I'm asking here because it's more of a work flow question than specifics about the gear.

I'm wondering how many of you home guys use a daw controller like the V-Studio 100.  It looks cool and all but i'm wondering if it's really something that cuts down on the work, or is it more of an expensive toy that does not really benefit much.  Seems as if you still have to use a mouse and keyboard, it would be a real work flow issue to always be bouncing between the daw controller and keyboard and mouse. 

Eventually I want a different interface and I'm curious of a controller is more worthy than something like an octa-capture.  I realize the octa is several $ more but... I would think it also is newer and would have better circuitry. 

I dunno... Any thoughts would be awesome!  

I'm not in the studio everyday... or even every week so I have little use for one. Extra expense for me and no real room for it anyway.

Steve

redbarchetta


I'm asking here because it's more of a work flow question than specifics about the gear.

I'm wondering how many of you home guys use a daw controller like the V-Studio 100.  It looks cool and all but i'm wondering if it's really something that cuts down on the work, or is it more of an expensive toy that does not really benefit much.  Seems as if you still have to use a mouse and keyboard, it would be a real work flow issue to always be bouncing between the daw controller and keyboard and mouse. 

Eventually I want a different interface and I'm curious of a controller is more worthy than something like an octa-capture.  I realize the octa is several $ more but... I would think it also is newer and would have better circuitry. 

I dunno... Any thoughts would be awesome!  

I had a little extra dough a few years back and plunked some down on a Mackie Control Universal.  Very nice, but from a workflow standpoint (for me), I had been so use to keyboard & mouse that it was a bit of a pain.  It is nice if you have some track where you'd like to record some automation that requires a little more subtle adjustments than the mouse & keyboard can provide or if you're working with someone who likes to ride-the-faders.  Also really handy during tracking as I have it setup on a rolling  micro rack with long cables so I can wheel it around the studio to where I might be tracking from.  I think I might use it more if it had enough faders on it to control an entire mix rather than having to bank switch, but I didn't and still don't have enough cash for the dream controller, YET :)
Best,

Yep that's part of it right there Guitardood... Seems kind of cumbersome to have one or two faders and have to scroll though to make use of them.  WHICH... You brought up another thing that had crossed my mind... Fine tuning.

Is there a capability in Sonar where you use a modifier key with your mouse that would allow you to have finer granularity with the mouse movement?

The vs100 is a nice unit.  I found the motorized fader a hoot  If cake made a touchscreen w/ fader it would be even hootier.  I didn't find the knobs very useful.

As far as workflow, I didn't have it long enough to establish a smooth flow, but it could be had.  You just find what works easy enough on the controller and leave the rest to the mouse and keyboard.  The vs100 is small to configure close.  I wouldn't consider it a complete controller unit, but more of a adjunct to the keyboard/mouse.  Now, the vs700c - your hands never leave it.

As an interface it is right there around the other roland stuff, which is to say good.  It is also a portable recorder.  So it has a few tricks up its sleeve.

@

redbarchetta


Yep that's part of it right there Guitardood... Seems kind of cumbersome to have one or two faders and have to scroll though to make use of them.  WHICH... You brought up another thing that had crossed my mind... Fine tuning.

Is there a capability in Sonar where you use a modifier key with your mouse that would allow you to have finer granularity with the mouse movement?

I know some plugs that I use have this capability.  I don't know if there is a similar capability in Sonar.  Though, I'd be surprised of it doesn't.  It always amazes me how much I don't know about Sonar.  Even after all these years I still find I regularly learn something new about the program.


Best,

AT

The vs100 is a nice unit.  I found the motorized fader a hoot

@

Those things have motorized faders?! That's so cool!

I'd use envelopes a lot more if I had one! LOL :)

I used to use an Alphatrack with Soanr 8.5 but havent had it working properly with Sonar X? series.

i have a V-studio 20,which doesnt have the motorized fader.
but it does have 8 fader=for 8 tracks/4 round knobs=one is master volume fader,the other is main output to speakers,the other is daw input and the last is set for the metrodone.
it was only 300 bucks and i got to admit,i love it.
they just released the win 8 drivers for it a couple months ago.
it also has push buttons for Mic=XLR phantom powered/1/4 guitar /stereo line in's and it has two built in microphones stereo left and right that are for some strange reason...really good..lol.

i use this in conjunction with a keyboard controler that has another 10 faders.
the thing is,there are buttons on the V studio that control right/left track selection,so when im doing mix down,i only use the mouse for focus or adding plug ins. i have buttons on my keyboard to control mute/solo.
its the coolest thing.i held on to analog gear for so long because i loved the knobs and human feel.
i need that to make music,when it was all mouse,it felt fake.even though it wasnt.
point is,your always going to need the mouse but trust me when i say...with your right hand on a mouse and left hand on transport/faders controls on the v station,or something like this.it just makes the experience so much better.

I use an MCU and XT combo. I think control surfaces with motorised faders are probably one of those things that when you haven't got one you wonder why on earth you'd want it, and then as soon as you get it you wonder how on earth you managed without it.

I guess it also depends on workflow but I can't imagine mixing anything with more than a handful of tracks without one. Call me old fashioned but I also like the feel of knobs, faders and buttons which is why I don't get on with touchscreens. Luddite me.