D-Command vs. ES

[mixboy bob]

Is there any reason to consider a new ES over a "vintage" blue? Other than color? They have the same "guts," correct?

Has anyone spent time in front of both the blue and the ES to have a preference in color from an visual feedback perspective?

Thanks for your help and thoughts in advance!

Rob Burrell
aka mixboy

[Stig Eliassen]

I was told that ES means Extra Special, but now I'm not so sure.

(Sorry...)

[mixboy bob]

HAA!!!

Great one! Did you get an 8 channel or the full 24? I assume you're liking it???

Rob Burrell
aka mixboy

[Stig Eliassen]

I'll tell you, Rob - I frickin' love it! And I love it in a PT7.4 kind of way, and from what I've heard and read about the ICON features in PT8 it's absolutely smokin'. For instance, you don't have to stop at 24 faders. I have only the main unit.

I have to mention that I've never mixed on a console of any kind before, so this thing really allowed me to take a huge step forward. I haven't tried the blue one, though, but I can't imagine it's a big difference. The best would be to see for yourself.

[midnightsun]

It is my understanding that as stand right now, the original D Command functions identically to the ES-- except that there is a small lexan overlay that slips over a small portion of the original D Command. Reading the manuals leads me to believe that the functionality the the same on both machines. I was told by the dealer from whom I purchase my D Command that they were identical. Subsequently, I was told by someone at Digi that there was an internal difference; though, he later corrected himself and said that they were functionally identical.

So, the million dollar question is when DigiDesign steps up its hardware or evolves in some way, shape, or form does the ES have internal capabilities that are waiting to be put to use that the original doesn't have? Perhaps someone with knowledge can comment of this point. If there is a difference, so be it!

Originally Posted by mixboy bob

Is there any reason to consider a new ES over a "vintage" blue? Other than color? They have the same "guts," correct?

Has anyone spent time in front of both the blue and the ES to have a preference in color from an visual feedback perspective?

Thanks for your help and thoughts in advance!

Rob Burrell
aka mixboy

[GlennR01]

Originally Posted by mixboy bob

Is there any reason to consider a new ES over a "vintage" blue? Other than color? They have the same "guts," correct?

the blue one sounds warmer, fatter and more analog.

[Chris Lambrechts]

Originally Posted by GlennR01

the blue one sounds warmer, fatter and more analog.

yeah ... the EQ and Dynamics panels on the Blue ones have built in Tubes under the encoders where as the circuitry in the ES versions is all solid state.



Chris

[dsstudio]

Originally Posted by GlennR01

the blue one sounds warmer, fatter and more analog.

I knew someone will say it... every thread regarding D-Command Vs ES has at least once...

[Stig Eliassen]

Originally Posted by dsstudio

I knew someone will say it... every thread regarding D-Command Vs ES has at least once...

That's what my dealer told me about the ES.

"Come on! Everybody knows that darker means warmer! Sign here, please."

[GlennR01]

Originally Posted by Chris Lambrechts

yeah ... the EQ and Dynamics panels on the Blue ones have built in Tubes under the encoders where as the circuitry in the ES versions is all solid state.



Chris

Yep. I swapped the original Chinese tubes out with a batch of NOS RCA tubes - you wouldn't believe the stereo imaging. Makes all the difference when mixing ITB.