At the NAB trade show in Las Vegas (April 18-21), Mackie announced that Apple’s latest versions of the popular Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro audio/video editing software applications now offer full interoperability with the Mackie Control Universal touch-sensitive control surface.
The Mackie Control Universal (MCU) is part of an extended family of software controllers that includes the MCU, the Mackie Control Universal Extender, an 8-channel extension for the MCU and the Mackie Control C4, a dedicated virtual instrument and plug-in controller. Mackie developed this entire range of products in cooperation with Apple/Emagic.
“With their recent announcement of complete support for Mackie Control Universal, Apple is affirming Mackie’s position as a premier provider of hardware controllers for Apple audio and video software,” stated Jamie Engen, CEO at LOUD Technologies, parent company of the Mackie brand. “We are thrilled with Apple’s continued commitment to the Mackie Control Universal platform and are looking forward to working closely with Final Cut Pro users in the same way that we have with Logic Audio users for many years.”
The MCU complements the expanded audio capabilities built into Final Cut Pro and works with Soundtrack Pro, which has been specifically designed to complement Final Cut Pro. Initial MCU implementation includes transport and jog/shuttle, cursor navigation, writing automation with touch-sensitive and motorized faders. Additional control is implemented for track arming, mute, solo, panning and a variety of user-assignable function maps from a list of options provided within the software.
“Since it’s introduction, the Mackie Control Universal has quickly become the leading control surface platform, with more than 7,000 units shipped worldwide and more than 15 professional-level applications currently supporting it,” commented Ken Berger, senior vice president of marketing for Mackie. “The latest Apple endorsement will significantly expand the Mackie Control Universal’s potential once again as Final Cut Pro users discover how real hardware faders and buttons provide them with much greater control over their powerful software than a mouse and keyboard ever could.”
Soundtrack Pro will be available in May through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), and resellers for a suggested retail price of $299 USD. Soundtrack Pro is available as part of Final Cut Studio, Apple’s HD video production suite which includes Final Cut Pro 5, Motion 2, DVD Studio Pro 4 and Soundtrack Pro for a suggested retail price of $1,299 USD.
The Mackie Control Universal $1,299 USD, Mackie Control Universal Extenders $1,099 USD, Mackie Control C4 $1,299 USD and Mackie Digital X Bus (starting at $12,995 USD) are currently available.
For more information, please go to www.mackie.com and www.apple.com/soundtrackpro.
