ParksTools from Finland has a series of affordable knob or fader-only MIDI controllers that are neither fancy-looking nor feature overloaded
MIDI controllers can be found in almost every studio these days. In times of recording in DAWs, virtual instruments, or hardware synthesizers/grooveboxes… with deeper engines, MIDI controllers make the workflow much easier. And they give you the haptic feedback that virtual products lack.
When browsing online shops, I noticed many MIDI controllers are often overloaded with features. It must have faders, knobs, a screen, etc. Products with one or two functions are a rarity these days. I’m a big fan of the Novation Launch Control, a MIDI controller with 16 rotary pots and eight colored pads. Very easy and hands-on to use. Unfortunately, Novation has discontinued this. On Etsy, I recently discovered the Finnish company ParksTools, which probably builds the simplest MIDI controllers I’ve seen.
ParksTools
Who needs a screen and six sub-menus… that’s probably what the Finnish company ParksTools thought when developing their midi controller. The products that use the simple names 8P, 18P, and 8F are small, rudimentary MIDI controllers. No stylish design, no modern features, no screen, so everything is very unfancy. But very easy to use. Less is often more, and also fewer places that can break or cause bugs.
The smallest is called Park’s Custom Dial One Dial Kit and is a MIDI controller consisting of a clickable, endless encoder. This has two operation modes. Original gives you functionalities over the keyboard, volume, shortcut, and mouse, while MIDI mode offers classic MIDI functions (channel/CC, click:note, continuous turn, adjustable sensitivity).
Then the 4P, 8P, and 18P are MIDI controllers consisting of either 4, 8, or 18 potentiometers. These are classic 330° turn, not endless potentiometers with MIDI CC transmission as their only function. The 8F controller offers the same, simple function, but instead of the potentiometer, it has white faders. Nice, they also feature Mackie Control Protocol (MCP).
Each ParksTools controller can be configured via a browser app. You can customize here with a few clicks the channel and CC number.
In terms of connectivity, most controllers still use an older micro USB port. A point of criticism that the developer is currently correcting. The big 18P already got an update and now features USB-C. Hope the other controllers will get this update, too in the near future.
Very simple MIDI controllers focusing on a single function. I find the controllers very interesting because they are dead simple to use. No menu diving, no multiple layers… The price is not cheap for the minimal design and range of functions. However, knowing this is not a huge company, they source parts and produce their products under different operations.
ParksTools One Dial Kit is available now for 46€, 4P for 54€, 8P for 70,10€ and 18P for 128€ + shipping. They are super easy to assemble (without soldering) and don’t include a USB cable.
More information here: Etsy
Tempting, I wish they specified what faders they use.
Shik.tech has more features and more knobs with lower price… just saying
I see twice or more the price of the most expensive ParksTools. The Shik.tech starts at $279 assembled vs 128€. More features, more knobs yes but also more expensive. just saying
The Shik.tech n32b is packed with 32 knobs instead of 18 for this product…