IT's 2006 should I really buy a control24

[maddog]

Hi, I am thinking about buying a control 24 console for my new studio. the problem is that is it a wise move considering the control 24 is getting up there in age. I don't want to buy it and then in two years have to pay much $$$ and buy and icon or something. I really dont have the biggest budjet and I want to make the right choise of control surface. I would like to hear your wise oppinions. or options on other control surfaces out there. I was actually thinking of getting a dxb too.

[Eddie Kish]

If you can get a GREAT deal on it, I would consider it. If not, its the most problematic piece of gear Digi sells.... There are major issues with the power supply that they can not resolve. Its the second design of the power supply, and it has many revisions already.
Before you make any purchases check out the digi user forum and the Control 24 section.

good luck

[Fletcher]

The dXb looked pretty cool when I looked at it... it may very well be worthy of consideration if that's the way you're thinking of working.

[Dan]

I've had a couple PS issues with the C24, but I don't think it's the worst thing in the world. Digi has been great in terms of service. I really couldn't ask for more. When it was less than a year old, they had a replacement on my doorstep by day 2, and then a few years later, they waranteed a repair at a local shop. The C24 is a bit long in the tooth designwise, and I personally don't care for any analog part in that thing. It's servicable, but yeah don't go droppin 6-7k plus cabling on it. Plus a desk to fit that odd shape. There's just gotta be better solutions out there. Unfortunately, I don't know them, because I'm dancing with the horse that brought me. (hows that for a mixed metaphor?)

[dokushoka]

I would say "no, no and no." The MAIN problem, for me, with the Control24 is that the "scribble strips" are only 4 digits. This makes it pretty much useless for me, especially when paging through 80+ channel mixes. Faders don't do you much good when you don't know what they correspond to!

[Revelation]

The control 24 is a great controller for PT and it's so dang cheap these days. The thing is, if you need a controller now, you can't go wrong with the Control 24. It also will not be absolute any time soon. It has so many features on it, and the work flow is great. Yeah the 4 digit display is not that great, but if I see Lvoc, bass, Lgui I can figure out what track it is. I like the way it looks better than the ugly Icon with the green. The tilt on the Control 24 is very nice as well as the meters on top.

I tried the DXB, and it does feel cheaper. Plus it is a whole different feel. not like a traditional console, and more like the Star Ship Enterprise. Plus you have the UAD plug ins and touch screen... I just didn't like it.

[Mudnoc]

I would have to agree with the above poster.... For the price that I've been seen them listed for, it's a great deal.... I can't really see them as being obsolete unless the next versions of PT are just totally revamped.... To be honest, my Control 24 operates like a big mouse with faders.. I don't use the pre's or the monitor section but I couldn't be happier with the purchase....

[Eddie Kish]

Originally Posted by Dan

I've had a couple PS issues with the C24, but I don't think it's the worst thing in the world. Digi has been great in terms of service. I really couldn't ask for more. When it was less than a year old, they had a replacement on my doorstep by day 2, and then a few years later, they waranteed a repair at a local shop. The C24 is a bit long in the tooth designwise, and I personally don't care for any analog part in that thing. It's servicable, but yeah don't go droppin 6-7k plus cabling on it. Plus a desk to fit that odd shape. There's just gotta be better solutions out there. Unfortunately, I don't know them, because I'm dancing with the horse that brought me. (hows that for a mixed metaphor?)

Digi has to be great in terms of service.... the design is faulty. They CANT fix it. At one point they did tell me I was on my own.... then it broke again.... and they sent me another power supply. The ninety day warranty on the power supply turned in to a 4 year warranty on the power supply. So i guess thats a good thing..... but how many of these issues have you heard about on a pro control....

Just keep in mind that i will break, it will break again... and be prepared so you dont lose a session.

[huarez]

Pro : Great Audio workflow, fits perfect with ProToos, 16 Pre´s, lot´s of editing without the mouse, Monitor section, Great support(Overnight exchange)

Contra : Monitor section sounds mediocre, some are not reliable ( my second one runs without Problems now for 4 Years)

All in all I would get a new one when it would break. The Price compared to D-Comand and Icon is great.

[Revelation]

I wish they had a nice controller for Nuendo/Cubase that was in the price range of the Control 24. We are stuck with the Mackie controller and expander. It would not be so bad, but they sit next to each other and don't blend. It feels like the expander is a separate controller.

[RoundBadge]

I got a very clean C-24 from a NY post house for 4 g's..
not super cheap for just fader/pans/mutes..but it works real well
.. still for 24 faders and scribble strips/etc.. way cheaper then the D/command/icon world

[Gregg Sartiano]

Originally Posted by maddog

I was actually thinking of getting a dxb too.

The dxb is a heckuva box. I've put in LOTS of time on one, and I read the manual through and through.

The fader controls follow the HUI protocol with MIDI, and the HUI buttons come up on the touch screen. This is unlike the C24, which uses ethernet (?) and Digi's own protocol.

