Mixer

Dear Group,

I use Sonar (currently version 2XL, but am considering upgrading to 6), and have a fine audio interface. But I'm not liking mixing using the mouse and monitor. I'd like a mixing board that I could connect to my PC (USB?), with which each fader would control a track within Sonar. I've browsed around quite bit, but the only USB mixers I've found that seem capable of "linking" their faders with Sonar are also audio interfaces, which (1) makes them more expensive and (2) probably would conflict with the one I'm using.

Does anyone know of a good USB fader that would do the trick?

Thanks!

Please don't take this the wrong way. But if you don't know the difference between an mixer and a control surface, it may be a little early in your producing career to unload $1200 on a control surface.

Just trying to save you from wasting money on something you don't need. But if money is of no object then ignore this. Mixing with a mouse and keyboard, and envelopes, and automation, is by far superior in capability and flexibility to mixing with a hardware controller. True, you could use both. But it's just such a frivalous waste of $1200 which could be much better spent on several nice microphones, or maybe a new instrument or something useful.

My $0.02 for what it's worth.

ORIGINAL: themidiroom

ORIGINAL: OffAnAirplane
Mixing with a mouse and keyboard, and envelopes, and automation, is by far superior in capability and flexibility to mixing with a hardware controller. True, you could use both. But it's just such a frivalous waste of $1200 which could be much better spent on several nice microphones, or maybe a new instrument or something useful.

My $0.02 for what it's worth.

Wow! That's kind of harsh to say that it's a waste of money to buy a control surface. Many people do find them quite useful. I wouldn't suggest a newbie rush out and get one but it's false to say control surfaces aren't useful.

I didn't say they weren't useful. I just think for a newbie there are a lot better ways to blow $1200. And I'm speaking from personal experience. I bought an FW-1884 way before I had a clue what I was doing. And I lost a lot of money when I sold it about 3 months later. Not saying this guy won't be different, but as a newb there are a lot more things you need before a control surface. I mean, if your best mic is a Studio Projects C1 and you unload $1200 for a control surface, you need to re-evaluate your priorities, assuming that your ultimate goal is great sounding audio productions.

I know you use and love your Mackie-U and that's great. But you've been around the barn and knew what you were getting into before you bought it. That was an educated decision. I'm just trying to save this guy from making an uneducated decision, and regretting it later. He can always get one later. I'm just suggesting that he familiarize himself with all the capabilities of mixing within the software so he can decide whether or not he really needs a control surface before buying one.

Again, as I said in my previous post, this is just my personal opinion, based on my personal experience. Just trying to save him some money and frustration.

I'm loving my Alphatrack. Bought it used for $150.00 and the seller paid the freight.

i would think a control surface would be for guys who cut their teeth riding faders. typically i'm either dialing in broad changes (like making something on the chorus louder) or doing a lot of intricate gain work (like on over-dynamic vocals). in both cases using the mouse seems like a better plan, but if you've got golden fingers i guess there's no substitute... =)