external software controllers

  • Thread starter Thread starter dobro
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dobro

dobro

Well-known member
I usually don't venture north of the Cool Edit forum, but this is the forum, and here's the question:

I'm interested in external controllers for software - useful for tracking and mixing both, I reckon.

What's your experience of them? Recommendations? Heads up?
 
In the review of CEP pro2.0 in SOS, they mentionned a hardware controller that goes with it. For the few functions it had, I wouldn't go for it.

The 428 subtractor mentions goes through USB, and I'm not a USB fan.
 
I read some really bad things on the Steinberg Houston controller on the forum.cubase.net

Something with the motors faders flying over their positions when going from -inf to 0dB..

Mackie ctrl seems the way to go according to the people on that forum, but is way more expensive.


Herwig
 
Dobro,

I've been using Tascam's US-428 for a couple years now, and it works really well. It doesn't have motorized faders, but you move the hardware faders and the software mixer moves right along.

I really like the EQ control. Some thing are fine to do with a mouse, but tweaking and EQ is not one of them. It takes some getting used to since its not quite the same as an analog mixer, but at least its SOMETHING physical to play with.

Tascam makes a smaller one, too (424?) that has few controls, but I've heard that it works just as well.

The 428 has four pres, too. No phantom power, though- boo hiss. The pres sound good enough for me. :)

Take care,
Chris
 
For the price of many controllers you can actually get a digital mixer with built in effects that will still offer all of the midi remote control. I'm tending to shy away from budget digital gear but if you are looking to blow upwards of a grand you might want to look into them.
 
Dobro,
You might look at changing software if you're looking to use an external controller. CEP just blows as far as hardware controllers go. I saw the new Red and it looks decent for CEP and the price. I use my digital mixer and it works great with just about all the software out there EXCEPT CEP. And I still find myself using CEP the most.. go figure...
 
You might try to pick a Yamaha 01V used on ebay or something. That way you get pres to track with, phantom power, and a controller all in one. It's a great little board and at about 600 used, it isn't too bad.

--MIKE
 
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