Digidesign’s Command|8 is a fully featured control surfacesolution from Digidesign and Focusrite, whose faders, rotary encoders,displays and dedicated transport controls enable users to build theirPro Tools mixes with a hands-on feel. A USB connection facilitatescommunication between Command|8 and a PC or Mac, while its built-inMIDI ports (1-in/2-out) comprise a MIDI interface.
Stand-alone MIDI controller mode makes it possible to mapCommand|8’s controls to third-party MIDI applications anddevices. Command|8’s onboard monitor system supports Pro Toolsanalog audio, independently selectable external inputs and separatelycontrolled speakers and headphones.
Similar to Digi 002, each of Command|8’s eight bankablechannels of tactile controls includes a touch-sensitive fader, anautomatable rotary encoder with an LED ring and a channel meter. Ahighly luminescent 110-character backlit LCD (two rows x 55 characters)runs across the top of the channel array, displaying information suchas full track names, plug-in name and page number, and full parameternames.
Command|8 features a Focusrite-designed onboard analog monitorsection, eliminating the need for an additional audio mixer. Themonitor section features two +4/-10 independently selectable stereoinputs (balanced or unbalanced), stereo speaker outputs (also +4/-10)and a separately controlled headphone amp.
Command|8 can also be used as a stand-alone MIDI controller for anydevice that accepts MIDI control change messages. It can be used forlevel, panning, solo, mute, MIDI machine control of transports andother mappable parameters available in sequencing applications.Command|8 also supports Avid products including Media ComposerAdrenaline and is natively mapped to the Automation Gain tool.
System requirements include Pro Tools LE system (Digi 002, Digi 002Rack, Mbox, Digi 001) or Pro Tools TDM system (Pro Tools|HD, ProTools|HD Accel) on Windows XP or Mac OS X. Multiple Command|8s cannotbe interconnected, nor does Command|8 interface with other MIDI-basedcontrollers; however, it can be used with Digidesign’s ProControlor Control|24.
For more information, visit www.digidesign.com. For more new products, visit mixonline.com/products_new_products/.
