What are the popular MIDI keyboard controllers w/DP?

[Kellog]

Hi all, I'm just wondering which MIDI keys controller seems to integrate best with DP for you all. I was looking at the NI Komplete Kontrol A or S49, or the Akai MPK 249- but they don't seem to integrate that well and easily with our beloved DP from what I've read.
I would like to be able to audition patches easily and use transport controls for DP when recording, all from the keyboard controller to keep my hands/eyes in one place (not a new concept I know)- but alas no MMC contact between the controllers and DP seems to be a deal breaker? Have I read that right in the posts I've scanned?
Anyway, what are you all using. Any thoughts appreciated? Kelly

[Prime Mover]

I use the Arturia Keylab88, which I love, however I similarly have not gotten it fully integrated into DP, not the transport or faders for automation. As a MIDI controller, it's fantastic tho! It's all possible, but it's difficult to setup and there's no-one out there to guide you.

[Michael Canavan]

Hi all, I'm just wondering which MIDI keys controller seems to integrate best with DP for you all. I was looking at the NI Komplete Kontrol A or S49, or the Akai MPK 249- but they don't seem to integrate that well and easily with our beloved DP from what I've read.
I would like to be able to audition patches easily and use transport controls for DP when recording, all from the keyboard controller to keep my hands/eyes in one place (not a new concept I know)- but alas no MMC contact between the controllers and DP seems to be a deal breaker? Have I read that right in the posts I've scanned?
Anyway, what are you all using. Any thoughts appreciated? Kelly

Novation SL series is your best bet. Akai and NI both use MMC which is not supported bi directionally between controller keyboards and DP10, so the transport controls on them do not work. Most controller keyboards these days are using MMC, so Novation are the only ones I know of that also support HUI and Mackie for transport on their controller keyboards.

Novation has HUI protocol support, so you get mixer faders and transport of DP. You can still use Akai and NI's plug ins for their dedicated controller keyboards (VIP and Komplete Control), they both 'sort of' support third party keyboards, in my experience it's spotty but workable if all you really need is 8 knobs mapped to the most common elements.

Novation make good keyboards, unfortunately they do not make an 88 key version though, and also unfortunately they're not that cheap on the used market. I can't speak for the other series besides the SL, though the manuals for their keyboards have been typically available online so you can look up whether their other series's can use HUI / Mackie.

[stubbsonic]

The Novation SL Mkii looks promising. One if it's nicest features for a controller is that it has a high scan rate for the velocity sensing engine. So it will be able to clock velocities more accurately. It also has lots of connectivity and controls on it.

As mentioned, no weighted/hammer 88s, and even these 49 & 61 key's while the key-width is standard piano sized, the length of the keys front to back is shorter. Not a deal breaker, but kind of unfortunate. I don't know how this would affect the difference between black & white key velocities which is already a problem with many keybeds.

[jlaudon]

Check out the Nektar LX series, it works well with DP.

[Kellog]

As usual wonderful replies from you guys Thanks prime mover, stubbsonic, michael canavan and jjlaudon.
I will investigate these ideas. I did discover the Nektar. It may be promising. The Novation looks killer but appears to have maybe TOO MUCH functionality for me (like the sequencer). I’m mostly a guitarist and not a synth whiz (never too late tho I guess!) So we’ll see.
Again much appreciated insights!

[Michael Canavan]

Check out the Nektar LX series, it works well with DP.

Man I hadn't in so long that all they supported was Logic, Live and Cubase. They support everyone including DP now.

My only sort of complaint is the 88key is semi weighted, so not piano style. Definitely be picking one up if I get another 61 or 49 key though.

[cuttime]

Been using the Arturia Keylab 88 Mk II for a month or so. I like it a lot. It seems to have addressed the problems folks had with the Mk I. It supplies HUI and MCU control, and, while I reported earlier that it works perfectly with DP, I have to amend my review. I'd say it works about 75% with the DP10 version of MCU. There are a couple of anomalies I've found in the transport controls, and I think it may have something to do with the differences between DP 9 & 10. Some have reported that scroll Controller #60 doesn't work with DP10. This has been my experience.

[cuttime]

Whatever, with the current personnel upheaval at Native Instruments, I'd keep away from their hardware.

[monkey man]

The Nectar has no DIN MIDI I/O.

Bummer. Would have to use dedicated ports on MIDI Express XT for my foot controllers. That's just silly IMHO.

I'll have to stick with the ol' late-'80s A-50 for a few more years I reckon.

[stubbsonic]

The Novation looks killer but appears to have maybe TOO MUCH functionality for me (like the sequencer). I’m mostly a guitarist and not a synth whiz (never too late tho I guess!)

Yes, it is feature packed. I have no current use for CV or the sequencer. However, it might be better to make sure your bases are covered (even if there are other features you might not use). Also, for the price, it's an impressive device and I'd imagine there'd be reasonable resale value if you went in a different direction later.

The fact that you're not a synth whiz means you won't mind the slightly shorter keys.

[Michael Canavan]

Been using the Arturia Keylab 88 Mk II for a month or so. I like it a lot. It seems to have addressed the problems folks had with the Mk I. It supplies HUI and MCU control, and, while I reported earlier that it works perfectly with DP, I have to amend my review. I'd say it works about 75% with the DP10 version of MCU. There are a couple of anomalies I've found in the transport controls, and I think it may have something to do with the differences between DP 9 & 10. Some have reported that scroll Controller #60 doesn't work with DP10. This has been my experience.

Cool they started HUI and MCU control, I'm assuming that's how you're getting transport control?

And yeah NI are in a weird state. I still think about getting a Komplete Kontrol keyboard though, the 88 key would work really well with Kontakt libraries that have keyswitches, that not a soul has thought to have in the same range, not even in the same library... One advantage of the Nektar that makes me think about it is that you can very very quickly assign notes to the pads, so you could assign the key-switches to the pads. Of course it looks like they also left out memory slots, like 5 or something??

I should probably learn to use my MPK88, and Program in the keyswitches to the pads for patches there, since it's covered in MIDI Quest so I can have multiple patches for various libraries.

[cuttime]

Cool they started HUI and MCU control, I'm assuming that's how you're getting transport control?

Yep. The Arturia manuals are freely available online if anyone is interested.

[jlaudon]

The Nektar LX88+ does have a MIDI out (DIN), as well as USB.... and the have a template for DP which works very well for me.... only thing it's not hammer action keys, which would be perfect for me then...

[Kellog]

Still following and appreciating everyone’s input!
Def looking at the Arturia and the Nektar at this point (the 49 key versions). Partly cuzza the lower price range, and size (mostly depth) is an issue with my setup. I may need to explore an under desk attached shelf of some kind. Either for the new controller or the Mac keyboard. But not ruling anything out yet.
Also I wasn’t aware there was poss trouble at NI maybe causing sup par quality if I understood that. Sorry to hear that.
Thanks again everyone!