I am trying to find out what mixer will control Logic and Garage Band. I am considering purchasing an Allen & Heath ZED series. I want to run everything through my mixer into my Mac Book via USB. Will the mixer move the mixer in both software programs?
Thanks.
Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)
I don't believe the ZED will control Logic... there's a difference between a mixer and a 'control surface'. To move faders in Logic you want something like a Mackie Control Unit (or Euphonix etc). The A&H ZED is a mixer with Firewire interface capability so you can track with it. Thats totally different to a Control Surface although you can be forgiven because they can look the same. So... it depends what you want to do and what your priorities are. More info?
Thanks for the information. I was looking for an all-in-one solution for mixing and controlling the faders. I am running everything through an Apogge Ensemble with firewire into my MacBook Pro. I can continue doing that but I have no way of controlling the faders unless I use my mouse. So are you saying there is no mixer that can feed indivdual channels into the Ensemble and then firewire to my Mac to control the faders? Does this make sense to try to do? I keep thinking I could submix with a mixer, feeding the entire mix through the Apogee and then into the Mac but that only gives me a two channel mix into Logic and I would still have to control with the mouse.
I am assuming the Mackie Control unit would run individual channels out to the Ensemble and then into the Mac controlling the faders in Logic?
Thanks.
The Mackie Control is just a control surface - it doesn't pass any audio through.
What you are looking for does exist but is very costly - you are describing an analog console with DAW control, something like the SSL Matrix.
Oh boy I guess I am really messed up. Can you tell me how you would route audio into Logic and still be able to have controls? Previously I have used my Apogee by plugging everything into it, keys, guitar, vocals, etc. then firewire to the Mac but again no control over the faders except for my mouse. I thought there was perhaps an expensive way to map a mixer to the controls of Logic just like a midi controller or something?
Thanks for all your continued help.
I think you really just want a control surface, unless you want to mix outside the box.
Something like a Mackie control or a Euphonix (now Avid) MC Mix (which is what I use) will let you move the faders of the Logic mixer.
If you're old school like me and insist on mixing on a real console, you'll probably need more ins and outs than the Ensemble anyway.
I record and mix through an SSL X-Desk which works really well; I have the MC Mix to input automation and dial in plugins (though I don't use plugins much). This setup suits me perfectly, but your workflow is going to determine what's best for you.
Ok I think I am getting it and I appreciate your assitance. So if I plug my instruments into my Ensemble then feed 8 individual channels out of my Ensemble to a surface controller the surface controller should map to Logic? Or 8 channels of audio to my surface controller like a Avid M Surface Controller or Mackie Surface controller then out of it to my Ensemble then to my Mac?
Thanks one more time.
No - forget about the audio. The control surface has nothing to do with the audio.
Your audio goes in and out through the Ensemble as normal. The Ensemble is not connected to the control surface at all.
The control surface connects to your Mac via USB or Ethernet, and lets you control the Logic Mixer, channel strips, plugins etc.
No audio passes through the control surface - it is simply an interface to control Logic.
Not suddently I have it. Thanks so much for takiing the time to explain this to an old man. I finally understand how to do it. Very good, I appreciate it.
You're welcome - good luck! There are a number of less expensive options for control surfaces, so shop around. eBay is often a good source too, as many people like the idea of them, but then don't actually end up using them much when they get them so just sell them on.
What mixer integrates with Logic and GarageBand? Allen
