upgrade control surface or computer? your thoughts

[sleshnyc@gmail.com]

Thank you. This is a fantastic response. It’s exactly why I haven’t made the switch yet but I also know at some point it’s inevitable. I also love the eq and comp sections in the d command. Thanks again for this.

Originally Posted by zakco

I just made the leap. Mac Pro 5.1 on PT 12.4 with a D-Command to a Mac Mini M2 Pro on PT 2023 with 2-S1s and a Dock.

Short version, it's been a smooth transition and I'm enjoying learning to use the new surfaces and Eucon in general. It's incredibly powerful and I'm very impressed with eucon. I'm generally very happy with the move.

But...it's a HUGE step downward in the quality of hardware. The D-Command faders are in a completely different class. SO much better than the S1, And the dock, while the fader is apparently the same as the S1, the chassis is not and it rattles around (as do the switches near the fader) like a $10 toy. It's also mechanically very noisy on slow fades. I called my dealer and they said that everyone complains about this. It's unfortunately normal. I've gotten used to banking away from any channels that are drawing slow fades.

Also, while the Dock's 8 knobs are very useful when combined with a tablet, it is nowhere close to the ease of using the EQ section on the D-Command. Losing that has been a tough pill to swallow, but over time I'm sure I'll get more comfortable EQing on the Dock. Not sure I'll ever get used to the fader on the Dock!

[its2loud]

You might want to consider changing your username to something other than your email address.

Secondly. To compare Avid Dock and S1 to a D-Command is like comparing a Mercedes to a Suburu. They can both drive but the comfort levels will be drastically different.

When the D-Command was new it cost $40,0000. A comparable console today would be S6 or S4.

While the Dock and S1 can certainly get the job done very effectively and efficiently, they’re not going to have the same quality faders and knobs as the S6 or S1. The learning curve can be a bit steep for die hard D-Command lovers but once you commit to the surface you never look back. I made the leap from a D-Command to S6 years ago and have never looked back. When I recently went back to a D-Control temporarily, I hated it.

[zakco]

Originally Posted by its2loud

You might want to consider changing your username to something other than your email address.

Secondly. To compare Avid Dock and S1 to a D-Command is like comparing a Mercedes to a Suburu. They can both drive but the comfort levels will be drastically different.

When the D-Command was new it cost $40,0000. A comparable console today would be S6 or S4.

While the Dock and S1 can certainly get the job done very effectively and efficiently, they’re not going to have the same quality faders and knobs as the S6 or S1. The learning curve can be a bit steep for die hard D-Command lovers but once you commit to the surface you never look back. I made the leap from a D-Command to S6 years ago and have never looked back. When I recently went back to a D-Control temporarily, I hated it.

I agree completely. The S1/Dock are built to a price point and pro quality faders would likely double the price. But the OP asked a specific question and I stand by my answer. I'm not suggesting that they are not powerful tools or worth what they cost, but anyone moving from Icon to Dock/S1 is going to instantly notice the difference and therefore it's worth pointing out.

[Rich Breen]

Originally Posted by zakco

...it is nowhere close to the ease of using the EQ section on the D-Command. Losing that has been a tough pill to swallow, but over time I'm sure I'll get more comfortable EQing on the Dock...

Perhaps a Softube Console 1 would be a useful add-on for you?

[zakco]

Originally Posted by Rich Breen

Perhaps a Softube Console 1 would be a useful add-on for you?

I’ve been very tempted! If they managed to get third-party developers to properly map their products to the platform, they would have a hit. I’m honestly a bit surprised that Avid hasn’t come up with their own dedicated plug-in controller.

[LaverneSykes]

Originally Posted by zakco

I just made the leap. Mac Pro 5.1 on PT 12.4 with a D-Command to a Mac Mini M2 Pro on PT 2023 with 2-S1s and a Dock.

Short version, it's been a smooth transition and I'm enjoying learning to use the new surfaces and Eucon in general. It's incredibly powerful and I'm very impressed with eucon. I'm generally very happy with the move.

But...it's a HUGE step downward in the quality of hardware. The D-Command faders are in a completely different class. SO much better than the S1, And the dock, while the fader is apparently the same as the S1, the chassis is not and it rattles around (as do the switches near the fader) like a $10 toy. It's also mechanically very noisy on slow fades. I called my dealer and they said that everyone complains about this. It's unfortunately normal. I've gotten used to banking away from any channels that are drawing slow fades.

Also, while the Dock's 8 knobs are very useful when combined with a tablet, it is nowhere close to the ease of using the EQ section on the D-Command. Losing that has been a tough pill to swallow, but over time I'm sure I'll get more comfortable EQing on the Dock. Not sure I'll ever get used to the fader on the Dock!

I appreciate you for the advice, I will keep it in my mind for sure.

[glasswing]

Originally Posted by zakco

I’ve been very tempted! If they managed to get third-party developers to properly map their products to the platform, they would have a hit. I’m honestly a bit surprised that Avid hasn’t come up with their own dedicated plug-in controller.

Does the Softube Console work with Pro Tools now?

[noah330]

I sold my HDN system and chassis, which I had initially used with a cheese grater, and then a few Minis ('12 server, 2018, M1). I was using it with an M1 Studio but switched to Carbon because I could see the writing on the wall for HDN.

Had the Artist Mix and hated it. Now using the UF1 and just ordered a UC1 but SW shipped me another UF1 by mistake and now it's a long weekend. I'll probably go with the UF8 at some point as well. I love the UF1 and even though the SSL surfaces are tied to SSL plugs I use them so much it doesn't matter to me. I like the tight integration over other things.

[albee1952]

Another opinion to consider:
#1- does your current setup serve your needs? If it does, I'm not sure I would spend a dime(especially the way the studio business is right now). Keep working and keep socking money away for your future(which might not be a studio, you just never know) Do you have a retirement plan(you need one)? Do you have insurance(for you OR your studio)?
#2-Assuming you NEED to be able to do stuff you can't with the current setup, then I think you should try to articulate exactly what those needs are, so you get the best advice
#3-I spent a boatload of money on my Nashville studio and the investment really did not pay itself back properly(though your market might be very different) and I could have saved thousands by not buying stuff I didn't really need. Just being Devil's Advocate

[sleshnyc@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Another opinion to consider:
#1- does your current setup serve your needs? If it does, I'm not sure I would spend a dime(especially the way the studio business is right now). Keep working and keep socking money away for your future(which might not be a studio, you just never know) Do you have a retirement plan(you need one)? Do you have insurance(for you OR your studio)?
#2-Assuming you NEED to be able to do stuff you can't with the current setup, then I think you should try to articulate exactly what those needs are, so you get the best advice
#3-I spent a boatload of money on my Nashville studio and the investment really did not pay itself back properly(though your market might be very different) and I could have saved thousands by not buying stuff I didn't really need. Just being Devil's Advocate

Thanks. To be honest money isn't the issue. This is just a home studio, albeit a nice one. It's more about function and keeping current. At this point i'm doing nothing because I really like the D command and I basically couldn't give it away anyway. There are functions on the s stuff i like, like seeing all my tracks up on the screen and tapping to access, etc, but for now I'll wait.