Again, a bit of my point is being missed again... I am not using plug-ins instead of outboard. I have tons of outboard, and I'm integrating it in a mix session the same way I integrated it with the SSL. I agree that certain plug-ins lack what hardware can give you, and I am making up that difference quite easily.
That being said, there is another side to this that I haven't mentioned earlier: The concept of "fixed" technology versus "dynamic." An SSL analog console is basically a "fixed medium," in that you are purchasing something that does what it does, will always perform that function, and do it well. Again, I'm not arguing about the quality of SSL desks--I owned one, I believe in the company, and their products are excellent. However, what you purchase will not change unless you sell it and buy something else.
The Icon (as well as the SSL C200 digital console), are dynamic technology, since they are linked to software (the C200 basically is a controller that runs "SSL plug-ins"). The Icon can change over time, as Digidesign updates the software and adds more functions (as can the C200). Now, here's the big difference for me: The Icon is tied to Digi hardware, and the C200 is tied to SSL hardware. Both are expandable (buy more 192's or Apogee's, or buy more I/O for the C200). An upside to the D Control is that Digi includes the recording software, ProTools--and aside from hardware I/O and engine power additions on the C200, you still need a recorder. A comparable system in D Control versus C200: $100K less or more. So, I'm of the opinion that the "$90,000 mouse" is a bargain. But then, I have a bigger commercial studio, so I have a completely different viewpoint. I don't think most independent producers / engineers should put a D Control in their house--it's made for the big rooms, and the price reflects that. I, however, can't wait to install one at home, despite the price!
I have a different viewpoint on "one fader for one thing" as well. It doesn't excite me. Sliding the chair down from one end to the other, completely missing the sweet spot when EQ'ing important effects returns or stems on extreme left or right channels, well... sucks. The ability to hit a button and focus something important to one fader channel right in the middle is incredible (you can do this on the C200 as well, very cool). But the thing that really sold me on the D Control, above all else: after a couple button presses, every knob and fader on the mixer became controls for Virus Indigo... the freakin' software synth was mapped out all over the desk, so you could just grab a knob and tweak a filter, LFO, whatever. That's not distracting to me, that's exciting. To know that my world can change that fast keeps me thrilled to mix on that desk.
Also, in the "dynamic technology" realm, those "terrible" plug-ins are only going to get better. As dynamic convolution sampling matures (Sintefex, Waves Q Clone), you're going to see a lot of plug ins that dramatically alter the landscape in terms of sounding like vintage hardware. I'm against this, in a way, because I don't like the concept of trying to recreate something that once was. I like plug-ins or new technology to do something completely different. If I want a vintage Neve for EQ, I'll go buy a vintage Neve for EQ. In an EQ plug-in, I want something that sounds absolutely accurate, gives me many bands of precise parametric control, can be run linear phase, and has extra features like dynamic EQ'ing or resonating filters, etc.
There is another aspect going on here: human nature. It's human nature to attack "the big guy," or the thing that you don't understand: Digidesign takes over the world with ProTools, and becomes the industry standard. Old school guys who try mixing "in the box" hate it because their mixes take twice as long, as they are hypnotized by the screen, which totally distracts them from the creative aspects of their work. Digidesign then builds a big desk that has the footprint of the old school desks, and gives the old school guys the ability to turn off the screen and mix within the console itself, just like the old school desks. And they respond with, "**** that thing, it's a big mouse."
I seek to understand something before I judge it... I have to use it or hear it myself first, and I don't rely on other people's opinions to form my own. I don't mind going against the grain when I have a different opinion, but I would never even consider attacking something (or speaking positively about it, for that matter) unless I have had the time and experience on it to really speak with clarity. I've used or owned most of what's out there by now, so I have a lot of opinions, but I didn't judge the D Control until I sat down in front of it and tried it myself.
Anyway, all just my opinion...
-Kevin McNoldy
Crystalphonic Recording Studio
www.crystalphonic.com