The mute & solo buttons on the dxb are bling-city...it really does look great.

All in all, though, the dxb is a much different beast than the C24. I mean, the one I was using was running 24 channels of AES in and out, 8 mic ins, 16 (or more?) line ins -- and the monitoring section could be switched between CD player (S/PDIF), Pro Tools 2-track (AES), and the master L/R (which had the lines as well as the PT channel outs). All this was with everything running digitally (except line-ins) and clocked to an Apogee Rosetta. So CD playbacks were an apples-to-apples comparison (except mastering) with mixes. As a digital audio "traffic director," the thing is so deep, it's ridiculous.

[londontown]

Originally Posted by maddog

Hi, I am thinking about buying a control 24 console for my new studio. the problem is that is it a wise move considering the control 24 is getting up there in age. I don't want to buy it and then in two years have to pay much $$$ and buy and icon or something. I really dont have the biggest budjet and I want to make the right choise of control surface. I would like to hear your wise oppinions. or options on other control surfaces out there. I was actually thinking of getting a dxb too.

In a word - don't. We sold ours as fast as we could. Utterly horrible, and the worst thing Digidesign ever built. They feel tacky for the $$$$.
The pres are meh, the faders so-so, and if the power supply - if you turn the thing on and off without turning off your monitors (eg. if there's a power cut and the UPS fails on that and the one with the monitors doesn't, as it did once with us), prepare for the loudest 'bang' in history through the monitor section (which is also pretty horrible). The D-Sub connectors are relatively flimsy, and the damn thing comes up so high at the back for the meters that you can't have a 23" screen above them really comfortably, imho, and I hate turning my head to look at the screen.

It sucks. Even getting Mackies plus the extenders, and then buying other pres is better.

Now the newer d-commands are a different story, but they aren't cheap. All just my opinion, but we couldn't get rid of the control 24 fast enough, and the d-command is now one of the best things we've got in the building, seriously awesome bit of kit. DO like the DXB though. Nice looking thing and well built to boot.

[whitepapagold]

NO NO NO! Wow, I didn't realize so many people had ridiculous problems as well. My favorite is with ours the volume pot JUMPS at about 40% rotation. It feels like its not BUT IT IS UNQUESTIONABLY stepped and I always want to set it between the volume jump which is of course NOT POSSIBLE ( since it is stepped). It is truly a piece of crap. Absolutely HORRIBLE layout as well. Some of the most usefull buttons may as well be in another room.... Im being nice , you should hear the owner talk about it- calls it "steering the pig"..... and little bits of firey hate spew from his eyes! Plus the pres- YUCK!

[planet red]

I'm selling one with an argosy 70 series desk..

I want it out of my way as I dont use it much. Its waay too tall and want my monitors and screen a little lower. I regret getting it and the resale value is crap. Probably get my friend to sell it on ebay within the month..

[syra]

WTF??? 4Gs and you complain??

Who cares about the pres...?? In an emergency situation they are good to have...

The faders are not the best but they are just fine...and 24 of them!

Also what makes C24 better than other controllers are the METERS!!!! I can't work on controllers w/o METERS!!!!!!! Thats KEY.

The volume knob jump is annoying but doesn't make or break the deal...you'll get used to it.

Master section is ok.

I'm on my second PS in 4 1/2 years...no prob...

Even if you were to buy a big knob or even an avocet and never use the pres, its still a good deal for the money.

And thats my 2 cents slutz...

[numrologst]

I worked on an hd3 rig with a control 24 for a few years, and all I have to say is that it was crap in my eyes.

As a pro tools controller it was fine, it did what it was supposed to do.

But 1) I did have to replace the PSU... 2) The focusrite pres are crap, and I did use them in a bind, and they still were crap in a bind. 3) The monitor controller section is crap. When the PSU died, I had to borrow a buddies behringer line mixer and use that as a monitor controller. It absolutely sounded better than the c24 monitor section, and to me that is crap. That being said, moving away from the c24 and protools was the best move I ever made.

I would avoid the c24 at all costs. There are better controllers out there.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by syra

Even if you were to buy a big knob or even an avocet and never use the pres, its still a good deal for the money.

Agreed.. the 24 faders and my Avocet..great combothumbsup

[Kenny Gioia]

Another vote to get a C24.

I love mine. I also had the power supply issue within the first few months and Digi had it at my place next day and I was up and running in 3 hours.

Never had that problem again.

It's not a perfect box, but for the price, there's really nothing better.

The monitor section should be bypassed for a Coleman, Avocet etc. No big deal. You're not going to get Crane Song quality from Digidesign anyway.

The Pre's are nice for utility pre's. Scratch Guitar or Vocal. Not for keepers. But handy for bigger sessions when you can't afford 16 Neves.

The scribble strip is too small but you'll get used to it. You have to learn to name the tracks in a way that you can recognize. Yesterday, I had to mix an 80 track mix (that I didn't track) and was lost until I renamed everything.

