Any process that modulates the rate, frequency or extent of microtubule nucleation. Microtubule nucleation is the 'de novo' formation of a microtubule, in which tubulin heterodimers form metastable oligomeric aggregates, some of which go on to support formation of a complete microtubule. Microtubule nucleation usually occurs from a specific site within a cell. [ GOC:tb GOC:dph ]