Presonus Faderport 8

Presonus Faderport 8 - (I just noticed this unit isn't actually available yet, so likely no response to that, LOL)
 
Cheers

Yeah, the price point doesn't seem worth it.

BobF
  For similar money you can get a far more capable Behringer controller

BTW has Behringer hardware quality improved more recently? I've had bad luck in far past with their analog mixers/amps etc., crapping out, at critical times, leaving me screaming profanities, (have to watch my blood pressure these days, LOL) albeit, sometimes you don't get what you pay more for either.  

I'm using a Behringer X-Touch.  I like it and the motorized faders are quiet.  I had a Behringer BCF2000 before (reliable) but the faders are noisy and the control section is not as Mackie friendly as the X-Touch.   There is no audio going through the X-Touch, just control.
 
Behringer has had a reputation of poor quality knock off's but the newer gear seems to be much better.  I also have a Behringer Power Play Pro 8 headphone amp that works very well and is quiet (S/N ratio).
  

T9CStudio
 
John,
I have a Avid Transport that I no longer use. I found it's buttons do not map well to Sonar's transport system. It was a real PIA from what I remember. I really think it's purposefully built for PT. The scroll wheel is absolutely 1st class, however.

 
K thanks, good to know, kinda figured it would have PT issues, I'd need another Ethernet port also for this. I just found the Contour Shuttle Pro V2, seems something like it, I need to check some reviews but refers to older Sonar versions compatibility   

Interesting answer as that is pretty much the same answer they gave me when I opened a support ticket reporting that my MOTU Ultralite AVB is unable to change sample rate with Studio One Professional. After days of emailing logs etc they told me "MOTU uses a "different" method of interacting with the unit so that is why Studio One has problems.  Funny, since I have zero problems with Protools, Samplitude ProX3, Reaper... Only Studio One has the problem...
 
BTW this is a real weird one.. Whatever Studio One has been set for, 44.1k, 48k, 96k etc, no matter what the MOTU is set to, it will change to what Studio One is looking for. Changing the sample rate in the panels, brings it right back to whatever Studio One was configured for. Only way to change it is to edit an audio.ini file manually.
 
BTW don't bother posting on their FB page or another other public forum because you will be attacked and ultimately banned. There is some kind of kabal that mobilizes to attack the infidels who dare post negative posts about Presonus products..  lol !
 
 

steveo42
 
There is some kind of kabal that mobilizes to attack the infidels who dare post negative posts about Presonus products..  lol !
 
 

a bit like the cakewalk/sonar forums then ?

dxp
"We are always trying to improve on the features of the FaderPort 8 for future releases.
In regard to Sonar, they implement the MCU protocol in a different way than other DAWs do which changes the way controllers work with their software.
If you'd like to see features implemented with the FaderPort 8 in the future I would recommend submitting a feature request"

This information is a bit incorrect. That is not just my opinion, everyone can check the following:
1) Mackie protocol documentation is available on-line
2) Sonar Mackie Control support is Open Source. Everyone can check that the protocol is implemented correctly
3) "Other DAWs" also use different layouts for MCU, none of them is "right" for every DAW. That is why there are commercial overlays available for the original Mackie units. Sonar also has specific labeling for the right section buttons.
4) Other companies, to save costs of own software development, claim the devices are "Mackie compatible". Real compatibility level vary, from nonsense to almost correct.
 
PreSonus has never published protocols they use. For the original Faderport, with proprietary protocol, they have developed dedicated Sonar plug-in. That is why it works well. FaderPort 8 has no such plug-in, it tries to emulate MCU. But that device has much less buttons then the original unit. So it will be always limited compare to the original.
 
To get correct MCU emulation (if you do not have money for new MCU Pro and do not want second hand device), you can buy X-Touch (full version). The same money as Faderport 8, but complete implementation in terms of hardware controls and the protocol (I have recently spotted a difference in fader resolution, some users have problems difficulties to show SMPTE on display, but everything else is confirmed as working identical). There was one report the latest QCon Pro firmware makes it also MCU compatible, no confirmation from other users till now. Behringer Motör and M-Audio Code have incomplete implementation, work with moded plug-ins in Sonar (there is one mod from me and one more from other user), but they also have less physical controls and so the functionality is limited. SSL, as Presonus, declare Cakewalk is responsible for Nucleus is not working right with Sonar.
 
MY OWN OPINION: for the money they want, such answers should be interpreted as an attempt to fool customers. With corresponding reaction (send the device back, write bad review).