I use to have a 24 channel Pro Control which had the bigger scribble strips but because of that, the board was too big. I couldn't stay in the sweet spot and still ride 24 faders. With the C24 you can.

If you have $30,000 burning your pocket, by all means get the baby icon.

I still think the C24 is the best bang for buck piece out there for Pro Tools or any DAW for that matter.

Good Luck.

[Jan Folkson]

Since they've moved to a switching supply the problems have been solved.

Great amount of control for the $$. Considering the next move up would be to $30k, it's certainly worth looking at. I've got an Avocet as many other posters have mentioned which leaves the only real workflow issue the scribble strips which are only 4 characters. I got used to it in about 15 minutes, so I wouldn't consider that a deal breaker

[Eddie Kish]

Originally Posted by Jan Folkson

Since they've moved to a switching supply the problems have been solved.

Great amount of control for the $$. Considering the next move up would be to $30k, it's certainly worth looking at. I've got an Avocet as many other posters have mentioned which leaves the only real workflow issue the scribble strips which are only 4 characters. I got used to it in about 15 minutes, so I wouldn't consider that a deal breaker

The problems have not been solved.... They persist. It is only a matter of time before your power supply will blow again. IF the power supply issue was resolved, the only problems with the board are really the 4 character scribble strips ( you get used to it), the monitor section with the terrible volume knob, buttons that you actually could use placed no where near where you could use them, and the faders which arent stellar.

BUT the power supply issues are NOT resolved by any stretch of the imagination....

[Flymax]

i've been a c24 user since it came out..
everything hardware about it is total crap..seriously absolute crap..

the control of PT however is really incredible..so much for the money and there's a lot of things you can do with it PT-wise that most people dont even realize..

dont plug anything into it except power and etherenet..

[Berolzheimer]

I like the work flow a lot and as Flymax said, there are a lot of little features in there that most folks don't know about that are VERY handy when mixing. I agree that the monitor section is crap, I use a PVC instead. The mic pres are mediocre at best but sometimes it's nice to have a few extra channels of something even if they're not great.
I've been using one for around 4 years & have never had the PS problem.

[1destiny]

We hate ours but like you had a hard time coming up with an alternative at anywhere near the price point. For us it's basically a $6000 talk back (and that talk back has a noise floor of -48)... But on the upside clients sure do think it's pretty.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by 1destiny

But on the upside clients sure do think it's pretty.

It does almost look like a vintage broadcast console from across the room.

[The Spark]

#1 reason to get a Command 24?


Vegas mode!

[Berolzheimer]

Originally Posted by 1destiny

We hate ours but like you had a hard time coming up with an alternative at anywhere near the price point. For us it's basically a $6000 talk back (and that talk back has a noise floor of -48)... But on the upside clients sure do think it's pretty.

I've heard comments like this before and I've seen them sitting in control rooms barely touched and it always makes me think, you really haven't taken the time or effort to dig in & learn the thing. Once you do, it changes your work habits & flow for the better- mixing becomes faster & more intuitive, more feel & less thinking about computer / Protools stuf.

[dave-G]

While you could count me among those that dislike the C24, the bigger issue (IMO) is this:

Never buy a control surface 4 weeks before a major trade show.

-dave

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by dave-G

While you could count me among those that dislike the C24, the bigger issue (IMO) is this:

Never buy a control surface 4 weeks before a major trade show.

-dave

I don't know.

Do you really think that there is room for another product in between the C24 and the D-Command?

[Mark Warren]

What I don't like about the control 24 is that Digi has packaged a bunch of things together adding up to a bloated package at an inflated price and has decided for all of us that we need all this crap in one box.


Digi suffers from no-option-itis.

Quite simply, why isn't there a control 24 that has no pre's and no monitor section? It is so easy to do since they have all the parts to do it, and it is very easy to simply leave out the monitor section and the pre's, since a preamp doesn't have a damn thing to do with a flying fader.


The price of the C24 is absolutely ridiculous for someone looking for a controller for ProTools with 24 faders.

Even the Command 8 again has a friggin monitor section, and if you want a couple of those then you've got two monitor sections.


Anyone with an Avocet or a Dangerous ST can vouch for the fact that these smoke the Digi monitor section. In fact I'd like to see what kind of schematic powers the monitor section in the Command 8 and C24. I'd bet it hovers somewhere around the quality of a Mackie Big Knob, because there's no way to stuff all that crap in there and have a phenomenal monitor section too.

Looking elsewhere in the industry there is a massive void for this type of product. Tascam US2400 was a brilliant idea until it turned out the way they built it was utter crap from a quality control and implementation standpoint.

Either Digi or Mackie needs to come out with a controller designed to integrate tightly with ProTools that has 24 faders along with other controllers and no other add-on BS features. Forget about expansion packs and extra crap like monitor sections and lame pre-amps.

Digi aint gonna do it because they want you to buy into the even more overpriced icon type command systems.

SOMEONE BUILD THIS!!!

Okay my rant is done.