I've been interested in VS700 controller(not the audio interface) since its inception, but I've always wondered how much support such a product would receive.  In passing I've seen complaints about X2 & VS700 not playing nicely together.  I would hate to invest $2000 on partially support product.   All thoughts and opinions welcome, just looking for what I can expect if I were to invest in it.   

Go down to the VS700 forum and have a good read. 2000 is a steal since most of spent at least twice that.

i have the entire vs system.  at this point, i have to encourage you not to invest.  as a community, the vs700 group feels a little neglected.  when we purchased we figured that cakewalk would cater a little more to us, being that we shelled out fpr such an expensive system.....not the case.  heck ...the fantom synth STILL has not been officially upgraded to 64bit.

the controller is great build quality, but not 100 percent yet.  no control of prochannel, laggy strip displays, etc.

Thanks dahjah * Bigboi.....wow the synth is still not 64bit?   Strange that a company who was the leader in the 64bit DAW arena, dropped the ball on that.  Its another reason why I was hesitant to invest in that product, doesn't seem like CW wants to invest in it.   I understand time & money it takes to do all that, but this product has been around since Sonar 8.......I'd like more opinions, but so far it seems my concerns remain valid.    

I use the VS-700 with X1 not X2 and can't comment on any differences.

I think the V-Studio is a great package.  There is less support, but I really haven't needed any except for getting the Fantom set up.  I don't know of a comparable package for the price and nothing that will integrate as well, but, that said, there are a LOT of options out there.

I have the Fantom running in 64-bit (I believe).  My comments on Fantom:
1-I thought I would use it a lot more than I do.  It has some good sounds but nothing I can't cover with something else I have.
2-It was a real pain to get running - very confusing and required Sweetwater tech supt
3-The documentation on it is about like on any Roland synth, which means unclear. I love Roland stuff but they have never been good manual-writers.
 
Big quirk with the Fantom:  You can only have one instance running.  Not a problem, but if you have a project open that uses the Fantom, and then open another Fantom project at the same time, Sonar locks up and crashes.  I often load a second project to look at or copy tracks for a current project, and if I forget about the Fantom thing, I am screwed.  Sonar should be smart enough to warn you and let you cancel, or, better yet, just open the project with Fantom grayed out.
 
There are a few quirks to understanding the input/output choices for the V-Studio in Sonar, but it is not that bad once you get someone to show you how they have arranged things.
 
My main complaint is that anytime you power off the V-Studio I/O, you lose all your mic pre settings (trim, compression, phantom, etc.).  Not that big a deal and maybe other manufacturers have the same problem, but it is annoying.  You need to note your settings somewhere (like taking a screen print).
 

Re Fantom...it does work in 64-bit systems, but you need to download the update. Although you can only have one instance, it is 16-channel multi-timbral so you can have up to 16 parts, depending on how much polyphony you're using.

The biggest drag for me is that if the Fantom is involved, you can't do quick bounces; they have to be real time (it's hardware, not software!). The main way I use the Fantom is after coming up with a part, I bounce it to audio but save the MIDI file in case I want to do any editing later. The second biggest complaint is finding and auditioning patches, there's no searchable database of sounds, and many of the name are ambiguous. But, also note that the Fantom is part of the 700R interface, not the 700C console. So if all you want is the 700C, the Fantom doesn't matter.

I've been using the VS700C more and more these days. I love that they changed all the button functions to single push - if you want to delete something, you just hit Delete. Originally, you had to hit Delete and OK. I use the Access Panel functions all the time, as well as Record/Project, Project, and of course, Transport sections.

My main complaint is that the Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and Command buttons don't duplicate the QWERTY keyboard functions. So, you STILL need to have a QWERTY keyboard around.

The Channel Strip Controls are a mixed bag. Currently, they're not very useful for the ProChannel, but they work well as an ACT controller. I have heard that the next X2 rev will have updates for the VS-700, but that goes in the "rumors" folder...I presume that if so, any changes will relate mostly to the ProChannel functionality. 

Also...Konrad is right about the Fantom I/O choices. It's unnecessarily complicated to get the Fantom working because you have to treat it as hardware I/O...not like a soft synth. But also like Konrad says, once you figure it out you're covered.

As to the 700R settings, I save setting files. For example, I have one that's just for audio-for-video projects, another for doing vocals, etc.


It does seem V-Studio updates lag quite a bit behind the program itself, but I use it in its current state because it does save me time and improve workflow. Then again, I've used it enough so that it's second-nature.

Anderton

My main complaint is that the Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and Command buttons don't duplicate the QWERTY keyboard functions. So, you STILL need to have a QWERTY keyboard around.
As to the 700R settings, I save setting files. For example, I have one that's just for audio-for-video projects, another for doing vocals, etc.

+1 to both of that
 
I like the straight forward customization options, but it'd be really nice to be able to use SHIFT, CTRL, ALT, COMMAND to extend that functionality to access a few more shortcuts

Konradh, Anderton, & FFB, thanks for your input as well.  Seems that my main issue would be that the flagship hardware studio equipment lags behind the flagship software that it's meant to work with.  Very disappointing, but the fact that the current functionality still improves your work flow, might negate that fact, especially considering that without updates for the VS700C you would render it obsolete and lose valuable consumer support, so I gotta think CW has to have it on deck for a serious update soon.  I'm leaning toward the VS700C if only to gain more hands on control of the X2 console.  V700R just got a little interesting when you mention the 64bit update as I would love to get a ARX-01, but I'm about to invest in an RME interface, so I think most of the V700R would go to waste.   

if you want a 700r, i will sell you mine in excellent shape with original box.  i will say this....the mic pres are some of the best i have heard on an interface.  let me know if you are interested.