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View Full Version : Command|8 Issues


Ray Campbell
06-11-2004, 12:04 PM
I've been test driving a Command|8 for a few days, and there are a few things that could use fixing.

These observations are mostly related to plug-in inserts, although I think aside from automating a certain parameter, I'll likely stick to mousing for plug in adjustments.

* The plug in window does NOT open when a plug in is selected from the Command|8. I had one window open *once*, but was unable to repeat it. There is a blue select box around the plug in insert in the mix window, but the plug in window does not open up.

* Some plug in labels on the C|8 are all but useless. In Filter Bank, I get two PAGES of controls labelled "Lo She"; a page all labelled "Parame", and a couple more pages labelled "Hi She". I know you can hold the display button and the select button to see the full name, but it doesn't make adjusting parameters very easy.

* Some plug in controls are duplicated on different pages. Again, most notably Filter Bank. This makes it additionally confusing, especially when they're all labelled "Hi She".

* Inconsistent use of rotary vs. select button for toggled parameters. I found one plug in parameter (can't recall which) that had only two values (on/off or in/out or pre/post or something) and was assigned to the rotary control. As I turned the control one way it would cycle through it's two states: On-Off-On-Off-On-Off, etc. I also found the range of movement to change the state was very sensitive, requiring only a light touch of the rotary to toggle it.

At the same time, there are some parameters, although not continuous, that have several different states. Again picking on Filter Bank, the output meter may have 5 different setting plus OFF. This is assigned to the Select button, and you must hit it multiple times to cycle through the options. This would be better served on a rotary, although with the sensitivity reduced somewhat from what I've experienced elsewhere.

* For the wishlist, it would be nice to be able to somehow LATCH the Display Mode button, so you could see individual fader levels, and quickly check full track names while mixing without requiring a two handed maneuver.

That's all for now. I like that Command|8 is Pro Tools focussed, and hope that some of these things can be worked out to make it better.

Ray

Chief Technician
06-11-2004, 07:29 PM
Ray,

I don't have FilterBank. What other plug-ins exhibit this odd behavior for you?

Ray Campbell
06-13-2004, 08:08 AM
O.K. I have to amend a few of the comments I posted. It would appear that Filter Bank is the primary plug where these things occur. I suspect it is a plug in coding issue since other EQ plugs don't exhibit the same behaviour.

In FilterBank, controls labelled "Hi Shelf Gain", "Hi Shelf Cutoff", etc. all come out as "HiShe" on the display.

In the Focusrite EQ, the long and short labels are the same, so "HSGain" = "HSGain".

In the DigiRack EQ, the long name is "Hi Shelf Gain", and the short name comes out "HSGain".

Obviously there is a way to specify both the full- and short name for the parameters.

Analyzing the duplicate controls on different pages, I realize there is a certain logic there. On the first page of parameters in FilterBank, the primary controls are displayed, which are Input Gain, Output Gain, Phase, and Input Gain for each EQ band.

Then as you page over, you get all the controls for a single band, including Input Gain again.

Still, a little confusing since they're all labelled "HiShe".

As for the Rotary vs. Select button, I've found in many cases, including the FB output meter, you can use either control. And I've been unable to find the plug with the hyper sensitive knob adjustment. Admittedly I may have been seeing it switch from the parameter label to the parameter value as the knob was touched.

And as long as there is a plug in window open, when you select a plug in for adjustment, it will take over that open window. However, I've only had the plug in window actually open a couple of times simply by selecting an insert from the C|8 -- so still a bit of an issue.

Did I just retract EVERYTHING?!?

I think I'll drop a line to McDSP regarding their labels in FilterBank.

Ray

Chief Technician
06-13-2004, 09:17 AM
Sounds like FilterBank needs to be recompiled using the v6.4 Plug-in SDK.