wylde

Thanks , agreed I am finding Cakewalk as a beginner really good and comparing to Ableton interface it is much more inviting. I was not looking for full out of the box satisfaction in Cakewalk with Launchkey but was hoping that at least the transport buttons worked. Believe me I spent some time trying to get it hooked up via all kinds of dead ends Mackie HUI etc and searches online to answer the simple question to get the transport controls working even contacting Novation support - which to their credit did respond. Finally I found out about ACT "Configuring the ACT MIDI Controller Plug-in" I did manage to get the transport controls working and will be going through the rest of the missing bits - I am just starting out on DAW so although this may be a simple process for experienced users hooking midi components - I had no idea on how to get started but now I know its not a problem. I found this video for all those in the same situation. In fact on the positive side thanks to "ACT" I have learnt a lot and can apply it to controlling VST plugin as well. I basically setup Launchkey49 mk3 like this but the same would probably work for other controllers 1. preferences>control surfaces +add new controller chose Cakewalk generic surface. Apply 2. Utilities> chose the Generic controller I just made, then chose AKAI mpk 49 as preset(it seemed like the best option), then renamed and saved the preset to Luanchkey49 so I could find it again. Then started adding the functions by selecting parameter and using Learn button on right. Saving as I went through. It functionality works and holds after shutting down and auto links on startup of Cakewalk.

I am working on the launckey 49 mk3 via ACT, thanks to this video I was able to start making the transport function... I will be be progressing through the other commands.

Start with this video - you want to start looking at ACT and assigning the midi signals their function. I have the launchkey 49mk3 and had no transport controls etc... this put me in the right direction.

Someone was asking about compatible keyboards for Cakewalk ...... I have the 49 key Launchkey MK3 version - after lots of hesitation almost buying the impulse - lots of flashing lights unfortunately the transport controls do not work in cakewalk - after contact with novation to see if I could do some type of mapping / patch, I recieved this reply - "There are programs other than Ableton Live that you can use the Launchkey with, and control HUI functions, such as transport, and mixer controls. However, they utilize a pre-established protocol, called Mackie HUI. At this time, Cakewalk does not support Mackie HUI protocol, and you wont be able to control transport functions in Cakewalk." I am new to Cakewalk and have not been able to get transport up and running on the mk3. Cakewalk for me is a little more pleasing for starting out with no track limits (ableton has 4 in Lite mode) and the standard VST instruments and TH3 guitar amp stuff which I use a lot and like. If Cakewalk was able to support this mk3 launckey keyboard family without a major deep dive headache it would be a slam dunk you would probably get a lot more cakewalk users. If you have any tips to get this up and running that would be much appreciated. Overall the launchkey mk3 is OK - key quality fair, no aftertouch, drumpads have been reliable, for Cakewalk is about 60% effective. I have just downloaded the latest release of cakewalk 21-09 beta.... Working - keys, drumpads, built in arp pushes through midi signal(including arp control), fixed chord system, scale and some twist knobs in certain vsts, sliders . (all this worked on prev version) Not working - slider pots, mute solo, transport keys, arm select, faders,device select etc.... The crazy thing is all dials and buttons/pitch/modulation /drumpads/ transport all show a signal in the midi chanel - all except + and - octave buttons. So in theory this should be able to be mapped and assigned???

Ok so I have the 49 key Launchkey MK3 version - after lots of hesitation almost buying the impulse - lots of flashing lights unfortunately the transport controls do not work in cakewalk - after contact with novation to see if I could do some type of mapping / patch, I recieved this reply - "There are programs other than Ableton Live that you can use the Launchkey with, and control HUI functions, such as transport, and mixer controls. However, they utilize a pre-established protocol, called Mackie HUI. At this time, Cakewalk does not support Mackie HUI protocol, and you wont be able to control transport functions in Cakewalk." I am kind of new to Cakewalk and have not been able to get transport up and running on the mk3. Cakewalk for me is a little more pleasing for starting out with no track limits (ableton has 4 in Lite mode) and the standard VST instruments and TH3 guitar amp stuff which I use a lot and like. If Cakewalk was able to support this mk3 launckey keyboard family without a major deep dive headache it would be a slam dunk you would probably get a lot more cakewalk users. If you have any tips to get this up and running that would be much appreciated.