Korg nanoKONTROL 2 white

I don't get why more of such universal controllers are not made. Korg probably sold a billion of these by now. I have 2 and at the same time their carbon contacts failed. Don't know if it was some sort of temperature or moisture shock (didn't do anything special or spill anything on them) but they finally died.

Got this one from Thomann since KORG wouldn't say what the parts are for the fader and knob (its some unmarked cheapo part) and even they suggested just buy some broken second hand one and use it as parts (uhh thanks) to fix the ones I have if I want to do it so badly. Kind of a bummer, but reality is that this is cheap electro garbage that is more painful to repair than just get a new one.

Anyway, they are very nice, light (too light sometimes), the software is great, the button layout is super. You can plug and play or totally modify what it does and use it for some super cool live set you made with max 4 live and pretend you are autechre or whatever.

The only objection I have is: it is NANO :-)
I do not imagine working with my laptop (and just laptop monitor) when working "on the filed" (read: not in my studio environment) without it anymore. As with every tool it takes some time to realise its potential, but when you get used to it, you regret each and every moment if you don't bring it with you.

KORG balanced perfectly between portability and usefulness, though integration to some of the DAWs (by experinece of some other musicians) can be a bit of a pain - but not because of the controller, but because of the DAW. Integration to Cubase Pro was easy and once it is set, it works like a clock.