With the new firmware just released, you can re-assign the shift+tempo knob to control playhead position, scrub, channel gain and other parameters. Makes it SO much easier.
This was exactly what I was coming to the comments to say would be the main feature that I would miss. Having a play head position/scrub wheel is essential for me.
damn if they are putting out updates based on community feedback that quick i'm excited to see what's next! I put my order in but they are out of stock so im just waiting....
As ever, Chris, well done review. I have a CS12 on my desk, and I've not dived deeply into yet. The lack of demonstration videos for it has been something to contend with, so by far yours is the best I've seen so far by a mile. Maybe the Nektar folks can get you to do its video tutorials for the product? (Hint.) Anyway, it really is the controller Logic folks have been waiting for, especially with the stock and third-party mappings that Nektar's been known for (former P4 owner here). It compliments the mouse/trackpad and keyboard shortcuts, and other controllers, well for what it does. It's not perfect (ie,, Smart Controls and single-point automation can be glitchy), but the Nektar folks are on it. Also, a new firmware update just dropped last week and makes that (somewhat) redundant tempo knob more versatile with an additional selection of features. All told, I really do think that Nektar has nailed it. Hope you get to do more videos on the CS12, in the future. Thanks again, man!
What goes around comes around. Still got my beloved Boss BR1180CD multitracker. Replaced with Garage Band then Logic Pro as the versatility and scope and ease of use of a DAW was so much faster, feature rich and intuitive. The BR1180 drove Boss's onboard recording software incl midi based/programmable drummer (I actually prefer that to LP).It handled tracking, mixing and mastering with a range of preset master templates if required. Good array of plugins and FX and allowed burn to CD plus optical output. A truly great piece of kit. This new piece of kit provides all the knobs & buttons of an old HW multitracker. Shame we can't upload pics to YT comments. All that said, it was really difficult to learn how to use the 1180 without prior understanding of engineering and production and it took me, frankly, years to establish any kind of rudimentary competence. Grasping the fundamentals was a lot easier with a DAW. I might revisit the 1180 and see how much easier it is to drive with the experience of using LP. This is not a complaint, just a rambling comment re how similar this new kit looks to the old multitracker (though decoupled from the DAW). Also worth noting that I paid about £750 for the 1180 in the very early 00s so equivalent cost in 2024 is roughly £1,300. This Nektar unit at £345 plus eg Logic Pro at $200/ [say]£160 comes in at around £500 so much more accessible.
I almost feel exhausted and relieved at the same time. Just to have all those controls (physical controls) seems like a life saver in LPX. I figure once you get over the learning curve the speed and efficiency will be insane.
The single point automation is awesome. I hate messy automation lanes, I usually even clean up my modulation wheel data because I hate all the nodes when I write it. Amazing.
I hope there will be a small version with just that fader section. I feel like using the mouse and keyboard/key commands to navigate, while having a tactile feel when adjusting parameters, would be a dream!
This is fucking awesome. Two questions for anyone willing to help me out. 1) is this much different than the Panorama Nektar P4 (outside of the keyboard)? 2) somewhat unrelated, but what sound interface do you guys recommend for a brand new Mac in 2024? I have the apogee duet 2, but I’m wondering if I should invest in something better?
This thing is great. One thing I noticed, though, is that when I placed the plist file where it told me to, all of my custom presets disappeared? Also, when I load the logic compressor after I added the plist, the threshold option is not available to be adjusted on the CS12 with the knobs. Have you seen these issues?
Does anyone know if it can use automation quick access mode? Where the fader becomes the controller for whatever the currently visible automation is? Even cc?
@@jonsims65 just went and looked. It’s priced pretty decently actually. It’s exactly in the range I was thinking it would be in. I was thinking it would be between $250 and $500. Anything under would be too cheap and anything over would be too pricey. I might have to grab one once they’ve been out for a while. I want to make sure all the bugs are worked out, if there are any.
2013 is saying hello! This looks liek it is 10 years old. Also - no serious producer or mixing engineer uses Logic Plugisn which are 10 years old...again from 2013 when 10. X came out! Show me how youc na yse top rated 2024 plugins, or thsi is already dead or shelved as "hobby gobbly amateur" man's dream.
Finaly we are getting back to companies making units for Audio engineers vs controllers for keyboard players that use daws. The fader update for anything you click on is dope!!!!
Got mine yesterday and absolutely love it! I've bought stuff like this in the past and always end up going back to the mouse but this truly impressed me and (having now used it), I'd highly recommended it to anyone looking for a serious controller for Logic Pro. Brilliant !
Is it OK not to love this? For the way I work in Logic, this would be a silly toy that would only get in my way. Plus, it would be one more thing on my desk between me and the monitor. But if you love it, by all means, enjoy!
