Introduction

One of the dilemmas for Pro Tools users is whether to use the computer keyboard and mouse or whether to go for a hardware control surface that presents itself to the operator more like a conventional mixing console. Experienced recording engineers have developed their craft over many years, getting a feel for moving the faders, reaching out to tweak the EQ while in the middle of a mix, and dancing on the transport controls while overdubbing like crazy . Engineering music recording sessions is very much a hands-on affair. The four main choices when it comes to adding a hardware control surface to Pro Tools systems are Digidesign s own ProControl, the Mackie HUI, the Digidesign/Focusrite Control24 and the CM Labs Motor Mix.

ProControl is a relatively expensive piece of equipment that is finding its niche mainly in high-end music studios, video post-production and film studios at present. It is a modular system and connects to the computer via Ethernet. The basic unit has eight faders, but ProControl can be expanded to 48 faders using extra units containing groups of eight faders and with the Edit Pack to provide additional editing controls. Small project studios are more likely to be interested in the Mackie HUI, which hooks up via MIDI and is very reasonably priced. If you want to record bands in a small project studio, the CM Labs Motor Mix makes a good choice. This is a modular system with eight faders on each unit and three or four of these...