The Perfect Set-up

[Hollywood]

Hi Gary,
Good to see ya.
I am still in pusiut of the perfect set-up for mobil yet versatile A&V recording. And really appreciate objectinve advice.
Computer is Powerbook Firewire, CPU500, 384MB RAM.
I am currently experiencing the MOTU-828 because of it's FW interface. I have used a few SW apps, but am pretty sure that PTools is the ware for me.
Trouble is I still need a control surface. I am looking at the CS-10^2 (JLC) & MotorMix (PT). Neither is USB or FW. They are comprible in price. MMx has no Scrub Wheel, & CS-10 seems limited in capability. That said, I'm not happy with either.
What would be perfect (for me) is: An (8)Fader surface (similar cap. to US428), with (8)In/(8)Out and Firewire band-width for Audio&Video editing. And works with PTs.
So questions are:
1)What compact CSurfs are out there? Any suggestions?
2)Which are best?
3)Is there anything similar to my "perfect" CSurf? Or am I born to soon again?
4)Is this the right catagory for these questions?
P.S. This is a great forum to consolidate our efforts in the pursuit of a common good.
Thanks
Hollywood

 

[Opus2000]

Great Questions Hollywood..
Firewire seems to be a hot item these days especially with the new 828 interface from MOTU and a new one from Crest(8 in 8 out with firewire-http://www.digitalharmony.com/Partners/prod-crest.asp)
USB 2.0 is still in the works so who knows if someone is working on a complete controller/multi input interface for it..Unfortunately I have not heard of any 8 in 8 out controller usb/firewire device but do look forward to that in the future...If PTools is for you then by all means seek it out ..but you are limited to hardware and the Ptools Free just dont cut it!! You could get the Magma Chasis expansion and run a Digi001 off of that and use either the 428 or a Motormix..or spend a little more money and the the Radikaltechnologies Sac-2k ( http://www.radikaltechnologies.com/English/Products/products.html) which has your moving faders and the jog shuttle wheel and is in the works to be fully implimented into Pro Tools...the controller is supposed to work via USB but is still in the software development phase for that aspect of it..
Again the only device so far that does controller and audio in and out via USB is the 428..what a great design I might add too!! Tascam really thought that one out well!! Hats off to them for that!
Supposedly Apple is going to be supporting USB 2.0 soon but who knows how that will interact with software apps and extension/driver issues.
Having a jog wheel is definatley nice but it's not always neccessary..when you had an 8 track reel to reel there wasnt any jog wheel but lots o faders..you might want to take that approach to it..
I am always on the search for new gear and some to look out for is the controller surface from Mackie in collaboration with Emagic..I used to have a link to a picture but lost that!! Doh!! Anyways..I hope I have answered your questions and if not let me know

Opus :roll:

 

[doctordale]

You didn't mention a target price, so...
I just got my May issue of recording, and in it they have a Winter 2001 NAMM convention report on a control surface by Mixed Logic. I don't know how portable you're looking for, but it looks pretty awesome (for $4K it should) and I think is USB. Their web page isn't too informative, and it may be vaporware for all I know, but thought I'd mention it. http://www.mixedlogic.com

 

[Opus2000]

That looks like a pretty hefty controller there Doc!! I didnt mention prices because I am not a price hound..just a gear slut!! Price is important especially when on a budget but I like to look at the overall aspect and the functionality of the controller. This MixedLogic board looks nice..especially with the 24 faders..BUT>>> the display is pretty weak if you awsk me..that's one of the cool things with the Sac-2k..you have a display above each knob to see what "that" knob is doing and why..these are the little things that make me excitied about a new product. I'll look into this new controller and really read into it to see what it is about.
Peace

Opus

 

[Hollywood]

Thanks guys,
I thouhgt that this would be a highly mutual topic. Maybe my approach is a bit off base, but I like the input so far.
- The Sac-2K looks good. How much? I haven't found the price quote anywhere yet.
- MixedLogic board look promising too, but both still require separate I/O unit (right).
For my money MOTU-828(FW) in the back of a Sac-2k or the MixedLogic would be the "perfect set-up" to me.
Also looking at the E-MU PARIS C16. They have a package for $4K. The Board looks great, but the included input module is ltd and uses a PC card hook-up. Not much good for my PowerBook. However, I have heard amazing things about it's productive quality. I wonder if anybody knows more about this product.
Thanks

 

[Opus2000]

The Sac2-k is running for around 1500 or so--wholesale is around 1300..there arent any firewire ports on the Sac2k so putting the 828 into is pretty much out of the question..one limitation of the Sac2k is the amount of banks you can do..4 groups of 8 on audio..midi and VSTi's..32 channels is cool but there are a lot of people that have way more tracks than that..so Radikal made the side cart for it..price on that I have no idea but not sure if it's worth it or no really..as far as the 828 goes..I have to shoot MOTU down on this one..two flaws..One..SPDIF incompatability is pretty high up there..I've come across 6 devices so far that people cant clock to..pretty sad..Two..cant monitor the SPDIF like you could on the PCI 324 interfaces..no option to select the monitor outs..wondering how the Crest Studio Firewire device will do..
Peace
Opus

 

[Greg Malcangi]

Hi Hollywood,

If we're talking about the perfect setup then we are talking about a ProControl with your PT. The ProControl connects via ethernet and provides much more resolution for mixing parameters than say a MIDI controller. There is simply nothing out there anywhere near in the class of the ProControl. However, you're looking at a list price of just under US$12,000.

A close second best would be Digidesign's/Focusrite's C24. 24 flying faders, built in mic-pre's and wiht a list price of about US$8,000. Might be a bit big for a mobile recording set-up though.

Check out http://www.digidesign.com for information on both these surfaces.

Greg

 

[JasonCrouch]

keep in mind that the Paris control surface is very lame

The faders are not touch motorized - if you are above or below the fader point on-screen, you need to follow these little up or down arrows to allign the fader so you can then use it

this can get pretty old really fast

take care - Jason C. Crouch

 

[chopchop20]

Try the EzBus by Event. Go to Event1.com and check it out.

 

[Opus2000]

Why Ezbus? You can only do two in at a time...plus is it actually shipping? Last I heard it was still vaporware...it was under a plastic casing at the Namm show in LA..Plus it's really a mixer more than a multitracker and who knows how easy it's going to impliment into all of the apps out there.
Opus