Most MIDI controllers are compatible with the ProTools platform.
Using an external MIDI controller to record MIDI data in Avid's Pro Tools digital audio workstation (DAW) application requires that your MIDI controller is installed and set up properly on your computer system. The procedure will vary depending on the MIDI controller and operating system in question. Once installed, the procedure for recording using a MIDI controller in Pro Tools begins by creating a MIDI track. The user then establishes a MIDI I/O port and loads a Pro Tools-compatible software synthesizer.
Instructions
1. Ensure that your MIDI controller is properly set up for your computer system. The procedure for this varies between the Windows and OS X platforms. Consult chapter 10 of the "Pro Tools Reference Guide" and your MIDI controller's documentation for detailed instructions.
2. Turn on your MIDI controller and any other external audio devices, such as an audio interface or MIDI hub.
3. Open Pro Tools. Once it loads, open the "Setup" menu and choose "Input Devices" from the "MIDI" sub-menu. The "MIDI Input Enable" dialogue will appear listing all available MIDI I/O ports associated with the connected MIDI controllers. Click the boxes next to the ports through which you want to route MIDI data. In some cases, the name of the device itself will be listed, but in most cases, only the ports will be listed. If you are not sure which to choose, click on the box next to "MIDI I/O, Port 1." Click "OK."
4. Create a new MIDI track. Open the "Track" menu and choose "New." The track-creation dialogue will appear. In the "Create" field, enter "1." Choose a track format (stereo or mono) from the first drop-down menu on the left. Choose "MIDI Track" from the second drop-down menu. Click "Create." Pro Tools will create a new, empty MIDI track.
5. Open the "View" menu and choose "Instruments" from the "Edit Window" sub-menu. The new MIDI track's configuration dialogue will appear.
6. Click on the first grey box below "Inputs A-E" in the configuration dialogue. A menu listing the available software synthesizers on your computer will appear. Click on the name of the synthesizer you want to load on the track. The synthesizer will load and its interface will appear.
7. Click on the second grey box below "I/O" in the track's configuration dialogue. Choose "MIDI/01 Prt01" from the pop-up menu.
8. Click on the MIDI track's "Record Enable" button. The button looks like a smaller version of the "Record" button in the transport bar.
9. Click on the "Wait for Note" button in Pro Tools's transport bar. To access the transport bar, open the "View" menu and choose "MIDI Controls" from the "Transport" sub-menu. With this button engaged, Pro Tools will not begin recording until a key or other controller mechanism is pressed on the MIDI controller.
10. Begin playing your MIDI controller. Because "Wait for Note" is engaged, Pro Tools will automatically begin recording as soon as you begin to play.
