MJW
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/28 07:42:29
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Hi Cyn
glad it worked out have fun, and John yes a scribble strip to me is a strip for scribbling on!
cheers
Matt
P4 3Ghz HT, 4GB, 2 UADs, 2 Powercore Elements, 1 Powercore MkII, Magma Chassis, RME HDSP9652, Alesis HD24XR, Mackie MCU, Benchmark DAC1 etc. www.spirerecords.co.uk Darwin was a monkey's uncle
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redravensounds@yahoo
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/28 11:05:20
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Good Morning John,
No no not your fault at all - If anything, I'm a tad upset at Mackie for not including a great manual with it the way that they used to do, - the manual that I had gotten with my 1604VLZ Pro mixer is just stellar. That mixer has been to gig after gig after gig, suffered a near miss with a beer that was sitting above it, had it almost pulled off a table by its attached snake, - and a beautiful piece of equipment like the MCU and nada - no manual, and sparse information on the Mackie web site. I can understand not wanting to publish a book on paper any more, but a PDF, that thoroughly covered functions, set up, diagnostics etc, is definitely in order. It wouldn't necessarily cover all the set ups for all the DAW's that differ the use of functions by the overlay buttons, but it should have a good troubleshooting section, firmware upgrade procedures, mode selection etc. The manual that Matt pointed us to, is awesome, but I did a pretty thorough search on the Mackie site, and that link is pretty hidden. It should also be set to Mode 1 when it ships - because per the documentation, Mode 1 handles the larger majority of DAW's (Including Sonar of course).
I worked with Sonar last night, using the MCU and it is truly fabulous! I did set the jog wheel and FF and Rewind to beats rather than bars. Are there other changes that you have found useful? I'd like to incorporate them, and do a save on that configuration.
Again, thanks SO much for working this with me to its successful conclusion - musicians helping musicians - thats what its all about. Again, I hope that this thread helps some other poor soul who is dealing with a lack of documentation on an otherwise, very fine piece of equipment.
:-)
~ Cyn
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milesd
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/28 12:36:25
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Hi John,
I'am sorry for this reply in a thraed that is not mine but I have a problem with my new MCU-PRO.
All funcionality of MCU-PRO with Sonar 7.02 are OK. The only situation that don't work properly is the plug-in management.
It's not possible to open a plug-in window from MCU on the selected channel and if I open a plug-in window with mouse don't have a sync with MCU-PRO editing. I can open the third plug-in of the first channel with mouse and I can have the second channel selected with his third plug-in in editing.
This situation is very confuse.
For you it'possible to develop a new plug-in version for a normal management???
The normal way would be:
1) select channel
2) press plug-in button
3) press function key F1-F5 and the system open the selected plug-in with direct editing on MCU-PRO of this plug-in
This is normal with Digi Command8 control surface and PTLE.
What you think about this???
Thanks
miles
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/28 14:34:30
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The below is from the MCU help file. Editing Plug-In Parameters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To edit plug-in parameters on a track or bus: Press and hold down the Track button Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group (Track or Bus) Select Plugin Release the Track button You can then use the SLOT UP/DOWN buttons to navigate to different plug-ins in the displayed track/bus. When you are finished with editing plug-in parameters and wish to display track/bus parameters again: Press and hold down the Track button. Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group (Track or Bus. Select Params. Release the Track button Editing Per-Channel EQ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To edit the built-in per-channel EQ on an audio track: Press and hold down the Track button. Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group and make sure Track is currently selected. Select EQ. Release the Track button. When you are finished with editing plug-in parameters and wish to display track/bus parameters again: Press and hold down the Track button. Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group (Track or Bus). Select Params. Release the Track button. To all be sure you have the MC overlay for Sonar. This is a template that sits on the MC and labels the buttons for Sonar. If you don't have it there is a picture in the help file of it. You can order one from Mackie.
post edited by John - 2008/07/28 14:58:10
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milesd
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/29 09:43:31
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Hi John,
I think that this "help guide" is for C4 and not for MCU-PRO.
I have only a MCU-PRO as control surface. I have tried all type of test for edit a plug-in and for open plug-in window. In the console view it's very difficult to focused the plug-in slot for use OK button to open plug-in.
I think that the solution is a new plug-in from Cakewalk that make possible to open plug-in window directly with a function button.
I see that ACT have command for open and focused plug-in that Cakewalk can map under the function button of MCU-PRO plug-in.
Thanks for all.
milesd
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/29 16:01:37
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The things posted are for the MC, MCU, and MCU Pro. They all work the same. The help file is for all of the Mackie controllers including the C4 and XT units. You can't use ACT with any MC.
