a DAW was so much faster, feature rich and intuitive. The BR1180 drove Boss's onboard recording software incl midi based/programmable drummer (I actually prefer that to LP).It handled tracking, mixing and mastering with a range of preset master templates if required. Good array of plugins and FX and allowed burn to CD plus optical output. A truly great piece of kit. This new piece of kit provides all the knobs & buttons of an old HW multitracker. Shame we can't upload pics to YT comments. All that said, it was really difficult to learn how to use the 1180 without prior understanding of engineering and production and it took me, frankly, years to establish any kind of rudimentary competence. Grasping the fundamentals was a lot easier with a DAW. I might revisit the 1180 and see how much easier it is to drive with the experience of using LP. This is not a complaint, just a rambling comment re how similar this new kit looks to the old multitracker (though decoupled from the DAW). Also worth noting that I paid about £750 for the 1180 in the very early 00s so equivalent cost in 2024 is roughly £1,300. This Nektar unit at £345 plus eg Logic Pro at $200/ [say]£160 comes in at around £500 so much more accessible.

[@JeffyG]

Love your excitement, Chris! This is excellent for Logic, but I spend a lot of time use Komplete Kontrol, Arturia and NKS VSTs and UAD plugins. The new NI S Series controllers offer the best integration for those sound sources plus some Logic control surface features (but no motorized fader). So, what to do? Get a Nektar CS12 and switch back-and-forth? Will there ever be ‘one’ control surface that has midi 2.0 for EVERYTHING?

[@Bashanvibe]

This is so necessary for LPX!!! Cant wait until the link up with the rest of the DAW community!!!

[@alexben-kori6640]

Thanks Chris! Not only is this amazing... I'm hoping a series of these will spring from the CS12. Great video!

[@APaclin]

Well all of the buttons are easily replaced with keys on the keyboard and for knobs you'll have to look at the display what is mapped to what, so mouse will be faster. Although you can turn two knobs at the same time.

[@a.i.m.projectrecordings7844]

Thanks!

[@peterbondy]

Great product, great review. Question … is the often used by me “capture record” function included??

[@johnego669]

The single point automation is awesome. I hate messy automation lanes, I usually even clean up my modulation wheel data because I hate all the nodes when I write it. Amazing.

[@park171]

Incredible. Better than anything I’ve seen before.

[@CjaeMusic]

Wow! I think i've found my first control surface. Thanks for the video!

[@k8jun1]

iPad remote works just fine

[@maxhighstein]

Is it OK not to love this? For the way I work in Logic, this would be a silly toy that would only get in my way. Plus, it would be one more thing on my desk between me and the monitor. But if you love it, by all means, enjoy!

[@sboy1955]

No, it’s not OK

[@prodbywayneklassik]

I was thinking this as well. It seems really cool (I wouldn't say silly), but I got my work flow down. Also I wonder how it does with 3rd party plugs.

[@funkytransport]

@@prodbywayneklassik you should watch the video lol

[@unclenazz]

I’m in agreement with you - I don’t need to learn another way of doing things I can do with a mouse already.

[@ejstonemusic]

I didn’t know I needed this until I saw this video 😂👌

[@mcentertain]

As you stated in your 4 years old video the ipad is the best controller for logic so I say use touch OSC if you already own a transport controller, if not it might be an option but it comes very very late. Good practical review thanks!

[@paulaudialterampartem6906]

This looks great but as a newby i have a question...Isnt Logic Remote a better option?

[@JoshSher_]

I hope there will be a small version with just that fader section. I feel like using the mouse and keyboard/key commands to navigate, while having a tactile feel when adjusting parameters, would be a dream!

[@tislota_f]

wow this something that i didn’t know i wanted 👀

[@TRaddcliff]

More importantly, what brand of USB angle is that!? Nice and thin. Love it. 👍🏿

[@JohnGauge790]

I’ve had dreams about this. It’s here!

[@todd_douglas_music]

As always, clear and concise run through. As I was watching I recalled that you had a video in the past few months lamenting that nobody has leveraged the Logic Pro API. The understated power of Logic Pro never ceases to amaze me.

