Best controler for PT-LE?

Earwitness · 27th November 2005, 08:05 AM

I've been mixing with the mouse for years now Digi 002r and PT-LE. Other cats who mix in PT have said that I would be able to work faster if I had a control surface. Anyway, Command-8 looks ok but I have also thought about getting a board that can be a controler and I could maybe mix through and the effects might even be useable. Anyway, a mid priced digital board that might be a controler for PT and maybe usefull enought to rought some of my outboard gear, distressors, avalon, t.c. electronics to be able to mix with it all.
the new Tascam DM-3200? Maybe a Yamaha or Mackie digital board?
Any thoughts would be great, what are you guys useing?
sweet
sam

soundeslutz · 27th November 2005, 09:03 AM

<img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/M24-large.jpg">

by mixed logic, $2800

+

<img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/PTKeyboard-large.jpg">

PTK , $250

=streamlined

3rd world order · 27th November 2005, 09:04 AM

sac-2k works OK in HUI emulation mode.. but trying to get service out of those mofos is like pulling teeth. i wouldn't get a controller to run audio thru.. the signal paths are too cheap.

I think my solution for mixing OTB is probably gonna be an apogee DA-16 (8 for LE, 8 for S6000), a folcrom, and some hot-rodded neve modules... then save up for a Cranesong Spider. The Nicerizer looks cool too.

it could be your best option is swapping the 002r for an 002... kinda depnds on how much coin u wanna drop and how good you want things to sound.

3rd world order · 27th November 2005, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundeslutz

PTK , $250=streamlined

there's a guy selling PVC stickers for protools keycaps on ebay now... they're supposed to be good for 3 years. $17, free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Tools-LE-or-...temZ5833537689

**Geert van den Berg** · 27th November 2005, 02:34 PM

Which controller depends a bit on your budget.

If you can afford a used Pro Control or Control24 I would go with that since those communicate the best with PT and can be connected thru ethernet.

On the cheap I've used the Mackie Control, but I advise against that unit, because the faders break down a lot. We have several in our tracking rooms and they all have the same problems. Furthermore the small pan-pots aren't very usuable and there is no flip mode for getting your sends on the faders. Also if you use an extender there is no way of getting the sends on that too. And it's connected via MIDI. PT doesn't support 3rd party controllers via ethernet, but you'll need a to connect the Mackie thru a MIDI interface, which is an extra step. IMHO it doesn't react very fluently.

I haven't used the Tascam US-2400 but it looks quite promising to me. http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-2400.html

24 faders. It does support flipping of the sends to the faders. The pan-pots look allright, but I am not sure about that. It connect in HUI mode via MIDI but you connect it to your computer via USB, so there's no seperate MIDI i/o in between.

I also think the Command 8 is quite allright if you are really set on using it with PT. It can work with other apps too via MIDI, but you'll have to make setups yourself then. I thought the faders are comparable to the ones on the Control24, which aren't great, but feel allright. And the pan-pots are allright. But then you would be limited to 8 faders.

I am not sure how the new M-audio controller/interface compares to the Comand 8. Command 8 still seems a bit more PT friendly as I gather from the M-audio website.

The JLcooper 3800 is great too, but it's very expensive. The build quality is great but since it's connected via MIDI and HUI (every controller besides Digi controllers) I think it's a bit too expensive. And if you want pans above your fader you need to expand.

The SAC-2 controller is okay but I didn't really like the pan-pots. Further it's also quite expensive.

Why does almost every manufacturer have to put such small flimsy pots on these things? The Digi ones are allright, but could be better (and not to mention those clicking pots in the earlier ProCon at the plugin parameter section, what the hell were they thinking?) I read an article a while ago about an pot which was rotation was unlimited, but could also have a centre detent, that would be ultimate. Pity I can't find the article anymore.

smarsland · 28th November 2005, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geert van den Berg

On the cheap I've used the Mackie Control, but I advise against that unit, because the faders break down a lot. We have several in our tracking rooms and they all have the same problems.