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redravensounds@yahoo
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/30 00:28:35
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It is now two full days since Nirvana was reached with Sonar and the Mackie MCU happily chit chatting together -
I can now say without hesitation, that Sonar and the Mackie MCU are a marriage made in heaven! Wow.
I <HEART> my MCU + Sonar!!
The mouse has been relegated to secondary duty - soon to become obsolete in music creation!
W00t!!
~ Cindy
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/07/30 01:21:16
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Cindy I told you will love it. I wouldn't throw out the mouse just yet though. Any rate I know that its the best control surface for the money. The really nice thing is it works with just about all the DAWs. Now I do video also and Vegas Video also works with it. I am an early adopter of the MC. I have the first version of the MC. I had a Logic control before that. Long story there. Sound Forge really doesn't support it except I have it working even with that. All in all I like it!  BTW Cindy I wish to welcome you to the forum. Anything I can help you with just ask. I or some one will be forthcoming.
post edited by John - 2008/07/30 01:46:53
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milesd
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/04 13:40:29
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Hi John,
I have tested on my MCU-PRO and is not possible to use the command that you have write in your mail. The commands and buttons (like slot) is only for C4.
I hope in a future release of Sonar and in a new plug-in with command-map for a best plug-in management.
bye
milesd
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/04 13:49:46
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ORIGINAL: milesd
Hi John,
I have tested on my MCU-PRO and is not possible to use the command that you have write in your mail. The commands and buttons (like slot) is only for C4.
I hope in a future release of Sonar and in a new plug-in with command-map for a best plug-in management.
bye
milesd
What commands are you talking about? Remember that ACT is not supported with Mackie Control or the C4 or the XT.
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milesd
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/04 18:22:07
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This command are only for C4:
Editing Plug-In Parameters
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To edit plug-in parameters on a track or bus:
Press and hold down the Track button
Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group (Track or Bus)
Select Plugin
Release the Track button
You can then use the SLOT UP/DOWN buttons to navigate to different plug-ins in the displayed track/bus.
When you are finished with editing plug-in parameters and wish to display track/bus parameters again:
Press and hold down the Track button.
Select the desired Upper/Lower Control Group (Track or Bus.
Select Params.
Release the Track button
------------------------------------------------------------
This command don't function on MCU-PRO. The problem with plug-in management needs a new release for me.
milesd
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/04 22:37:02
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On the MC there are 6 buttons call assignment. Those are used to tell the MC what you want to control.
To Configure Effects on One Track or Bus at a Time
Put the Mackie Control into Tracks mode, Bus (Aux on the SONAR overlay) mode, or Main mode, depending on where the relevant effect is patched.
Press the Select button for the track or bus that has the effect you want to adjust.
Press the Plug Ins button twice. The Assignment window displays PO with a period.
If you have more than one effect patched to the track or bus, select the effect you want to configure by pressing the Edit button so that its light is on, and hold down M1 while you press the left or right Channel button to select the previous or next plug-in. The Assignment window displays P followed by the number of the effect.
The effect's parameter names and values appear on the LCD in abbreviated form. For example, in the Cakewalk FxDelay plug-in, Vc1DlC means Voice 1 Delay Coarse.
Turn the V-pot that's directly in front of the parameter you want to adjust.
If your plug-in has more than 8 parameters, you can step through them one at a time by pressing the Channel buttons (make sure the Edit button's light is on), or you can jump by 8 parameters at a time by pressing the Bank buttons. You can jump to the first or last parameter by holding down the M1 button while you press either the left Bank button or right Bank button, respectively.
You can set any parameter to its default value by pressing the V-pot that controls it. If you hold down M1 while turning a V-pot, you can make fine adjustments to the parameter
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scurrier
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/20 02:01:49
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OK...here is one that I am hoping that the great minds who solved the first problem can solve:
Connecting to SONAR with my MCU isn't working. It is an MCU (firmware 2.1.0), not an MCU pro or the original MC. I had teh correct midi ports enabled, selected mackie control, everything. I checked that it is indeed in mackie control mode, which it is. I tried using it in Reason and it worked sort of and although the LCD screen did not display anything, it just said "- MACKIE CONTROL UNIVERSAL - by Mackie Designs, Inc." Not sure what was going on. My faders weren't working entirely smoothly, which is why I said it 'sort of' worked in Reason. I would be moving a fader and watching it on the screen, and it would sometimes instantly flip all the way down even though I was modulating it in the middle of the fader travel. If I kept pushing it would go back to where it should be, but it definitely made an instantaneous "pop," if you will.
