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paresh
Member
I'm interested in people's experience using a control surface (whatever they're called)...I'm pretty comfortable using just a mouse. I do both audio & midi recording. Am I missing something? Thanks.
JeffLancaster
New member
I have a Peavey Studiomix which I use with Sonar. My favorite features are the transport buttons. I like them because when tracking my own guitar or vocals I can just walk over to the desk and press a button for record, rewind etc, rather than fumbling for the mouse and clicking on the screen. I also set one of the user definable buttons to "undo last recording". These three buttons save lots of time when I'm trying over and over to record something right 
The faders are kind of handy for mixing, but like you I'm proficient with the mouse so I won't say it makes a huge difference. Biggest trouble I have is when there's more than 8 tracks and I am switching the faders between banks of tracks. Sometimes I forget where they're at. However, I guess some of the newer control surfaces (such as the Mackie) have a little digital read out so it would display track names or numbers below each fader. That would be a great feature to have in my opinion.
The faders are kind of handy for mixing, but like you I'm proficient with the mouse so I won't say it makes a huge difference. Biggest trouble I have is when there's more than 8 tracks and I am switching the faders between banks of tracks. Sometimes I forget where they're at. However, I guess some of the newer control surfaces (such as the Mackie) have a little digital read out so it would display track names or numbers below each fader. That would be a great feature to have in my opinion.
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funkdrmr
New member
I use the Tascam US-2400 with Sonar. I've had it for about a month now. While I could have used some pres, or other gear, it's still a purchase I'm extremely happy with. I'm mixing a song right now, and having the ability to control all the faders is really handy.
The transport controls are great, the unit is built solid, and it's easy to set up.
I don't really think you're missing something. If you're comfortable with the mouse and want to spend your money in other areas, by all means wait on the surface. I probably should have, but I'm one of those impulsive gear-slut types of buyers
The transport controls are great, the unit is built solid, and it's easy to set up.
I don't really think you're missing something. If you're comfortable with the mouse and want to spend your money in other areas, by all means wait on the surface. I probably should have, but I'm one of those impulsive gear-slut types of buyers
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Robert D
New member
I use the Mackie Control with Samplitude Professional. I agree with Jeff that having a hardware transport control was near the top of my list for reasons to get one. THE best thing about the Mackie Control is that it displays track names. This is especially important if you're working on a 24 track project with just the 8 track main CS and no XT sidecars. Then you can bank switch or track scroll and not have to figure out which track you're looking at. The touch sensitive faders are awesome too, as they sense your fingertip on the fader, and know to hand over control of the fader to you and record your moves the instant you touch the fader, and to stop recording your moves the instant you take your finger off of it.
But it is a fairly large purchase, and won't do anything to actually improve your sound. You need to prioritize it relative to good monitors, mics, preamps, etc. You can find them used for around $600, maybe less. New I guess they will be somewhere in the $900's, maybe less.
There are other options of course, but for me the quality and features of the MCU was the sweet spot, with less expensive control surfaces not being worth owning, and more expensive ones not worth the extra bucks.
-RD
But it is a fairly large purchase, and won't do anything to actually improve your sound. You need to prioritize it relative to good monitors, mics, preamps, etc. You can find them used for around $600, maybe less. New I guess they will be somewhere in the $900's, maybe less.
There are other options of course, but for me the quality and features of the MCU was the sweet spot, with less expensive control surfaces not being worth owning, and more expensive ones not worth the extra bucks.
-RD
punkin
Univalve & Avatar Speaks
I have the Mackie MCU working with SONAR Producer 5.0 ...it's the coolest thing since (insert your best coolest thing here). I picked it over some of the smaller cheaper units mostly because of the Jogg/Shuttle controls. I just hate mixing on the PC using the mouse...it totally sucks once you've tasted life with a control surface.
I too very much like the individual track displays which also show VU activity, EQ and plug-in settings. The touch sensitive faders are nice and give you a nice fine control over the track levels.
An added coolness factor for me is the foot control input (not included). I have a dual pedal set up (1 for record and 1 for stop) which is very handy when recording by yourself.
Shop around and try them out before you settle. There's a learning curve with all of them. It really depends on what you're wanting a control surface for which will help you decide which will be best for you. Here's an idea...Musician's Friend and GC will let you return anything (well, almost anything) within 30 days if you're not completely satisfied. This would let you try a couple products in the comfort of your own home before settling
.
I too very much like the individual track displays which also show VU activity, EQ and plug-in settings. The touch sensitive faders are nice and give you a nice fine control over the track levels.
An added coolness factor for me is the foot control input (not included). I have a dual pedal set up (1 for record and 1 for stop) which is very handy when recording by yourself.
Shop around and try them out before you settle. There's a learning curve with all of them. It really depends on what you're wanting a control surface for which will help you decide which will be best for you. Here's an idea...Musician's Friend and GC will let you return anything (well, almost anything) within 30 days if you're not completely satisfied. This would let you try a couple products in the comfort of your own home before settling
.
legionserial
New member
I got a Tascam US2400 a couple of weeks ago to use with Cubase. Didn't take me long to set up and it feels so much nicer to be using real faders. Sure maybe I didnt need it and I could have got some other stuff with the money, but this thing is awesome.
I can now use the 2 hands I was blessed with to mix rather than 1 hand and a finger clicking away! And no more aches from constantly trying to make very very very slight movements to rotary knobs with a mouse, I can actually twist the things with my fingers! Plus I can see the whole mixer in one view, rather than having to scroll all over the place all the time
I would say a control surface is definitely worth it if your willing to front up the cash
I can now use the 2 hands I was blessed with to mix rather than 1 hand and a finger clicking away! And no more aches from constantly trying to make very very very slight movements to rotary knobs with a mouse, I can actually twist the things with my fingers! Plus I can see the whole mixer in one view, rather than having to scroll all over the place all the time
I would say a control surface is definitely worth it if your willing to front up the cash
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paresh
Member
delayed reply... Can anyone recommend a control surface in the low end - under $200? Thanks.
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Burnbox
New member
How about the Behringer BCF2000? -->http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--BEHBCF2000paresh said:
I don't own one (or any Behringer gear for that matter), but it's the only one I know of that fits your "low end" range.
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AllOrNothinEnt
New member
Tascam 2400 is nice, and they dropped the price.
Mackie Universal Control is nice.
I don't need them, but I have used both.
Mackie Universal Control is nice.
I don't need them, but I have used both.
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Burnbox
New member
What's up with those? I was trying to track one down earlier today and it appears that they discontinued them already!(?)AllOrNothinEnt said:
That's too bad. They looked really useful. Except for the silly idea of the software-based scribble strips.
sweetnubs
New member
the beauty of eveybody buying control surfaces is that the price of kick ass analog consoles keeps plummeting! Keep buying 'em suckers!