Controller for Pro Tools

[Gibby]

Hi. I've been looking to get a controller for my HD rig. I will not be using it for monitoring or recording, so I dont really care about the quality of its monitoring system or preamps (if it has any). I just need fader and plugin parameter control that will integrate well with PT. Any suggestions?

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Gibby

Hi. I've been looking to get a controller for my HD rig. I will not be using it for monitoring or recording, so I dont really care about the quality of its monitoring system or preamps (if it has any). I just need fader and plugin parameter control that will integrate well with PT. Any suggestions?

How many faders? What price range?

If you want the best integration with PT, and you don't care about any other program, you want one of the digi controllers.

Starting with the command 8 (pretty much the control section of the 002), through the old Command 24, the new C24, old ProControl (possibly the best value for money/size pro solution?) and the new icon system.

Have a browse of the digidesign site and see what suits you.

If you do need control of other programs, you won't get as tight integration of PT control, since everything else 3rd party emulates the HUI interface, which isn't as developed as PT's proprietory control.

[Gibby]

Thanks for the reply. I'll be checking out the C24 on Monday. I think I'm gonna end up with either the C24 or Yamaha 02R96.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Gibby

Thanks for the reply. I'll be checking out the C24 on Monday. I think I'm gonna end up with either the C24 or Yamaha 02R96.

Well, that's 2 different products.

If you want a digital mixer (ie you actually want to use it as a mixer, with it's EQ and FX etc) then the 02R96 is one option. You won't be able to do more than level/mute/pan/solo control under Pt though - certainly won't do plugin automation.

If you DON'T want a digital mixer, the 02R96 is a waste of money - you're paying for features you don't want or need.

I'd first decide what you actually want to do, and then look at products that might do the job for you.

[Gibby]

Thanks for the advice. I definitely don't want a digital mixer, and I was under the impression that you could do plug-in control with the o2r! I guess I was wrong. I could just get a used pro control but i've had some bad experiences with it...

[LoudChris]

If you don't need it for monitoring, or pres I strongly suggest the Euphonix MC controllers. Doesn't take up a pile of space and has a higher build quality.

Euphonix :: MC Control


I use a control 24 and I really like it, but it really only works with Pro Tools. Someday for some odd reason you might want a controller for something else.

Also, it's a lot of money for something that has a lot of functions you will never use.

[barryjohns]

I just bought a Mint Used Pro Control and it is amazing. The Command 8 is the only entry-level viable option; none of the others are integrated at an acceptable level IMHO. The Control 24 has it's pro's and cons, I'd rather have a Mint Pro Control and 1 fader pack than a Control 24. Yes it's 8 less faders, but just a better piece I think.

Here is the one I bought, I highly recommend it.


http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...o-control.html

[scott petito]

I'm pretty fond of my Icon:)

cheers
SP

[e-are]

I have a Mackie Control i'm letting go if your interested. You can edit plugins well with that.

[Gibby]

The Euphonix looks like a winner. Exactly what I was looking for. No distributors here though!! It seems I can only get mackie, digi, and yamaha here in lebanon. Thanks for the offer e-are... it would be too much of a hassle due to location. Does anyone know of any issues or problems using the MC Mix/Control with pro tools HD?

[zboy2854]

Originally Posted by Gibby

The Euphonix looks like a winner. Exactly what I was looking for. No distributors here though!! It seems I can only get mackie, digi, and yamaha here in lebanon. Thanks for the offer e-are... it would be too much of a hassle due to location. Does anyone know of any issues or problems using the MC Mix/Control with pro tools HD?

Yeah, there have been reports of the unit dropping out and/or crashing in regular use with PTHD. Do a search in the new product forum for the thread where they talk about it.

[AnonJack]

Originally Posted by LoudChris

If you don't need it for monitoring, or pres I strongly suggest the Euphonix MC controllers. Doesn't take up a pile of space and has a higher build quality.

Euphonix :: MC Control


I use a control 24 and I really like it, but it really only works with Pro Tools. Someday for some odd reason you might want a controller for something else.

Also, it's a lot of money for something that has a lot of functions you will never use.

How's the compatibility with PT so far Chris? I was going to look into one of these. How long have you been using it with your PT rig?

