Controllers

Mackie have updated their popular control-surface system. We find out what's new.

Mackie's C4 controller has been a long time coming, but now that it's here, it provides real-time control for a variety of supported sequencers and their plug-ins, including Apple's Logic, Cakewalk Sonar, and Mackie's own Tracktion.

I'm using a Mackie Control control surface with Cubase SX, and it works fine on audio tracks. However, whenever I select a MIDI track within Cubase, pressing buttons on the Mackie Control seems to trigger random MIDI notes...

Not content with acting as a high-spec control surface and Firewire audio interface for your studio computer, this new high resolution console seems determined to outshine it with its slick touchscreen graphical interface and onboard VST plug-in hosting.

Building on the success of previous mixer and control surface designs, Mackie's affordable Mackie Control promises the best of the soft- and hardware worlds — but will it make you hang up your mouse?

Users of computer-based recording systems often feel restricted by the limited degree of physical control available when it comes to mixing, especially when compared to a traditional setup centred around a hardware mixer. Mike Collins tries out a new system from Mackie which aims to improve matters.