D-Command replacement
 

Hi all!

Question for the D-Command users here. When and if the time comes to replace your D-Command, what would replace it with? Seems like there is no current lateral move offered by Avid. S3 is clearly a step down and the S6 is an expensive step up.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

I am in the same boat here.
The s6 M10 is the natural upgrade path for d command users, but the lack of tft's or screens are why the upgrade to S6 m40 is the more desirable and more expensive.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

Definitely the S6 M10. A 16 fader M10 is more expensive but roughly in the same ballpark as a 24 fader D-Command. An M40 with displays is massively more expensive. The displays look fantastic but personally I don't miss something I've never had! 16 faders sounds like a downgrade but the way VCA spill, Layouts and Track View session navigation on the touchscreen work is impressive. You might not even miss 8 faders. However, if you want the S6 to behave like a D-Command with dedicated EQ and Dynamic sections you may want to add two Knob Modules and use them in "Expand" mode. Unfortunately this would bump up the price quite some way beyond a 24 fader D-Command.

When I looked at moving from a C|24 to the S3 two years ago, I felt the S3 was a significant downgrade in many respects. I haven't followed how the S3 has developed since though.

D-Command replacement
 

Wonderful informative post Marsdy.

The problem I don't like about that upgrade path is Eucon....it's another level of software that has bugs and has to have Avid troubleshoot and fix.

That comment should read as "Eternal Subscription plan required".

Think about the simple request of the the velocity settings of the rotary encoders for the artist series surfaces

Digidesign Icons could be parked tomorrow and work great as is...i don't know if Eucon will ever that stable and bug free....or how long it will take to get there.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

I honestly wouldn't worry about EUCON. S6 EUCON is a totally different beast to S3/Dock/Artist EUCON. They are in no way interchangeable, one won't work with the other. Any criticisms of S3/Dock/Artist EUCON simply don't apply to the S6.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

Marsdy,
Does the S6 require its own yearly plan in addition to your PT plan? Or does your PT plan cover S6 updates?

thanks.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

It does require a yearly plan if you want software upgrades and it's not cheap. The MTM master module, (the one with the touchscreen,) is the brains of the system and costs £460 a year without tax. That includes a 24 hour swap out of a faulty module. You have to get the plan if you want software updates but it's not obligatory if you're happy with the software as is. I don't think there's a penalty for reinststing a lapsed plan.

A plan for a 24 fader fully loaded M10 is £1749 per year ex-tax including module swap out and the Xmon.

Overpriced IMO but that's Avid!

EDIT: Forgot to say - These prices are what I paid in the UK as of January this year.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

Wow!!

Thanks for the detailed response.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

OK. This right here is why I'll never get one. Together with the PT HD plan, that's 2k a year just to get software bug fixes, updates and tech support. Ridiculous.

Re: D-Command replacement
 

I don't think it's quite that much for a basic plan including PT but it certainly sticks in the throat when you hand the money over!