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by AnonJack

How's the compatibility with PT so far Chris? I was going to look into one of these. How long have you been using it with your PT rig?

er - isn't he using a control 24?!

[Geert van den Berg]

Originally Posted by Gibby

Hi. I've been looking to get a controller for my HD rig. I will not be using it for monitoring or recording, so I dont really care about the quality of its monitoring system or preamps (if it has any). I just need fader and plugin parameter control that will integrate well with PT. Any suggestions?

You've got a couple of options.

The best, because of better integration, but also most expensive option would be a controller from Digidesign, offcourse they also have the smaller command 8, but that is not expandable with more faders. So that leaves the C|24 or one of the older controllers like Pro Control or Control 24, which aren't bad at all (I'd choose a ProC with an extender over a Control 24.)

Other options would either be a Mackie Control or the newer Euphonic MC mix/control. Which offer only HUI compatibility with PT. This limits the plugin control a bit. However for this you could expand the system with the new Novation Nocturn and have very nice plugin control. Downside of the Nocturn is that it limits session compatibility between studios a bit. The other studios you send 'PT sessions with plugins inserted' would also need to 'wrap' their plugins with the Novation software in order for the plugins to be active.

[AnonJack]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

er - isn't he using a control 24?!

oops!

[gundam]

Originally Posted by Geert van den Berg

Downside of the Nocturn is that it limits session compatibility between studios a bit. The other studios you send 'PT sessions with plugins inserted' would also need to 'wrap' their plugins with the Novation software in order for the plugins to be active.

So if the other client / studio doesn't have Automap installed, do the plugins appear as greyed-out inactive on the inserts? Or, do you get blank insert slots?

I'm asking because if the former is true, then it's just a matter of doing the usual plugin preset save on the session folder so that the other client could reload the plugin and your tweaks.

[allencollins]

This is best controller I've used. Only $25 too.

[eskay]

Originally Posted by allencollins

This is best controller I've used. Only $25 too.

Who makes this!!!!

Looks hot!!!!

[jeremynothman]

the old control 24 is pretty clunky IMO

It's not been made in a very ergonomic way, and it has quite a lot of functionality that you don't need (16 pres etc) - adding plugins in it is a bitch (you have to cycle through ALL of them - they don't run in categories).
Also, the faders and pots have poor resolution (not sure why - the MCU and ICON just spit out higher resolution information some how?)

The ICON, by comparison is nice, but very expensive

I'd think that the Mackie Control Universal, Mackie HUI, Euphonix, O2R96 and (i think there's a) Tascam should all be roughly the same (except that the Tascam and O2R are digital mixer/interfaces as well) - they use the HUI protocol.

The euphonix is little different in that it doesn't have the scrub wheel and transport on the basic fader set (you can get either a transport and 4 faders, or 8 faders - but it is modular - put together what you want)
As best i know, they should all give you (internal) plugin control, but i don't know whether assigning plugins is any easier than the Control24.

[Geert van den Berg]

Originally Posted by gundam

So if the other client / studio doesn't have Automap installed, do the plugins appear as greyed-out inactive on the inserts? Or, do you get blank insert slots?

I'm asking because if the former is true, then it's just a matter of doing the usual plugin preset save on the session folder so that the other client could reload the plugin and your tweaks.

I cannot give a 100% answer on your question. I don't have a Nocturn myself, but I have been inquiring information from Novation because I was interested in it.

My understanding is that the plugs will be greyed out on the insert when PT does not find the wrapped plugins, just as if it can't find a regular plugin. Also, I've been told the automap software can be installed on another computer without a Nocturn attached.

So you could make a sortof Automap package which you take with you if you go to another room.

[Roc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by jeremynothman

The euphonix is little different in that it doesn't have the scrub wheel and transport on the basic fader set (you can get either a transport and 4 faders, or 8 faders - but it is modular - put together what you want)
As best i know, they should all give you (internal) plugin control, but i don't know whether assigning plugins is any easier than the Control24.

Its actually extremely simple to assign internal and external plugs, automate, and control plug in parameters via the MC Control surface. It's like one button operation and your there. Any plug you select will pop up on the screen. Since we've replaced our Mackie Control with an MC Control, we've found using this controller is a BREEZE when compared. Its also pretty simply with the MC Mix and its OLED screen.