With the VS-700 forum about on extinction...you see these units for cheap on Ebay.  Will X4 make them really obsolete (with a newer Tascam/Gibson brand controller)?   I can't see spending $3k to save on using my mouse, but every now and then the Roland units pop up for really cheap.

Or is a controller really just a waste of time?  The VS-700 reviewers didn't seem to think so.   I'm trying to imagine things, since I haven't actually done a mix on a hardware mixer or tweaked EQ with knobs, now for years.  Infact mixing with automation envelopes, for the most part isn't *mixing* anymore. ...at least in the sense of many real time changes performed on all the tracks at once.

Already done.
 
Tascam FW-1884 here. Since SONAR 6.
 
 
Used to be my audio interface until I got my RME UFX. Now the FW-1884 is an add on set of mic pre's thru light pipe.

so...it's not a control surface anymore and some pres in a larger box?  I heard there were quite a lot of issues with that unit...and Frontier Designs decided to help out...and Tascam finally got off their rear ends.

I'm using 3 Steinberg CMC USB units to control some parts of Sonar X3.  they weren't built for Sonar but they sort of work.
 
IN Cubase 7.5 I can use the CMC units no problem (that's what they were designed for), In Sonar I can use the stop/Play and step buttons on the units okay.  Knob CMC unit is a bit more finicky.
 
Nothing like hitting a physical button to stop playback instead of scrolling across 2 24" screens. 
 
I know, I know - learn the keyboard shortcuts.  sorry, I have 4 DAWs too many shortcuts to memorize in each DAW.
 
the VS-700 is still really expensive even used and it takes a ton of desk top space.

my space bar is used all the time.  ..and it's bigger than probably a transport knob on one of these control surfaces.

LOL well, uh, yeah okay.

The thing I seem to miss most is a scrub wheel.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/avid/S6/
 
That's if I didn't go with a large format console ;)
 
Bill

Tascam US2400 user here.  I can't remember how long I've had it.  Still working fine to control basic functions under Mackie protocol.  It used to control the EQ bands per channel under Sonar 8. But that all changed with the X-series.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tascam-US-2400-USB-DAW-Controller-us2400-us-2400-/251629451753?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Multi_Track_Recorders&hash=item3a9648b9e9
 
Still does what I need.
 
Rich

Cookie Jarvis
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/manufacturer/avid/S6/
 
That's if I didn't go with a large format console ;)
 
Bill

That Avid (Eucon) unit sure is pretty.  Does X3 even support the Eucon protocol anymore?  Previous versions used to at one time or another.