Control surface recommendations

iGirl · Post by **iGirl** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:23 am

I'm looking for input on low budget options, compatible with DP5. Hopefully something that is as close to plug and play as possible. My only requirements are - it needs to have 100mm fader(s) and transport controls (no Behringer BCF2000 which is unexplainably missing them). Also a decent build quality...at least to last more than 6 months.

My budget tops out at a used, ebay Mackie Control Universal - which are well sub $400.
The PreSonus Faderport looks interesting, nice even - but not sure about the limits of one single fader and being tethered. Even a Baby HUI is almost interesting, except that it's over 10 years old and MIDI only. Again, faders, and transport - what else is out there? Include Ebay items not currently manufactured, but new enough to work via USB...

I've been away from the business for some time, but was surprised to see DP having lost so much traction in retail and 3rd party support...at least that's the impression I get. More often than not DP support isn't even mentioned in the bullet points.

Albert Bacardit · Post by **Albert Bacardit** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:39 am

Perhaps you would like to upgrade to DP 7.21 and use an Euphonix MC Mix. Doing pretty well here.

iGirl · Post by **iGirl** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:08 am

The Euphonix MC and required DP upgrade is well over 4x the stated budget, though it looks nice. One thing that really confounded me is it's "transport" controls. Reaching all the way over the faders to be able to control the transport is really poor design, not to mention that the buttons themselves are not very big either. Were I looking in that range, those things would be deal breakers for me.

HCMarkus · Post by **HCMarkus** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:18 am

Alpha Track works great with DP

antonborisov · Post by **antonborisov** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:04 pm

I have FaderPort and I couldn't really recommend it.

FaderPort is not really a control surface. I've yet to try it with DP, however I've used it with Logic a lot. The only valuable part of it is the fader itself, but it's only one and i'm not sure how it's different from riding faders by mouse. The latter is actually faster.

Pan knob doesn't work (this is a known issue), buttons are made of hard plastic and way too stiff. Unit itself is quite compact but all connectors are on the back (btw, you need at least USB and power), so it could be a problem to choose place for it on the desk.

However, multi-color lights are cool and I think it's nice looking piece of hardware, considering the price. I mean if you don't really use it.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:25 pm

antonborisov wrote:The only valuable part of it is the fader itself, but it's only one and i'm not sure how it's different from riding faders by mouse. The latter is actually faster.

I have an AlphaTrack... so it's functionally very similar. I love mine. I used it placed near my left hand. Being able to click on a track in the TOV (Track OverView) with my right hand and then adjust on the AlphaTrack fader with my left, is very fast for me and I feel I have better control over the adjustment than by using the mouse.

I don't use the transport controls on the AT much at all, but use the fader quite a bit.

Dan Worley · Post by **Dan Worley** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 1:49 pm

James Steele wrote:
antonborisov wrote:The only valuable part of it is the fader itself, but it's only one and i'm not sure how it's different from riding faders by mouse. The latter is actually faster.
I have an AlphaTrack... so it's functionally very similar. I love mine. I used it placed near my left hand. Being able to click on a track in the TOV (Track OverView) with my right hand and then adjust on the AlphaTrack fader with my left, is very fast for me and I feel I have better control over the adjustment than by using the mouse.

I don't use the transport controls on the AT much at all, but use the fader quite a bit.

Please excuse the interruption.

James, I kept thinking I was going to get an AlphaTrack but I never did. Then we got an iPad and DP Control and I completely forgot about it. I'm wondering if you have written fader automation using DP Control on your iPad yet. I was just getting into that (and I thought it was great but needed more time to experiment) when the iPad I was using went on a trip with my business partner.

But I'm curious to how you think the the AlphaTrack and iPad compare in feel, accuracy and convenience? I mean, I know they're totally different animals, but which would you prefer for riding a fader? The multi-touch of the iPad is fantastic and I can't wait for MOTU to come out with a dedicated iPad version of DP Control (assuming they will at some point).

