John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 13:28:34
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So its the ergonomics of PC you have problems with, Brian. I can except that. We don't all have to sing the same tune.
I like it because it is always there ready to go. I don't use all the modules that I have but when I need to I tend to use it over the FX bin if what I need is available in a PC module.
I have no problem using the FX bin either.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 13:48:17
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TBH the convenience of the PC always being there is the only reason I prefer it over regular VSTs. The modules are great quality but there's plenty of great quality VSTs as well. It just makes no sense to me to use VSTs over the PC though.
I probably have a compressor of some sort on almost every track. For me in a typical project that can easily add up to up to 20 or 30 compressor UIs. What chaos it used to be hunting through those to find the right one or having to double click on it's name in a list in the FX bin. Add on to that a whole load of other FX and chaos soon became meltdown. Enter the PC and chaos no longer.
I just love the fact that I can now click on a track and my floating inspector is either there ready to adjust or just a key press away. That's going to win every time for me.
That sort of convenience and the other UI improvements (multidock - Screensets etc) is the main reason I prefer the new X series over the 'old' versions.
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John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:03:41
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FastBikerBoy
TBH the convenience of the PC always being there is the only reason I prefer it over regular VSTs. The modules are great quality but there's plenty of great quality VSTs as well. It just makes no sense to me to use VSTs over the PC though.
I probably have a compressor of some sort on almost every track. For me in a typical project that can easily add up to up to 20 or 30 compressor UIs. What chaos it used to be hunting through those to find the right one or having to double click on it's name in a list in the FX bin. Add on to that a whole load of other FX and chaos soon became meltdown. Enter the PC and chaos no longer.
I just love the fact that I can now click on a track and my floating inspector is either there ready to adjust or just a key press away. That's going to win every time for me.
That sort of convenience and the other UI improvements (multidock - Screensets etc) is the main reason I prefer the new X series over the 'old' versions.
I agree with that completely. I too can say I have a compressor on every track but in my case they're not on.  The convenience factor is huge with the PC in my view. What I really love about PC modules is they are very high quality and still use little CPU. How CW was able to do that is a happy mystery to me. But your point in trying to track down which FX is on which track is an important one. One I have come up against. I have been known to adjust an FX and find out it was on the wrong track. That is a really bummer. I'm not saying one can't do that with the PC but it is much easier to know that when you select a track to work on the PC is right there and is the right one.
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stevec
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:08:30
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I actually agree with both Karl *and* Brian. I use the PC all the time (literally ever project) and love the way the UI works. In the Track Inspector. But I'm not crazy about it when used directly from the Console View, since the "pop-out to the right" thing also catches me sometimes when aligning PCs to tracks. So the only time I actually use it that way is when copying (or moving) FX from one track's PC to another. Then it's time to close PC and return to the TI method. YMMV.
SteveC https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163 SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors; Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO); Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
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John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:20:01
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stevec
I actually agree with both Karl *and* Brian. I use the PC all the time (literally ever project) and love the way the UI works. In the Track Inspector. But I'm not crazy about it when used directly from the Console View, since the "pop-out to the right" thing also catches me sometimes when aligning PCs to tracks. So the only time I actually use it that way is when copying (or moving) FX from one track's PC to another. Then it's time to close PC and return to the TI method. YMMV.
I think the CV in general needs some work.
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brconflict
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:21:07
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PC isn't conducive to touch-features, either. The Inspector is ok, but then you've got to ensure you've selected the right track, or you'll quickly find yourself making changes to the wrong track.
I don't have an answer for all this, but it's like PC is an extra task to view/hide and the FX bin isn't tall enough. And both exist in separate places, saved as separate files.
Sidenote: For touch screens, Cakewalk can make the channels wider, taller, bigger, and put the PC near the top of each, including thumbnails of 3rd-party plugs. Need to scroll around, up and down? Three-finger swipe on the screen in any direction. Imagine three 30" monitors side-by-side and Cakewalk implementing the ability to show channels 1-24 spread across all three monitors. Got six 30" monitors? Well, wouldn't that be cool to create a large console from all six like:
[ 1 ][ 2 ][ 3 ] - These would show PC for each channel or track-view.
[ 4 ][ 5 ][ 6 ] - These could be the lower half of the console showing channels/faders, etc. (console view) Forward thinking....
Anyway, imagine how killer a life-sized console of 6 or more monitors would look at NAMM? Shiny things. If we're getting Touch features, let's get serious! Steven Slate did.
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:27:41
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Interestingly my use of the CV has dropped considerably and I mainly use a cut down view as a track selector in the track view. I prefer a floating inspector. That's doesn't mean I never use the CV, just less than pre-X1.
