Mackie Controller - What do you think

[MDfilms]

I was thinking about getting the mackie controller for my pro tools setup. I have heard its a great unit. I wanted to know if anyone here has used it, what do you think of it? Also, since it uses midi IN/OUT, how do you get this into the G5. Do I use my midi controller keyboard? Do I need to get something to change the midi into usb? I dont know. I'd love to hear what everyone thinks. Thank you

 

[soarprod]

Re: Mackie Controller - What do you think

Hy MD, The MCU is a great product and I use mine with Steinberg Nuendo. Since I have mixed before on Procontrol ($10K) with protools, I have a good refrence of it's performance and feel. The board is a solid product for the price (got mine for $800 during a Guitar Center sale) and works well for mixing - real time saver compared to "mousers" and virtual faders. The faders on the MCU are very nice but sometimes you have to press down more then a board like procontrol - this doesn't particularly bother me. To date, I have mixed 7 film projects (6min-50min, DV, 16mm, 35mm) with the Mackie and it has been great. I would highly recommend this product since it can also be used with multiple audio products and with the MIDI interface can be used on several different computers - I use a PC. For the G5, I would get a usb to midi converter box ($50ish) and you should be up and running. Also, be sure that your board is the version 2.1.1 and not 2.1 - you can get the patch from Mackie - The board would not function properly for me until I went to 2.1.1 - this was 5 months ago so they should be up to speed from the factory.