These types of controllers are cool and all but i just don't get any use from them. Nothing is faster than just using the interface and mouse. I've had a few different controllers and they always just get in the way. They're a fun gimmick but workflow is always sacrificed. Why look at a tiny screen on a controller and try to find the proper controls when you have a giant monitor in front of your face?
Thank you. I’ve been on the fence about the CS12 vs an SSL UF1. If I liked the UF1, it would get expensive fast with a UC1 and UF8 to follow. I’m giving the CS12 a shot.
This is so close to perfect but how could they sign off on this without a jog wheel? At the very least allow us to allocate a knob as a jog wheel. I know there is a work-around to jog but it requires 2 hands. This is literally keeping me from buying it or there would already be one on my work station. Brilliant... but short-sighted.
Best review so far :) About the third party plugins, do we know which ones are already mapped? I think they say 'most of the major ones' or something but it sounds vague.
I am entering the Apple and Logic Pro tech suite at THE BEST TIME apparently! 😀 With Spatial Audio Mixing and Dolby Atmos Mixing capabilities built in along with Apple's Airpods Pro Gen 2 and AirPods Max that have built in Spatial Audio capabilities this is truly a RENAISSANCE for Music Producers! Thank you soo much for making this video! 🙌🏽 I will DEFINITELY get this!
Man, I’ve been waiting for a dedicated controller for Logic and surprised one hasn’t happened sooner. I know you can use other controllers and map them in Logic, but none of those have ever been exemplary. This looks great, the automation features alone are huge. Thanks for the video Chris, glad to see continued success for your channel!
I had the original P1 and it was great for plugins but it didn't have motorized faders. I dropped it one day cleaning and it shattered, I want the CS12 but its out of STOCK EVERYWHERE!!!
Love your excitement, Chris! This is excellent for Logic, but I spend a lot of time use Komplete Kontrol, Arturia and NKS VSTs and UAD plugins. The new NI S Series controllers offer the best integration for those sound sources plus some Logic control surface features (but no motorized fader). So, what to do? Get a Nektar CS12 and switch back-and-forth? Will there ever be ‘one’ control surface that has midi 2.0 for EVERYTHING?
Yeah this is definitely a buy. Reasonably priced as well, I was expecting such a unit to sell for at least 800 bucks. Hats off to the manufacturer of this gem!
You've got to be kidding?! More money I have to squirrel away from my wife without her knowing about it to buy another piece of gear. This is what I've needed since I switched to logic 6 months ago. Wow.
Don't we all have a "Black Ops Budget" for gear? My stock reply if she ever happens to notice the new gear after it's been covertly brought into the house and set up, all packing materials discarded: "Oh this? I've had this for a while." Usually works... Then she buys something spendy for herself that I fail to notice.
It’s fine. Tell her from me that I waited 10 years for this and that this is literally the most justified piece of gear ever. Insta purchase for everyone alive
As cool as this is I don't think it would improve my work flow efficiency. All I need is my M1 laptop a cheap Logitech trackball mouse and my headphones and I can mix anything anywhere. I don't need to learn any new interfaces and translate nameless knobs. I bought a nanoKONTROL2 from Korg a couple years ago thinking I'd have more control but honestly its still in the box. I do a lot of work away from my desk so everything I need has to fit in my backpack and I haven't figured out an ergonomic solution for a DAW controller like this yet.
I just bought one. I’m incredibly frustrated at the quality of the transport buttons. It’s almost impossible to get a clean press without feeling like you’ve pressed it twice because they’re so wobbly. Did you notice this? It’s just a terrible experience to use these most essential controls.
I have the Panorama P1 and its VERY laggy, then a knob shaft broke and though I can solder in a new rotary encoder no problem, their customer service is non-existent, they just don't want to know, won't talk to me at all.
Well all of the buttons are easily replaced with keys on the keyboard and for knobs you'll have to look at the display what is mapped to what, so mouse will be faster. Although you can turn two knobs at the same time.
I realize it’s a 10min ad essentially so all praise and no critique, but if we try to be objective here, about half of these functions are faster and easier to perform with a mouse and hotkeys.
Logic Remote is not exactly tactile. Sure you touch something, but it's a flat surface that you have to constantly look down to see what you're trying to control. Physical knobs, buttons etc are definitely preferable to a touch surface where everything is the same. That's why Maschine and Push are so popular. They have physical controls which cannot be beat for workflow by a touch surface. If you learn a physical controller well enough, you can practically close your eyes and use it. You can't do that with a touch surface like an iPad.
It's about time there was a dedicated controller for Logic. Now it would be interesting to build a medium or large format controller console like SSL XL Desk, Matrix, Allen and Heath GSR24M, etc.
I’m guessing price point. In use, I don’t find this an issue. The color coding helps and it’s not an overwhelming number of knobs to navigate. I would love to see a knobs and sliders only version of this with strips.
