Avid Command 8 Controller

Started by FreeTime, August 13, 2015, 01:18:52 PM

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FreeTime

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this:

Three years ago I bought an Avid/Digidesign Command8 Control surface. Since there is a standalone mode I assumed I could use it as a plain jane control surface with Reaper. No such luck, jerky faders that have a mind of their own and most of the buttons, including the transport simply don't work. So its been gathering dust for 3 years.

I took the bait and almost bought protools 11 student version, but unless you can prove you're a student (which I'm not) its not going to work for you. I don't want to just steal the software off a torrent site. Then protools first was announced. After waiting in the queue for 4 months and much hullaballo with registering and many 'be patient, its almost here, while your'e waiting for your slot in the queue have a look at protools HD' emails from Avid I finally got a download slot and installed Protools First. With baited breath I started the program, went to System -> MIDI, saw that the Command8(emulated) was there and already enabled and .......... nothing. The Command8 still says 'offline' as opposed to coming to life.

There is customer support available, but you pay for a per use or annual basis. I'm not interested in shelling out $ to be told that my hunch was right and it won't be supported. If I do end up buying 'the software' I'll be in for almost $1500 just to have to not click on stuff with a mouse. Too rich for my blood.

I've done a lot of digging but still can't find a clear answer.  I've bought some gear with that included 'mpowered not-very-pro tools, that didn't work either. What versions of protools actually supports this thing ? Are there any other options ? There was rumor of video production software that uses the command8, but it seems like a gamble as well. Does anybody here use one of these, if so whats the best way ? I'm spending many unproductive hours trying to make this work, time better spent actually playing.

Elantric

#1
Some Avid  Command8 references


QuoteSince there is a standalone mode I assumed I could use it as a plain jane control surface with Reaper.

Apparently there is no "Stand Alone mode  for the Avid Command|8 Controller- ( much like the NI RigKontrol 3)

http://akmedia.digidesign.com/support/docs/Command8_Guide_v80_56073.pdf


Connecting MIDI Devices to
Command|8
Command|8 provides 16 channels of MIDI input
and 32 channels of MIDI output through
the MIDI IN 1, MIDI OUT 1, and MIDI OUT 2
connectors on the back panel. The connectors
accept standard 5-pin MIDI cables.
Command|8 driver software, installed when you
install Pro Tools (or standalone) software, is required
for MIDI communication to function.
These drivers are recognized by MIDI Studio
Setup (Windows), and by Audio MIDI Setup
(Mac).
[/b]
https://forums.creativecow.net/archivethread/45/769586
Quote*USB hubs and extenders will not work with the Command|8

*If your faders intermittently jump or jitter there is a firmware upgrade on the Digidesign website to fix this issue. From http://www.digidesign.com navigate to Support then to Command|8.

*Faders are heat sensitive- writing automation with a blunt object could cause damage to the faders

*If you are not seeing the Command|8 showing up as a MIDI Controller is either Avid or Pro Tools, reloading the driver from the CD will usually fix this issue.

*If the Command|8 is displaying values late, more than likely the user has a USB hub- which is not supported, removing it will fix the issue.

*NOTE: The Command|8 must have another piece of Digidesign hardware in order to launch Pro- Tools such as 888, M-box or the 002.

*Be aware the 002 should not run on the same computer as Adrenaline- both use Firewire connections. Command|8 can run simultaneously because of it's USB connection.

Also, When connected and powered on, Command|8 enters Avid mode whenever you launch a supported Avid Media Composer, Avid Xpress, or Avid Xpress Pro. Faders automatically map to the Automation Gain Tool channels 1–8; Mute switches map to Track On controls; Solo maps
directly to solo (Automation Gain Tool); Channel Select maps to track selection (Automation
Gain Tool); and the Channel Mode switches map to track Snap Record.


http://community.avid.com/forums/t/79386.aspx

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=350507

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=60039

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul04/articles/digidesigncommand8.htm

QuoteFully-featured Media Composer control using Command-8 protocol
https://neyrinck.com/products/v-control-pro/compatible-apps/media-composer/

FreeTime

Thanks for the links Elantric, some of them seem strangely familiar !

It seems there is a big rift even within the protool world and Mac only for media composer, sadly its off to ebay.