Great thank you! I do not own a midi keyboard yet, so I did want to buy one actually. I think I will try it and see how it is. Why don't people like using midi controllers with acid pro even if it will work, is it because it does not have as many features as as other DAWs for using a midi, or is it somthing else?

AJF, it does have the features but they are scattered at the moment. Per my discussion with Magix, they are collecting suggestions to better the DAW. I have never used Acid for MIDI as it is still very weak in that area but Acid's audio/loop handling is unmatched despite the fact that there are a lot of bugs still which Magix is looking into. So, if you want, you can try now hooking up a midi controller and see if it helps your workflow. I make all my Midi music in FL studio or Studio one and then import the sounds in Acid as loops to make music very quickly. Unless you have another DAW, I would personally hold off of buying any controllers as it is a little complicated as of now.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I am very new at this. If I purchase the new arturia keystep 37, can I plug it straight into an Acid Pro midi track and play the midi notes that way? Will acid pro 10 support it? Thank you!

It should work but my question is is the Keystep the best option for you. Yes it will play notes but I'd say the Keystep is really designed for sequencing and arpeggiation and control of hardware synths. It's very good - I have the Keystep 32 and yes I use it to play software synths but unless you're really after the sequencing and arpeggiation there might be better options for use in a DAW, something with more assignable controls.

Yes I had thought of that. Would the Nektar Impact 49 or Alesis V 49 be the better option? The sequencing and arpeggiation of the Keystep do look very cool as well, but I also want it for playing notes and chords in a more conventional manner directly into acid pro. I am still quite new to this and trying to figure out exactly what I want to do, I am a guitar player but have done keyboard playing and some studio recording with various bands in the past.

Would the Nektar Impact 49 or Alesis V 49 be the better option? The sequencing and arpeggiation of the Keystep do look very cool as well, but I also want it for playing notes and chords in a more conventional manner directly into acid pro.

The Keystep is fine for playing notes and chords. The sequencing and arpeggiation can be good fun. Standard midi controllers also provide transport controllers (stop/play/record), can have faders which work with the mixer section as well as software synths and knobs which control parameters in the synths. Some have pads for creating drum tracks. Some have arpeggiators. Many will provide integration for major DAWs although I don't think Acid gets support in this way. The Nektar has plenty of knobs and sliders. There is however an argument that if you're starting out something simpler might be more appropriate. I think the Keystep 37 has four knobs which can be used to control things (there are none on my Keystep).

I can't give a definitive answer of what to get. The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 has an arp and something called chord mode and has more knobs. It's clearly built with Abelton in mind but will be fine in other DAWs. Then there is also the standard Launchkey with more functionality and options for more keys.

Thank you that was very helpful! The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 looks pretty dope actually and more of what I am looking for I think. But just to make sure I understand correctly, if I purchase the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 I will be able to use it with Acid Pro and record midi tracks with it using the controls/knobs on the midi kontroller, is that correct? If so, I think I am sold on that one and will purchase it.

The two questions to ask are will 25 keys be enough and how well does Midi learn work in Acid. Midi learn allows you to quickly assign control functions such as controlling parameters in synths or other functions in Acid to knobs on the controller keyboard.

Honestly I think I would like more keys, but I could get by with 25 since I like the other features the Mini MK3 offers and would be willing to sacrifice. I just dont really like the lights on the pads tho. But in terms of midi learn, I am just not sure, perhaps someone here knows and has tried it out already? Any help would be appreciated.

FYI, AJF, I just picked up the Arturia MiniLab MK2. It's more or less plug'n'play in Acid Pro 10, although the pads and knobs don't always have predictable results. I imagine you should be able to plug in the device of your choice and be able to work with it, once you've put some time configuring it.

Awesome, thank you for the update! Still trying to decide between more keys, less features or more less keys, more features (because of my budget). But thats a relief to know it will work for the most part. Thanks!

Awesome, thank you for the update! Still trying to decide between more keys, less features or more less keys, more features (because of my budget). But thats a relief to know it will work for the most part. Thanks!

I hear you, there are a lot of choices. When it comes to keys vs anything else, ultimately I think that'll be determined by how much "playing" you'll be doing vs MIDI manipulation. If you're a trained pianist/organist/keyboardist, you might have a better workflow working on a fuller keyboard. If you're just a key-tickler, choosing a MIDI controller with more/alternative controls and features might be the way to go until you can afford to get one of those monster controllers. Also consider, a LOT of producers use multiple MIDI controllers, each for a specific function in their production workflow, so you're not necessarily locked into your initial choice for life, and as your knowledge and skills grow you might find yourself looking at other products to improve your workflow.

Thanks! Yes that makes a lot of sense. I am not trained or anything, but I can play the keyboard basically well, but I really want to do sound manipulation as well. So I am actually leaning toward the Arturia Keystep 37 again, as it has a few more keys than a 32, which will allow me to play some if I want to, but also cool features. We will see how it works. On a different subject, do you happen to know if the Analogue Modelling Suite package "AM|MUNITION, AM|PULSE, AM|TRACK and AM|PHIBIA" is supposed to come with Acid Pro 10? I had them when I first downloaded the program. But the EQ plug ins were not working, so the Magix people told me to uninstall/reinstall the program, which I did, and now the EQ plugins work but all the Analogue Modelling Suite ones are gone, and they were really good! I tried to uninstall/reinstall again but same thing, EQ ones work but no AM. Not sure if you know but just thought I'd ask. Thanks!