OVERVIEW
The Kontrol49 is the big brother of our bestselling MicroKontrol controller. The main upgrade is the inclusion of 49 full-sized keys (MicroKontrol has 37 Mini-Keys). The 49 keys also feature the same technology and feel as Korg's professional workstation instruments (ie Triton), and have eight velocity curves to tailor the response to your own playing or specific applications. Additional upgrades include pitch and modulation wheels, and the newly designed vector joystick which gives you the option of simultaneously controlling 2 functions. In addition, it now comes with the Creative Kontrol Pak 2 software bundle which includes Live Lite 4 Korg Edition, Sample Tank 2 Korg Edition, UVI Korg Edition, Reason Adapted 3.0 for Korg, and MDE-X.

USES:

- Controlling virtual instruments & programs
- Controlling MIDI compatible devices
- USB/MIDI Interface
- Drum programming

FEATURES
The obvious spotlight feature on the Kontrol49 are the keys. For those who are serious about keyboard play, the Kontrol49 offers the best combination of full-featured controller and realistic keyboard play. In addition, with the eight velocity curves, it is easier to achieve the sound you want from your soft synths programs (quick stabs or longer sustain). The Kontrol series is also the first controller series in this price range to feature drum pad controllers. We at the Lab have always advocated using drum pads for programming drums, and the Kontrol49 gives you that option and more.

The additional (8) assignable sliders, (8) rotary knobs, and new vector joystick give you full control of today's complex programs and a wide range of MIDI-instruments. A useful innovation here includes the backlit LCD screens for each slider-knob combo with customizable tags and color coding. This eliminates the need for messy tape with assignments written on it, and allows you to change settings faster. In addition to presets for most popular programs, you also get Korg's Editor/Librarian software which allows you to create and store custom configurations on your computer. For Reason 3.0 users, the Kontrol49 comes Native Mode ready.

OUR OPINION
The little-brother MicroKontrol is one of the first controllers we recommend to customers. When you want to step up your studio from an intermediate/portable studio, we would recommend the Kontrol49. It simply has all the features you could want in a controller, and all of them are quite useful. The realistic keyboard play and drum pads are two of the standout features here, and it's all brought together by Korg's reputation for usability and quality.

- 49-full size keys with 8 velocity curves
- 16 back-lit drum pads
- (8) rotary controls and (8) sliders with LCD readouts
- 12 memory presets
- vector joystick
- pitch and mod wheels
- USB bus powered or AC adapter (included)
- 28.74" (W) x 12.56" (D) x 3.39" (H) / 10.8 lbs
- Bundled with Creative Kontrol Pak 2 which includes Live Lite 4 Korg Ed., SampleTank 2 Korg Ed., UVI Korg Ed., Reason Adapted 3.0 for Korg, MDE-X
- Windows XP / MAC OS

- includes software bundle: Ableton Live Lite 4 Korg Edition; SampleTank 2 Korg Edition; Korg MDE-X effects; Reason Adapted for KORG and UVI Korg Edition.

• manufacturer's website