Mackie Control Universal & Frontier Alpah Track
 

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?

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

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=157024



ten

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 ;)

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).

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

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

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.

ten, make a fekkin youtube of you using that.

Will do..... :)

ten