Control Surface support for Sonar...Is the Tascam US-428 the best value?

  • Thread starter Thread starter tcdave
  • Start date Start date

What contol surface would you get to control Sonar?

  • Radikal Technologies SAC-2K

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • CM Labs MotorMix

    Votes: 1 14.3%

  • Tascam US-428

    Votes: 4 57.1%

  • Tascam US0224

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Roland MCR-8

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • JL Cooper FaderMaster

    Votes: 1 14.3%

  • Kenton Control Freak

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Keyfax Phat.Boy

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • Total voters
    7
T

tcdave

New member
I was wondering if anyone is using a USB or Firewire Controller with Sonar? (such as the Tascam - US 428)

I am getting pretty close to getting one and it seemed that the 428 covers all the bases. It is affordable, 8 channels, 24 bit audio, MIDI, Digital outs, Soft Synth Controller and Sonar 2.0 is already configured for it.

What do you think?

tcdave
 
I haven't used any of the others, but I've been quite happy with my 428. I wish it had motorized faders, but I don't have that kind of cash to lay out. For a soundcard replacement AND a control surface it seems like a pretty good deal.

You can interface with soft synths and plugs with it, but you have to use your mouse a bit, too- at least in Cubase it is set up that way. Click on a parameter, then use the jog dial to change it. Its great until you forget that you're still focused on a plug parameter and try to use the jog to scroll forward in then song...

"How the hell did that reverb send get cranked so high?!"

:)

Have fun,
Chris
 
i am using an evolution mk something
it is a keyboard (music) with 12 knobs built in. I use it as a soft synth controller and control surface

there is a good tutorial on it on the cakewalk site - using a generic controller.

If you need both a keyboard and controls, this is it. I tried the midiman oxygen 8 and it was too small, key wise, too thick to be truly portable and cheaply made.

If I had room, I would likely get one of the kenton products (w/ a footswitch), use it for a dedicated control surface, use the keyboard for only soft synths, and maybe get an x-keys for buttons, etc. to me the kenton's are a deal.

not sure about your i/o needs, but usb is limited for audio.
 
(Adam- this is not directed at you at all- I just get tired of hearing USB dissed when there is really no reason for it...)

USB is NOT limited for audio! Any more than any other medium is limited. I get 6 channels 24/44.1 with no problems at all through my 428. 4 in for recording, 2 out for monitoring.

That's the published spec, that's what I bought, that's what I got. :confused: Where is the "limitation"? If that's all I need and all I expect- what's the deal?

Sure: PCI, PCMCIA, and Firewire all (potentially) offer more I/O, but USB does what it claims to do. Hell, I could blow the same amount of money as a 428 on a Digigram VXpocket PCMCIA card interface and have only 2 inputs and no control surface...

I see USB audio put down a lot- and it sure isn't the top of the line audio hardware- but it works just fine. There's no funky limitations or problems with it. If you don't need more than it can do it totally rocks!

Take care,
Chris
 
no offense taken.


since i don't know tcdave's requirments for audio are I wanted to caution about it being limited --meaning published specs.

If he will need more than 4 in's -- it is limited
If he wants to record in 96 -- it is limited

But the price is right.

:)
 
Well, my needs are basic......

I have more "time" than money and If I need more ins, then I will put my 20 channel Behringer in action before the 428.

But, I think that the 428, rocks too......

And, I am also feeling the USB "dissing" here in Los Angeles by some of my buddies who are "hardcore" recording buffs.

and recording in 96, well...... by being in the music business for over 25 years, my hearing is SHOT, so I can't even hear the difference.......

Hell, I am just a weekend warrior recording dude!

thanks for your input, I enjoyed reading them....

tcdave

PS - remember "Sgt. Peppers" was recorded on a analog 4-track! I dont know how many times the Beatles bounced tracks but every time they did, they got a "generation" loss. If you know what I mean....
 
just for clarification:

adam and chris are both right.

adam:
USB shouldn't be dissed WHEN the specs match the device.

chris:
you lucked up and bought a device from a team that didn't lie.

i am pretty happy (never completely) with my US-428 purchase. it does everything that Tascam said it would do. it's made by Frontier Design which is the same company that makes the soundcard/DAD for my desktop. i've used it for mixing and i've used it for recording vocals at a vocalists apartment.

the M-Audio Duo however, does not do everything the specs say it can do, and even the things it does do it does not do well. the only thing the Duo is good at is mic-pre but not out of the USB.
 
crosstudio said:
It's made by Frontier Design which is the same company that makes the soundcard/DAD for my desktop. i've used it for mixing and i've used it for recording vocals at a vocalists apartment.
Click to expand...

Hey Crosstudio,

I have heard that Frontier Design is reaaly bad at keeping up with driver updates. Especailly, their audiocards.

Has anyone heard bad things about the Frontier Design company and their lack of driver support?

thanks
tcdave
 
i've never had a problem with frontiers drivers for the WaveCenter, except for when their initial and b2 WDM Beta drivers were first released. even then, they warned that the WDM drivers weren't ready for prime time... that was 2 or 3 years ago. the current WDM driver (version Beta8) has been rock solid... knock on wood.

the WDM drivers for the US-428 work well also.
 
TCdave

What is their not to like...with that control surface u can literally put ur monitor in the garbage

The Mackie Control surface retails for about 995 and 895(i think) for the expansion slots
 
what about the kawai mm-16

How would the kawai mm-16 behave with sonar?
thanks.
 
Me? :)

Yup! Musta been a bit dehydrated and grumpy that day...

:D

-C
 
Re: Mackie prayers answered?

tcdave said:
After reading the article, I did'nt like the Mackie Contol Surface.......sorry.

tcdave
Click to expand...
What is it about that article that would make you not like the Mackie Control? The only thing I don't like about it is the price. But it looks like the ideal control surface for Sonar. I wanted to "try one out " at Guitar Center, but "it's not hooked up."

So I said, "I'd like to buy one but I'd really like to test drive it here at the store. Don't want to take it home and find out it doesn't work the way I want to use it."

They said, "That's why we give a 30 day refund." Sheesh. I suppose this is true of most products of this ilk. Just gotta go thru trial and error...

I'm also afraid that 6 months after I plunk down a grand for this thing it'll be $400 because something newer and better has come out....
 
I'm glad to see the 428 so highly regarded here. Makes me feel better about my near future purchase of one. I'm sure you guys will be sick of me asking ??? like mad the first couple of weeks I own it.
 
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