VCA and Mute Groups - Show on Input/output Screen

[Brent Lind]

I struggle to understand what exactly is missing, there is already visual feedback of both mute state (which can be instantly overriden) and VCA contribution in the input display. I personally wouldn't give up screen real estate in other display modes for something so basic.

At any rate you can post your feature request in the IdeaScale for what it's worth, posting here won't do you any good.

[TheMAXX]

Originally Posted by Howardk

Yes there are ways to avoid trouble, but I see the problems occur in the field, and a number of the suggestions above have related gotchas that can and do occur. . . . it would be better to have this feature, and there is no down side to it. . . it is simply more intuitive, and less buried, when trying to ascertain and change these settings quickly. Defending this missing functional operation is a bit like saying VCA spill negates the need for Customer Layers for faders. . . maybe for some, but for many of us being able to call us custom layers of faders is so much better that there is no comparison and it should be in the plans of every digital console design.

Many FOH and System techs use a different consoles from day to day, or the same desks with different software versions, and don't have every detail or every desk/version committed to memory, as we fly around the country or to the next festival with zero sleep and a long day of bands and organizers changing the game minute to minute. We see many features across the many digital products, some make sense, some not so much. . . and sometimes we forget which board does what, which way. This aspect of the Avid consoles falls short amongst certain "others". The system techs that come out with the gear to the shows I mix agree, and appreciate that aspect of "other" consoles better. Since Avid is the first choice on my rider, at this point in time, I care a little more about what "Avid" does than I do about "other" consoles.

In addition, I must say the S3L is total disaster of a control surface in my opinion and Waves not supporting HDX is really sad statement.

One of the things that I like so much about digital mixers is the ability to set it up the way you want to, well almost the way you want to. One person may want the indicator that you are speaking of and another sees no need for it. It would be nice if every little thing and sometimes big thing (at least to the person wanting it) could be made available as a preference. I guess some requests are harder to implement then others and maybe that is why we don’t see them happening.

Along these lines I think it would be nice to have the ability to save just the behavior settings in a library or something like that so when it is your turn to step up to the console you recall your library and it behaves the way you want it to. I am not really sure exactly what would fit under that category but most likely a lot of what is it the options pages. And then they can go back to the previous settings for the next person or their library settings.

Unless you are carrying your own (or the bands) console or you have reached the point where you can demand the same console everywhere, jumping from one make and model digital console to another can really be frustrating. BTW once I discovered what the red, semi-transparent fader meant I loved it. I call it the ghost fader. But before that I had some frustrating times.

As far as the S3L do you think it would be more usable if you had a touch screen?

[Howardk]

Originally Posted by TheMAXX

One of the things that I like so much about digital mixers is the ability to set it up the way you want to, well almost the way you want to. One person may want the indicator that you are speaking of and another sees no need for it. It would be nice if every little thing and sometimes big thing (at least to the person wanting it) could be made available as a preference. I guess some requests are harder to implement then others and maybe that is why we don’t see them happening.

Along these lines I think it would be nice to have the ability to save just the behavior settings in a library or something like that so when it is your turn to step up to the console you recall your library and it behaves the way you want it to. I am not really sure exactly what would fit under that category but most likely a lot of what is it the options pages. And then they can go back to the previous settings for the next person or their library settings.

Unless you are carrying your own (or the bands) console or you have reached the point where you can demand the same console everywhere, jumping from one make and model digital console to another can really be frustrating. BTW once I discovered what the red, semi-transparent fader meant I loved it. I call it the ghost fader. But before that I had some frustrating times.

As far as the S3L do you think it would be more usable if you had a touch screen?

I think you have summed up the source of my frustration with digital consoles in general. . . basically today's digital consoles have not gone far enough and are too rigid. . . still trying to emulate the way an old analog desk works. . . trying to tie back to the old, relying with too many surface indicators or button combination functionality. . .

The only thing I need on a surface is assignable encoders and buttons, all with purpose indicators, for tactile control. . . with only the most basic indicators, the rest all on a display or two, along with the ability to access information with a tablet or 2, or 3, + . . .

It is such a shame Avid has not released an effective/proper application to control their desks using an iPad/Android tablets. . . . several "Other" desks do this great. . . it is huge advantage to setting up monitors, speaker distribution levels & EQ, etc. . . Using a flavor of VNC to look at the Venue display for this is not acceptable. . . A client side application with API calls, or some similar approach, please!

BTW, there is a perfect spot on the In/Out screens, within Avid's software, to locate indicators for VCA and MUTE assignment. . . Add the indicators, and make 'em clickable for on/off and that is done.