Second keyboard controller recommendations (with NS2/88)

[jagalactic]

I'm loving my NS2/88, which is the replacement for a NE2/73 and a Yamaha S90XS that were stolen a while back. The old rig was dual-keyboard, and of course the Electro (upper) had waterfall keys. Since the NS2 is friendly to a second keyboard controller, I would love to have a waterfall controller above it - and I'm used to having sounds available on at least two boards at a time.

Looking into possible waterfall controllers, the only definite option I've found is the Studiologic (Fatar) VMK-161 Organ Plus. Does anybody have experience with this board? Are there any other options?

In an ideal world, a second controller board would have some programmable pads that I can assign for percussion / miscellaneous sample triggering - which the VMK does not have. Personally, I care less about the knobs and recording transport controls.

Thanks,
John

[hapbarb]

Hey, John -
If you didn't have to have waterfall keys, and could live with soft, non-weighted ones, I'd recommend the Novation 61 SL Mk. II. I love the way mine feels, and it does have the pads you're seeking.

[Santa]

+1 on the Novation for the best touch. But whatever you do, DON'T install Automap. On the Remote, you can program the cc numbers on the knobs and sliders to match those of the drawbars and possibly other parameters of the Nord, as you wish.

[anotherscott]

As another thought, if there's anything you miss from the S90XS, you could get the MOX6 which is lightweight and reasonably priced, which would function both as a second controller for the Nord's organ, and would also get you back all your S90XS sounds (except one of its pianos). It's not waterfall, but it's still a pretty decent organ action, I think.