Hey Mick (Mully), The pan pot thing does bug me, but I just hit the flip button and use the faders to program anything elaborate so it is not a big deal as much as just an observation.  For those who don't use LSD on a regular basis, you don't really need the pan zooming around a lot anyway.

Haha....fair enough Konrad. Have to admit every time I hit flip I think about all that extra wear and tear on the faders...ADD perhaps?
 
Cheers.

Still using the V-Studio 700 here too. I'll keep using it until I can't because at the moment, it's the best surface I own.
 
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

Scott, Since you are somewhat familiar with Sonar (!), I will take your opinion as a solid endorsement.

Hey Konrad... it's possible there's something better out there, but I don't know what. At the moment, I'm not looking cause I don't need anything more. Plus, the VS works with other software (like Reason) via its Mackie Emulation mode, which is cool.
 
Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

The street price seems to be about 1/3 that of the V-Studio, and at first glance, the capabilities look very similar.  It seems like the Mackie is not nearly as wide, and that would be an advantage for me with limited desk space.

I'll put in a vote for the Mackie MCU.  I would put SONAR support for the MCU behind, Samplitude Pro X and Reaper and very slightly ahead of Studio One.

Here's my rig.

Mod Bod
I'll put in a vote for the Mackie MCU.  I would put SONAR support for the MCU behind, Samplitude Pro X and Reaper and very slightly ahead of Studio One.

Thanks, Dave.  BTW, that's a really nice variety of songs and styles on your website.
 
What I am struggling with is that, on the surface, the Mackie seems to have about the same capabilities as the V-Studio, which is about 3 times the price.  What I am not clear about is whether there is a difference in quality or an important difference in the "integration level".  If there really are important differences, then I'd look at the V-Studio, but as I am just getting started here, my first inclination would be to go with the lower cost unit until I have more experience and a better idea of what will really be helpful.

Mod Bod
I'll put in a vote for the Mackie MCU.  I would put SONAR support for the MCU behind, Samplitude Pro X and Reaper and very slightly ahead of Studio One.

Here's my rig.

Great setup, Dave!  The desk furniture makes the MCU look cool.  I also have MCU Pro + 2 Xtenders, but a fader just broke on one Xtender.  Since those Penny & Giles faders are no longer available, I might have to go with 1 Xtender and use the other for parts.
 
What's the mixer to the right?