)Finally after much investigation I decided to give the Korg NanoKontrol Studio (NKS) a try. I decided on this as it is relatively inexpensive compared to other potential solutions. I didnt want to spend a lot of money especially knowing that it might not work very well.
Initially I tried connecting it via a powered USB hub together with my iRig Pro Duo. However nothing worked so instead I decided to give Bluetooth a try although I wasn't expecting much.
Set the NKS into ProTools Mode
- Turn the NKS on while holding the Scene and Rewind buttons down
Connect via Bluetooth
- I tried to pair via the Bluetooth in the iPad settings app but in fact you have to do it in the Bluetooth MIDI settings within Auria
- Menu > Settings > MIDI > Bluetooth MIDI
- Connect to the NKS
- Select Receive Remote and Send Remote
- Select Mackie HUI
With those setting enabled you should have access to the following:
- Transport controls: Play, Record, Rewind. Forward, Go to start. The Jog dial doesn't really work unfortunately.
- The marker arrows move between any set Markers (although you cannot set them)
- For tracks: Faders, Pan, Solo, Mute and Rec arm (I'm not sure what Select should do but it doesn't seem to do anything)
All in all it's pretty good and not too expensive as a way of adding some hardware control for those, like me, that prefer a bit of tactile feel.
The only things missing for me based on what is available on the NKS:
- The ability to set Markers
- The ability to use the Jog wheel to scrub the audio
Hope others find this useful.
Cheers