tthayer
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Which Control Surface?
Hi All,
I am getting ready to purchase a control surface and was wondering what controls surfaces play well with Sonar X1. Sonar X1 and the control surface software will be running on a i7 950 with 24GB RAM. My Budget for the control surface is in the 3k to 5k range.
Thanks,
Tom
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garrigus
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 12:38:57
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 12:42:44
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Hey, thanks Scott. I have been looking at that unit, obviously because it is closely associated with Sonar, and was wondering about second opinions on it as well as others. I am going to go through your information, which it looks like there is a lot of, and see if I am even more impressed than I have been so far with this unit. P.S. I am also going to grab your book when the eBook version is ready. 
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wormser
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 12:44:55
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In that price range, like Scott said, the V-Studio 700 is the ticket.
The Euphonix units look real sweet but I don't know how well they work with Windows 7 x64 or Sonar for that matter. They are new to Windows so I expect there are growing pains.
I would be a little nervous of them until the software matures.
Windows 8 x64 Intel i7 950 3.06ghz 6 GB DDR3 1333(1066) OCZ memory Gigabyte X58A-UD3R v.2.0 Delta 66. Seagate 1.0tb drives x4 OS, Audio, VST, Backup Stuff. Mackie MCU Pro Latest. Faderport. Sonar X2, PreSonus 2.x, Reaper.
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djjhart@aol.com
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:00:40
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http://www.solid-state-logic.com/music/nucleus/ Its a no brainer if you have the cash.. Life cycle will be alot longer than the v-studio.. But nothing will be as good with Sonar as the V-studio.. I would want an SSL way more than a V-studio.. Who Knows if Sonar will be the software you like or can use next year. I would stay away from propierity equipment that has a large price tag.. Plus the V-studio hasn't drop a dime in the USA.. You can find it for half price in Canada and the UK , as Roland runs specials here and there.. and in the UK your able to get the V-studio without the software. http://www.roland.co.uk/p...aspx?p=10203&c=671 http://www.vintageking.co...=47&category=83174
post edited by djjhart@aol.com - 2011/04/01 13:02:25
Computer - Intel Q9550, Intel BX48bt2 MB, W8 64 bit. 8 gb Ram, SSD Hardware - Tascam Fw1884 Control surface only, Ni S49 Komplete Kontroll,Roland Quad Capture, Ni Machine,Kore, Focusrite A/D converter, Blue Mic, Roland Gaia, Akai Mpk49, Yamaha HS80 Monitors.Software - Sonar Platinum , Vengeance VPS bundle,Sugar Bytes Effectrix, Turnado, NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Dune, Rob Papen Blade , Delay, Punch Evolved. http://soundcloud.com/johnhartson/tracks http://www.youtube.com/user/jhart1313
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wormser
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:05:42
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That SSL is one sweet looking unit!!!
This is the first I have heard of it.
Good points about proprietary equipment because I'm sort of battling that one now with an Alesis MasterControl which has built in firmware to control various different DAW.
The problem of course is as new versions of DAW software are released, Sonar X1 and Cubase etc, the functionality may change slightly, which it has.
No biggie as most things work fine but who knows the future.
Alesis already told me they are not planning to update the firmware so that ends that.
Windows 8 x64 Intel i7 950 3.06ghz 6 GB DDR3 1333(1066) OCZ memory Gigabyte X58A-UD3R v.2.0 Delta 66. Seagate 1.0tb drives x4 OS, Audio, VST, Backup Stuff. Mackie MCU Pro Latest. Faderport. Sonar X2, PreSonus 2.x, Reaper.
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:15:30
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That SSL is indeed very nice. Any idea on the price tag? I doubt I will be moving away from Sonar anytime in the near future as I have been using Cakewalk since the DOS days  , but that is not a major concern for me. What I want is the best capability for the buck, without sacrificing quality. That make all surfaces worth considering.
