D-Command demo coming up

[Stig Eliassen]

Hi, all.

I've decided to enter the world of mixing with a console, and naturally I have to try mixing with a D-Command. I'm fed up with the keyboard/trackball/screen combo.

So, I'll book a demo next month with my dealer.

Anything I should ask specifically for? Anything maybe not so clear in the manual (which I've started to read now)?

I am totally new to these consoles, so I figure it'll take a few hours to get a decent understanding of the capabilities.

I'd appreciate and tips and inputs from D-Command users as to what the pros and cons are. Easier to attend a demo with some background, for familiarity purposes if nothing else. I know my dealer well, he's a nice guy, but I won't let him run me over during the demo.

Anyway, I just want to get a head start. Thanks in advance.

[Stig Eliassen]

Don't tell me that all of you are hard working professionals with no time to spare?

I read somewhere that you need a dual G5 to work with D-Command. Does that mean that I need to set up two processors in the Playback engine? That would make VI's pop and crackle.

Are there any issues with D-Command like the awful PSU thing on C|24?

How about ethernet? Does connecting a console via ethernet strain the computer much?

[Chris Lambrechts]

I read somewhere that you need a dual G5 to work with D-Command. Does that mean that I need to set up two processors in the Playback engine? That would make VI's pop and crackle.

What apple is concerned the only 'supported' configuration is a dual G5. That doesn't mean that one of the last G4's wouldn't work. They just aren't put through the test cycle necessary to support them.

My personal opinion : a G4 with a D command is kinda out of ballance. Although something like a dual 1.42 can still make a 'nice' machine, you can hardly compare them with the latest G5's. But 'im pretty sure that it would work.

As for ethernet. Our D control is hooked up to the internal network switch. A gigabit ethernet switch. Digi's ethernet controllers only 'need' 10 mbit ethernet. We constanly have at least 3 computers working on that network at the same time and I have never seen a single hickup because of ethernet or the network too busy. Granted all we do is internet and the basic file sharing between the computers. Not like there's any 'real' data streaming over the network. If you get a gigabit switch I'm sure you're fine.

[Stig Eliassen]

Thanks a lot, Chris. Nice to know.

I'm reading everything I can find about D-Command, just to have some theoretical background before attending the demo. I have a good feeling about this console, and I might just take one with me back home.

I call myself a professional hobbyist.