DAW Control Surfaces

[nobby]

I'm starting a few threads to elicit information regarding the eventual upgrading of my home project studio.

I originally thought that a Tascam US2400 (http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-2400.html) would be ideal, since I'd really like something economical that has 25 faders, which to me is a more intuitive way to work than switching fader banks.

However, it has been discontinued and there have been issues as well.

http://tascamforums.com/index.php?showforum=20

Feel free to discuss any DAW control surface you like, but I'll be paying special attention to more economical units since money doesn't flow into my studio, it goes the other way :Thumbsup:

[FajitaTone]

I know banking sux, but I use a HUI at work all day, and though old, it still rocks. I also have a Command-8 at home, and it's great for adjusting plug-in parameters, and fader moves. I have also used DM1000's and O2R-96's to control PT faders, and they also work great. I rarely use the mouse for mixing. I actually bring my command 8 with me to places that don't have a surface. Once you mix with a control surface, you will find it hard to do without.

[nobby]

Once you mix with a control surface, you will find it hard to do without.

Yeah, I know. I've been using a Yamaha 4416 for years. You have to bank between input faders, output faders, and aux sends. I can't really fathom going to 9 faders from 17. Portability isn't really an issue. I want to go to a pc based platform, probably cubase or sonar.

I know banking sux, but I use a HUI at work all day, and though old, it still rocks.

The new version is the MCU (http://www.mackie.com/products/mcu/). What really rocks is the expansion packs, $700 for 8 channels :Thumbsup: Also 100mm faders as opposed to 60mm.

I would really like it if Yamaha made something like the US2400, but I don't think that will happen. That's not the direction they're going in.

[Pimp-X]

I love my US2400.

[Skwaidu]

I love my US2400.

And I love my D-Command. :Razz:



...But I actually really do. Every time i use it I don't mind paying for it, though everytime i pay for it I kick myself for wanting to use it... :lol:

[Barish]

We have a Command 8 here as well and we quite like it.

We also recently acquired for peanuts a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 with all the VCAs installed, controlled via a MIDI controlled hardware unit. It's not a moving fader desk or anything, but nevertheless its channel faders and mutes are automated.

It's normally controlled via a simple utility which only works under Windows 3.11, which is pretty primitive but in the documentation we have the MIDI instruction protocol for controlling the hardware automation controller, so I'll look into writing a CAL script for Sonar (and possibly a mini script for PT too if I can) so that we can control the desk straight from the workstation. Just for fun.

I also need to see how good the VCAs are in terms of sound and resolution.

B.

[mandor]

I could never find anything that:

A) Had all the features that I wanted.

and

B) Was in my price range.

I did toy with the idea of building my own:

http://www.ucapps.de/gallery_midibox64.html

Over at the...um...other place, Gasman hinted that he might try and build one of these beasties, but I never heard anything back. They look a bit out of my league from a technical perspective.

Hey Barish, what would you charge me to build one of these?

;)

[seagate]

I'm really happy with my B*hringer BCF2000.
I don't switch banks as such as I just use my Wacom pen to quickly select whatever channel I need...

[Flipper]

I run the Radikal Sac....

Never had any problems, and i run it via midi.
They aren't cheap (out in Oz anyway) and they also have expansion kits.

They are built like a freakin tank as well.Evil!

Flip

[Barish]

Hey Barish, what would you charge me to build one of these?

;)


Shall we say... a bottle of nice Sacramento wine a day? How does that sound?

Hehehe...

B.