Mackie HUI Controller for Pro Tools 4.1
September 26, 1997
What used to take multiple mouse moves and clicks can now be done at the push of a single button with Mackie Designs new HUITM (Human User Interface) - the revolutionary hands-on Digital Audio Workstation Controller for mixing with Digidesign's Pro Tools® version 4.1. Instead of individually adjusting "faders" on screen, Pro Tools users can track and mix hands-on using high-touch updatable motorized faders with full automation and recall capabilities.
The HUI provides visual and tactile controls for enhanced mixing and editing capabilities - allowing the user to mix via a real control surface rather than a mouse and/or a uni-directional faderpack. HUI users gain access to simultaneous multiple control points (faders, sends, mutes, group control, plug-ins, etc.) during tracking and mixdown.
Responding bi-directionally to MIDI and/or RS-422 with the Pro Tools interface, the HUI immediately reflects all standard mixing values, functions and pointers. Additionally, controller architecture supports standard MIDI protocol in either 7 bit or higher resolution 9 bit applications, as well as utilizing simple controller and note values.
HUI features include:
- Eight 100mm true professional grade, touch update, readily re-assignable, motor faders. The quick reactive, conductive metalized fader knobs respond immediately to touch control without separate switch enabling or disabling. The motor fader design utilizes a high resolution, tightly tuned servo amplifier
to reduce annoying fader chatter, and the conductive plastic fader servo track (greater than mega-cycle average mean time between failure) greatly extends fader lifetime.
- Per Channel 4 character LED scribble strip, for updating the Channel ID on the fly and for displaying channel attributes: e.g. group membership, signal phase, source, routing, etc.
- Dedicated per channel Pan and Send encoders and controls for routing, assignment, status, edit and automation control.
- "V-POTSTM"- yet another cost effective and novel Mackie "soft" knob design, with illuminated LED segments in the collar that update to reflect values according to function.
- Highly tactile illuminated switches for mute, solo, automation write and record-ready enabling.
- Dual LED ladders per channel for level display status - e.g. mono/stereo levels, dynamics, etc.
- Dedicated Plug-in section-to edit and automate your favorite DSP functions. Controllers include four rotary encoders with enable switches and a 2x40 LCD panel, with each parameter section containing callout display and precise values. Plus easy paging, assignment and bypass switching.
- Sectioned switch matrix containing automation controls, status views and F-keys for macro style operations.
- Fader view, recall, and reassignment/dedicated bank and channel selectors.
- Analog control room section with talkback, and assignable routing for three stereo or surround audio pairs, with separate output trims and a Master control. Additional master mute, dim, mono monitoring and discrete one to one switching are included in this section.
- Transport controls, jog encoder, zoom and navigation cursors, locate/number pad.
- Rear panel includes two patchable mic preamp sections, an external talkback mic pre-amp and trigger, three pairs of analog I/O jacks (configurable for stereo or surround application), headphone out, four general purpose I/O trigger jacks, 2 sets of ADB mouse/keyboard through-ports, MIDI
I/O, an expansion port for joystick or additional V-POTSTM control and an RS-232/422 port for direct computer connection.
The Mackie Designs "HUI" is a digital audio workstation control surface, and is being designed in coordination with Digidesign, as a front end controller for Pro Tools 4.1. In addition, HUI/MIDI protocol is available for third party (OEM) DAW support (contact Mackie Designs for details). Product release is targeted for fourth quarter 1997. For more information, visit their web site at www.mackie.com. |
