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Cheap vs Expensive MIDI Controller for Orchestral Music

Leo Brennauer

9,913 views

🎼 Learn Cinematic Orchestration (my full course) → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/coe

Which MIDI controller do you need to program orchestral music? Is a cheap one enough, or is it better to go for an expensive boutique model? In this video, we'll find out as we compare the Korg NanoKONTROL2 with the Lujin by Midifex. Enjoy!

The LUJIN has a waitlist, but its definitely worth waiting!

🎚️ Lujin (220€) → link.leo-brennauer.com/mcceu
🇪🇺 Korg Nano Kontrol (50€) →https://link.leo-brennauer.com/nanok
🇺🇸 Korg Nano Kontrol (50€) → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/sw/ionzf9

Instruments used (order of appearance)
Berlin Free Orchestra → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/ot/sBOhrn
Free Celestial Strings → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/vsl/3T...
Nucleus Orchestral Core → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/audioi...
Vista II String Ensembles Lite → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/ps/FbVqr2

Not sponsored. Some Links are affiliate links.

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📚 HELPFUL RESOURCES
Here are some helpful resources you might like.

🎼 Learn Cinematic Orchestration (my full course) → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/coe
🎁 My Free Mini Course on Cinematic Orchestration → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/free
🎁 Get my FREE PDF Guides → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/freestuff
🤝 Join our Discord Server → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/discord

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🎹 MY GEAR LIST
Some links are affiliate.

My MIDI CC Controller → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/mcceu
My DAW/Music Software → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/cubase
Full Gear Overview → https://leo-brennauer.com/mygear

Links for 🇪🇺

My MIDI Keyboard → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/mkbeu
My Interface → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/itfeu
My Headphones → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/hpoeu
My Shortcut Controller → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/scceu

Links for 🇺🇸

My MIDI Keyboard → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/mkbus
My Interface → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/itfus
My Headphones → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/hpous
My Shortcut Controller → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/sccus

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Chapters:
00:00 Midi Controller for Orchestral Music
00:56 Unboxing
01:44 Side By Side Comparison
03:40 Free Library Comparison
06:49 Entry-Level Library Comparison
09:04 No Controller
09:43 High-End Library Comparison
11:30 Conclusion

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🪇 OTHER

Business inquiries → hello@leo-brennauer.com

Affiliate Disclaimer → Some links are affiliate links. If you buy something, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This video is not sponsored. The video is funded by my Patreon supporters, my courses, and the digital products I create. If you'd like to support my work, here are a few options:

🎺 Get my Templates → https://leo-brennauer.com/#minishop
☕ Buy me a Coffee → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/coffee
🚀 Become a Patreon → Patreon: LeoBrennauer
🎼 Get my Courses → https://leo-brennauer.com/#courses

© 2026 | Leo Brennauer | Peiting | Germany

20 Comments

@leobrennauer Creator 3 months ago (edited) Pinned

Do you know of any good-quality 50-100€ Controllers with long Faders? Let me know!
🎼 Learn Cinematic Orchestration (my full course) → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/coe
🎚 Lujin (220€) → link.leo-brennauer.com/mcceu
🇪🇺 Korg Nano Kontrol (50€) →https://link.leo-brennauer.com/nanok
🇺🇸 Korg Nano Kontrol (50€) → https://link.leo-brennauer.com/sw/ionzf9
Not sponsored. Links are affiliate links.

@TimMcMastersOfficial 3 months ago

Would love to see cheap controllers with long faders....

@HalHem32 3 months ago

I would highly recommend the ghost note audio conductor mk2, if you can afford it it is brilliant

@KenjiStandlee 3 months ago

Five features later I still use a modwheel. Maybe there's something to the long faders, but I don't seem to need it yet.

@johnplainsong9769 2 months ago

The nano kontrol is an amazing piece of kit. I've owned mine for 10 years and it never let me down. VERY flexible!

@markcook8255 3 months ago

Sparrow MIDI controller by The MIDI Maker is very good. 4 faders for $100. The faders are high-quality with the right resistance and travel (100mm). There are other options available: up to 8 faders for $150, or 5 faders with 5 knobs for $175, but I just have the 4-fader version and can't speak to the knob quality.

The body is a dense 3D-printed plastic, so it flexes a tiny bit if you press firmly on it in the middle. This can sometimes cause the sensors to read as if you are barely touching the faders when you aren't actually moving them, but I've never had it cause anything bad while I'm recording with it. Mostly happens when I use my thumb to support my hand.

There is no software. Instead, the CC assignments are changed by visiting a website to remap the actual firmware. It's very quick and easy, and I like not having extra software running.

@Snutler 3 months ago

I feel like my mod wheel is longer than the nanokontrol2 sliders 😂

@TigerRichards 3 months ago

Excellent demonstration that one size does not fit all and that for those just starting out and using free libraries the nano works. Start investing in more expensive libraries? Upgrade your controller. Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

@The_Master_Brain 1 month ago

This video makes no sense. It stands to reason that shorter faders reach their CC values faster than long ones. Consequently, short faders are not well-suited for slowly sweeping through an instrument's entire dynamic range. Large faders, on the other hand, have long travel paths, making it difficult to work quickly when speed is required.

Every device has its place. Whether it necessarily has to cost 300 euros, however, is a completely different question.

@mageprometheus 3 months ago

I'm using the X-Touch universal with 9 motorised faders. They are long and have a perfect feel, great for mixing. Using CSI integrated into Reaper, I can control every plugin and set the min and max for the sliders as I need. (CSI has a 12-month learning curve, but it's crazy powerful.) My problem is its location, forward of my ASCII keyboard. And it's large. With my right hand on the MIDI keyboard, I don't want to stretch for the sliders. What I can't give up, though, is motorised sliders that follow the automation track and auto punch in when touched, and auto punch out when released. So I'm looking for 2 long sliders, motorised, with touch detect.

@nicolasrioscardona 3 months ago

Hola Leo!!! Yo uso el Sparrow 4x100mm midi controller from The Midi Maker...it does the job! Bu the way nice flamenco in the background

@Adam_Langford 3 months ago

I'm just a beginner and in the process of learning Cubase.
I bought the nano kontrol and am very happy with it so far (I changed the config so the first two sliders are CC1 and CC11, however)

@daniel-5377 3 months ago

Thank you, Leo. I have nanokontrol 1 and use it very good.

@ZvikaDror 3 months ago

Great theme and video!
I had an immediate though when starting to watch: The range and velocity can be configured like touch sensitivity graph for the midi keyboard, in the virtual instrument, DAW or presets for the specific fader controller.
After seeing a more of the video, I thought about the touch faders on modern keyboards, replacing physical faders, where you can "jump" to a level instead of lowering or raising the value from where it was last set.
Last thought I had in the conclusion part, except the obvious which is - each producer should pick the midi setup fitting their projects, was:
The perfect versatile controller would have short and long faders, perhaps with internal "section" you can adjust to "feel" when you pass to another range, as well as continuous and ranged knobs with mid-hinter, so every FX and instrument could have the best control for the job.
Or - just buy a few and use whatever is best for the current task :)
Cheers!

@thesymphonicsquirrel 3 months ago

Wow, this is great! (I must admit, I don't use a MIDI controller!) But wow. Thank you again for another great video.

@GrandmasterKnox 3 months ago

Maybe not a popular opinion, but when I'm not drawing it manually (I usually have more luck using a static position and then refining with a mouse), I actually really enjoy the touch kind of mod wheel. I find it a good balance between a fader and a wheel, though it takes a bit to get used to it.