Hi Guys,
I have recently bought a Mackie Universal Control surface for my Pro-Tools rig but have been told that it may not be all it's cracked up to be and could suffer form latency when used for automation. I have the option of exchanging this with my dealer for the Digidesign Command 8 work surface, I understand that this is also a MIDI based USB controller and am wondering how much better the Digidesign could be. Has anyone out there had experience of either of these controllers on a TDM system? Opinionswould be greatly appriciated.
Many thanks in advance.
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I was told by someone that the Command 8 was an ethernet based u
I was told by someone that the Command 8 was an ethernet based unit and therefor had a much greater resolution than the Mackie. However Digidesign themselves say this is a MIDI USB controller so therefor must have the same resolution.
I think the truth is somewhere in the middle...the Command 8 is not an ethernet-based unit like their higher-end control surfaces are, but I believe I was told that it does talk directly to Digidesign's audio engine via USB without MIDI. The Mackie talks to Pro Tools via MIDI (not USB) so you'd need to connect it through a MIDI interface, which isn't necessary with the Command 8. The Command 8 can function as a generic MIDI controller as well (somewhat like the Mackie Control) but with Pro Tools you don't use it that way.
In any case, it definitely has control over more Pro Tools parameters than the Mackie Control does, and it's usually more expensive than the Mackie, so if you can exchange it and you'll be using it primarily with Pro Tools I'd probably do it. It also has a 1-in 2-out MIDI interface and some basic monitoring features built into it as well, which is handy. I just got mine and haven't even plugged it in yet, so I don't have a whole lot of firsthand experience with it yet.
-Duardo
My SF Digi Dealer just mentioned to me that the HUI is "OK" the
My SF Digi Dealer just mentioned to me that the HUI is "OK" the Pro Tools HD3 Accel system I'm considering, but the Command 8 is really the way to go because you can control many more features/parameters with it... Don't know if it's true or not... I'd certainly like to know too!