What are the popular MIDI keyboard controllers w/DP?

[Kellog]

Yes, very informative to me, thank you terry britton!

[Michael Canavan]

Since you want transport control, here is a general guide showing how to do it with most controllers in DP

Have you gotten the transport controls to work on the KK88 while using Komplete Kontrol software to control NKS instruments or is it a dance between KK settings and Controller Editor?

[terrybritton]

Since you want transport control, here is a general guide showing how to do it with most controllers in DP

Have you gotten the transport controls to work on the KK88 while using Komplete Kontrol software to control NKS instruments or is it a dance between KK settings and Controller Editor?

They just recently added limited MCU/Mackie Control support to the Komplete Kontrol software from what I hear, but I haven't tried it yet. The transport buttons are supposed to work, though.

I'm so used to using the NUM pad on my computer keyboard!!!

Terry

[cuttime]

Since you want transport control, here is a general guide showing how to do it with most controllers in DP:

Thanks for this. It should help filling in some of the gaps. To be clear, is the MIDI transport Master off? It appears to be off in the video. I'm never quite sure what state the Master Masters should be in for control surfaces. I take it that the MIDI Masters are limited to note control?

[tbwnm]

Jumping into this thread as I'm looking to replace my current Axion Pro 61 with an 88 key controller. I never could get the Axion to play nicely with DP + the keys on the 3rd principle octave make an annoying sticky sound when you press them which drives me nuts. I also regret not having at least 76 keys which I find necessary to utilize key switching with minimal fuss having to first switch octaves. I use NI plugins through DP extensively and I'm about to upgrade from DP 9.5 to 10 and want the controller to integrate with DP (with a template that actually works if that’s not asking too much ). Based on this thread, my best options seem to be between the Nektar LX 88 (can't beat the price at $359), the Atura KeyLab MKII 88 (goes for around $899) or Komplete Kontrol S88 MK 2 (goes for around $1,049). While I do appreciate a nice weighted piano action, it's not essential for me (I have a piano for that), so semi weighted is fine (and I find often prefered for a controller). Have read through all 3 pages of this chain so looking for any updated information/recommendations. Thanks to one and all!

[HCMarkus]

I'd like to speak up in favor of using a keyboard controller that has its own sound generating capabilities. When a keyboard sound (usually a piano for me) is always available, one can just bring up the volume control and there it is. It doesn't matter what studio task one is engaged in, be it arranging a tune, tracking a band, or tuning a vocal track.

I find it incredibly handy to have a zero-latency instrument at my fingertips at all times. You might, too.

I also like having two keyboards within reach... 88 key piano action and 61 key synth/organ action axes. I'd give up the light-action keyboard first, but it sure is nice for certain performance styles, particularly organ (smears without blood) and flirty solo instruments, often using aftertouch to add vibrato.

[tbwnm]

Hi Markus, I'm with you. Before I went with the Axiom Pro I used a Yamaha S80 for years and I do miss having access to at least a built in piano sound for all the reasons you state (although i don't miss the Yamaha interface ). Does such a thing exist? Specifically, a comprehensive intuitive 88 Key master keyboard controller (with templates for DP) with an excellent built in piano sound? It seems like the current offerings on the market compromise either one or the other and never the two shall meet in an affordable package?

[HCMarkus]

Does such a thing exist? Specifically, a comprehensive initiative 88 Key master keyboard controller (with templates for DP) with an excellent built in piano sound? It seems like the current offerings on the market compromise either one or the other and never the two shall meet in an affordable package?

I think you are correct. For me, all I need in a keyboard (mine are currently a Yamaha S90ES and Motif6ES) are excellent playability, aftertouch on the unweighted keyboard, and the ability to use Breath Control, Mod and Pitch Wheels, and Sustain and Continuous Foot Pedals. My needs are satisfied by my current axes, although I do like the current Yamaha premium weighted keyboard action, like that found in the P-515, better.

I certainly DO hear you re: Yamaha's users interface! It is, in a word, convoluted. Fortunately, I don't have to deal with it much these days. I boot the S90 and one click gets me Master preset #2 is a solid, straight grand piano patch that transmits on a single MIDI channel.

What am I blissfully unaware that I am missing in DP control functions?

[philbrown]

I'd like to speak up in favor of using a keyboard controller that has its own sound generating capabilities. When a keyboard sound (usually a piano for me) is always available, one can just bring up the volume control and there it is. It doesn't matter what studio task one is engaged in, be it arranging a tune, tracking a band, or tuning a vocal track.

I SO agree with this (at least for me).

[Rainman]

Be interesting to see how MIDI 2.0 addresses this, probably require a new keyboard even though is backwards compatible to 1.0. Another thing I wonder is what needs addressing on the DAW side of things.

[Rainman]

Do you think we'll "one keyboard to rule them all"?

[Rainman]

Maybe should move this over to a discussion on 2.0.

[dazzjazz]

Great thread, thanks for all the fabulous insights. Leaning towards Arturia KeyLab Mk2 but it depends on the action...

[Kellog]

FWIW I went with a Nectar Impact LX 49. It integrates pretty well, ie I have transport control and can assign knobs and faders to parameters with MIDI learn. But so far knobs and sliders don't automatically work with parameters in most soft synths. You've gotta use MIDI learn every time. I wish it was automatic but alas- or I'm dense and missing some feature availability.
I have discovered that with most soft synths things like patch change on my Nektar just don't work, at least I haven't figured it out. So I'm still grabbing the mouse or using arrow up and down buttons which I wish I could fix.
The best thing about transport control is that I can start/stop/rec/go back to top/enable click etc- regardless of whatever page is 'on top' in my vid monitors. If I have UA Console open (on top), messing with levels etc- hitting play (enter or spacebar) to start DP normally won't do anything, I've gotta hit a DP window for play to engage. I know a shortcut to switch top pages but its still kinda maddening when Im in the middle of tracking and trying to get some flow etc. But the Nectar transport works no matter what page is on top.
Anyway, that's where I'm at presently. If some of the above 'not working as I wished' scenarios are fixable, please tell me where to look for that fix.

[bayswater]

Great thread, thanks for all the fabulous insights. Leaning towards Arturia KeyLab Mk2 but it depends on the action...

I'm a bit late to this one. Maybe the Mk2 is improved over the original. My Keylab was a big disappointment. The OS was not intuitive, and was clearly build around the use of the VIs that came with it. The pads were not particularly usable. After a year, some of the keys stopped transmitting Note On, and on one of them the framing plastic broke so the key's resting position was higher than the rest. It ended up on CraigsList Free.