I can only speak as I find and as I use a control surface for track selection I never have much of an issue with correct track in focus. Most of the X UI just fits my preferred workflow like a glove.
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stevec
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:41:50
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I think the CV in general needs some work. Yeah... no argument here. Overall, I actually prefer the pre-X series CV, but just a little. A scalable (in both directions) and customizable (multiple sends) version of today's CV (with color customization of course) would be fantabulous. I can dream... 
SteveC https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163 SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors; Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO); Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
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John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 14:53:52
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I was thinking the same thing, Steve.
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 15:03:16
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I ended up buying it after all :)
I somehow managed to find the $'s as it is a good special, and the one thing I found I did not like about the stock PC was it was only on the full mix. At least this way I can get individual track settings instead. Even if I now need to learn how to use it - part of the fun ;) really!
Cheers
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jb101
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 15:17:39
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joden
I ended up buying it after all :)
I somehow managed to find the $'s as it is a good special, and the one thing I found I did not like about the stock PC was it was only on the full mix. At least this way I can get individual track settings instead. Even if I now need to learn how to use it - part of the fun ;) really!
Cheers
Glad you got them, they're great. Not sure I understand the comments in bold.
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 15:54:52
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Hmmm - neither do I. Certainly not done intentionally....although looking at it I think it is an error in the Cakewalk Forum "quote" function as the OP is in normal font..
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John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 16:23:17
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I think JB is saying that this doesn't make any sense
"I found I did not like about the stock PC was it was only on the full mix. At least this way I can get individual track settings instead."
At least it doesn't make any to me. LOL
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jb101
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 16:34:39
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Thanks, John, that's right, I was saying that I don't understand that part.
The bold was added by me, ironically, to make it clearer.
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 16:51:48
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Ahh ok JB, I thought you were saying you didn't understand why I made the txt bold... They way PC was working for me (the factory versions of the tools) was it seemed to only affect the total output of all tracks. Perhaps I was using it incorrectly??? Wouldn't surprise me  The impression I got from reading about the "Pack" was it then allowed the use of the PC tools on a per track basis, rather than the overall mix. Again perhaps I misunderstood? In any case it is still a good pickup, so I am not that concerned. But if my understanding of using PC and the tools is wrong please feel free to smack me down 
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John
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 16:57:13
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PC was always meant to be used on a per track basis. This was so in X1.
That was its huge advantage.
All you get with this package is more modules. Its good deal but it wont change how you can use PC.
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 17:00:55
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Okay thx - seems I must have had it setup and/or using it incorrectly. Right, back to the manual
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stevec
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 17:48:57
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What John said - any of the PC modules can be used on tracks or busses, there are no physical limitations of any kind. That said, the module pack does include the PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor which is intended as a track based version of the PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor delivered with SONAR. Plus, gates are fairly common on tracks/channels but I'm not sure about busses... So although you can mix and match any way you'd like, some of the PC modules were designed around track or buss usage... so you weren't completely off-target!
Not to mention, you're getting the CA-2A and Concrete Limiter which IMO are two of the best PC modules available (and the CA-2A includes a VST version).
SteveC https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163 SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors; Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO); Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
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stevec
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 17:54:55
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Edit: Duplicate post courtesy of IE9.
post edited by stevec - 2013/05/20 19:17:55
SteveC https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163 SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors; Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO); Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 19:08:28
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Thx Steve
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stevec
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 19:18:37
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You're welcome! I'm definitely one of those who likes the PC, as you can probably tell. 
SteveC https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163 SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors; Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO); Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
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joden
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/20 20:40:16
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Now all I have to do is wait for the serial numbers. I bought it about 3 -4 hours ago, but still no serials, guess they must be busy.
Dennis
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brconflict
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Re:ProChannel Module pack on sale for $149 - Worth it?
2013/05/21 11:02:05
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Let me clarify that I don't hate the aspect or idea of the PC, but rather how it's implemented. There are some missed opportunities, IMO. For instance, CW could have increased the size of the normal FX bin, or made it synonymous with PC, as an option for Producer. They could have made the normal FX bin increase in height, should you need more plug-ins than the current bin can hold. They could have made it so that you could save an entire channel's settings in the same fashion as the FX bin or PC settings without having to use a track template. They could have made it so you could have deleted the PC EQ altogether. They could have also made it so that you could expand, collapse all PCs at once with a single keystroke, and use Ctrl+mousewheel to scroll left or right like you can in the Track View. Correct me if I'm wrong about these features.
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
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