Question: What happens to the faders? I am having a problem with channel 6 on mine right now where it does not make it up to the top on startup (actually only about 1/3 way up) and it is always behind the other faders.

Is this what you mean?

I'm hoping stupid Mackie will fix this issue.

s

Bishbashbosh · 28th November 2005, 11:41 PM

ProControl doesn't work with LE unfortunately.

If it were me, I'd probably stick with the digi interfaces if you're using PT. Command 8 is a great bit of kit, but if you need a bigger solution Control24's are going really cheap used at the moment. (guess everybody's buying D-Command).

Depends on your budget......

**Geert van den Berg** · 28th November 2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarsland

Question: What happens to the faders? I am having a problem with channel 6 on mine right now where it does not make it up to the top on startup (actually only about 1/3 way up) and it is always behind the other faders.

Is this what you mean?

I'm hoping stupid Mackie will fix this issue.

s

Yes that's exactly what I mean!

And sometimes it's start knocking to the top position making an annoying sound, reset solves that, but the fader still lags.

**Geert van den Berg** · 29th November 2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishbashbosh

ProControl doesn't work with LE unfortunately.

If it were me, I'd probably stick with the digi interfaces if you're using PT. Command 8 is a great bit of kit, but if you need a bigger solution Control24's are going really cheap used at the moment. (guess everybody's buying D-Command).

Depends on your budget......

I think one of my former colleques tried the Pro Control with PT LE, or maybe he was just planning to try it.

In my PT LE install there is a controller file for the Pro Control, why would that install if it wouldn't work?

I think I also read somewhere that it wasn't supported, but it could work, why would Digi limit its sales? Have you tried it and then it didn't work?

Bishbashbosh · 29th November 2005, 11:17 AM

No I haven't tried it..... but from Digi's compatibility pages:

**Geert van den Berg** · 29th November 2005, 08:06 PM

I guess the Pro Control won't work then, also not a good choice if it worked, because it's not supported. Anyone care to try? I am still curious...

Then IMHO as best choice for PT remains the Control 24.

groovuru · 29th November 2005, 09:52 PM

The Tascam FW1884 would work perfectly well as a basic controller to your Pro Tools (over firewire in its Hui emu mode) and you could hook up the adat out to your digi 002 and use the tascam's 8 pre's etc, they are going quite cheap at the moment if your not looking to spend much

nek · 29th November 2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundeslutz

<img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/M24-large.jpg">

by mixed logic, $2800

+

<img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/PTKeyboard-large.jpg">

PTK , $250

=streamlined

^-----this setup looks very nice.

Another vote for the Mixed Logic board.

Mixed Logic Website

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27th November 2005, 08:05 AM	#1
Earwitness Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 178	Best controler for PT-LE? I've been mixing with the mouse for years now Digi 002r and PT-LE. Other cats who mix in PT have said that I would be able to work faster if I had a control surface. Anyway, Command-8 looks ok but I have also thought about getting a board that can be a controler and I could maybe mix through and the effects might even be useable. Anyway, a mid priced digital board that might be a controler for PT and maybe usefull enought to rought some of my outboard gear, distressors, avalon, t.c. electronics to be able to mix with it all. the new Tascam DM-3200? Maybe a Yamaha or Mackie digital board? Any thoughts would be great, what are you guys useing? sweet sam

27th November 2005, 09:03 AM	#2
soundeslutz Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: austin texas Posts: 52	<img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/M24-large.jpg"> by mixed logic, $2800 + <img src="http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/PTKeyboard-large.jpg"> PTK , $250 =streamlined __________________ "Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence." -Robert Fripp

