S-3 vs D-Command
 

Why would you buy an S3, when you can buy a D command used for roughly the same price. Actually a little less for the dark series, and a heck of a lot less for the blue series.

That is the question I'm faced with right now. The other thing that has to be considered, is to use the S3 with ProTools HD, you have to be on the HD support plan, otherwise you don't get any updates to the Eucon software.

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

where did you read that?

I had a hard time justifing the expense while having a nice ProControl collecting dust. If AVID keeps it's promise of adding features to the S3 it might justify the high price at some point.

but the size of the S3 vs. D-Command is unbeatable, EuCon softkeys are a great thing and VCA spill too.

If custom plugin mapping (or custom knobsets) are added the S3 beats the D-Command in my opinion...

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

damn it, I just read this myself...

That was not part of the deal when I bought my S3.

I hope it turns out to be a mistake...

But the good thing is, I'm registered to the free iPad app that gives me free EuCon updates so far...

I am confused...

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

You are going to need updated pro tools software to use new versions of eucon. So if you are signed up for the support plan, you will be stuck and the current eucon version and the current pro tools version .

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

yeah, I get it, but it's a strange logic and a strange way of marketing.
Why open EuCon to other DAWs if you can only get the latest fixes of EuCon with a ProTools support plan... ???

No Cubase, Logic, DP, Nuendo user will ever buy an S3 if they would be forced into a ProTools support plan...

Avid should clarify this before it becomes a weird rumour.

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

I don't think you need a pro tools support plan for nuendo/eucon updates. Just pro tools/eucon updates. Because when they add a feature to eucon, they need to change the code in pro tools to support that feature. So you will probably need to update nuendo at that time as well which will require you to pay Yamaha?

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

This is about as close to the truth as you can get.

With EuControl/Artist/S3, features are delivered in adapters. The Pro Tools adapter gets features first.

That's why there is an advantage to being on the latest version of Pro Tools when you have an EuControl/Artist/S3 surface, the latest version of Pro Tools will have the latest adapter.

3P's can implement features after Pro Tools does, when we make them available in the public SDK. It's a priority to us to implement the latest features. 3P's are variably incentivized to implement SDK features, so if control surface integration is important to you, the latest version of Pro Tools is the best solution. If you use new EuControl software with old adapters, your mileage may vary.

S6 is a separate technology base and delivery target for features.
A lot of features are S6 specific, and are not realized in EuControl surfaces.

It’s above and beyond what EUCON in the EuControl world does, and takes substantial development.

If you use old S6 software with new DAW adapters, your mileage may vary, you won’t have access to the latest development on both sides.
So there is a definite advantage to being on Pro Tools and S6 support plans.

JC

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

This is partly true.

EuControl and EUCON in the Artist/S3 world are conduits for features delivered by adapters.

You pay for access to adapters when you buy the control surface.

Features in adapters will vary based on a DAW vendors' commitment to development. It is a priority for Avid, so the latest features will always be in the latest version of Pro Tools.

JC

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

Today I go buy a $5000 S3. I buy to use with my current version of ProTools HD 11. I never had any intentions whatsoever of joining any support plan in the future. So I will not get any updates to my S3 to be used with ProTools 11 going forward, after the day I buy it?

Re: S-3 vs D-Command
 

C C C C C C C Crickets.........