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BlixYZ
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:27:16
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i use the mackie mcu pro with the c4 rotary controller.
all the other surfaces fall short for me because they cant handle large plugin control. the mcu works with many daws and the c4 automatically maps any vst.
with your budget, you could get the mcu, the b4 and possible 2 fader extension units bringing your fader count to 24!
those four units would look pretty sweet all lined up in a row!
the ssl loooks cool, dont know much about it, but if plugin control is as huge to u as it is to me, you need the c4.
any old control surface can provide transport and track control.
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:36:59
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BlixYZ
i use the mackie mcu pro with the c4 rotary controller.
all the other surfaces fall short for me because they cant handle large plugin control. the mcu works with many daws and the c4 automatically maps any vst.
with your budget, you could get the mcu, the b4 and possible 2 fader extension units bringing your fader count to 24!
those four units would look pretty sweet all lined up in a row!
the ssl loooks cool, dont know much about it, but if plugin control is as huge to u as it is to me, you need the c4.
any old control surface can provide transport and track control.
Very good point. Plugin control is indeed a big thing. Has anyone experienced limitations with the VS 700?
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:49:19
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I use an MCU for control and an A&H ZED-R16 for I/O but if I had the dough, I'd have the ZED-R16s bigger brother If it's half as impressive as the 16. Maybe a bit of overkill for a controller though with all the I/O available.
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:52:54
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Man that A&H is nice. Way out of my price range, but super nice.
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wormser
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 13:55:14
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Windows 8 x64 Intel i7 950 3.06ghz 6 GB DDR3 1333(1066) OCZ memory Gigabyte X58A-UD3R v.2.0 Delta 66. Seagate 1.0tb drives x4 OS, Audio, VST, Backup Stuff. Mackie MCU Pro Latest. Faderport. Sonar X2, PreSonus 2.x, Reaper.
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garrigus
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 16:59:01
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tthayer
P.S. I am also going to grab your book when the eBook version is ready.
Thanks, Tom! The eBook edition will be here soon. I'll be updating the SONAR X1 Power! page on my site as soon as the eBook edition becomes available... http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks Scott -- Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/ Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 17:29:09
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The last Sonar book of yours I bought was Sonar 6, I figure it's about time.
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garrigus
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 17:31:37
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tthayer
The last Sonar book of yours I bought was Sonar 6, I figure it's about time.
Yep, it's a totally new book now... even bigger in size... literally! Scott -- Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/ Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/ Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/
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StarTekh
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 18:58:09
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tthayer
That SSL is indeed very nice. Any idea on the price tag?
I doubt I will be moving away from Sonar anytime in the near future as I have been using Cakewalk since the DOS days , but that is not a major concern for me. What I want is the best capability for the buck, without sacrificing quality. That make all surfaces worth considering.
I hope your sitting down ... http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Nucleus/ and the one you realy want !! http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AWS948/ Happy tracking ..
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:12:20
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☄ Helpfulby TomHelvey 2015/06/07 03:59:34
StarTekh
tthayer
That SSL is indeed very nice. Any idea on the price tag?
I doubt I will be moving away from Sonar anytime in the near future as I have been using Cakewalk since the DOS days , but that is not a major concern for me. What I want is the best capability for the buck, without sacrificing quality. That make all surfaces worth considering.
I hope your sitting down ...
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Nucleus/
and the one you realy want !!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AWS948/
Happy tracking ..
Sitting down is right, man that is just pocket change right? Come on, 96k isn't much. :) That AWS948 is one sweet surface, and your right, I would definitely like to get my hands on that.
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StarTekh
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:23:27
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tthayer
StarTekh
tthayer
That SSL is indeed very nice. Any idea on the price tag?
I doubt I will be moving away from Sonar anytime in the near future as I have been using Cakewalk since the DOS days , but that is not a major concern for me. What I want is the best capability for the buck, without sacrificing quality. That make all surfaces worth considering.
I hope your sitting down ...
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Nucleus/
and the one you realy want !!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AWS948/
Happy tracking ..
Sitting down is right, man that is just pocket change right? Come on, 96k isn't much. :)
That AWS948 is one sweet surface, and your right, I would definitely like to get my hands on that.
