Will there be an Avid S2

[Digi_User.]

My Initial Excitement
Avid S1 and Pro Tools Dock combination as a possible replacement for my Artist Control is officially over
The time between the announcement and shipping dates has given me time to reflect on what I and users like me really need.

The Long Wait
I have been waiting for 10 years for solution for us artists that is comparable to the 003/Artist Control and I am still waiting.

The thought of:

• Purchasing 2 overpriced iPads - can't we just have built in screens?
• App Store updates
• 2 separate power supplies - I want less cables not more
• Two separate devices -
• Apple and Avid integration

Leaves too many variables for things to go wrong, new technology we integrate into our workflow should make my life easier but I just can see how this is ultimately the right solution.

I was expecting to see an Avid S2, which would essentially be a Pro Tools Dock with 4 faders from the S1.
Don't get me wrong I love the idea adding this to my set up but I do not feel that this really offers professionals like me who also work from home good value for money.

Why iPads
Using two iPads just seems like overkill for me when I will only be using them with these devices so why not just have built in screens.
What happens when apple decided they want to change the connection port?
A whole product line is dead.

The Short Term
All of a sudden discontinued products like the Command 8 seem like a much more viable option.
I still believe it was one of the best products Digidesign and Avid ever made. Its rock solid built like a tank and has everything I need.

Just Get a Dock?
When shaping sound I like physical controls using an iPad to control faders is just not tactile enough so I cant just use a dock.
The angle of the screen make mixing on it very uncomfortable and is a strain on my wrists.
1 Physical fader is not enough

Going from a Pro Tools Dock to an S4 is not as seamless as just learning the shortcuts on a keyboard.

The Future?
I would hate to see someone else step into the market and take the functionality of some of the lesser brands and repackage them with the sleek stylish elegance or Avid and Apple product for a fraction of the price.
We have already seen what companies like Huawei are doing in the tech industry. Margins are being exposed as the declining cost of production is not being passed on to us customers.

This is not a rant this is just me asking for the Avid S2, please don't make us wait another 10 years...

[Sardi]

Doesn’t the new PT Control app support Android now? If so, there’s no reason you have to use an iPad with the S1. You could just use a cheap Android tablet.

The dock is a different story as that was designed for an iPad, but the S1 etc. should do the job just fine with a cheap Android tablet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[reichman]

I don't like the extra cable clutter either, but the benefit is that the system is modular. I often travel with just a Dock and leave the S3 behind. Sometimes just having an iPad with PT|Control is a huge help in a session. I've had Command 8s and 003s with blown power supplies, and the whole thing goes down.

You don't need a powerful, current generation iPad. Old ones work just fine. And the knobs on the Dock are great for tweaking plug-ins. The iPad on the Dock is mostly used for selecting what you are going to tweak, and then the knobs and fader are there for the actual work.

If you like the 003 or Command 8, you will find the Dock or Dock+S1 to be a big upgrade. The wheel on the 003 was mostly useless. On the Dock, it's constantly being used.

[Digi_User.]

Originally Posted by reichman

I don't like the extra cable clutter either, but the benefit is that the system is modular. I often travel with just a Dock and leave the S3 behind. Sometimes just having an iPad with PT|Control is a huge help in a session. I've had Command 8s and 003s with blown power supplies, and the whole thing goes down.

You don't need a powerful, current generation iPad. Old ones work just fine. And the knobs on the Dock are great for tweaking plug-ins. The iPad on the Dock is mostly used for selecting what you are going to tweak, and then the knobs and fader are there for the actual work.

If you like the 003 or Command 8, you will find the Dock or Dock+S1 to be a big upgrade. The wheel on the 003 was mostly useless. On the Dock, it's constantly being used.

I agree with your comments for the most part.
Would you not prefer an Avid S2 though?

[reichman]

Originally Posted by Digi_User.

I agree with your comments for the most part.
Would you not prefer an Avid S2 though?

This is all very speculative, but no. The Dock and an S1 is a killer combo. For users who understand how to use advanced automation, the Dock has dedicated buttons for all that for under $1k (!). It was just a few years ago that you needed a C|24 or an ICON to get those buttons. Avid has a great lineup. You can build a modular surface slowly over time. Start with an S1 and PT|Control and work up.

And moving faders on the iPad sucks, but it's still better than the mouse. And (this might sound funny) I own an S3 and once in a while I see the send that I want to move on the iPad screen and just tweak it there. Sometimes that's faster than spill/flip on the S3.

[Digi_User.]

Originally Posted by reichman

This is all very speculative, but no. The Dock and an S1 is a killer combo. For users who understand how to use advanced automation, the Dock has dedicated buttons for all that for under $1k (!). It was just a few years ago that you needed a C|24 or an ICON to get those buttons. Avid has a great lineup. You can build a modular surface slowly over time. Start with an S1 and PT|Control and work up.

And moving faders on the iPad sucks, but it's still better than the mouse. And (this might sound funny) I own an S3 and once in a while I see the send that I want to move on the iPad screen and just tweak it there. Sometimes that's faster than spill/flip on the S3.

So you don’t think it would suck less if the dock had 4 faders like my Artist Control? Cool
Granted they are a killer combo but I was talking about the dock on its own.

[Mark Ziebarth]

Originally Posted by reichman

I don't like the extra cable clutter either, but the benefit is that the system is modular. I often travel with just a Dock and leave the S3 behind. Sometimes just having an iPad with PT|Control is a huge help in a session. I've had Command 8s and 003s with blown power supplies, and the whole thing goes down.

You don't need a powerful, current generation iPad. Old ones work just fine. And the knobs on the Dock are great for tweaking plug-ins. The iPad on the Dock is mostly used for selecting what you are going to tweak, and then the knobs and fader are there for the actual work.

If you like the 003 or Command 8, you will find the Dock or Dock+S1 to be a big upgrade. The wheel on the 003 was mostly useless. On the Dock, it's constantly being used.

+1
At home I'm using Pro Tools with an iPad only and feel nearly as comfortable as in the studio with the dock. Pro Tools Control is a huge improvement to control sessions in my workflow.

Best

Mark

[Digi_User.]

Originally Posted by Mark Ziebarth

+1
At home I'm using Pro Tools with an iPad only and feel nearly as comfortable as in the studio with the dock. Pro Tools Control is a huge improvement to control sessions in my workflow.

Best

Mark

Hi Mark,

That is good to know, how do you find mixing on the iPad?
I do a lot of work with film and spend quite a long time with my hands on faders.

[JustinTerrell]

I'm guessing/hoping that it will combine key benefits of the S1 and S3:

- Also audio interface (or maybe an upgraded dock that has interface
- 8 or 16 faders per surface
- Combinable up to 32 faders
- Display screen (or iPad compatible)


I'm hoping for more than one knob but it doesn't seem likely

[Digi_User.]

Originally Posted by Sardi

Doesn’t the new PT Control app support Android now? If so, there’s no reason you have to use an iPad with the S1. You could just use a cheap Android tablet.

The dock is a different story as that was designed for an iPad, but the S1 etc. should do the job just fine with a cheap Android tablet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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