what control surface do you use?

[musicianvw]

what control surface do you use with your computer?

[Bob Womack]

Hi!

I do this for a living but you might be interested in my surfaces. Back in 2001 when we left proprietary workstations and went to a PC/Mac based system, the only thing that wasn't really working well was control surfaces. That was a real blow to me because I was leaving the really excellent Fairlight system that had a great transport interface with a rock-solid jog/shuttle wheel. We went with the Yamaha PM-2000 console because it could be connected up and used as a control surface. Unfortunately, the bugs weren't out of the digital interface, so I went cold turkey, mouse and keyboard. That meant I built elaborate key maps of my QUERTY keyboard and did all my editing and automation between that mouse clicks.

A few years ago Euphonix put out their MC Transport, a small pad with a Jog/Shuttle Wheel, Transport Keys, Keypad, and Softkeys, all controlled through Ethernet.


We picked one up and it is wonderful. The jog wheel is weighted and smooth and the shuttle wheel is sprung nicely. I keep this on the left and use the jog wheel a lot for zooming. I have commands programmed into it via the soft control buttons that save a bunch of time. I basically hate to work without it at this point.

The Yamaha is now working with the DAW great and provides fader/mute control. I still handle all the plug-ins via mouse.

Bob

[muscmp]

i used to use a mackie universal controller but i gave that and my digi002 to my nephew. now, i just use my ipad air and it works great.

play music!

[Psalad]

logic with iPad app from apple...

[philjs]

I didn't have one but recently purchased V-Control Pro for my new iPad...now I know what I was missing.

Phil

[KevWind]

I used to have a Digi 002 surface but after switching to PTHD Native 4 years ago I am all "in the box" . I do have an I pad with V Control Pro but only really use it for remote recording operations so I can stay at my mic stand position and don't have to go back and forth to the computer.

[louparte]

Originally Posted by musicianvw

what control surface do you use with your computer?

Auria, iPad.

Originally Posted by philjs

I didn't have one but recently purchased V-Control Pro for my new iPad...now I know what I was missing.

Phil

It looks good. How much RAM does it need to run? iPads either give you 1/2 gig or 1 gig, depending on the model year.
IMO, 500 meg is insufficient for recording music. Apple needs to put some more RAM on the iPads.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by louparte

iPads either give you 1/2 gig or 1 gig, depending on the model year. IMO, 500 meg is insufficient for recording music.

V-Control Pro is not a recording app, it's a remote control platform for controlling DAW software on a PC or Mac. I'm not sure that iPad RAM is even a consideration, never mind an important limiting factor, here. I'm recording on a Mac with 8gb of RAM using a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 interface but can wirelessly control Cubase via my in-house network with V-Control Pro.

The best features, for me, include wireless remote transport control (iPad on a mic stand directly in front of me, and now with me facing away from the computer in a better position in the room it lets me see the input levels without having to shift position so I can find that sweet spot and stay there!) and touchscreen mixer/effect controls. It is VERY useful (to say the least).

Phil

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by philjs

V-Control Pro is not a recording app, it's a remote control platform for controlling DAW software on a PC or Mac.
The best features, for me, include wireless remote transport control (iPad on a mic stand directly in front of me, and now with me facing away from the computer in a better position in the room it lets me see the input levels without having to shift position so I can find that sweet spot and stay there!)

Phil

For sure I've been mixing in the box for so long that fader or touch fader is not a big deal for me. I remote record using the iPad and V Control then mix in the box. But it may be because with a 27 inch display on my studio system, I just don't want to go back to less real estate for mixing and editing.

[Ivan Lee]

Avid Artist series MC control and Mix
Not perfect but best for ProTools at this time.

I used an original HUI for 12 years before these.

[bobby b]

Avid/Digidesign Icon D-Control ES

[Mobilemike]

I use the Avid MC Control.

-Mike