Hi There,
Are there any midi controllers with similar feel (kinda mechanical) with the option to light up scales etc.? Essentially something as close to what’s onboard of the digitone etc. but a bit bigger? Love what’s on the box but wouldn’t mind something a bit bigger to try out. I’m not the biggest fan of traditional keyboards and the closest I have found is the OMX 27. OMX-27 MIDI Keyboard - Full Kit
Are there other closer to what’s on the elektron gear?
Perhaps one of the closest controllers with a feel of a digi is the Elektra One. The controller itself does not have 2 x 8 encoder rows, but 2 x 6. This is sometimes a little awkward and you have to distribute the parameters to be controlled in a well thought-out way, but this is due to the basic design. In addition to the 2 x 6 encoders, there are three sections on the touchscreen above, each of which can be controlled with these encoders. These are organized on pages (so it’s 36 parameters per page), can be switched on-the-fly (buttons or touchscreen) and can control CC (7 and 14 Bit) or NRPN parameters. It has two Din MIDI connector In & Out pairs plus a class compliant USB-B connector (which also connects it to your computer for programming or controlling your DAW) and offers a USB-A connector for other class compliant MIDI gear (like Akai MPKs or Korg Nanos etc.).
You can program your presets via an online editor (connection via USB and a MIDI hardware-compatible browser such as Chrome) and can even run LUA scripts (as with Touch OSC). It’s quite expensive but I have to say that in terms of build quality, this controller really tops anything I’ve had before.
I’ve been using one since 2021 and haven’t regretted buying it for a second. Super friendly community and company working close to the user base. You can also save your presets via the browser and share them with other users - or load the presets of other users and adapt them to your own needs. And so much more… As I said, it’s a matter of taste AND budget but in my opinion, it really is one of the best controllers on the market and worth every penny - it IS expensive but built like a tank.
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+1
E1 has no competition.
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The Electra One does look like an impressive bit of kit. Tho, for my purpose, I’m looking for something that has more “playability” over functionality. Aprat from that mechanical super simple (too simple?) controller I linked above, the Presonus Atom SQ looks promising to me.
I originally made an OMX for this reason… if you’re ok with breaking away from chromatic I believe there are some grid controllers with a similar build. My brain is blanking though.
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