Akai MPK mini MIDI controller not seen (Mac)

[mcrepeau]

I just started using Pro Tools First (version 2018.7.0) and so far I like it but I have one problem: I can’t get Pro Tools First to see my MIDI controller. The controller is an Akai MPK mini mkII and it works fine with GarageBand, Ableton, and MPC Essentials, but when I try to connect to it in Pro Tools First using “Setup —> MIDI Input Devices” it simply does not show up. This is on a MacBook Pro running OS X version 10.11.6. Has anyone else had this problem? What am I doing wrong?

[mcrepeau]

Well, I haven't exactly solved the problem but last night I did stumble upon an interesting workaround:

If I start Ableton Live 9 Lite first and establish a connection to the MPK mini with that software (which always works without fail) then when I open Pro Tools First the MPK mini shows up! At that point I can quit Ableton and continue using Pro Tools First with my MPK mini now fully functional. Thereafter I can disconnect and reconnect the MPK mini from the USB port while Pro Tools First is open and the connection to the MPK mini is always restored. I can even shut down Pro Tools First and re-start it, and the MPK mini is still available. However, if I re-start Pro Tools First with the MPK mini unplugged from the USB port the magic is undone. At that point Pro Tools First will again fail to see the MPK mini if I plug it back into the USB port, even if I the re-start Pro Tools First with the MPK mini already plugged in. At that point I will need to repeat the trick with Ableton in order to re-establish communication between Pro Tools First and the MPK mini.

This behavior is 100% reproducible. And I find that I can use GarageBand instead of Ableton to accomplish the same trick. Nice to see all the DAWs helping each other out this way, all pulling together for the common good.