Akai Advance - VIP Software in Pro Tools 12

[Seafoam_Green]

Hi there , I'm in the market for a new controller and so far I'm looking at the AKAI Advance 61 Controller keyboard with the included VIP (virtual instrument plugin) software.

Question ; Is anyone using this Keyboard Controller with its included VIP software " without any issues " in Pro Tools 12 ?

[Craig F]

you'll needs a VST hosting plug

[Sardi]

That is incorrect.

The plugin will run as a native AAX plugin inside Pro Tools.

[Craig F]

OK, I did not see an AAX reference only an VSTi when I looked at the specs.

[Jay_uk]

I,m interested in this too.
Is it a big deal that there is no built in PT mode on the Akai ..
Avid really are stingy sometimes.

[Seafoam_Green]

Originally Posted by Sardi

That is incorrect.

The plugin will run as a native AAX plugin inside Pro Tools.

Originally Posted by Craig F

OK, I did not see an AAX reference only an VSTi when I looked at the specs.

Hi Craig, Hi Sardi ,

Thats correct Sardi , it is AAX ..., and I watched a well presented video series (learn Akai Advanced) on Mac Pro Videos, where it was indeed being used inside of Pro Tools in the insert slot , but not sure if it was 11 or 12.
The transport on the Akai Advance controller was also functioning for Pro Tools stop / play / record - and the videos show how to easily configure this. The Akai Advance sends MMC (Mackie Machine Code ) to make this happen.

What the AAX VIP software does is hosts VST plugins inside of the VIP software itself , and the VIP software can also runs in standalone mode.

..., but I want to hear from real users to see if they have had any hickups or not , as out in you tube land there is not a lot of actual Akai Advanced / Pro Tools users out there yet ?

[Seafoam_Green]

Originally Posted by Jay_uk

I,m interested in this too.
Is it a big deal that there is no built in PT mode on the Akai ..
Avid really are stingy sometimes.

Hi Jay . The transport works fine with pro tools, and Mac pro videos has a series on the Akai Advance showing in detail how this is easily done with MMC (Mackie Machine Code) sent from the Akai Advance .

Im guessing you watched that Pro Tools Expert video too, where he mentioned it's not pro tool compatible and then stopped speaking any further on the subject during his review of the Akai Advance.

But honestly , I couldn't get the full gist of what this controller was capable of as a users perspective until I watched that MPV series .
All the other vids I could find / hunt on youtube were just either promo type stuff or not detailed enough , or done by users who didnt read the manual (same with nearly all the comments attached to those videos also).

[Jay_uk]

Originally Posted by seafoam green

Hi Jay . The transport works fine with pro tools, and Mac pro videos has a series on the Akai Advance showing in detail how this is easily done with MMC (Mackie Machine Code) sent from the Akai Advance .

Im guessing you watched that Pro Tools Expert video too, where he mentioned it's not pro tool compatible and then stopped speaking any further on the subject during his review of the Akai Advance.

But honestly , I couldn't get the full gist of what this controller was capable of as a users perspective until I watched that MPV series .
All the other vids I could find / hunt on youtube were just either promo type stuff or not detailed enough , or done by users who didnt read the manual (same with nearly all the comments attached to those videos also).

Thanks for the info/links Seafoam Green.
Good to know.
I,m wondering how the Akai impacts on computers CPU and memory.
I,m a lefty, so the screen on the left does not bother me.
Being able to layer on it and access presets is great.
cheers
J

[Seafoam_Green]

Originally Posted by Jay_uk

Thanks for the info/links Seafoam Green.
Good to know.
I,m wondering how the Akai impacts on computers CPU and memory.
I,m a lefty, so the screen on the left does not bother me.
Being able to layer on it and access presets is great.
cheers
J

Im hoping FX plugins can be operated ,
In the videos, I only saw the presenters operating virtual instruments.

The Akai Advance VIP software loads in all VST's including FX plugins though ...., (as I did notice seeing FX plugs listed on screen in one of the videos)

It loads them into its cache for super fast loading times.
On V.Is (eg ; N.I alisia Keys - Xpand 2) in the vids I saw the switching between the two was instantaneous , ie; no loading times due to the cache.

..., I cant wait to hear the comments from owners actually putting all this into play , and more important - hearing if the workflow is "really" as streamlined as the videos make out

[Jay_uk]

^^ Yeh may be good to wait a little while. I was considering VePro but it could be overkill for my needs. Being able to layer sounds direct from the Akai is sweet though.