MIDI Keyboard Controller / PT

[milet22]

I wasn't sure if this needed to be in the MIDI forum, but I put it here...

I'm looking to get a small MIDI keyboard (25 keys) for using in PT. Two questions:
1) Anyone have recommendations for what to get? I have a nice electric piano so what I want is a small keyboard to enter melodies and use the variable controls to set parameters. I've seen 25-key boards from M-Audio, Edirol, Alesis, etc.

2) Can I use the knobs on the controller to control parameters in SampleTank? I looked through old posts and it seems like it's not straightforward.

Thanks
Rob

PS I'm using PT 6.4, but I'll be upgrading to 7 soon

[Ducky]

To question 1, do not buy the Alesis units.
I had 2 Photon X25's that blew their firmware using both Reason Adapted and SampleTank in PT.
You might also look at Novation. Their Remote 25 is a nice little unit ($299-). There is also a Remote LE 25 ($199-) and in January '06 they are coming out with a new unit Remote SL 25 ($379-).
You really don't need a controller with onboard audio since you have a PT rig.

question 2, yes, you can control SampleTank with the knobs and sliders of a MIDI controller. You just have to figure out which CC#'s are tied to the knobs. I know that CC7 is the volume and CC10 through whatever control the other settings. Each effect on SampleTank uses different CC# for the knobs in the GUI.

[wakeangel]

I have the M-Audio Radium 64. It pretty much rocks. With a little bit of fiddling you can also use the knobs and sliders to control PT.

[milet22]

Thanks...I'll definitely stay away from Alesis. Do you know what the difference between the Novation 25 and 25 LE? It doesn't say on their website...

Rob

[Ducky]

Novation Remote LE 25

...and a sales link (google will give you more)

[synapse]

Just exactly how can you set up the sliders and knobs to mix / control Pro Tools with? There seem to be only two options - HUI and MotorMix - in the Peripheral setup.