[@igorbeuk4068]

Please I respect your opinion but it's just not the truth and truth is hidden in the past . I have Logic Pro for PC , I have Camel Alchemy, Path ECT for the PC. It's what Apple bought for Exclusivity but comparison with Cubase from what Logic Pro come to be... that's the truth and everyone who eventually tried Cubase admitted how Cubase is so much more intuitive and workflow is finally quick like it supposed to be. But it's not about equipment and software it's about Artist.

[@VictorEzell]

Thank you Chris. This is a piece of gear that I need to help me get around my mixes a little quicker.

[@lllecky1974]

It's about time there was a dedicated controller for Logic. Now it would be interesting to build a medium or large format controller console like SSL XL Desk, Matrix, Allen and Heath GSR24M, etc.

[@joesalyers]

I had the original P1 and it was great for plugins but it didn't have motorized faders. I dropped it one day cleaning and it shattered, I want the CS12 but its out of STOCK EVERYWHERE!!!

[@scottlassiter6982]

Thanks Chris. Waiting for mine to arrive now.

[@pablohorn6648]

the best review ive seen from this controller

[@kiwanlandrethsmith]

Leaving out scribble strips for each rotary encoder was probably a huge oversight. Wonder what the research data revealed for demand of that feature.

[@jasonaizkalns]

I’m guessing price point. In use, I don’t find this an issue. The color coding helps and it’s not an overwhelming number of knobs to navigate. I would love to see a knobs and sliders only version of this with strips.

[@DBPawlan]

Why would you want that feature when each plugin, etc. will have a different knob function?

[@N8oRMusic]

Just a question that's a little off topic but I was wondering if theres a way for, when stopping playback, logic fades out globally instead of stopping abruptly? Would be nice for it to also fade in. Just a short fade in/out would make long sessions feel a lot better. Waves SSL compressor has a Fade In function but if logic could have it as an option it would be nice. Cheers.

[@wri6345789]

Fantastic piece of gear! Too bad I can't meet the system requirements without replacing my late 2013 Macbook Pro.

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

Once this has 8 faders, then I'm in. Looks great!

[@TheMattTricks]

Came here to say this, please tell me they're working on an 8 fader add on

[@BewarePeople-od2bd]

Facts

[@BewarePeople-od2bd]

Only. 200 more

[@backys]

Perfect ! I hope they will soon launch and 8 fader sidecar modules

[@daymanfighterofthenightman]

Me too! I suggested on the Nektar video they should update the P1 motorized faders and jog wheel! ❤

[@Lematidas]

Thanks a lot for this video! I just ordered one!

[@Feerlyss]

It's "technically" for Logic only. The developers already stated that it will be updated for all other DAWs.

[@RobertDickert]

Great video. I’d love to see a video about using this controller with MainStage as well - does it work for that?

[@joemillo]

Nice piece and great video! Can the unit control non-Logic plugins?

[@Hamachingo]

I have been looking for something like this for 20+ years, I wish I was joking. Mackie Control, BCR2000, Mackie C4, TouchOSC (many others too but not for plugin control) and finally someone figured it out. The issues I had all seem to be Logic‘s fault, see my other comment. Would love an extender with extra knobs (maybe 16 and 5 buttons and a display, so it shows the other pages pages) and another where it’s just 8 touch strips with LED strips (instead of loud faders) and buttons for mute, solo, select, channel color and ideally Track names.

[@lion779]

Good review. Are there any good daw controllers for Reason Studios?

[@mrknoxonthebeat]

This thing is great. One thing I noticed, though, is that when I placed the plist file where it told me to, all of my custom presets disappeared? Also, when I load the logic compressor after I added the plist, the threshold option is not available to be adjusted on the CS12 with the knobs. Have you seen these issues?

[@galgogergo]

Open a ticket with support imo. They'll help you with these bugs, and maybe they can iron them out

[@rytmigo]

I am buying this!

[@igorbeuk4068]

Cubase ECT. It's The successor of P1, which can also do everything immediately without Nektarine Software, but they gave an update to work with Nektarine as well. It will work with Every Major DAW like it was always. Nektar is the only equipment that have working encoders after extensive use over a decade.

[@Goodwin1978]

Great video! Will the CS-12 work the same way with Logic for iPad, do you know?

