Any MIDI keyboard / Controller for AAX Instruments?

[Arya44]

Hi there,
I had years of using older MIDI keyboards (Novation, Axiom, etc.) with RTAS plugins. Since I upgraded to AAX, I've been mousing my controls mostly but I use other DAW and lately went back to controlling VST and AU synth plugins with MIDI controllers. I still see Pro Tools as my main platform both because I do lots of typical post workflow for film audio in relation to the studios (BG, Foley, SFX, dialogue) and also I was officially trained for it so I feel most comfortable. It is hard to go back and forth between two DAW environment specially if you have to deal with note velocity, stretch, etc. to match the visuals scene changes, etc. I like to know if I can buy a MIDI controller that works well with Pro Tools 2022 and after, with a decent amount of knobs and sliders to integrate to AAX Instrument plugins.
Thanks a lot,
Arya44

[audiolex1]

Originally Posted by Arya44

Hi there,
I had years of using older MIDI keyboards (Novation, Axiom, etc.) with RTAS plugins. Since I upgraded to AAX, I've been mousing my controls mostly but I use other DAW and lately went back to controlling VST and AU synth plugins with MIDI controllers. I still see Pro Tools as my main platform both because I do lots of typical post workflow for film audio in relation to the studios (BG, Foley, SFX, dialogue) and also I was officially trained for it so I feel most comfortable. It is hard to go back and forth between two DAW environment specially if you have to deal with note velocity, stretch, etc. to match the visuals scene changes, etc. I like to know if I can buy a MIDI controller that works well with Pro Tools 2022 and after, with a decent amount of knobs and sliders to integrate to AAX Instrument plugins.
Thanks a lot,
Arya44

Goto Sweetwater and just search Midi controllers. There are a ton.

Look for the features you want. 88 or 61, etc etc. I have an NI 88 Mk2, but it only has 8 knobs but integrates with PT easily.

[tope d]

The oxygen series from M-Audio are pretty neat. They used to include Pro Tools Artist 3 months subscription, but not sure if they're still being offered at the moment.

[smurfyou]

M-Audio build quality and support is pretty abysmal.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by smurfyou

M-Audio build quality and support is pretty abysmal.

Agreed^^^ Most every instrument plugin I have has midi learn available and I have programmed lots to the knobs on an Akai Advance 61 keyboard controller

[Arya44]

Thanks for the replies. I have an Axiom Air Mini and the keys are not great. I saw many feedbacks about M-audio keyboard with quality issues. Also people say Novation Launchkey and Arturia Essential series don't feel great either. I don't know if Native Instrument A series are any good. S series are too expensive. For me, I have to be budget conscious too. Also I prefer full size keys. I like keys that don't feel the action is slowed down due to the weight of the keys. At the same time too little resistance and feeling like cheap plastic is not good either. Also I don't like noisy keys. Some put strong spring and the keys have such a little weight so it bounces back quickly and if they don't use a material to dampen the key when it returns back quickly, it makes a click sound that become annoying when playing fast passages. I was thinking about Nektar as well (either P series or T series). I guess using MIDI learn and populating the controls is the only way to do the mapping in Pro Tools rather than expecting an automatic integration with AAX synth right from the beginning. I know some MIDI keyboard manufacturers like Nektar create integration with VST plugins right off the bat but I doubt any MIDI keyboard manufacturer does that for AAX, right?