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Pro Tools Under Control
One topic that always seems to come up for debate is the
use of control surfaces with Pro Tools. From huge console
replacement work-surfaces to super-compact single fader units,
the idea of “tactile control” has never been
more popular. At the recent AES show in San Francisco, the
industry showed off more new DAW-controller options then
ever before and I expect January’s NAMM show will have
even more. But the question remains, do you really need a
control surface to get the most out of your Pro Tools rig?
What options and features should you consider when looking
for a new control surface? For this week’s Pro Tools
corner I will attempt to answer some of these tough questions,
while taking a look at a few control-surface options for
Pro Tools users.
Control Surface Defined
When I hear the term “control-surface” I think
of a device used in conjunction with a software DAW, like
Pro Tools, that offers tactile control over software functions
usually accessed with the mouse or keyboard. People often
confuse control surfaces with traditional mixing desks, since
many actually look exactly like the consoles and mixing boards
of the analog world, but it is important to know the differences.
Aside from a few hybrid mixing boards, a control surface
in the truest sense is merely an extension of the software
in a physical form. In other words, a control surface does
not actually input and sum audio signals like a multi-track
mixing desk, since your DAW actually takes care of that.
For example, moving a fader on a traditional mixer would
change the amount of gain being applied to a signal as it
flowed through the console. On a control surface, moving
a fader would simply tell the software to move it’s
internal fader, achieving the same thing as grabbing the
fader with a mouse. Basically you can think of control surface
as a big mouse and keyboard.
A Little History
In the past, every piece of studio gear had some sort of
button, knob, or fader. These controls usually affected one
parameter and were fairly straightforward to use. If I twist
this knob, something happens. If I twist that knob, something
different happens. It is safe to say that up until recently,
the recording process was extremely tactile; engineers rode
faders on mammoth mixing desks, tweaked racks of outboard
gear, patched cables and spliced tape.
Fast-forward a few years. With the DAW era in full swing,
computers have taken the place of most traditional studio
equipment and people are making amazing music on gear that
can fit into a small backpack. While most would agree that
editing waveforms on a 20” LCD screen beats splicing
2” inch tape, many engineers felt like something was
missing when forced to use a mouse. Questions like, “how
do I tweak two parameters of an EQ at the same time?” or “how
do I ride multiple faders during automation?” started
to come up. Over time the industry responded to this void
and manufacturers began producing products that provided
tactile control over software functions, giving the user
an alternative to the traditional mouse and keyboard.
Options For Pro Tools Users
What started as a few awkward and expensive little units
that nowhere near approached the look and feel of an analog
console has now grown into a huge chunk of the DAW market.
All the major players in the industry have recognized the
need for tactile control and many have released their own
line of products, with options ranging from under $200 to
well over a $100K. The good news is that Pro Tools users
seem to be at the top of the list for control surface manufacturers
as most options support Pro Tools software (in varying degrees).
Digidesign even has their own line of control surfaces, offering
everything from the entry level Command-8 to high-dollar
console replacements with their ICON setups.
Considerations
The following is a list of things you may wish to consider
if you are in the market for a new control surface:
Q: Does it work with Pro Tools?
Most control surfaces on the market these days work with
Pro Tools (generally using HUI emulation), however not
all offer the same functionality or level of control within
the software. Dig deep and make sure the control surface
you decide on can perform the tasks you want it to. Are
the transport controls fully functional? Does it support
plug-in control/automation? Make sure the control surface
is compatible with any other software you may be using
besides Pro Tools (such as Reason or Live). There is something
to be said about getting a Digidesign branded control surface,
as full support is pretty much guaranteed, but don’t
let this scare you away from looking into other options
that may better suit your budget and needs.
Q: How many faders/knobs do I need?
While some engineers aren’t happy until every track
is represented on a unique fader, others are content with
a single fader and knob (like the Presonus
FaderPort or Frontier’s
AlphaTrack). Most control surfaces have the ability to “bank” their
controls to different tracks so you can access all of tracks
in a large session. For example, if you had a 16-track session
and a 8 fader control surface, hitting the bank button would
allow you to switch the 8 available faders to control tracks
1-8 or 9-16.
When considering the number of faders you need think about
your budget and workflow. If you are used to mixing on large
format desk, a control surface with lots of faders might
be more comfortable for you. If it is a commercial facility,
think about the type of clients and engineers you have coming
through and the space available. Remember more faders generally
equal more dollars in the control surface world, and even
though a huge CS looks slick in the studio, it does not contribute
to the sonic quality of the Pro Tools software. In other
words, having a million fader control surface doesn’t
make your mix sound any better :-).
