Cuckoo Recommends: MIDI Controllers

Hello. This is a new series called "Cuckoo Recommends". First up is MIDI Controllers. For the most part my instruments don't require MIDI controllers. But when they do, it's really great to have some compact controllers ready to go. Here are my top 4 MIDI controllers that I swear by.

Afilliate Links:
Faderfox EC4. I love the nerdy vibe.

Arturia Keystep 37. It's my go-to. Using it every time I need a keyboard.

Arturia Keystep: Before the 37, this was my go-to. It's more compact. Great.

Novation Launch Control XL: My go-to for touring. Rugged, and dependable. Designed for touring. I've used this for controlling visuals, for hundreds of shows in my previous career. It has never let me down.

Embodme Erae Touch: This is a new era of controllers! I love this! You can be really creative with your layouts, and it's incredibly responsive, and looks great on stage.
Purchase directly from manufacturer with my 10% discount code: ERAE-CUCKOO10:

Check my recommended gear affiliate page:

[truecuckoo]

Affiliate links in the description above, if you wanna support me that way. Cheers ✨

[PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

You can't imagine how happy I am about this series 💖

[ToreHansen]

The custom synth in the beginning is the coolest! Great video!

[ichigen]

Excellent video. Very concise. I came in knowing what I wanted to learn about and was very efficiently explained a variety of MIDI controllers. I still have lots to learn about the hardware side of making music and this is one of the best channels. You also seem like a really cool guy. Cheers!

[TheRealPhilHoward]

We are going to neeed a video on the Erae Touch! That thing is awesome!

Also this video pushes me to look more into the Keystep 37. I have an M-Audio Axiom 25 and the weighted keys just make it absolutely amazing but its kinda dated and need to learn how to manually assign controllers as the software is useless.

I do love the sequencer for the Keystep though and how absolutely easy to connect and use for anything that gets thrown at it. Not a fan of the feeling of the keys though and wouldn't mind some input on that.

[anselma]

Great video! Nice and clean! All good stuff!

[viennabonaparte]

The Embodme Erae Touch looks incredibly useful

[Paul-mfzx]

love your direct opinion on the Launch Control - yes Novation, please update it and add midi out! this would be so great :)

[Philodrone]

Also waiting for a newer version of novation launch control! In the meantime maybe i'll try a launchpad?

[gcd]

I love my keystep 37 because I can't play piano and it does chords (and chords restricted to a certain key) - something a 600€ Novation SL61 MK3 couldn't do. It also takes less than a second to change its MIDI settings 😍

[markhammer]

I like my Keystep 37. But I've been wanting to get a polyphonic MIDI-to-CV convertor, so I could use my analog modules (MFOS and older Tom Gamble things) polyphonically. Once I started pricing units, I realized it might probably be cheaper for me to sell my Keystep 37, and put the money towards a Keystep Pro, which has 4 gate/cv/mod outputs. Again, nothing at all against the Keystep 37, which I have never regretted buying. It does what it does exceptionally well. I just need a little more.

[Strepite]

Launchcontrol is cool but I’d like normal fader caps, not the “dj style” ones. I wonder if they can be replaced with normal mixer faders?

[pshimmons]

Would, love to see u use all, of, these in a performance!

[ImplosiveCatt]

Faderfox is, unfortunately the only controller with enough knobs, display and programmability. However, I don't think the Keystep is holding the the grail because Akai is offering more for the bucks. I love Arturia but 4 knobs is depressing, Akai Mini Puls is 8 knobs

[AVCOME]

Hi Cuckoo, it is not a hazard if i chose you to answer my question😉. what do you think is the best controller ( with lots of pots and fader ) to control soft synth ( Arturia / Native ). I’ve tried the Faderfox pc12 but no tutorial on it and probably overkill for my need. I just made music for my pleasure at home. Launchcontrol xl seems to be a good choice ? Can you use to of them at the same time?
Thanks

[digitaldobbie]

Novation and their micro USB, what a terrible idea the micro USB was which is why I’m glad that a lots of it is converting to type ‘C’.

[ToddSalpen]

What is your opinion for the MIDI Fighter Twister??

[butsukete]

That EC4 looks like a nice knob box, but damn it's expensive. Thinking of getting the Behringer X-TOUCH MINI.

[Artek]

I think you forgot to mention one important thing - which DAW you're using them with? I don't think they're the best in whatever DAW.

[jerashmusic]

So that's 2 french companies in the list of 4 !