My old keyboard of many years was going out, so I figured I key a keyboard controller to replace it. Thus my following questions. I've provide a lot but I wanted to make sure I provide info on what I've done and what issue and successes I've had.
I've did a fair amount of research and most keyboards, it seems are going to require some tweaking to get them to work.
So I went for the Akai MPK261.
My first question is, Is there a good document on ACT. I've read all the online help and I still am a little puzzled with the use of it. Under the Controller/Surface I've tried
"ACT Midi Controller" with Input and Output of MPK261
"Cakewalk Generic Surface" with the same input and Output of MPK261
None of the help documents I've read really explain the tabs in Controllers and Options(in ACT Midi Controller and All the combinations of parameters on the Generic. It's like, here you go, figure it out and spend days and days playing with every what combination and see if you can figure it out. What are "Banks" are they the same as Groups of faders/Pan/buttons or is it really more. And if so what really is the difference between them all.
I get it. I've read so many help pages, forum posts, Craig Anderton documents in SOS, videos. I'm Still puzzled on a lot of things.
One of the things I noticed is that I do NOT see the AKAI MPK261 listed as a Controller/Surface in the settings menu. There was no driver provided by Akai and I have a question into them on this. But I don't think if you are using ACT that it matters. Both Studio One of Ableton Live show MPK261 as a Controller Surface.
What I have been able to accomplish, so that you know that I'm figuring some of this out is this.
Using the "ACT Midi Controller" as a Starting point
What's working
I have my keys transmitting midi to my songs.
I have channels 1-8 Faders and Pan (except for channel 5 pan) working. I’m not convinced it remembers those assignments yet ( and yes I have saved).
I can see the WAI colors on the channels and tracks.
I got the pads and keys to work with AD2.
What is isn't working
The Akai has 3 buttons called Banks A,B,C. When you have a fader or pan selected and you go to Bank A, it is Fader/Pan 01, B Fader/Pan 09, C Fader/Pan 17. But I have not been able to get this to sync with Cakewalk. In each I have
Type = MIDI CC
MIDI channel is A1-16 B1-16. I have set fader 1/pan 1 to A1, Fader 2/2 A1 and so on.
I have tried not doing anything for 09 and above. I have also tried setting 09-16 to A9-A16 and that didn't work either.
However, if I drag the WAI indicators to different channels they work. I just can't do it from the MPK261.
I downloaded Presonus One Prime and make 18 tracks. When I use the Banks A-C all to faders move accordingly. (Pans don’t work at all. What?)
Channel 5 pan (fader works fine). This is so odd. Why that channel?
Ableton Live Lite comes with the AKAI and the channel 5 pan works with no problem. So it's not hardware.
When I drag the WAI indicators to different locations, channel 5 still doesn't work.
I've verified that the exact same parameters are set for this channel as any other pan setting.
Using the "Cakewalk Generic Surface" I haven't had much luck at all. But I'm really confused on how to configure that.
I'm making progress but I'm still not there. Any Help would be appreciated.