Me again, another question, completely unrelated to the amp, Pro tools

[rockironwebb]

I recieved pro tools LE as a gift. I had been telling a relative that I was interested in trying it. I then learned from this forum and some other reading that Since I do not have M-audio/digidesign hardware that I would not be able to use. Well I never told my aunt about this and she bought it for me, so now I have it, and no I wasn't able to install it due to the compatible hardware issue, I think. Now my mom said she would like to buy me an early christmas present, she said $50-$150. There are always cymbals that I want, but unfortunately, they are well above the gifting price range. SOOOO I believe I want a MIDI controller keyboard. I have looked at the makes/models in the $ range and see that there are a couple of M audio ones. If I were to get an M-audio MIDI keyboard, would I then be able to use my pro tools with it? It may seem like a silly question, but I am a silly guy, with awesome relatives. Or is the pro tools hardware thing about interfaces?

 

[phriq]

I recieved pro tools LE as a gift. I had been telling a relative that I was interested in trying it. I then learned from this forum and some other reading that Since I do not have M-audio/digidesign hardware that I would not be able to use. Well I never told my aunt about this and she bought it for me, so now I have it, and no I wasn't able to install it due to the compatible hardware issue, I think. Now my mom said she would like to buy me an early christmas present, she said $50-$150. There are always cymbals that I want, but unfortunately, they are well above the gifting price range. SOOOO I believe I want a MIDI controller keyboard. I have looked at the makes/models in the $ range and see that there are a couple of M audio ones. If I were to get an M-audio MIDI keyboard, would I then be able to use my pro tools with it? It may seem like a silly question, but I am a silly guy, with awesome relatives. Or is the pro tools hardware thing about interfaces?

What version of PT LE is it? 8? ProTools 9 and 10 do NOT need specific hardware anymore. However with 8 you do. You will need some kind of interface, such as an Mbox.

 

[rockironwebb]

It is LE 8. SO I would need a specific interface? The M-audio MIDI keyboards will not jive?

 

[phriq]

It is LE 8. SO I would need a specific interface? The M-audio MIDI keyboards will not jive?

I have PT 10, so I am not 100% on whether or not the keyboard would work. But at least to my understanding, I do not believe so (please correct me if I am wrong). But I believe you need a specific interface.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

All versions of PT before 9 require Digidesign/Avid made or approved interfaces. In fact I'm pretty sure they were all only sold with Digidesign/Avid approved interfaces as package deals. How did your aunt get her hands on that copy of PT?

 

[rockironwebb]

She said she ordered it used, not sure if it was e-bay. Came boxed so I don't think it is a rip off.

 

[rockironwebb]

I am using mixcraft currently. I just read on their site that The version I have now doesn't work with all of the knobs/sliders on a midi keyboard, so I may just get a more basic MIDI keyboard. I was hoping that I could get some use out of the pro tools I got.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

She said she ordered it used, not sure if it was e-bay. Came boxed so I don't think it is a rip off.

Sounds like someone bought a Digi interface to use with another DAW and sold the now useless copy of PT.

 

[musicmachine]

I am using mixcraft currently. I just read on their site that The version I have now doesn't work with all of the knobs/sliders on a midi keyboard, so I may just get a more basic MIDI keyboard. I was hoping that I could get some use out of the pro tools I got.

I'm assuming you have some type of Mixcraft compatible recording interface already so my advice would be to stick with the Mixcraft & buy the keyboard if you like. Mixcraft will work with it whether it connects thru your interface or USB. Save your money, learn more about interfaces, & recording, & then upgrade to Pro Tools if you want to somewhere down the line.
OR
You could buy an M-Audio interface, a used one even. But IMHO PT LE 8 isn't going to be much better than Mixcraft 5.

 

[Steenamaroo]

It is LE 8. SO I would need a specific interface? The M-audio MIDI keyboards will not jive?

For an interface you'd need mbox/mbox2/digi002/digi003 or w/e.
It doesn't care about keyboards though. Use whatever you want.

I can't remember if digidesigns registration registers the software or the hardware, BUT if you register a PT8 product now you get an amnesty upgrade to PT9, and i guess 10.

Do you have a registration card?
If you do, it will tell you if the software has been separated from the hardware. It'll say "003 factory" or whatever on it.

Worth a look.

 

[rockironwebb]

I couldn't even get it installed. It got to a point where it was searching for hardware and since it didn't find any, it did not complete the install. I have contacted Avid about my situation and am waiting to hear back. I guess my aunt's husband found the pro tools 8LE on craigslist, so I may be out of luck, since it did not come from an authorized dealer. We'll see what AVID says.

 

[Steenamaroo]

You've got other problems then. You shouldn't need Avid hardware just to install PT.

 

[rockironwebb]

Thanx for all the help. I've abandoned the pro tools for now, I was hoping to try it and see what all the fuss is about. I decided to go with an alesis qx49 midi keyboard. I read many reviews and for the price, it will hopefully demonstrate the world of midi for me.

 

[FunkDaddy]

Thanx for all the help. I've abandoned the pro tools for now, I was hoping to try it and see what all the fuss is about. I decided to go with an alesis qx49 midi keyboard. I read many reviews and for the price, it will hopefully demonstrate the world of midi for me.

Do you have an interface or no? A MIDI keyboard will be quite useless without one.

 

[phriq]

Do you have an interface or no? A MIDI keyboard will be quite useless without one.

Not exactly, If he is not using ProTools 8 anymore as he said "I've abandoned the pro tools for now", then if he is only wanting to work in midi, he will not need an interface. Other DAWS (including PT9 and up, but not PT8 and lower) don't require a specific interface in which he could use his computers soundcard. With midi, the samples will be on his drive locally and he can control the midi with the controler and then hear the playback through his computers audio card, speakers, or headphones.

 

[rockironwebb]

I read up on the qx49, it is connected by usb and claims to jive with "nearly any DAW" So hopefully the "nearly" part is not the exclusion of either mixcraft or acid pro. I saw a video of a kid using the model I bought with mixcraft. I don't think I will be able to use the some of the keyboard functions (sliders/pots) until mixcraft 6 comes out. Not sure about acid pro. In any case, it will be quite the adventure. I hope I don't drive the newbie forum bat-shit crazy. I will get it on monday, so we'll see how user friendly things will be.

 

[phriq]

I read up on the qx49, it is connected by usb and claims to jive with "nearly any DAW" So hopefully the "nearly" part is not the exclusion of either mixcraft or acid pro. I saw a video of a kid using the model I bought with mixcraft. I don't think I will be able to use the some of the keyboard functions (sliders/pots) until mixcraft 6 comes out. Not sure about acid pro. In any case, it will be quite the adventure. I hope I don't drive the newbie forum bat-shit crazy. I will get it on monday, so we'll see how user friendly things will be.

It "should" work. I don't have the exact equiptment, so I cannot confirm, but it should work. Hopefully it is fairly painless and let us know how it goes! Good Luck!