motorized fader interface w/Logic Studio, opinions?

T

tijn2001

Logician
hi everyone.
I am running a quad-core Mac Pro w/8GB RAM and 10.6, using Logic Studio with an old MBox 2 now. I barely use ProTools anymore. in fact I haven't used it in over a year. not sure what I need it for anymore.

I want to start being able to mix things more intricately. so i am looking into a motorized fader interface. i do ambient/technoish kind of music.
i am looking into a few different options.....

Mackie Control Universal Pro
Euphonix MC Mix
M-Audio Project Mix I/O

I am drawn to the M-Audio Project Mix because it has audio in/out so I can ditch the MBox 2 and use it as my audio interface. The other two I would still have to keep the Mbox 2. But all these options run $1000 and up.

Anyone have a cheaper solution for a motorized fader board to run with Logic Studio? Or are those three probably my best bet? Any one in particular probably a better idea?
 
georgelegeriii said:
Fact #1: Project studio is protools only. Fact 2: both the Euphonix and MCU are very expensive.

I would suggest the Berringer BCF2000
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCF2000.aspx

low cost, makes a bit of noise, but a good and workable device, and lots of info on the intertubes.
Click to expand...

Beware of quality control on these. I just had to return one for a replacement, and am probably now returning that one for a refund.

The problem is the jerkiness of the faders.
See these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdP6WyPyCuo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcqHLbqnN8w

Others are using this with Logic 9 and it works smoothly (see here for example:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=DEE8614200ECCD96

A user who owns 7 units claims that the ones made in 2009 work smoothly, but those bought in 2010 do not. It may be a manufacturing problem with the loose belts, and a user put up a fix here:
http://okrobotics.com/BCF2000.pdf

However, I assume that such surgery voids the warranty, and this may or may not fix the problem in every case.

You may get lucky and get a unit that works smoothly. But be forewarned. It seemed too good to be true: a motorized control surface for under $200. It probably is. I found the noise and rattling and jerky motion unacceptable.

Also, caveat emptor: The faders on BCF2000s are NOT touch-sensitive, and this limits usefulness in terms of editing automation.


mk3
 
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