Control 24 vs CM Labs Motor Mate

[AMIEL]

hI!
I have the possibility to get a Control 24 with an Argosy desk for a awesome deal l!
But I am debating between this an the CM Labs Motor Mate with a couple of Motor mix (24 faders)...The build quality and some feautures of the CM labs system are very cool...Yes I used the Control 24 but not too much to know how deep are the editing feutures.

any comments about the Control 24? any problems?
what is your suggestion and preference.

I was trying to find the Control 24 manual at digidesign but I did not find it.

[s0nguy]

get the C24.... if you can get a killer deal on it and the desk you are in an enviable position.

-s0nguy

[pramrod]

is the motor mix ethernet? if not, that should answer your question. midi and ethernet are not in the same league in terms of writing automation in protools. i love my c24, analog master section is junk, but the 24 faders are VERY usefull. if it's a great deal on the c24 with furniture, grab it... enjoy pram

[AMIEL]

I could get it all max $5000 and all brand new. plus I will trade some stuff for it ..
the furniture is max 6 months old and the C24 just looks perfectly new ...not a single scratch.

[AMIEL]

So the monitor section is crap??

[s0nguy]

Yes... monitor section is crap... I use it for headphone send but not to listen through... sep D/A converter and passive volume controller.

-s0nguy

[Dan]

Yeah, the C24 mon section sounds bad. I still use it, stuff always sounds better when take it out of here. The biggest difference between the two is the Motor mix does not have touch sensitive faders. This makes a huge difference in riding faders!

Actually, everything analog on the C24 is not so great. The mic pre's are bad, the little mixer is weak, but utilitarian, the monitor section, blech. I really don't like the digitally controlled, stepped attenuation. I don't do any editing with the C24, and trying to change plug settings on anything but a graphic EQ plug doesn't really work, because the 4 letter heiroglyphics, are too hard to comprehend. The C24 takes up more space, and looks more impressive, so it's a good fit in the studio. Functionally though, the gain is in the touch sensitive faders, and the "clear peaks" button is nice to have. If I had it to do over again, I'd kind of like something smaller, but still T.S. faders, and a good amount of them, and a Crane Song Avocet, or something similar. But the C24 is fine for now.

[AMIEL]

well the CM labs Motor Mix and Motormate have Touch sesitive Faders !!!..not the Motor Mix 1!
Motor mate have also a Monitor section...no Idea how goodcan be.

Do you think the Presonus Central Stations is much better than the C24 monitor section?

[mark714]

The Control|24 is a unique piece of equipment. If you are only working on your own in a private studio then I would find another way to spend $5k. That is a decent deal, but it still won't make anything you do SOUND better.

Think of the difference $5k in microphones would do for your sounds, vs the C|24.

I previously owned a C|24. I sold it and do not miss it one bit. It feels kind of cheap, plus I had PSU and communication board issues. I replaced that stuff, and it worked very well after that. I never used the analog portion of it, and I don't feel like I was missing out.

If you are looking for something that will add "cool" factor to your setup, the C|24 is impossible to beat in that price range. It looks awesome, is easy to set up, is a pretty good control surface when it works, and offers something tactile. I found the scribble strips annoying because I think they only had 4 characters.

I don't know your situation, but I'd still consider purchasing another one if I only had a DAW and a space I was trying to fill with clients. A console/control surface is a good selling point, even if it offers more eye candy than utility.

[Oroz]

One thing I dislike about the C24 is that you can't get a separate headphone/mix. At least not if you have a DigiSnake connecting your 192 I/O outputs to the inputs of to the C24. That's a PITA. There are workarounds but it's a shame that an expensive piece of equipment like that doesn't have that feature implemented or an easy solution to that. I remember a big thread about it in DUC but couldn't find it (to post a link). If you want to use a separate headphone mix you'll need to plan ahead your connections.

[AMIEL]

Well! I basicly think very similar to you guys.
the situation is that I probably will get the C24 with an Argosy desk ...that both are basicly new at a price that can be $4500 plus I will make some trades so I will pay out of my pocket like 2000-2500 bucks.

I really want a controller because i think is faster than a mouse , feels good and looks cool.
i am in a very similar cituation with CM labs Moror Mate with to extra Motor Mix 2.
I can get all of that stuff for the same price I will pay for the C24 plus the argosy.
The quality of the CM Labs is just great..I like it because all is at your fingertips.
maybe the Wow Factor is better with the C24....but I am more concern about the features and I really do not know which one is better o the C24 o the CM labs.
and again CM labs Motor Mate and Motor mix 2 have touch sensitive faders as well..conection goes thru MIDI.

Yes will be great to spend that extra $2500 in mics...well u always can put your money in something.....

But I have great preamps and Mics already..and belive me we are Gearslutz so there is always something to buy..that never stops......

so more advice is welcome.

Any know issues about the C24? is a reliable piece of gear?

[AMIEL]

[pigpen]

Dood, with your taste in gear being so similar, sounds liek you just need to come and rent out Pigpen for a few days to try out all the gear you are lusting after!!!!

JK
Good luck man

[mark714]

Yes, there are known issues about the reliability of the C|24. Power Supply and communication boards to be specific. Search the Digi DUC. That was mostly on the older units, but they were fairly prevalent. Both needed replacement on mine, and I was fortunate to be under warranty. If you have to ship it somewhere that could get expensive. Make sure you can get the warranty transferred.

Like I said though, it IS a cool piece of gear and fills a niche that no other product can touch. I think it actually looks cooler than the Pro Control or the ICON. It is too tall IMO which may force you to compromise your speaker placement.

I personally don't think the C|24 would make mixing faster, but the "cool" factor is undeniable.

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by pigpen

Dood, with your taste in gear being so similar, sounds liek you just need to come and rent out Pigpen for a few days to try out all the gear you are lusting after!!!!

JK
Good luck man

hahahaha! you are funny but is totally true man! yes we like similar gear!
I may have to go and visit you,,not a bad idea!

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by mark714

Yes, there are known issues about the reliability of the C|24. Power Supply and communication boards to be specific. Search the Digi DUC. That was mostly on the older units, but they were fairly prevalent. Both needed replacement on mine, and I was fortunate to be under warranty. If you have to ship it somewhere that could get expensive. Make sure you can get the warranty transferred.

Like I said though, it IS a cool piece of gear and fills a niche that no other product can touch. I think it actually looks cooler than the Pro Control or the ICON. It is too tall IMO which may force you to compromise your speaker placement.

I personally don't think the C|24 would make mixing faster, but the "cool" factor is undeniable.

Thanks Mark!