KORG nanoKONTROL2 with Reaper DAW - How to install MIDI device and fully set it up

♪ Hej ! @Manhsterz

My "Music Tutorials" playlist :

► 1:21 - Option 1 : nanoKONTROL2 as user interface controller
► 7:00 - Option 2.1 : download Korg Kontrol Editor and configure the nanoKONTROL2
► 8:52 : Option 2.2 : set up on Reaper nanoKONTROL2 as MIDI controller
► 10:39 : Option 2.3 : on Reaper, reassign all nanoKONTROL2 MIDI buttons
► 12:58 : Test on a Reaper project
► 14:05 : Ending of video, various link

♫ After buying this tiny great midi controller for the purpose of fade in and fade out sound (like orchestral sounds), I had a hard time to set it with reaper DAW.
On youtube there are some videos but it didn't work quite well for me. So After struggling during hours and hours (until 2 am) I somehow managed to figure it out. I thought it would be cool to release a video so you guys can set up easily this midi controller. Because after all, this is a very good quality over price ratio for a midi controller.

♫ I compose with Reaper DAW and several VST. I am interested in video games and movie trailer music. So Check my channel and if you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know in the comments section.

► Feel free to support my work with tips on my PayPal :

Hope you'll enjoy !

► My Bandcamp portfolio : support my work

► My website : news, work, thoughts

► Twitter : follow my news and work on progress

► Instagram : discover my home studio

► Facebook : musical events and communities

► SoundCloud link : discover some of my oldest compositions (back to 2000's)

[Manhsterz]

Hi everyone. Some people experiences issues with PLUGINS folder. I just extracted (2 min ago, as I changed PC) all the Klinke files in [C:\Program Files\REAPER(x64)\Plugins\] and it worked well for me. However, some other user (thanks @Atezian !) pointed out, there seems to be another folder where you are supposed to extract files. I didn't see it but it is written in the PDF file included in the Klinke extractable files, in the "installation" section.

For that :
- Open REAPER, click on [Options>Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder ...]
- Go to [UserPlugins]
- Extract all the Klinke files in the [UserPlugins] file here.

For me it worked the same way as extracting it in the PLUGINS folder of Reaper.
But I hope this can help !

[bc]

All you have to do before connecting the nanoKONTROL 2 to your computer is hold down the SET MARKER button along with the main RECORD button, and then plug in your USB cable. This will load the template for Cakewalk Sonar. You’ll notice the record button blinks a few times after it’s connected, to let you know you’re in Sonar mode. Although that template is designed for Cakewalk Sonar, it works perfectly for Reaper, if you set Reaper correctly:

1. Start Reaper of course… and then go to Reaper’s PREFERENCES (CTRL-P), go into Control Surfaces (left menu, near the bottom).

2. Click ADD and Reaper will ask you what kind of Control Surface Mode…. choose “Mackie Control Universal.”

3. Then choose your MIDI input and output to be “nanoKONTROL2”. Done.

Now, once you’ve exited Preferences, you’ll see that the nanoKONTROL2’s buttons respond perfectly in Reaper… all mute/solo/arm record buttons work for every track, the faders work for the track volumes, and the knobs work for the track panning. You’ll also notice the transport controls (RECORD, PLAY, STOP, REWIND, FF) all work in Reaper as well, and of course.. the SET MARKER and marker left/marker right buttons all work, too.

If you have more than 8 tracks loaded (say, 16, or 24), you can use the TRACK < > buttons to navigate your track groups.

[jenA]

For those people like me who could only get response from the pan controls - make sure the nanoKontrol2 is in SONAR mode. You can set this in the Korg Kontrol editor under Control/Common/Control Mode. Or it can be set by unplugging the USB cable then re-plugging while holding down SET and the Record button - the record button will flash.

[dhoch]

I did this on my own several years ago. When I set up my new studio I needed to do this again and I found you video! Thank you so much. You have done all the leg work. Combine this with new updated drivers and I could not be happier. 😊

[jeffb]

Excellent. Very clear!!! As just an FYI, my original setting at 7:25 was "Live" not "Sonar". And at 8:55, I did NOT delete the Control Surface OSC. Deleting it caused the NK2 to not work. But other than that, everything worked as you described.

[ageshero]

yea i got lost along time ago, gonna try to keep watching this till it makes sense.

[dhoch]

At 5:36 you illustrate a problem with the knobes in Option 1. To fix this you need to use the "Mackie Control Protocol B (Klinke v0.0.03)(dev 4.4)" which is a slight update from the one you are using in this video for Mackie Control of Reaper.

[steveripley]

Manh - This was just what I needed. Thank You. I Had spent hours trying to configure the Nano. Well Done!!

[theozimbro]

Thanks for this video. It helps people a lot!

[MimmoCRISTOFARO]

Very clear explanation .... after many similar ones but useless.
Thanks!

[Labrie]

I Assume the process should be similar to use Nanokontorl with Studio one, I've been trying to connect this device with SO with no success, I'll follow the steps you mentioned here hopefully it will work as well. Thanks in advance!

[JulschPiano]

Ive been trying to learn how to do this for my youtube sound quality! thanks for sharing 👍🏻😊

[MrBillyspilly]

Just....wow. Very thorough. So helpful!

[RauBogdan]

Sir, Thank your for your time and effort you put into this tutorial. You are a gentleman!

[joehenthompson]

Hi there. Thanks for your video. It was really helpful and straight forward following your instructions. I finally got my nanoKontrol 2 working really well! now. Hence I'm subscribing to your channel. Cheers!

[pikelrick]

People who use reaper as a daw of their choice are genius

[gitarowawyspa]

Very useful! I think it's good idea to buy this stuff. Thanks!

[clintondavis]

Thank you for making this video bro. It helped me out quite a bit. I appreciate you.

[shenshih]

I would never have guessed that using this device is so complicated. I 've spent two days watching tutorials and trying out everything, Windows 11, nothing works. Nanokontrol2 is up for sale..

[renyiproject]

Thank you. That is a very useful video.