> thats the small SSL stuff remember Morin Hights Les Studio, but I think the Desk il remember the best is .. one Karen Carpenter recorded on .. that i got to .. track on... Plasma Meters !!
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subtlearts
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:29:52
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'Plasma Meters' -> Great name for a band...
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StarTekh
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:35:51
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> Ya .. A all girls band !!! Dam
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djjhart@aol.com
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:40:27
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Computer - Intel Q9550, Intel BX48bt2 MB, W8 64 bit. 8 gb Ram, SSD Hardware - Tascam Fw1884 Control surface only, Ni S49 Komplete Kontroll,Roland Quad Capture, Ni Machine,Kore, Focusrite A/D converter, Blue Mic, Roland Gaia, Akai Mpk49, Yamaha HS80 Monitors.Software - Sonar Platinum , Vengeance VPS bundle,Sugar Bytes Effectrix, Turnado, NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Dune, Rob Papen Blade , Delay, Punch Evolved. http://soundcloud.com/johnhartson/tracks http://www.youtube.com/user/jhart1313
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sdpate67
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/01 19:58:45
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BlixYZ
i use the mackie mcu pro with the c4 rotary controller.
all the other surfaces fall short for me because they cant handle large plugin control. the mcu works with many daws and the c4 automatically maps any vst.
i use the mackie mcu pro with the c4 rotary controller. all the other surfaces fall short for me because they cant handle large plugin control. the mcu works with many daws and the c4 automatically maps any vst. How you you get the C4 to map the plugins - that's a mystery to me. The MCU PRO/XT combination is awesome except Sonar keeps losing the MIDI connection - reset! Cheers.
Asus i7-760 Win 8.1/ Sonar Platinum / Lynx Aurora 16 AES16 / Mackie MCU Pro XT C4 / Millennia Media STT1 x 2 TD-1/ UAD-2 Quad x 2 / Neumann O-300 O-810 U87 KM184 x 2 / Shure 57/58 Reverbnation NJN Network
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BlixYZ
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/02 14:29:40
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☄ Helpfulby Kman88 2015/05/03 16:41:19
hold down shift and press track
in the 2nd row, press the encoder that reads "plugin"
press track one or two more times
now, whichever track isselected in sonar or on the mcu, those plugins are controllable from the C4. use the slot up and slot down buttons to switch between plugins within a track and use the track R and track L buttons to switch between tracks.
if a plugin has more than 32 params, use the bank buttons to reveal the other params.
i toggle between plugin control and functioon control using the "Function" button
this makes it quite useful!
works with every vst i have (i have alot).
contact me if u have trouble
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BlixYZ
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/02 18:24:22
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fastbikerboy
that A&H piece is my new crush. why am i just learning about it now? all the times ive searched "control surface", it has never come up.
after i sold my project mix, i vowed to never again use a control surface that was also my IO. but this piece is making me reconsider- especially when u consider the great price!
motorized faders, 18 inputs with firewire recording, great analog board from A&H, flexible routing/ recording setup. it honestly seems ideal for a studio my size. plus, iif i keep my octane, i can lightpipe up to 26 inputs :)
plus, if i
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sdpate67
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/02 19:52:37
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BlixYZ
hold down shift and press track
in the 2nd row, press the encoder that reads "plugin"
press track one or two more times
now, whichever track isselected in sonar or on the mcu, those plugins are controllable from the C4. use the slot up and slot down buttons to switch between plugins within a track and use the track R and track L buttons to switch between tracks.
if a plugin has more than 32 params, use the bank buttons to reveal the other params.
i toggle between plugin control and functioon control using the "Function" button
this makes it quite useful!
works with every vst i have (i have alot).
contact me if u have trouble
hold down shift and press track in the 2nd row, press the encoder that reads "plugin" press track one or two more times now, whichever track isselected in sonar or on the mcu, those plugins are controllable from the C4. use the slot up and slot down buttons to switch between plugins within a track and use the track R and track L buttons to switch between tracks. if a plugin has more than 32 params, use the bank buttons to reveal the other params. i toggle between plugin control and functioon control using the "Function" button this makes it quite useful! works with every vst i have (i have alot). contact me if u have trouble Thanks for the help. Going to try that tonight and tomorrow.
