I'd like to start using a control surface with Final Cut Pro, to be able to use a physical device to jog a sequence and also set sound levels. Does anyone have experience using a Mackie Control Universal and/or the Tascam FW1082. I'm leaning towards the latter because it uses a firewire connection (the MCU needs a midi interface which I'd need to buy) and it seems to support better input from mics, instruments, etc.

Also, anyone seen one of these (NuLooq) in action?
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2769,CONTENTID=12771

I'm a reseller. I carry the Tascam, but not the Mackie - yet.

The Tascam is great because it is both input and control. The Mackie is just control. But the Mackie has a nice timecode display that the Tascam doesn't.

My take is that the Tascam gives you a broader selection of features, but the Mackie is very well refined and focused for it's specific uses.

Not sure if that helps...

Thanks Allan; it looks like the audio levels window must be open in FCP in order for the FW1082 to work, even the video shuttle, which is a pity.

it looks like the audio levels window must be open in FCP in order for the FW1082 to work, even the video shuttle, which is a pity.You are right about that. And it's really the only thing I don't like about my FW1082. I use it both for recording and for control, the latter heavily with Soundtrack Pro and a little bit with Final Cut itself. Works great, except that you always need to have the mixer window open...

- Martin

Works great, except that you always need to have the mixer window open...

Open - but it can be hidden?

Open - but it can be hidden?

To answer my own question, yes the mixer can be hidden, but it must be opened via the tools menu every time that you start up FCP.

I’ve also been looking at the Mackie for quite some time, I’m wondering how useful it actually is to use?
I mean I totally see the worth for such a device for programs like Acid Pro, but when used with video applications like Vegas I wonder how much you would use it?

Can anyone with one shed some light?

Grant

I think it really depends on how much audio work you do in your video editing, and how intensive that work is. If you are doing a lot of mixing then the audio faders under your fingers can greatly ease (and possibly improve) your work. They can certainly speed it up significantly (or so I found).

As far as transport controls go, I find the JKL and arrow keys of the keyboard is all I need, and having to reach for the jog wheel over on the mixer, for basic transport would slow me down.

Not sure about Vegas, but in FCP the shuttle control was not implemented, although the jog wheel did provide immediate feedback (ie when you stop it then the playhead stops too ... none of the lag associated with keystroke sending harware such as Contour or Bella jog/shuttles)

Hope it helps
Andy

Big help Andy, was just what i was thinking.