[@TRAVHILL]

Nice hopefully they come out with a extender with 8 faders!

[@blackcreekmusic783]

Fantastic!! Now if Nektar or any other company could design one with 8 or 16 faders it would be my DREAM!!

[@rafbass]

Very interesting. Do you know how this work together with the Softube Console1? My main concern is using things from 2 different brands, and they not communicate with each other!

[@Truth565]

I’ve not got this controller, but have used controllers from different brands before in Logic Pro and they all worked as expected, including one being Console One. They tend not to trip over each other.

[@rafbass]

@@Truth565 hey friend! Thanks a lot for replying to me!

[@nickszabodrums]

Hi sir, would you recommend this over the Behringer X-Touch? Thanks

[@JeffyG]

It’s interesting that Nektar chose to integrate directly with the Apple/Logic API instead of leveraging the promises of midi 2.0 😮

[@stevenpagano]

Its a pretty great and useful unit, I would have gladly paid a little more for a larger and better display.

[@CRASS2047]

About time. I love my Nektar lx88+ keyboard.

[@MPHORROCKS]

Does it work with 3rd party plugins or just Logic ones?

[@magog6852]

can it do a one button push macro to create a track with a particular plugin and channel output?

[@jamesh3267]

$400. You're welcome.

[@andesneko]

If all you use is Logic, then it's not bad. The Cubase CC121 is legendary, does much less and was $500.

[@swinginkeke]

The real hero.

[@cratediggah]

@@andesneko FYI the Nektar team is actively integrating cubase to this controller so it will replace the cc121

[@andesneko]

@@cratediggah That sounds awesome. I am looking forward to that.

[@Papopiringa]

The Stream Deck XL does Logic and Live and Cubase and Studio One and Protools ect. ect. ect.for $249

[@ARKenMan]

You've got to be kidding?! More money I have to squirrel away from my wife without her knowing about it to buy another piece of gear. This is what I've needed since I switched to logic 6 months ago. Wow.

[@Zactivist]

Don't we all have a "Black Ops Budget" for gear? My stock reply if she ever happens to notice the new gear after it's been covertly brought into the house and set up, all packing materials discarded: "Oh this? I've had this for a while." Usually works... Then she buys something spendy for herself that I fail to notice.

[@andrewkealaher4688]

Agreed-go on the offensive and say - “ What-you haven’t seen that before? I’ve had it for ages !”

[@drewk6614]

A musicians greatest fear is that, when he dies, his wife sells all his gear for the price he told her he paid for it.

[@annebokma4637]

​@@Zactivistas long as you two have money for two card board boxes, one to live in and one for gear 😂

[@totfosk]

It’s fine. Tell her from me that I waited 10 years for this and that this is literally the most justified piece of gear ever. Insta purchase for everyone alive

[@es0terra]

Where can I buy it? Not showing up on reseller websites.

[@synthmaven]

Does it work with VSTs? Can I select VSTs instead of using the tedious mouse? Can you also use it to edit videos in Premiers?

[@eliaszerano3510]

how to engage touch / read?

[@Rhuggins]

Would love to have someone speak to this units compatibility with other DAWs - clearly it was designed for Logic but would love to know

[@AlternativeKava]

Are there still any issues with the fader not working unless your in contact with ground? Or finicky jumps with the fader? if all this is taken care of I’d love to buy one!

[@tim.chandler]

Fixed, and there were really not many reports of this issue anyway - maybe 20 or so. In any case the latest firmware update addresses this.

[@sluice123]

Is yours working now with the new update Logic Pro 11.1?

[@pauly2929]

Can you load plugins directly from the controller?

[@DBPawlan]

No.

[@daymanfighterofthenightman]

That'd be so dope. With Midi mapping these days the only thing you'd use a mouse for is selecting an input device or VST/loop/plugin. Am I mistaken?

[@MrNickDrummer]

Can a key or button be assigned to quickly switch to any tool like Pointer / Scissor / Mute, etc?

[@djmikemd]

Does the controller also features the Aux Fader Send Mode?

[@Digiloog]

Nice review. Thanks. Is the motorized fader noisy?

