Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

Hey Guys!
Hope you are all well and getting plenty of work!

I have decided to take the plunge and get and Avid S1 and Pro Tools Dock for my home studio.

After looking online trying to find the perfect tablets to fit both the S1 and Dock, I thought I would post here to see what the general consensus is?

My initial thoughts are:

1. iPads are rather expensive but if they fit perfectly I will invest.
2. Are there any images that show any kind of side by side comparisons of tablets to assist with choosing the right one.
3. Regarding aesthetics are there any issues to be aware of as some tablets are smaller than others I would really like a uniformed look and for the faders and meterbridge to line up as much as possible.
4. The S1 and Dock appear to sit at slightly different angles? Is there a way to resolve this?

Any advice and/or images would be greatly appreciated, for those with existing setups please feel free to post images.

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

I haven't found any reason not to recommend the Fire HD10. As you say, it would be nice if the tablet matched the width of the S1 better but now that I've had some time with mine I would not pay for an iPad Pro just to scratch that itch. iPad Pros are filled with so many bells and whistles that would be completely redundant if its main use is as a companion to your S1. One advantage of the Fire HD10 is its letterbox dimensions mean less wasted vertical space on your desk, and a shorter reflective surface.

If you get the FireHD you can use this Windows app to remove all the Amazon bloatware and turn it into a minimal, friendly Android tablet:
Amazon Fire Toolbox

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

Here's a photo of my desktop. That's also a fire tablet running the Control app to the left of the monitor remote.

I would like to get an additional S1 and have them directly in front of me but I'll need to completely rebuild the desk to accommodate that. A project for future me.

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

Thank you JingleDjango images really helps me get an idea of the best possible options, I think I am now sold on the configuration of an S1 with a FireHD 10.
Does anyone have pictures of their tablets in the PT Dock too?
I guess if I have the S1 and dock either side of my desk similar to yours instead of together I won’t be bothered by the slight differences in build?

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

I went with a couple Samsung Tab A tablets for my S1’s and the iPad Pro for the Dock. I wanted something with a little better processing power than the FireHD. I also didn’t want to deal with the Amazon App Store and bloatware. The Tab A is a nice, fast tablet that isn’t much more than the Fire HD if you can find it on sale.

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

The Fire HD 10 is a great option for the S1 since its only a meter bridge and the tablets extra width in landscape helps fill the S1. However, the aspect ratio is a little weird in portrait mode on the Dock. And portrait mode on Dock is your only option for this tablet.

Id opt for at least an entry level ipad pro for the Dock as this is your center section and having a modern and responsive device here is a good idea.

My current setup is

1x Dock with iPad Air
2x S1 with Fire HD 10

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

I’ve just got an S1 , which is now sitting next to my Dock. I don’t feel the need for a screen yet. One of my computer screens sits over the top of it very nicely now.
Are you finding the S1 screen useful ?

Rich.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

The #1 thing I use the screen for is to identify what automation mode each channel is on before I start riding faders. The meters are useful as well of course. I hope they'll add more touch functionality for the S1 paired tablets, like being able to spill folder tracks by tapping the folder icon in the track header, modifying group properties, or maybe a little transport at the bottom of the screen would be handy. There's a lot that it could be useful for but right now it's not 100% needed.

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

in addition to automation mode, I also find the EQ overview useful, also having more color to remembering which layout of VCA spill Im in.

I most definitely reference the tablet on the S1 more than the LCD.

Re: Best Tablets for the Avid S1 & Dock
 

I wound up getting a Huawei T5 for my Dock. It's slightly smaller than an old iPad gen 2 that I was initially using.

In the landscape position, the T5 is slightly shorter but slightly wider. In terms of screen space, the T5 is about 8mm shorter but about 21mm wider. I prefer the wider screen on the Dock.