Q: Do I need a monitor section?
Some control surfaces (like the Command-8) offer a monitor/headphone
control section, allowing you to connect the output of
your interface and your speakers/headphones, providing
volume control, dim, mute and input/output switching. If
you already have monitor control and switching covered
(using something like a Mackie
Big-Knob or Presonus
Central Station) then you might save some money by passing on these
features.
Q: How does it look and feel?
Just like a good mouse and keyboard, the control surface
you choose has to feel comfortable to your hands. Move
the faders and twist the knobs, does it respond like you
would expect? Does it have LED displays that show track
names, timeline position, etc? Remember, most options have
motorized faders these days.
Q: Should I buy an integrated Interface/control surface?
The Digidesign
002 (running Pro Tools LE) and the M-Audio
ProjectMix I/O (running Pro Tools M-Powered) both have
control surfaces integrated into the interface, so they
do double duty acting as your ins and outs as well as your
tactile control. These units can be great all-in-one solutions
if you are setting up a permanent studio space. If you
find your self on the go, you may want to consider a more
modular option, like the Digidesign 002 Rack and the Command-8.
Note: If you are planning on upgrading to Pro Tools HD,
you will not be able to use the Digi 002 as a control surface
in the HD software.
Q: Can I use the faders and knobs on my midi keyboard as
a control surface?
Yes and no, the faders and knobs on your midi keyboard are
generally reserved for sending midi CC data. While many virtual
instruments (and even some DAWs) will allow you to map these
CC controllers to parameters within the plug-in, Pro Tools
itself cannot use these to control or automate track parameters
such as volume, pan, sends, mute, or any non virtual instrument
plug-in parameters. Make sure the control surface you are
looking at has direct support for the Pro Tools software.
Q: Graphic or real-time automation?
Some engineers love the flexibility of graphically drawing
and editing their automation breakpoints, while others
like to physically ride faders or knobs in real-time to
get the feel they are after. Again, consider your workflow
and how a CS might fit into it.
Q: What about these mixing consoles with integrated control
surface functionality?
While most are out of the price range of your average Pro
Tools user, many large format console companies (like SSL and
Euphonix) have started offering consoles that double as Pro
Tools control surfaces. The idea being that you’re
able to use traditional console features like preamps, EQs,
compressors, summing, monitoring, etc. while having seamless
integration with Pro Tools. Some control surface (like Digidesign’s
Control-24) have integrated mic pre-amps, but are not actual
mixers. Bottom line, do your homework and make sure you don’t
spend money on features you don’t need or won’t
use.
A Matter Of Preference
Many people ask me, “why would I use a control surface
when I can access all of the same functions using a mouse
and a keyboard?” Honestly, it is a matter of preference.
While most manufacturers will have you believe that control
surfaces are the missing link in the evolution of the DAW
(and for some people they really are), I know just as many
top-shelf engineers who do everything with a keyboard and
mouse and their mixes sound just as good.
Personally I like to do a little of both. In my mix suite
I use an ICON D-Command and just love being able to tweak
multiple plug-in parameters simultaneously and ride real
faders during automation. But in my editing suite at home
I use only a mouse and a keyboard, and wouldn’t edit
or arrange any other way. But if push comes to shove, could
I mix a session with only a mouse and keyboard? You bet.
If you are comfortable with a keyboard and mouse, you may
think about adding other elements to your studio first (like
good pre-amps, mics, and plug-ins) before investing in a
control surface, since at the end of the day a CS doesn’t
affect the sonic quality of Pro Tools. However, if you feel
like your sessions are unbearable without a set of faders,
you may want to think about putting a control surface at
the top of your list. But don’t knock em’ until
you’ve tried one, if you haven’t experienced
using a control surface find a studio or set-up where you
can test one out, you might be surprised.
Pro Tools Tidbits:
- Digidesign released the new Mbox
2 Mini, the
most affordable Pro Tools LE system to date.
- released an update to Guitar Rig (v2.2),
containing 3 new Native
Instruments modules and Intel Mac support.
- IK
Multimedia released an update to SampleTank (v2.2), now
with Intel Mac support.
If you have a Pro Tools related question that you would
like me to take a shot at answering or have any feedback,
please send it to brian@audioMIDI.com.
I will do my best to select the questions that seem to stump
the most people.
As always, stay tuned to the audioMIDI.com eNews for the latest reviews and new product info.
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