Mackie Control Unit Comments

TimTyler wrote on 9/19/2007, 12:24 PM

I'm thinking about getting the MCU. I've read Spot's glowing "Switch-Hitting in Vegas" review from 2004, but I'd love to hear what other Vegas users think of it.

Does it make you a more efficient and/or creative editor?

I feel like it might replace my Shuttle (which would be fine) but mostly I see using it to speed up audio mixing. I'm assuming I can record volume envelopes on the fly using the faders so I wouldn't need to manually set and drag volume envelope points, which is time consuming.

Comments

bakerja wrote on 9/19/2007, 1:06 PM

I have the M-audio projectmix I/O and I love it. I bought it mainly for protools, but use it a lot in vegas too. Audio envelopes are a breeze. Just grab the fader and vegas tracks your moves perfectly.

I had a little trouble getting started with the mackie control, but once I put all the pieces together, it works great.

If my project has anything more than a global track volume change, I use the mackie control to do it.

I come from the old school of a Harrison 10-b and moving faders is the only way to mix.

JAB

TimTyler wrote on 9/19/2007, 7:09 PM

So is the projectmix i/o just a modified MCU with preamps and inputs and firewire?

bakerja wrote on 9/20/2007, 7:38 AM

Tim,

The projectmix is more than that. It has different modes for different audio programs. In protools mode, it uses HUI. It emulates mackie control mode for most of the others. When you boot the projectmix, you hold down a button that puts it in either protools mode, sonar mode, logic mode, etc. Vegas works best in logic mode. All of the buttons are not active in vegas, but like I said, I purchased it for protools, the fact that I can do fader automation, pans, mutes, etc. in vegas is a bonus.

The mic pres are pretty nice (for the money). They sound very warm and in a control room environment, they perform wonderfully.

It also has a lightpipe input for an additional 8 channels of I/O expandability.

I did have to replace the power supply about 14 months after purchase. Cost me about $20 if I recall.

In all, I am very pleased with it. It meets my needs quite well.

JAB