Digidesign Command 8 control surface with Logic?

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Digidesign Command 8 control surface with Logic?

Does anyone have any experience getting a Command 8 to function as a control surface for Logic Pro 7? I'm really having trouble finding any information on it and I could really use some help. I'd appreciate any input or suggestions. Thanks,
-Jeff

powermac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Mar 17, 2006 2:11 PM

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Answer 1

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Mar 17, 2006 3:02 PM in response to jshiffma

Specifically it is not one of the listed. Does it have any emulation modes, or even MIDI? Can you just run setup and "learn" controls?

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Answer 2

Mar 17, 2006 7:59 PM in response to jshiffma

nope I don't think so
Digi locks it out from working with any other program the PT

DAVE

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Answer 3

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Mar 17, 2006 8:14 PM in response to David Slater

Digi locks it out from working with any other program

Gotta love 'em for that

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Answer 4

jshiffma Author

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Mar 20, 2006 4:41 PM in response to David Slater

actually, it isn't locked out. Not that it's been easy but they do have "standalone mode" which is supposed to work with a midi protocol. I can assign different functions to the different knobs/faders, but the trouble I'm having figuring out how to do this in Logic. The manual hasn't been much help... Is there an easy way to go about assigning the midi controls in Logic?

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Answer 5

Mar 20, 2006 6:15 PM in response to jshiffma

OH WOW
they unlocked it

for once digi actually did something nice (well would be nice if they made templates for other programs)

DAVE

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Answer 6

Justin C

Level 6

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Mar 20, 2006 8:53 PM in response to jshiffma

Automation Quick Access

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Answer 7

jord

Level 5

5,230 points

Mar 21, 2006 4:54 AM in response to jshiffma

Although it may have a standalone mode, it's not emulating any particular controller, such as the Logic Control or Mackie HUI protocols. It may send MIDI control messages that Logic can pick up (my Trigger Finger can do that as well). However, unless Logic sees the right ID from the Command 8 (whether in native or emulation mode), it won't recognize it as a control surface and send messages back and forth with it, thus not being able to take advantage of things like the display and motorized faders.

It looks like the Command 8 and the ProjectMix I/O look rather similar (yes, I know that Digidesign and M-Audio are owned by the same parent company).

jord

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Answer 8

jshiffma Author

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Mar 23, 2006 2:51 PM in response to jord

so is there any advice on how I can at least use the thing... for example to write some volume/panning automation. Even just to one track? I need a step by step of how to go about this within logic.

Any help would be really appreciated,-

-jeff

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Answer 9

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Mar 23, 2006 3:06 PM in response to jshiffma

Well, if you've got MIDI coming into Logic (I am going to guess you have a PT background-the autom. modes should be familiar):

Open automation quick access

Learn/assign a control to a paramater (you may want to click "expert view" for many paramaters)

Put the track in latch mode

press play

wiggle a fader and it writes automation to the track

How exactly you want to interface your controller to work in Logic is up to you.

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Answer 10

jshiffma Author

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Mar 23, 2006 4:36 PM in response to Justin C

wow. how confusing this is getting. Justin C... your post was really helpful. I got to the point where I'm assigning controllers in Logic and the error "illegal block offset" comes up. Have you heard of this before?

I'm guessing it has to do with the hardware blocking out the use with other programs (as posted earlier). The thing is, I didn't believe it was blocked out because of this "standalone mode" that was created specifically for use with other programs.

what?!?

any other advice out there?

thanks,
-Jeff

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Answer 11

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Mar 23, 2006 5:11 PM in response to jshiffma

I searched the past year through this forum and returned nothing about this message. It could be related to what you suggested....are you running PT at the same time or something?

Maybe another Command 8 user has encountered this or has specific tips...

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Answer 12

Justin C

Level 6

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Mar 23, 2006 5:13 PM in response to Justin C

It's completely disconnected from PT's view, right?

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Answer 13

jshiffma Author

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Mar 23, 2006 6:01 PM in response to Justin C

i think so. i could try unplugging the digidesign rack rig... maybe?

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Answer 14

Justin C

Level 6

8,700 points

Mar 23, 2006 6:17 PM in response to jshiffma

Well if PT doesn't think it exists you should be in the clear (as much as possible).

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Answer 15

Mr501

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Mar 24, 2006 6:11 AM in response to jshiffma

Does anyone have any experience getting a Command 8
to function as a control surface for Logic Pro 7? I'm
really having trouble finding any information on it
and I could really use some help. I'd appreciate any
input or suggestions. Thanks,
-Jeff

Hi there i don't think you can use the command 8 as a controller for logic but you can use the project i/o. as it emulates a mackie hui.
You can try using the command 8 in standalone mode and choose a mackie hui in logic and see if it works. dnt forget to tell logic what midi port it's connected to as it may not automaticly find it.

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