Control Surface suggestion

[drumn4state]

I am looking at purchasing a control surface to use with Cubase. I don't have $1000+ to spend right now, so I am looking at either the Frontier Designs Alpha Track or the Behringer BCF2000. I have to say right now I am leaning toward the Alpha Track. I was curious to see if anyone here had a suggestion as a good entry level control unit. I currently use the Frontier Designs Tranzport remote control unit and I love it. I use it when recording myself play the acoustic drums. It works great so I am familiar with that company. I have used Behringer mixers in the past and they seem okay, but there is something that just looks "funny" with the BCF. I haven't used one though so I don't want to count it out if it works like it is supposed to and doesn't fall apart after a week. I think I would be okay with one motorized fader (as compared to zero that I have now) with the Alpha, as I do all of my automation track by track anyway. Any feedback would be uber appreciated!!! Thanks everybody.

[tacman7]

I've heard some good things about the nocturn with the auto configuration thing for plug ins.

I use a BCF, I like it. If you use cubase it's easy to setup just use mackie emulation mode.

I have the mixer configured different ways in different workspaces(or screensets) and when I jump to them it jumps to the new setup, pretty neat.

I don't do that much mixing, but it seems ok.

Depends on your approach to mixing, I looked at alpha and fader port and was tempted but went with the BCF

This is the best thing ever invented,

Amazon.com: CONTOUR DESIGN ShuttlePRO V.2: Electronics

I do a lot of the commands in cubase and all but what is really nice is you can create keystroke macro's so any set of commands that can be done with keys, you can make up a macro. Great for Stop recording, rewind, delete that take, set up for new take, all with one button push.

[magno]

I'm curious would you still be able to use the Tranzport if you hook up another controller?

[drumn4state]

Originally Posted by magno

I'm curious would you still be able to use the Tranzport if you hook up another controller?

That is a good question. I haven't thought of that. I will definitely have to check on this, because I am dependent on the Tranzport. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

[garageband]

Howdy, welcome. I have both Frontier Design pieces and love them both. Yes, they'll both work at the same time. The Alphatrack really is great for writing automation. In addition it has 4 soft button for 8 total programmable features. I use the hell out of this. Several features I have programmed are: Undo/Redo, Preious Undo, Add Marker, Save, Click On/Off. Helpful hint: I have a USB extention on mine so I can control the transport of the DAW and write automation sitting back out of the sweet spot.