Noob Question

[Krisgirl990]

Hey so I'm new to recording and I have a quick question. I have the mbox2 and was wondering about using midi controllers. I currently have a casio ctk- 4000 keyboard and I wanted to use that (for now) as a midi controller. It connects as usb and installs fine on my computer. For some reason though it doesn't let me use it in pro tools 8. So my question is do all midi controllers have to be connected directly to the mbox to be used? And if so how do I go about using usb midi controllers? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chili]

Welcome to the site.

I don't know Protools, but most DAW's will allow you to use multiple midi controllers. (btw, not the case with audio interfaces). I think you should be able to record the midi data.

That brings up the question; what are you using to generate the audio in PT? If you've got midi coming into your computer, it needs something to make sound. Midi doesn't do that.

 

[Krisgirl990]

Yes I was actually using Reason 4 in slave mode with pro tools. Thats exactly where my problem occured it loaded up and said there was an error loading up the controllers. When reason isnt in slave mode and loaded up on its own it works perfectly with my keyboard. So Im kinda stumped =/. I think the problem is that the mbox wants the keyboard to be connected directly into the interface with a midi wire... but the keyboard only has a usb output. I really hope this makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Chili]

yeah, makes sense. I don't think it has to do with the mbox unless there's something else you haven't said yet. Sorry, but I know nothing about Reason and this sounds like an issue between PT and Reason.

Can you use a VSTi in PT to test your keyboard?? There's a free one at EMU.com called Proteus VX. Run that as a VSTi in PT and see if your keyboard works that way. Other than that, sorry, I wouldn't have an answer.

Good luck.

 

[philbagg]

USB Midi controllers don't have to be connected directly to the MBox.

It could be that you have to set it up within Pro Tools.

Go to Setup>Midi>Midi Studio (I think) and add a new device. Select your device from the drop-down menus and you're good to go. Then again, I don't even know if they'll have it listed. Have you installed the drivers for it?

 

[Krisgirl990]

Yes thanks I have actually done this. I added the hardware and installed it in the computer under device manager it comes up as "usb audio device" and not casio... so I dont know if thats bad =/. But anywho on pro tools thats how it shows up aswell. It also doesnt give me the option to use the keyboard in the i/o window. I have gone to midi studio in pro tools and picked through the list and all that aswell. This situation frustates me so...it feels like pro tools is hard work to just even set it up. If its not one problem its another =$.