Mackie Control Universal & Frontier Alpah Track

[DJ K3LanSlayer]

I have a chance to pick up a used Mackie CU today... but it's still considerably more cash than an Alpha Track or Presonus Faderport.

You save a lot of desk space with the single fader units... the only downside is you have to use the L R buttons to move to the next track. Plus the Alapha Track has a digital read-out and good number of knobs to fiddle with for $199.

I'm sure I'm missing a lot more on the Mackie besides a few more buttons, a jog dial, and a full layout not requiring <L R>

Anybody using either setup?

[ten]

Forget all that crap, THIS is what you want for mixing....

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=157024

http://images.belkin.com/F8GFPC100/FUL1_F8GFPC100.jpg

ten

[Drammy]

I have a Mackie Control Universal but I had problems with it when it was plugged into my set-up. I found sometimes the faders would move by themselves even though there was no automation. I could move the master fader up to increase the volume and find that on the next bar it would slide back down to where it was previously.

I remain convinced though that this is something to do with my FireFace 800, despite RME denying it.

I need to spend a day or so sorting this out because other than this it is a great unit - bit frustrating at first as with a mouse you have access to alsorts. Whereas with just 8 sliders and 8 pots available to control all the usual Cubase 4 (in my case) parameters the accustomisation process can be very daunting.

I cannot comment on the other controller you mentioned as for Ten'[s suggestion - I can't tell if he serious or not ;)

[Khazul]

Currently using a Yamaha 01x mixer/daw controller - basically a mackie control type device along with a Frontier transport for remote tracking.

I may ditch the whole mLan setup later this year and go for a Korg Zero 8 and alpha track combo - not sure yet. I'm just generally going off yamaha products - hate their horrible cramped UIs and crappy stone age PC software.

The trouble I have is I have two separate lots of mixing needs - one of which would probably quickly frag a motorised fader controller.

What I really want is a something like the Korg zero but with full parameter recall and motorised faders that can have the motors disengaged when needed for beat jugling etc (which totally frags motorised faders).

[ten]

I'am deadly serious dude. Mouse in right hand, the nostromo in your left and you're off! You can setup macros for each key or multi-keypresses so you have a ton of different options. Its got a mouse wheel and keypad which is great as a nudge/jog tool. A fader would be nice but nothing you cant do with some automation....

ten

[Drammy]

Sorry fella - it looked like some kind of Nintendo Joystick or something...

[DJ K3LanSlayer]

I didn't go for the Mackie... a mutual friend scooped it up.

I'll stick with my original plan which is to give the Alpha Track a try with Cubase & Reason (both supported by Frontier)... If it doesn't work as advertised I'll send it back. I hate going back and forth to UPS, but it's better to get a full refund within 30 days like a lot of stores are offering than messing with eBay and losing $.

The Korg stuff does look nice - but have they even priced the Zero4/8?

The gaming controler was intriguing for a spell.

[Old Vantaa Man]

ten, make a fekkin youtube of you using that.

[ten]

Will do..... :)

ten