The best controller / mixer with Sonar

At the moment I am using the Tascam US2400 and EMU1820 with Sonar.
As I plan to do some live productions, a 24 channel mixer wil help me out for the live productions.
Some newer mixer also have controller capabilities. Such as the Tascam DM4800 and the Presonus Live 24. (also to upgrade my present dated controller/audio interface).
Any suggestions for the best choice?

The VS700 has everything I need. However, it has only 16 fader which means I have to change my "music production habits/workflow" with 24 channel fader direct under my fingertips. How's VS700 for live music production?
 
AT


For Sonar is the VS700.  It is designed for SONAR - so everything works out of the box including about  a million buttons.

@

If you change from SONAR the VS700 loses all its interoperability.  You can use it w/ HUD, but then it is just another controller.

W/ SONAR most of the buttons are labeled, so it is like hard wired (although you can change them).  The jog/shuttle wheel button combination lets you fly around the screen w/o your eyes leaving it.  I didn't have it long enough, but I bet you could get real fast w/ the dedicated buttons w/o having to leave the screen, either.  The scribble strips are excellent, too, for info.  It is just a different, ergonomic way of tracking, editing and mixing w/ everything at your fingertips and obvious.

I can't see Roland/Cakewalk leaving it behind as far as working w/ SONAR, RADAR or whatever comes next for Cake.  But you are right, Ioannis, if you are thinking about changing DAWs all those strengths are lost.

@

Ah, that was Roland hardware, not a software/hardware combo.  For the vs 700c to be kept current, Cake has only to make sure the controller messages don't change.  Still an if, but much easier than continuing to support obsolete hardware when new stuff comes out.

@

FastBikerBoy


I have a ZED-R16 which is excellent if I could justify it I'd have it's bigger brother. Details here

Thanks!
 
I've updated my list:
 
Presonus 24.4.2
Tascam DM-4800
A&H GSR24
 
Major reason for excluding the other suggestions: 24 ch faders at my fingertips. (to be more accurate: access to the most used functionality without switching between banks and switch layers....)

AT


Yea. the A&H looks like a killer.  It ain't gonna edit like the VS700, but all those motorized faders and EQ are quite tempting.

@

I know the A&H is a 24 channel desk. Does it extend its track capacity via banks as a controller? I couldn't find reference to this on A&H's website.


Stewart

Thanks FastBikerBoy

It does look very cool I have to admit.  

I still can't see any mention of banks. Perhaps I missed it. I;ll read again.

I knew it was usable as a controller from the video. It would be silly of A&H if the user was limited to 24 tracks as a controller. I'll see if I can get my virtual hands on its user manual and investigate further.

Have a good weekend mate. Cheers


Stewart

I get these voices in my head - I want it...... I know but you don't need it....... yes but I want it....... ah...but you don't need it...........I want it though..........yes but what will the wife say........... who's running this show her or me?....I WANT IT.......

damn, that thing looks good!

Hey Karl, buy it!!! Just make sure to have some diamond earings on it for the wife. If she asks questions, say that the mixing desk came with the earings!

giankap

I get these voices in my head - I want it...... I know but you don't need it....... yes but I want it....... ah...but you don't need it...........I want it though..........yes but what will the wife say........... who's running this show her or me?....I WANT IT.......

damn, that thing looks good!

Hey Karl, buy it!!! Just make sure to have some diamond earings on it for the wife. If she asks questions, say that the mixing desk came with the earings!

Only trouble with that is that's what I told her when I bought the ZED-R16. I wonder if I sneak it in and just do a straight swap whether she'll notice the difference.

M@ B

FastBikerBoy

I wonder if I sneak it in and just do a straight swap whether she'll notice the difference.

she'll smell the new electronics. she might not know what you bought, but she'll know you bought something.

Good point. Do you think she'd believe me if I said it was a washing machine, that only I can use?

Basic non-motorised fader version is £5000 + I'd need the firewire card another £500 which for a hobbyist is some serious spend. I could have loads of goodies for my track bike for that sort of money. Oh what to do......

Rungkut is now using the GS-R24 (without the motorized faders).
To have it up and runing with Sonar is NOT an easy thing.

Rungkut


Rungkut is now using the GS-R24 (without the motorized faders).
To have it up and runing with Sonar is NOT an easy thing.

I am now officially jealous. Don't tell me if you're happy with it, I'll only want one even more.....