Mackie Control and Pulsar

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 7:05 am

Interesting news from Creamware!

Last saturday I visited the SFP-presentation in munich. The guys who made the presentation told me, that Creamware is working on the new version 4.0. Part of this version will be an automation of the Pulsar-Mixers, instruments and effects via Mackie Control. An automation for the Houston Controller will not be available.

The new release should be completed until the MusikMesse 2003.

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:19 pm

... and probably by then, Cubase SX supports the Mackie too.

[at0m's looking for an extra job already]

http://www.mackie.com/record/mackiecontrol/index.html
It's about 900$.

Oki no more new Pc1600x presets for now. If it works good, my Pc1600x will be restricted to Reason and Fruity control only then

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: at0mic on 2002-11-05 12:33 ]</font>

Post by **garyb** » Tue Nov 05, 2002 12:24 pm

now that sounds interesting...

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 3:23 am

I just ordered the Mackie Control for CubaseSX. The Houston was my controller so far, but there are too many rumours, that it will not get any more support in future.

Creamware also sais, that they will never make an automation for the Houston. So I gave that beast away and will now "upgrade".

I'll let you know about my experiences.

Jerome · Post by **Jerome** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 11:57 am

Does anybody know wether the logic control and the mackie control are compatible? It would be a bummer if i should buy a mackie control for pulsar while i already have a logic control. hmmm...

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 1:04 pm

I can't say if that is so ...

But the Mackie is just great! After one day of work I don't want to miss it anymore. Very fine work, precise faders, easy to understand and to use. I could not find any parameter in Pulsar and in SX, that I cannot change via the Mackie Control.

What a fun it will be to control the Pulsar-Mixers with that beast ...

Dream22 · Post by **Dream22** » Thu Mar 13, 2003 5:24 pm

Anybody hear any more about this? I've got a Mackie Control I use with SX. I'd LOVE to use it for 2448 and 4896 mixers when I'm fiddling with ideas.

Which brings up a good point: Is anyone else really bummed by the fact that the Creamware mixers don't support automation via multiple MIDI channels? 120 automatable parameters is NO WHERE NEAR enough for a 48 channel mixer!

dehuszar · Post by **dehuszar** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 1:17 am

Could anyone clarify for me? I'm trying desparately to decide between the SAC-2.2 and the Mackie Control. I've discovered in both cases that it only works with "compatible software," but fail to acknowledge what that really means.

I've also heard conflicting reports that you can control CC messages with at least the Mackie Control (maybe the SAC too-again conflicting info), but you won't get any LED output.

Furthermore I've heard people say that they've been automating the Pulsar (albeit on one stupid, stupid channel

) and yet I've also heard that Creamware's 4.0 will have support for the Mackie Control. I'm currently leaning towards the Mackie, but the SAC has nice big knobs, and more grip on the faders (not always a good thing) where the Mackie's are loose (not always a bad thing), a USB hub, and Creamware support (in some unexplained capacity).

On the other hand, the SAC has no separate mute/solo buttons, the LED's are hard to read in low light, and a USB hub is easy to buy and I've got midi ports to spare. They both seem to make noise, the Mackie makes a light shucking sound, whereas the SAC gives off a bit of a whine.

At this point which ever is more universally programmable (i.e. VST/CC editing) wins, assuming that such programmability extends to the Pulsar.

Anyone of you wizards have experience with either or both that can fill in the blanks? I've played with both in the store, but there's no Creamware stuff there, and it's hard to get a feel for equipment even after an hour or so of fiddling.

It might be important to add that I'm using CubaseSX and may pick up Samplitude for mastering.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

marcuspocus · Post by **marcuspocus** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:15 am

I have worked with a SAC 2.2, and there is already bunch of creamware synth already programmed inside, including the old bug mixer,, and yes, there is individuals solo, mute and record button, and there is also a USB hub, extra external midi port, and internal 5 midi port (usb driver), there is different mode, so, it natively support: Mackie control emulation, Pulsar mode (midi CC using external midi port connected to pulsar midi io), logic control mode, reason mode, and a couple more i can't remember. There is 1 thing i didn't find out yet, is HOW the hell do you program new synth in it! But i bet i just missed it, and it's probably there, just didn't saw how...

Working with Logic + Sac2.2 is really a treat, all, and i say ALL parameter and functions can be totaly done from the console, including cut&paste, scrub, nudge, create track, (midi, audio, vst) controling insert, bus and all their parameters.

You don't even need a keyboard!

Anyway, i LOVE the SAC2.2, but since i never tried the real mackie control, well, i can compare really...

My .02$

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:29 am

Just a few days ago I heard from CW support, that the driver for the Mackie Control will be released not earlier than the end of 2003.

dehuszar · Post by **dehuszar** » Sun Apr 20, 2003 6:33 pm

On 2002-11-08 13:04, Dolphin wrote:
I can't say if that is so ...

But the Mackie is just great! After one day of work I don't want to miss it anymore. Very fine work, precise faders, easy to understand and to use. I could not find any parameter in Pulsar and in SX, that I cannot change via the Mackie Control.

What a fun it will be to control the Pulsar-Mixers with that beast ...

So then why the SFP Mackie driver if you can already automate everything in SX and Pulsar that you want? Do you know what's going to be added, or know what isn't quite ripe yet on the Pulsar re: Mackie support?

Thanks in advance,

Sam

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 9:47 am

Yes, what is going to be "added" is the possibility to control the Pulsar-Mixers with the Mackie Control. At this time, I can only control the Cubase-Faders and the plug-ins, that have been loaded in XTC-mode. But I cannot run SFP and control the parameters without Cubase. So in fact it is not only "adding" something. It is more the fact, that you then can use the Mackie on SFP.

dehuszar · Post by **dehuszar** » Thu Apr 24, 2003 12:23 am

Have you tried using Cubase's automation system to work the Pulsar Mixer? Check out this link. I'd be interested if this makes a nice workaround.

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... forum=3&11

Sam

Dolphin · Post by **Dolphin** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 6:38 am

Yes, that is possible. But it is a lot of annoying and timewasting work. And the results would not be as comfortable as e.g. the co-operation between the Mackie and SX.

Imagine one thing: whatever plug-in, synth, effect ... you load into your SFP-Project-Window will automatically be recognized by the Mackie. It will imediately know all midi-parameters and settings. No customizing, no editing, no graphical work to do. It is all there in one second!

If you can imagine this you will know exactly how the integration of the Mackie into SFP will work. BTW this works exactly with the described comfort with SX. JUST GREAT.