So then I tried to update the firmware on the MCU. I got the midi file update dropped into sonar and set up the correct output and set it to channel 1. This did not work at all. I could see no output on the interface as a result of playing the file. It almost makes me curious if SONAR is filtering SysEx messages. I downloaded the demo of Acid and dropped the update midi file in there with all the settings correct. I could see output on the interface when I used this program. When I hit the play button, I saw a blip of output from the interface, and then when the cursor got to the part of the file that looked like it had some content (since there was a blank part at the start of the file) the MCU screen just said "U1)_" only what's inside the quotes. The underscore was flashing between an underscore and a black box. I had already turned off all possible extraneous MIDI messages that I could find in this program. I don't know what else to do.
HELP! Thank you so much for reading my long message.
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Lanceindastudio
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/20 02:13:29
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Man if I dont have a manual, I ALWAYS look online for it! Although, it didnt help me with my VS880 syncing problems. Somebody here had to chime in. Gratz on gettin it goin man! ORIGINAL: redravensounds@yahoo
MJW, You Sir,
are a steely eyed missile man!!!!!!!!
That did it!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU HUG HUGG HUGGG
YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Whooo hooo!!
Isn't it amazing what a manual can do for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As soon as I reset the mode it took off like a heard of rabbits! That was it John! OMG, Even the scribble strip is indicating properly! W00t!! I am now going to celebrate with a ---- glass of orange juice (as I can't have wine cause I'm still on all kinds of stuff from the wisdom teeth being pulled)
John, you are right! its GORGEOUS!!!! All they would have had to do is give me a manual with this unit, and John and I wouldn't have wasted copius amounts of time trying to think of what could possible be the problem!
Perhaps this thread will help some other poor soul who is lost in the woods, not fall into the same situation.
You are both my friends for life!
Going to now make some music (after I put everything away that I have pulled out, in the process of troubleshooting this! - No one can accuse us of not sticking to a problem!! )
Huggs again guys!!! You definitely rock :-)
~Cyn
Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard i7 3770k CPU 32 gigs RAM Presonus AudioBox iTwo Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51 Presonus Eureka Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
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scurrier
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/20 02:20:26
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OK guys, nevermind. I can't believe I spent all this time because my midi interface was the problem. I was using on that has no brand name and just says "USB MIDI Cable" on the front. It has a power light, an output light, and an input light. It is of the type where there's a USB cable on one side and two MIDI cables on the other side of a box with the electronics inline. It was causing the problems. I switched over to my M-Audio Firewire 410's midi interface and it worked fine in Sonar, LCD screen and everything. I had tried this before, but I had the damn MIDI Thru switch turned on, which I didn't notice.
I'm doing the update now and watching the dancing dots (using SONAR) .... update complete! All seems to be working well! Thanks anyways guys....Hopefully this will help someone else with this problem.
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Lanceindastudio
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/20 02:38:09
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Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard i7 3770k CPU 32 gigs RAM Presonus AudioBox iTwo Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51 Presonus Eureka Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
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gordonrussell76
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/20 04:17:54
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Just to add to this post for other users coming in, the flashing light thingie will also happen if you add a new midi interface after turning on teh mackie and Sonar.
SOmething in sonar will cause the control surface midi to reset if an additional midi interface is added (In my my case Padkontrol via USB) if I turn this on after everything else it wipes the assignments from teh control surface window. This will sometimes cause a data loop which causes the flashing lights and sometiems a slight imperceptable clicking from the faders.
If this happens either from what I have described or from the OP's issue, can I just say one thing TURN OFF THE MCU I had this problem for the first few days using a brand new MCU and it did not like it, subsequenly fader 5 burnt out and stopped working. Luckily it was under warranty with a great company (Digital Village) and they swapped it out for another new one.
Just a word of warning.
Ps YOu are going to love the MCU, the only problem is that once you have used one, not having one feels like you lost an arm. I was giving some mix pointers on friends tune at his house; going back to mouse only, it was very strange.
Take care
G
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rjeynes
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/22 13:01:28
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John (or others!)
I can't get the Mackie MCU to be recognised at all under Vista with Sonar 7P ( but it works fine with XP). The control surface dialogue only shows blank entries in the drop down list when you try and add a new surface. The Midi interfaces are shown OK in this dialog, and they function OK in other usage. Drivers are up to date (MOTU828MkII and EMU0404). It looks to me like a problem with Sonar unable to find the control surface DLL (which is in the Shared Surfaces directory; the registry entry looks correct).