27th November 2005, 09:04 AM	#3
3rd world order Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ann arbor, michigan Posts: 1,948	sac-2k works OK in HUI emulation mode.. but trying to get service out of those mofos is like pulling teeth. i wouldn't get a controller to run audio thru.. the signal paths are too cheap. I think my solution for mixing OTB is probably gonna be an apogee DA-16 (8 for LE, 8 for S6000), a folcrom, and some hot-rodded neve modules... then save up for a Cranesong Spider. The Nicerizer looks cool too. it could be your best option is swapping the 002r for an 002... kinda depnds on how much coin u wanna drop and how good you want things to sound. __________________ 3WO - Mixing Without Tears "Tape is a mangler.." -- Slipperman // "The idea of the perfect album is this amorphous thing we're always aiming at. For us, it can mean something full of imperfection. Part of our aim has always been to destroy the sound in a beautiful way. It doesn't mean we expect everyone would like it. I'm not sure we will ever get there... but the whole point of making music is at least to aim at your own idea of perfection." -- Boards of Canada

29th November 2005, 11:17 AM	#10
Bishbashbosh Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 551	No I haven't tried it..... but from Digi's compatibility pages: Attached Thumbnails

27th November 2005, 02:34 PM	#5
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,579	Which controller depends a bit on your budget. If you can afford a used Pro Control or Control24 I would go with that since those communicate the best with PT and can be connected thru ethernet. On the cheap I've used the Mackie Control, but I advise against that unit, because the faders break down a lot. We have several in our tracking rooms and they all have the same problems. Furthermore the small pan-pots aren't very usuable and there is no flip mode for getting your sends on the faders. Also if you use an extender there is no way of getting the sends on that too. And it's connected via MIDI. PT doesn't support 3rd party controllers via ethernet, but you'll need a to connect the Mackie thru a MIDI interface, which is an extra step. IMHO it doesn't react very fluently. I haven't used the Tascam US-2400 but it looks quite promising to me. http://www.tascam.com/Products/US-2400.html 24 faders. It does support flipping of the sends to the faders. The pan-pots look allright, but I am not sure about that. It connect in HUI mode via MIDI but you connect it to your computer via USB, so there's no seperate MIDI i/o in between. I also think the Command 8 is quite allright if you are really set on using it with PT. It can work with other apps too via MIDI, but you'll have to make setups yourself then. I thought the faders are comparable to the ones on the Control24, which aren't great, but feel allright. And the pan-pots are allright. But then you would be limited to 8 faders. I am not sure how the new M-audio controller/interface compares to the Comand 8. Command 8 still seems a bit more PT friendly as I gather from the M-audio website. The JLcooper 3800 is great too, but it's very expensive. The build quality is great but since it's connected via MIDI and HUI (every controller besides Digi controllers) I think it's a bit too expensive. And if you want pans above your fader you need to expand. The SAC-2 controller is okay but I didn't really like the pan-pots. Further it's also quite expensive. Why does almost every manufacturer have to put such small flimsy pots on these things? The Digi ones are allright, but could be better (and not to mention those clicking pots in the earlier ProCon at the plugin parameter section, what the hell were they thinking?) I read an article a while ago about an pot which was rotation was unlimited, but could also have a centre detent, that would be ultimate. Pity I can't find the article anymore.

28th November 2005, 11:41 PM	#7
Bishbashbosh Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 551	ProControl doesn't work with LE unfortunately. If it were me, I'd probably stick with the digi interfaces if you're using PT. Command 8 is a great bit of kit, but if you need a bigger solution Control24's are going really cheap used at the moment. (guess everybody's buying D-Command). Depends on your budget......

29th November 2005, 08:06 PM	#11
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,579	I guess the Pro Control won't work then, also not a good choice if it worked, because it's not supported. Anyone care to try? I am still curious... Then IMHO as best choice for PT remains the Control 24.

29th November 2005, 09:52 PM	#12
groovuru Gear interested Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Glasgow UK Posts: 6	controller The Tascam FW1884 would work perfectly well as a basic controller to your Pro Tools (over firewire in its Hui emu mode) and you could hook up the adat out to your digi 002 and use the tascam's 8 pre's etc, they are going quite cheap at the moment if your not looking to spend much

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