What do you think of the SSL Nucleus? It's getting excited but mixed reviews on GS. Appears to be a rev 1 release. Would you really use the preamps, eq etc. of the A&H? It's hard to believe they would have the quality and flexibility of good outboard hardware. I'm just starting to get used to the sound and features of 2-4k channel strips. There is a difference compared with mixers. Thanks again,
Asus i7-760 Win 8.1/ Sonar Platinum / Lynx Aurora 16 AES16 / Mackie MCU Pro XT C4 / Millennia Media STT1 x 2 TD-1/ UAD-2 Quad x 2 / Neumann O-300 O-810 U87 KM184 x 2 / Shure 57/58 Reverbnation NJN Network
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pdlstl
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/02 21:43:28
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BlixYZ
fastbikerboy
that A&H piece is my new crush. why am i just learning about it now? all the times ive searched "control surface", it has never come up.
Gearslutz Been discussed much over there.
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FastBikerBoy
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/03 01:26:42
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BlixYZ
fastbikerboy
that A&H piece is my new crush. why am i just learning about it now? all the times ive searched "control surface", it has never come up.
after i sold my project mix, i vowed to never again use a control surface that was also my IO. but this piece is making me reconsider- especially when u consider the great price!
motorized faders, 18 inputs with firewire recording, great analog board from A&H, flexible routing/ recording setup. it honestly seems ideal for a studio my size. plus, iif i keep my octane, i can lightpipe up to 26 inputs :)
Which bit are you talking about the R16 or the R24. If it's the R16 everything you said is true except the faders aren't motorized and there's no option for it with the 16. ALso if you use ADAT to increase inputs you can only run 24, the stereo pair aren't available then. If it's the R24 it has 24 in/out and the motorized faders are an option as are the I/O choices of which firewire is one but I don't know much about the R24 other than what I've read. The R16 I can verify is excellent, although a bit limited as a control surface compared to say a MCU, but then again that is reflected in the price.
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/08 15:24:34
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Well, after everyone's suggestions I came across a great deal on a VS700 that I couldn't pass up on. So, it looks like that is the unit I will start with. The one thing I came to realize during all of my looking around is that I am definately behind the times when it comes to consoles so I figured I would take a good deal on the VS700 and consider that a learning step towards other surfaces in the furture.
Thanks for all the input everyone.
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rbowser
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/08 15:41:36
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Here's part of a user's review of the Nucleus posted at Sweetwater - he gives it one star:
"... Nucleus has no surround sound, no talk back, not enough inputs and outputs and not enough preamps. This unit reminds me of a modern version of the Yamaha 01x but its still does not compare to the 01x. To consider this unit as home or pro gear is kinda crazy. SSL fix this unit and give us something that compare to the others. The name SSL will not sell the unit..."
Sonar X3e Studio Roland A-800 MIDI keyboard controller Alesis i|O2 interface Gigabyte Technology-AMD Phenom II @ 3 GHz 8 Gb RAM 6 Core Windows 7 Home Premium x64 with dual monitors
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tthayer
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Re:Which Control Surface?
2011/04/08 15:48:34
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rbowser
Here's part of a user's review of the Nucleus posted at Sweetwater - he gives it one star:
"... Nucleus has no surround sound, no talk back, not enough inputs and outputs and not enough preamps. This unit reminds me of a modern version of the Yamaha 01x but its still does not compare to the 01x. To consider this unit as home or pro gear is kinda crazy. SSL fix this unit and give us something that compare to the others. The name SSL will not sell the unit..."
Hmmm, so maybe I wasn't nuts after all. I was looking at that unit and trying to figure out why I would want it. I couldn't but others seemed to think it was a nice unit so I was digging into it but thought I was just too far behind to realize what I was missing. Then again, I could be totally certifiable too! Thanks for that quote from Sweetwater.
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