[@jasonaizkalns]

A bit but you can disable it. I have it alongside my UF8 and it’s significantly louder (they benchmarked against similar units like the Presonus not the SSL - totally fair given the price point). The CS12 is lightyears ahead on functionality and joy. Phenomenal unit. It really does “just work”. I really hope Nektar expands this product line and looks to source more “pro” quality components.

[@jaffasplaffa1]

Does it also work for vinrtual instrument plugins? And not only effect plugins?

[@fwscoringmusic6670]

Is it working nicely also with plugins from another editors (ssl ,sonnox,slate digital...)?

[@matthewblue7839]

Thx! So, all logic plug ins are mapped but any 3rd party plugs, Fab filter, etc., would need to be mapped ?

[@BryseClipper]

Nektar have routed the parameters for a lot of 3rd party plugins already, but there are definitely many you would still have to map yourself. I believe most/all Fabfilter and UAD plugins should already be mapped.

[@Theusone1]

Hi! Long time lurker, is it posible to expand with more faders?

[@flyme-z7b]

This is so close to perfect but how could they sign off on this without a jog wheel? At the very least allow us to allocate a knob as a jog wheel. I know there is a work-around to jog but it requires 2 hands. This is literally keeping me from buying it or there would already be one on my work station. Brilliant... but short-sighted.

[@g.p616]

It’s going to have to be good to beat Logic Remote on iPad.

[@dannyvalentino328]

Logic Remote is not exactly tactile. Sure you touch something, but it's a flat surface that you have to constantly look down to see what you're trying to control. Physical knobs, buttons etc are definitely preferable to a touch surface where everything is the same. That's why Maschine and Push are so popular. They have physical controls which cannot be beat for workflow by a touch surface. If you learn a physical controller well enough, you can practically close your eyes and use it. You can't do that with a touch surface like an iPad.

[@ncyancy]

The only thing this controller is missing is a scroll knob for the playhead, I know you can hold down the fast forward button, but that moves so slow in comparison to the scroll wheel on the ssl uf1 or the nanokontrol. Maybe they can make an update that would enable that panner knob to have a secondary function to speed a rook the playhead.

[@DBPawlan]

With the new firmware, you can assign the tempo knob to do that.

[@ncyancy]

@@DBPawlan thanks, i was hoping they would come up with an option. Will have to check it out once units are available-they are sold out everywhere!

[@ncyancy]

@@DBPawlan could you tell me the best way to go about setting that up. even if possible , could I assign moving the playhead to the data/menu knob?

[@DBPawlan]

@@ncyancy Currently, I don't believe that you can reassign any knob other than the tempo knob globally. Holding down Shift and turning the tempo knob lets you select from different options to reassign it to.

[@johngoogleuser3764]

Can you or anyone else advise on the buttons themselves please? Namely, are they the soft silicone sort or the hard and loud type? Thanks.

[@WinItReigns]

Soft/medium

[@allvalley]

can you only control effect plugins with it, or can you also control instruments?

[@allvalley]

anyone?

[@PrinceWesterburg]

I have the Panorama P1 and its VERY laggy, then a knob shaft broke and though I can solder in a new rotary encoder no problem, their customer service is non-existent, they just don't want to know, won't talk to me at all.

[@Hamachingo]

EDIT: see reply for solutions Just got mine, so many glitches (newest firmware and Logic). 1: I set the Tempo dial to „jog wheel“. Works great until it randomly controls project tempo again even though it’s still set to „jog wheel“ on the unit. 2. depending on how I change tracks (tapping the channel on Logic Remote on the iPad), the CS12 doesn’t update the plugin list. It shows the correct track name, color and fader position but the plugins are wrong. 3. Compressor input and output gain are not mapped. I can map them manually but the CS12 doesn’t show the current values. 4. Pan knob sometimes controls volume. Even though „select mode“ is clearly off. 5. Fader wiggles audibly when turning dials. Not moving but you can hear that it’s getting some data and wiggling back and forth when I’m EQing or whatever.

