midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

dg27

dg27

New member
I'm a Pro Tools user and I think I need to take the plunge and get a midi controller that plays well with Pro Tools.

I collaborate with other musicians and would like to be able to more easily edit (and create) midi files.

I'd also like to be able to create drum tracks.

I play a bit of piano, so having a keyboard (not just pads) would be best.

Desktop space is an issue, which is why I'm focusing on 25-key models. I also want something that's pretty basic.

Looking at this Akai:

akai_mpkmini2_mpk_mini_2_keyboard.html

this Alesis:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1085438-REG/alesis_v25_25_key_usb_midi.html/pageID/accessory

and this Novation:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1140279-REG/novation_launchkey_mini_mk2_launchkey_mini_mk2_usb_midi.html

If I had more room I'd consider the 49-key versions from these same manufacturers, but that'd be a bit of a hassle.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

dg27 said:
I'm a Pro Tools user and I think I need to take the plunge and get a midi controller that plays well with Pro Tools.

I collaborate with other musicians and would like to be able to more easily edit (and create) midi files.

I'd also like to be able to create drum tracks.

I play a bit of piano, so having a keyboard (not just pads) would be best.

Desktop space is an issue, which is why I'm focusing on 25-key models. I also want something that's pretty basic.

Looking at this Akai:

Akai Professional MPK mini MKII - Compact Keyboard and Pad Controller

this Alesis:

Alesis V25 25-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller

and this Novation:

Novation Launchkey Mini MK2 25-Key USB MIDI Controller

If I had more room I'd consider the 49-key versions from these same manufacturers, but that'd be a bit of a hassle.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I personally find that using something like Guitar Pro for creating drum tracks is much easier and I get better results. After I've made the track I can export it as a MIDI file and then add to Pro Tools and play it using EZ Drummer (soon to be Getgood Drums).

I've had good luck with the Korg Nano series. I know that they just released a Nano studio series that you may want to look into. Korg overall makes really good stuff.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Johnny the Kid said:
I personally find that using something like Guitar Pro for creating drum tracks is much easier and I get better results. After I've made the track I can export it as a MIDI file and then add to Pro Tools and play it using EZ Drummer (soon to be Getgood Drums).

I've had good luck with the Korg Nano series. I know that they just released a Nano studio series that you may want to look into. Korg overall makes really good stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks--I'll look into these.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Thanks, TO.

I actually saw the Arturia today either Sam Ash or GC, but wasn't familiar with the name.

Is the FaderPort 8 an essential part of the equation? The most I ever have is probably a dozen tracks and know from reading your posts that your workflow is a helluvalot more complicated than mine.

Can I get a way without something like? I like to keep things simple.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Sure, it's certainly not a prerequisite. It all comes down to how you perform rides, mostly. I much prefer using faders for automating rides because I hate drawing with a mouse! :)

Arturia is a French company that started out making software emulations of classic analogue synths, then they ventured into the hardware market. All of their hardware released to date (Mini and Microbrute analogue synths, the BeatStep and Beatstep Pro, and the KeyLab controllers) are considered the top in their class for price : performance.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

OK--thanks--will look into the Arturia. Will skip the FaderPort 8--rides aren't an issue with what I do.

Thanks!
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

The keylab is really killer but it's maybe above the budget price range. It is still friendly priced if you think about the awesome (rather: AWESOME) pack of synth sounds you get with it.

Around the budget range you can't really go wrong with the AKAI you've already listed. They are mechanically quite good. The KORG nano is really handy if you can work without dynamics. Other than that, I'm an M-Audio guy myself, I've recorded a swarm of tracks with the elder brother of this one:

http://www.m-audio.com/products/view/oxygen-iv-25

I've been doing MIDI drumtracks for ages and this one transformed the procedure from hours to minutes:

https://www.toontrack.com/product/ezdrummer-2/

You 'tell' the drummer what to play, choose the closest groove in a sec, add variations, maybe play a little with strong structures - job done.

I'm not going to talk you out of ProTools hell, you'll manage yourself I'm sure. When it is about time, just remember: there is a world of DAWs putside PT hell where there are no compromises, sucky business models and bugs to disturb your workflow. Been there, done that. No way I'm doing again.
 
Last edited:
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Thanks for the advice--will check out EZDrummer. and the M-Audio. I use an M-Box 3, so that sort of makes sense.

The reviews for Arturia are actually very bad with regard to build quality.

One point I should mention: I love Pro Tools and always have. It's never been anything close to "hell" for me.

Question about EZDrummer2: Here are the system requirements on theor site:

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4 GB of free hard disk space.
Windows 7 or newer, Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 2 GB RAM.
Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, Intel-based Mac with 2 GB RAM.
Audio Unit, VST, AAX or RTAS host application and professional sound card recommended. Stand-alone version included.

