Alesis BRC with Pro Tools HD & Command 8

[roderickelms]

I know that aspects of the BRC with PT have been discussed, but I can't find a definitive answer to this …

I am still running Pro Tools 8 HD on my Mac Pro together with a Command 8. I recently acquired an Alesis BRC, and I'm wondering whether I can use this with Pro Tools, using the Command 8 as an interface.

If anyone has experience or knowledge of this setup, I would be most grateful for any guidance on how best to set it up. Attempts so far have not resulted in success. I should say that the Command 8 is connected to PT and working fine.

Thanks for any help.

[albee1952]

Not sure where this is going, but the Command 8 is not an interface. Its a control surface. Also, consider how old the BRC is...

[roderickelms]

Indeed – I chose the wrong terminology. Yes, a control surface – I'm duly corrected. However, it has midi connectivity, and I'm sure that I've seen reference to it being used in this context with a BRC.

I don't immediately see that the age of the equipment is relevant – Pro Tools HD still work extremely well, as does the Command 8. The BRC was known to work with Pro Tools to transfer ADAT tapes via Digi interfaces. The Command 8 has a midi interface. I remain optimistic!

[Ben Jenssen]

I had to google BRC, and I found this from 1993(!):
Alesis BRC Big Remote Control for ADAT - mu:zines

It seems it was used to control ADAT recorders. Do you use ADATs together with HD? If not what would you want it for. It might have been used for transferring audio from adats to HD/TDM rigs but only as a remote controller, I don't think it can pass digital audio. MIDI protocol certainly can't. I guess BRC uses midi to control adats, just like Command 8 uses midi to control Pro Tools. It also can't treat digital audio in any form.

[Ben Jenssen]

Originally Posted by Ben Jenssen

I don't think it can pass digital audio. MIDI protocol certainly can't.

I just remembered; I used to transfer samples from mac to akai samplers 30 years ago. So midi can actually shift digital audio. But that was far from real time.

[smurfyou]

What are you hoping to achieve? The BRC (Big Remote Control) was used with ADAT decks for auto locate, arming, and sync. So the MIDI was for sync purposes IIRC. It had what I assume was a serial port going to the ADAT.

[smurfyou]

Originally Posted by Ben Jenssen

I just remembered; I used to transfer samples from mac to akai samplers 30 years ago. So midi can actually shift digital audio. But that was far from real time.

SMDI. Slow as molasses but useful in its time.