Did a control surface change your experience?

[David CaseParticipant]

Hey all, I've been a total mouse & keyboard guy since I started learning how to do all of this wonderful stuff but I'm wondering if using a control surface will open up the way I work and make it a more productive, creative and flexible process? I'm thinking about the Avid Artist Mix - any other things I should investigate? I don't think I want to go as high as the S3 right now, but I'm open to other suggestions. I use Pro Tools 12.x 95% of the time, but Logic Pro X at times...

I'm going to try out the iPad app, but I think I already want a physical interface...

Thanks, all!

[Cigar200Participant]

I was using the mouse, keyboard stuff as well but then I bought a Raven MTI 2,that truly changed the whole game. im not thinking about a computer anymore and focus on the music, not to mention work time increased because of using the Raven.

[Andrew MckenzieParticipant]

When I'm trying to get more control on panning or fader levels, sometimes I'll assign a rotary or slider control from my midi keyboard and find it easier that way....especially smooth fast panning from left to right etc. Using a mouse is not a deal breaker but it works for me on occasion to record automation with a physical control. 🙂

Cheers...Andrew

[Guido tum SudenKeymaster]

I've got Logic Control but have to admit I that I seldom use the faders.
I do use the transport buttons all the time and also the scrub wheel for going back and forth in the song.
I have the arrow buttons setting on zoom and use those buttons for zooming.

I am thinking about the Raven for some time now. Especially after I had to move my two monitors nearer to see anything 😉
So, Cigar, do you have the 27" one with Full HD resolution? Is that enough? I've been using two monitors since I don't know how many years and cannot at the moment think I could work if I had not the Arrange Window on one and the Mixer on the other monitor.

Guido

[Steve AParticipant]

I have had the Digi 003 for a while now and it is very useful and a time-saver too boot.
The thing about a control surface is the initial learning curve, as buttons, knobs, faders etc. are almost always non dedicated, and multi-function, once you get past the learning though, like I said, great time saver.
Since you are on Pro Tools, you could always look for a used Command 8 or an 003, just a thought..

[chris massaParticipant]

I drank the Avid cool-aid. I use the Artist Mix, love it. I mix by fader as that was how I was brought up.

[tblizzParticipant]

I bought the Presonus Faderport this week after I saw tutorials from Andrew Scheps, Chris Lord-Alge & Jacquire King stressing the importance of fader rides and automation. Bit of pain to setup in Logic 9, but it works (for now…)!

[Jared ShermanParticipant]

I just recently got an Avid S3, and it is nice. However, I was never much into control surfaces for a very long time as I had a Digi 002 (control surface version) and rarely used the surface. Want to know why? I actually found that any time I used it, it was keeping me from learning Pro Tools better. I ended up selling it and got an 002 Rack instead.

Therefore I would say that if you aren't already an expert at your DAW, a control surface would just become a crutch that keeps you attached to your control surface as opposed to being able to run your DAW in a mobile environment or in someone else's studio.

That said, it is very nice to have at least one fader for automation rides (like the FaderPort). Nothing is better than having a real fader for volume automation.

In conclusion, it's possible that a control surface may change your world, but you should ask yourself if you know your DAW well enough for that world change to be a positive one or if it is really just a crutch that makes you less useful when you are away from that surface. On the flip side though, if you never intend to work away from that control surface then I suppose that is fine, but I would still highly recommend being an expert at your DAW first.

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