[@Hamachingo]

1: fixed by opening controller assignments in Logic, turning the tempo knob on the CS12 and deleting the 2 tempo assignments. They’ll come back when your rebuild defaults though. 2: fixed by setting MIDI bandwidth in Logic Settings>Controller to 100% (default is 50%). Having a good cable and no USB hub between Mac and CS12 helps a bit too. 3: fixed by opening the problematic plugin in Logic (so it creates the plist file in that folder), quitting Logic and then replacing the plist with the one from Nektar. 4: seems to be related to MIDI bandwidth, see #2 5: gets a bit better with higher MIDI bandwidth, see #2

[@lovelymusicnow4404]

how does this compare aginst presonus faderport

[@dk6343]

I wonder if this device can be daisey chained to other nektar controllers?

[@runningroman]

Can i use it with the new ipad Pro 12.9 7. Gen?

[@ALLforROME]

Hmmmm….looks like I need to make some room on me desk for this

[@fausto_colella]

Logic only or can be used also with other daws ?

[@FizzieWater]

Would this work with Logic Pro on iPad? It doesn’t say so on their website.

[@ThomBa23]

how does it work with Logic Pro for iPad? does it even make sense to use it in this setup with the iPad being tactile on its own? even anyone got experiences with this I would love to hear it

[@Avlimusic]

Can't wait until they release the support for cubase

[@jimmyinthailand]

No mention of how to use with piano roll editor?

[@ovivan79]

I just got the Nektar C12 and spent quite some time figuring out about quirks that never come up in any demo or review. 1. The issue for Plug-Ins popping up every time you select a channel. Not new according to forums, but why is it still a problem and nowhere mentioned? 2. I can't seem to be able to sort the order of my tracks and busses between the Tracks and Mixer view anymore. The Mixer doesn't follow the Tracks window even with aux and busses as tracks. This really drives me mad. Anything else that the marketing didn't cover that's more of a workflow drawback than a boost?

[@tim.chandler]

Hi there, please contact support. The plugins popping up issue is most commonly due to another control surface script constantly scanning for instrument/parameter names rather than the CS12. Pressing a SELECT button on any other control surface would also force windows open. Whenever SELECT is triggered on a control surface, if any script is scanning plugin parameters Logic opens the plugin window. Support will be able to help you locate the control surface script that causes the problem and set the script to 'exclusive' scan instead. Not sure I fully understand issues 2. I can say CS12 buttons navigate MIXER channels, not tracks. To select prev/next track instead, use SHIFT+ on CS12. When you select a Mixer channel with the CS12, the corresponding arranger track follows.

[@ovivan79]

@@tim.chandler Thank you for the tips Tim. Those are helpful and I’ll contact support about that script. You misunderstood problem 2. Usually I can sort my mixer window to match the track list by creating tracks for all Aux channels. I think there is also a way to then set all tracks to a fader automation and back to read just to let the mixer window sort the channels again. That does’t seem to work anymore. I can’t sort the Mixer view anymore.

[@tim.chandler]

@@ovivan79 OK thanks for clarifying. I have no idea how the CS12 integration could affect sorting of mixer channels - I just tried reordering the arranger tracks and this gets reflected in the Mixer as expected. However, if there was something you used to sort Mixer tracks that isn't working, you can try 'bypass Control Surfaces' to check if it starts working again, and that would indeed suggest some sot of interference somehow. In that case, we can look into it ofcourse. If 'bypass control surfaces' makes no difference, it's not a CS12 issue.

[@ovivan79]

@@tim.chandler Hi Tim. Thank you for your helpful advice. 1. After you mentioned it, I found the respective walkthrough to look for the 'parameter0' and set it to 'Exclusive'. This fixed the plug-ins popping up. 👍 2. When I checked 'Bypass Control Surfaces', it made no difference which led me to continue looking for other issues and whether I'm just not getting something Logic-related. Turns out, that was the case. I simply had the view set to 'All' instead of 'Tracks' so it stayed on the numerical order of tracks rather than my manual order from the Track Window. As simple as that. Thank you for your pointers. Love my CS12 so far and keep my fingers crossed for a soon-to-come LUNA implementation.

[@meixneralexmeixner1121]

can i use the nektar cs12 with logic on ipad?

[@dk6343]

How does this device to respond to logic pro where the tracks are not in any numerical order??

[@RoyLouden]

How does it compare to Logic Remote for iPad?

[@RoyLouden]

??