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TECH AWARDS: BEST STUDIO CONTROLLER

These are the hubs of desire that make your studio experience a total dream.

M Audio Code Keyboards

£182
Hype
Inexpensive, master control keyboard with plenty of pads, knobs and sliders to control all your studio software.
Gripe
The action of the keyboard isn’t the best
Summary
A well-equipped controller keyboard that is perfect for the project studio on a budget.
7.9/10

Akai Professional Advance Keyboards

£182
Hype
A great keyboard that has lots of additional features that makes the production process a breeze especially the fact that all your VST softsynths can be controlled from the one controller
Gripe
The version we looked at suffered from first day nerves, no doubt all will be resolved in future updates.
Summary
Akai are going after Native Instruments’ S Series with these all singing and dancing master controller keyboards
8/10

Ableton Push

£450
Hype
An ultra sleek and sexy controller that compliments the huge amount of new features found in Ableton Live.
Gripe
The LCD screen on Push is a little bit of a disappointment when compared with other recent controllers.
Summary
Push is the perfect companion for Ableton users, combining a great range of features, slick design and a fantastic workflow, which means less time, spent with a mouse and more time banging out
beats.
8.5/10

Native Instruments Maschine Studio

£799
Hype
Two gorgeous high-resolution screens, a redesigned workflow, multi source UV meter monitoring and software that has been rewritten from the ground up.
Gripe
Maschine Studio is beautiful but it is not cheap and now requires an external power supply.
Summary
Maschine Studio is Native Instruments flagship groove production studio and thanks to the fantastic design and beautiful engineering is set to be this year’s must have piece of studio equipment.
8/10

Novation Launchpad Pro

£229
Hype
Fully featured controller that covers all the bases in the DJ booth and studio, super portable thanks to their lightweight and rugged construction with a decent price to match.
Gripe
Stll uses a lot of plastic in its construction.
Summary
Novation's Launchpad Pro make the perfect companion for DJs, producers and musicians on the road as well as in the studio or at home.
8/10

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