Does this mean that this can be used without a midi controller?

***Update: Posts on other forums seem to indicate that onecan use the program without a midi controller. I'm going to download the demo and check it out. Thanks for suggesting it.
 
Last edited:
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

dg27 said:
Thanks for the advice--will check out EZDrummer. and the M-Audio. I use an M-Box 3, so that sort of makes sense.

The reviews for Arturia are actually very bad with regard to build quality.

One point I should mention: I love Pro Tools and always have. It's never been anything close to "hell" for me.

Question about EZDrummer2: Here are the system requirements on theor site:

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4 GB of free hard disk space.
Windows 7 or newer, Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 2 GB RAM.
Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, Intel-based Mac with 2 GB RAM.
Audio Unit, VST, AAX or RTAS host application and professional sound card recommended. Stand-alone version included.

Does this mean that this can be used without a midi controller?

***Update: Posts on other forums seem to indicate that onecan use the program without a midi controller. I'm going to download the demo and check it out. Thanks for suggesting it.
Click to expand...

Yes, no controller required. You can use it with a mouse and keyboard [ Qwerty ].
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

I use 2 Novation 49-key controllers with 9 faders so I can perform Hammond Organ in the box. They were as affordable as I could find with 9 faders. The action is some kind of spring-loaded maybe to simulate piano weight, however. If I had the coin, I'd look for 9 faders and genuine hammer/weighted keys.

For a session/track/recorder controller, I'm using a Frontier AlphaTrack. Dead-simple. Motorized. Small. Controls plugins and the mixer remotely. The only down side is it's USB wired (I just extended the cable - not a problem for me). There's another Frontier controller that is wireless, however.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Thanks--I'll keep these points in mind.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

I just got another 8U rack to rack up the synth setup for my next album ... it will feature 4 MIDI controllers: my Alesis keyboard, Arturia BeatStep and Beatstep Pro, and the MiniBrute keyboard.

Will post a pic when it's ready!
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Yikes--I don't know how you keep track of what's routed to what.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

OK--then I stand corrected--thanks.

In what context would one need 4 MIDI controllers then?
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

beaubrummels said:
For a session/track/recorder controller, I'm using a Frontier AlphaTrack. Dead-simple. Motorized. Small. Controls plugins and the mixer remotely. The only down side is it's USB wired (I just extended the cable - not a problem for me). There's another Frontier controller that is wireless, however.
Click to expand...

Frontier's wireless controller was called the TranzPort which is a wireless transport controller (hence the name). I have one and while a few functions overlap, it's mostly a different product. I use it when tracking by myself so that I can set up a mic away from the computer but still hit 'record' on my own.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

dg27 said:
OK--then I stand corrected--thanks.
In what context would one need 4 MIDI controllers then?
Click to expand...

Sooo glad you asked lol. :)

I guess it is a little complicated, but it's necessary for me to capture multiple synths live; live being the operative word here, because if you are overdubbing, I don't think you need more than one or two MIDI controllers (a keyboard and a step sequencer).

The basic system architecture:

SEQUENCER 1 (Controller 1): Provides clock/tempo info > into

SYNTH 1: Synth module on Channel 4 > MIDI thru into

SEQUENCER 2 (Controller 2): Provides sequences to

SYNTH 2: Synth module on Channel 2

SYNTH 3: Synth module on Channel 3

SYNTH 4: Synth module on Channel 10 > MIDI thru into

SYNTH 5: Synth module on Channel 1; this has a keyboard (CONTROLLER 3) and can also control another synth if needed via MIDI out

MIDI KEYBOARD: Connected to SYNTH 6 via MIDI

+++++

This gives me at least 5 separate synth lines going at once along with two keyboard for playing lead lines or pads.

All of the audio cables feed into a 16 channel Mackie mixer and then into my big interface.
 
Re: midi controller recommendations (Pro Tools)?

Back to my original question then:

I don't know how you keep track of what's routed to what.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dg27
footswitch to trigger recording in Pro Tools?
Replies
9
Views
91
dg27
dg27
Masta' C
Expression Pedal for PC plug-ins?
Replies
5
Views
84
Securb
Securb
Swampy
Thinking of makimg the switch from Reaper to Pro Tools. Have questions.
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
Swampy
Swampy
TwilightOdyssey
Arturia Beatstep Pro: UPDATE
Replies
3
Views
2K
TwilightOdyssey
TwilightOdyssey
LLL
x64 Reaper Rules - Pro Tools 12 & Adobe Audition CC 2015 Drools
Replies
7
Views
3K
johnthomas
johnthomas
Back
Top