Thanks,

Dan Worley

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:03 pm

Dan Worley wrote:James, I kept thinking I was going to get an AlphaTrack but I never did. Then we got an iPad and DP Control and I completely forgot about it. I'm wondering if you have written fader automation using DP Control on your iPad yet. I was just getting into that (and I thought it was great but needed more time to experiment) when the iPad I was using went on a trip with my business partner. But I'm curious to how you think the the AlphaTrack and iPad compare in feel, accuracy and convenience? I mean, I know they're totally different animals, but which would you prefer for riding a fader? The multi-touch of the iPad is fantastic and I can't wait for MOTU to come out with a dedicated iPad version of DP Control (assuming they will at some point).

Well...

1) I have no idea if MOTU will come out with an iPad version. I sure hope they do, as it would be a shame if not.

2) To be honest, I don't do a lot of serious mixing. A friend of mine, Jim Watson, does the mixing of most stuff I do, hence I don't really write much automation, however....

3) As far as "feel" goes, I'm not sure as I've really gotten to like the Alpha Track. I think if a company came out with a iPad version of Alpha Track it would be cool. But one thing a real, physical fader does is provide tactile feedback and as a result a certain amount of confidence. For example, you don't have to look at the Alpha Track to know your finger is on the fader or not.

Dan Worley · Post by **Dan Worley** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:15 pm

James Steele wrote:
Dan Worley wrote:James, I kept thinking I was going to get an AlphaTrack but I never did. Then we got an iPad and DP Control and I completely forgot about it. I'm wondering if you have written fader automation using DP Control on your iPad yet. I was just getting into that (and I thought it was great but needed more time to experiment) when the iPad I was using went on a trip with my business partner. But I'm curious to how you think the the AlphaTrack and iPad compare in feel, accuracy and convenience? I mean, I know they're totally different animals, but which would you prefer for riding a fader? The multi-touch of the iPad is fantastic and I can't wait for MOTU to come out with a dedicated iPad version of DP Control (assuming they will at some point).
Well...

1) I have no idea if MOTU will come out with an iPad version. I sure hope they do, as it would be a shame if not.

2) To be honest, I don't do a lot of serious mixing. A friend of mine, Jim Watson, does the mixing of most stuff I do, hence I don't really write much automation, however....

3) As far as "feel" goes, I'm not sure as I've really gotten to like the Alpha Track. I think if a company came out with a iPad version of Alpha Track it would be cool. But one thing a real, physical fader does is provide tactile feedback and as a result a certain amount of confidence. For example, you don't have to look at the Alpha Track to know your finger is on the fader or not.

Okay, thanks for that. I think I'll just stay with the iPad and DP Control and forget all about an AlphaTrack.

c-ya,

Dan Worley

burn em · Post by **burn em** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 12:23 pm

Save your' money and get an MC Mix! Really!

Yawnstrosity · Post by **Yawnstrosity** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:49 pm

I don't know if it's appropriate for what you're doing, but the M-Audio UC33e is a pretty good budget option. I got a new one for $169.

bolla · Post by **bolla** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:57 pm

The Alphatrack works well for me.
I don't really use its transport functions.
Setting levels and volume rides using the fader is so much faster and intuitive for me than mousing.
I also use the send,pan and automation on/off quite a bit.
It's only annoying thing is that you have to select the track name field for it to function. It doesn't follow the track that is record enabled unless you have also selected the track name field.
Cheers, AB

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 12:26 pm

I use the AT, mostly just for fader and pan. I like it fine, but lately it's been dropping communication with DP (since DP7 I think). Disconnecting and reconnecting it's usb will bring it back. I've reinstalled the AT software and drivers (which haven't been updated in ages), and no change.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:51 pm

FWIW-- I have no issues with dropped communication with DP 7.2. Because AT gets all it's power from the USB connection, I do not have it connected to a hub but directly to a USB port on my Mac.

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:07 am

Well I do have it on a powered hub, as the computer is in another (machine) room.

I will sus out the usb path, but there have been no hardware changes since when it was always working, only software upgrades.

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