Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

[Crane]

I did some searching and can't find the answer. I am a member at Avid but I hate that site.
I just want to create some very simple drum tracks without a giant keyboard on my computer desk.
Is there a way I can use my pc keyboard to input ?
I saw a program called Chirp, but the web page is dead. I also saw a trick in Logic to use the caps lock, but that doesn't work with PT10.

TIA

 

[rashayritto]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

In my experience using a regular PC keyboard does not work for real-time midi due to latency. You could always grab a small-ish velocity pad instead of a midi keyboard. I could be wrong about QWERTY being unusable though, I just never bothered to make it work and wound up composing with just a mouse on a midi sequencer when I needed to

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

I hate to say it but keyboard input is included in here by default and it works really well:

http://www.reaper.fm/

On the other hand, I could never make it work in PT. Among many other things.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

I would get the cheapest $49 Korg/whatever-mini midi-controller to get some notes/beats going then correct/adjust them with the mouse or event editing. So much of the computer keyboard is already assigned to operations in ProTools, I would not advise trying to map yet another layer of purpose to your computer keyboard.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

I am a Logic user. The virtual keyboard feature is okay for entering Step Time note number data. I sometimes use it whilst programming fixed velocity synth pad sounds. Any actual real time playing that involves performance dynamics is best done on a USB/MIDI keyboard (25 keys is enough!) or some combination of Roland GK/GR/VG devices.

Check Pro Tools' hot and function key lists for the virtual keyboard feature.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

Unless you're absolutely determined to record MIDI in real-time, then there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to create basic patterns using the MIDI Editor with a few mouse-clicks. If that isn't to your taste then there must be thousands (probably millions by now) of freely available MIDI patterns you can download off the internet - find something that is reasonably close to what you want and edit to suit. If it's anything like SONAR that I use, there should be a way of directly editing the MIDI data files too should you so wish.

Or you could try something like this - http://www.andertons.co.uk/control-surfaces/pid21563/cid713/korg-nanopad2-in-white.asp - there must be dozens of these kind of things out there, varying between MPC style pads to keyboards to something like the Roland SPD-20 (which you could hit with sticks).

 

[Crane]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

Thnx Chris, after further research, that is the way I'm choosing to go.
I am going to just edit downloaded drum tracks, with the mouse for now.

Thanks for all ideas. If it gets more involved - then I may consider a small input device.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: Pro Tools 10 - can I use pc keyboard for midi input ?

You can also grab yourself a VSTi like EZ Drummer or Addictive drums. Pretty much all I use for adding drums to my solo stuff. You can download midi grooves from anywhere to load into them and change kits, micing, post, etc. Sometimes i dig in and edit certain parts with the mouse if I have a specific need