I've checked the mode setting on the MCU, I think checked every component in the chain (after all, it still works in XP!), there's midi communication between the MCU and the Midi interface, ... just no recognition by Sonar at all of the MCU.
Cakewalk Tech Support asked me to re-install Sonar, which I've done, but the problem remains and they now seem to have given up - so just wondered if you had any suggestions?
Roger
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/22 13:13:39
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In Vista you may need to be logged on as the administrator. Your post suggested that Sonar can't see its components.
I really no nothing about Vista and am shooting in the dark here.
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jammalot
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/25 00:55:48
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You can turn on meters and LEDs and touch select as well as setup the function keys to your liking. John , specifcally can you tell me where this option is located?? Thanks, Jammalot
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/25 01:18:40
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ORIGINAL: jammalot
You can turn on meters and LEDs and touch select as well as setup the function keys to your liking.
John , specifcally can you tell me where this option is located??
Thanks,
Jammalot
Absolutely! In the control surface drop down there is to right an icon click on it with the Mackie Control showing and click the icon. This will bring the configuration/properties dialog up for the MC. From there its simple. Its all right there. You should have the CS tool bar on your setup so you can get to this easily. Its just a click away. Boy are you going to be a happy camper!
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/08/25 02:38:16
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ORIGINAL: rjeynes
John (or others!)
I can't get the Mackie MCU to be recognised at all under Vista with Sonar 7P ( but it works fine with XP). The control surface dialogue only shows blank entries in the drop down list when you try and add a new surface. The Midi interfaces are shown OK in this dialog, and they function OK in other usage. Drivers are up to date (MOTU828MkII and EMU0404). It looks to me like a problem with Sonar unable to find the control surface DLL (which is in the Shared Surfaces directory; the registry entry looks correct).
I've checked the mode setting on the MCU, I think checked every component in the chain (after all, it still works in XP!), there's midi communication between the MCU and the Midi interface, ... just no recognition by Sonar at all of the MCU.
Cakewalk Tech Support asked me to re-install Sonar, which I've done, but the problem remains and they now seem to have given up - so just wondered if you had any suggestions?
Roger
Roger Hi; The MCU is a MIDI device. So it will work no matter what the OS is as long as the OS can load the MIDI port drivers. If Sonar is not seeing the MC its because Vista isn't letting it. Why I don't know. But there are things you can try to find out. First is to be sure that the MC is connected properly. The MCU has two MIDI ports in and out. The out goes to the in of a MIDI port that you have on your computer. Then out from that same MIDI port goes to the in of the MCU. So it has two cables going both ways. It needs both to work. Sonar sends out to it and it sends in to Sonar. If you have the MIDI port setup in Sonar under options MIDI devices you should have those ports checked so Sonar knows to use them. Then goto Options Control Surfaces and select the MCU then select the proper ports for it. After that it should snap to attention. If not you have done something wrong or Vista will not let that MIDI port work. That should not be the case if its in the MIDI devices. Let me know how it goes.
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toastjam
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/09/16 14:35:54
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John-
You sound like a proficient MCU user. I just bought the MCU pro and hooked it up succesfully. I'm mostly going to be using it to mix live gig recordings (Mackie MDR tracks imported into sonar). I'm sure it will be a lot easier than using volume envelopes and a mouse as I've been doing to date. Do you have any hints or recommendations of how you've used the MCU to best help you (1) record, (2) edit and (3) mix?
It would be great if there was a page of MCU information where folks could document there suggestions.
Thanks
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John
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/09/16 18:43:29
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John-
You sound like a proficient MCU user. I just bought the MCU pro and hooked it up succesfully. I'm mostly going to be using it to mix live gig recordings (Mackie MDR tracks imported into sonar). I'm sure it will be a lot easier than using volume envelopes and a mouse as I've been doing to date. Do you have any hints or recommendations of how you've used the MCU to best help you (1) record, (2) edit and (3) mix?
It would be great if there was a page of MCU information where folks could document there suggestions.
Thanks
You are very kind. The help file for the MC may prove better then anything I can say. If you have a specific question I may be able to help.
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toastjam
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/09/17 07:37:21
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thanks...where do i find the help file for the MC? Is it the F1 key?
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jammalot
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RE: Mackie MCU and Sonar 7 Producer
2008/11/04 02:23:24
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redravensounds@yahoo redravensounds@yahoo I see it's been a minute since this post..have you got this straight ???? Please advise
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