Pro Tools | Dock vs. Digi 003 Console

[jacko]

Originally Posted by Anthony_Anz

What you should also remember is that you can use the PT iPad app w/OUT the dock. If you're happy with your original console then seriously consider having it fixed.

Using Eucon simultanously with Digi003 will disable plugin control on Digi003. Not a good idea. I would just fix Digi003 and stay away from Eucon for as long as possible.

[Mark Ziebarth]

It depends, I think. Digi 003 and Command 8 are very good fader controllers. But if your looking for Pad control buttons, fader lock and so on EuCon is not that bad. I like the Dock very much but am still wondering why my Artist Mix can't some things my rusty old Command 8 did 10 years ago...

[reichman]

Originally Posted by reichman

For my home PTHD 12.5.2 surround system, I've gotten many years of use out of the old Digi 003 control surface. It's fast, faders are fine, I can switch automation modes, I can get into plug-in parameter flip mode quickly, and it's 100% supported by PT12. But the power supply just failed and I'm having trouble deciding whether to fix it or put the money toward Pro Tools | Dock.

Without the S3, PT Dock feels like a step backwards in some ways: it only has one fader, knob control of plug-ins looks coarser than fader-flip on the 003. On the other hand, Trim and Preview buttons are big improvements, as are the PT | Control track navigation strip and surround panner.

Any suggestions? Am I living in the past when I consider fixing the old 003? Or should I bite the bullet and get PT|Dock? Will I regret the switch?

After a day and a half of experimentation, I have some early results. Pro Tools|Dock, a 9.7" iPad Pro and Pro Tools HD 12.5.2. are great. Big improvement over the 003, Artist Control, and Command|8. I'm not even sure where to begin, so I'll make a list:

•Dedicated advanced automation buttons while in ALT mode allow you to play Preview and Punch Preview during a pass. Very fast.

•Track selection in big sessions is much faster with the PT|Control strip at the very top. Huge improvement in locating tracks in big sessions. Makes the single fader less of a handicap.

•Putting plug-in parameters up on the knobs is always only two or three taps away. Much faster than the convoluted system I had before. Knobs are touch-sensitive (and unfortunately a little jumpy). But I'm making much better use of plug-ins with this easy access. And yes, it's faster than opening the plug-in with the mouse in big sessions.

•Attentioning a track is pretty quick, so even though I miss having more faders, I get a lot of mileage out of that single fader. And for those times when you must grab a handful of faders, the iPad screen is not terrible. More manageable in Preview, but okay in Touch or Latch, too.

•Dual-touch surround panning! Finally. And cheap.

•I haven't really learned how to use the wheel yet for it's advanced functions, and I haven't programmed a single custom Soft Key or touch strip. More to come...

So the Dock is better than I expected, and I'm finally at peace with EuCon. Thumbs up.

[reichman]

Forgot one drawback:

•No flip-fader for sends. Kind of a drag. Hoping PT|Control will allow that on the screen in a future update.

[Mark Ziebarth]

If you explore the possibilities of the wheel you will be even more excited... Have fun! The Dock is real good thing.