The Komplete Kontrol A-series fromNative Instrumentsis here to do work.
Technically speaking, most MIDI-controllers dont actually do anything you cant do with your setup mouse.
The A25 is no different.
So why use a MIDI-controller?
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Credit: Nicole Gray
The A series comes in three models.
I got my mitts on the littlest one, the A25.
Its a matter of preference.
Im accidentally learning some chords just by going through my normal production workflow.
Otherwise, its worth considering if youre going to want to buy a larger board to learn on later.
But there are pros and cons either way.
Larger models might not squeeze into your studio so easily.
Lets talk specifications:
Alright, now lets talk about the A25s looks.
Its not ugly, so to speak, but it is all elbows.
Thats not a bad thing.
Its just boring to look at.
Heres how this thing works: you connect it to your system/laptop/iPad via a USB cord.
You load up the included software (or simply connect it to your software DAW).
Then you make music, thats it.
As mentioned earlier, its portable, but a little too big to just toss in a backpack.
Its best to think of the A25 in the same way you would a beat-machine.
Because, basically, the A25 and the Maschine Mikro do the same thing.
With the A25 you do the exact same thing, but with keys instead of pads.
The difference is in how youll use them.
Separately they have their individual strengths.
The Mikro, for example, makes switching sounds and assigning them to different triggers easy-breezy.
But the A25 makes modifying the individual sounds much easier.
And those keys, by the way, are fantastic.
The only complaint I have is that the knobs are too loose.
I get frustrated trying to dial in a specific number out of 100.
Im also not extra-keen on the buttons.
They have a loud tactile click sound that works great in concert with the Maschine Mikros soft-touch buttons.
This makes it feel cheaper than it is.
Summation: excellent keys, okay knobs, acceptable buttons.
Long story short: I wouldnt go back to the gear I was using before.
Im considering leaving the country so Native Instruments cant track me down to get its gear back.
Youll get more than enough sounds to build music with included.
And a subscription to Sounds.com, whichTNWreviewedhere, will cover the gap once you outgrow the presets.
My favorite thing about the Native Instruments music gear ecosphere is that everything works together seamlessly.
Every time I got into the groove I ran the risk of contracting a serious case of feeling myself.
Combined with the excellent Maschine Mikro, theres no other production workflow Ive found easier to build music with.
I recommend the Komplete Kontrol A25 to anyone who is ready to get serious about production.
Check out the entire Komplete Kontrol lineuphere.
