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Anatomy of D-Control
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(A)
D-Control's
Channel Strip
provide
complete track control, enabling operators to adjust all the typical
parameters
of a channel. The rotary encoders and faders on each channel strip can
control plug-in parameters, sends, pans, and mic preamps, affording operators
the flexibility to customize the way they work. Each channel strip is
comprised of six touch-sensitive, multi-purpose rotary encoders with
15-segment, 3-color LED indicator rings, seven 6-character
alphanumeric displays (or scribble strips), a touch-sensitive motorized
fader with +12 dB of gain above unity, and attendant mode switches with
LED status indicators. The alphanumeric displays on each channel normally
show the parameter name, or the channel name in the case of the lowest
display. When an encoder or a fader is touched, the display immediately
shows the parameter's value. Once the encoder is released, the display
reverts to showing the parameter name. The alphanumeric display's backlight
turns red to indicate clipping in the signal path at that point.
All channel
strips are capable of functioning independently. For instance, one channel
strip may be adjusting sends while the next is adjusting pan
controls or editing a plug-in's parameter values. These modes may be
set either locally or globally. (B)
Focus
Channel Strip
Located in the center section of D-Control is the Focus Channel Strip. Selecting
a channel on the work surface while in Focus mode duplicates that channel's attributes
in the Focus Channel Strip, allowing for adjustments without leaving the monitoring
sweet spot.
(C)
Channel
Strip Master Section
Duplicate master channel strips on each side of the center section enable you
to globally affect how channel strips behave across the D-Control work surface.
Pushing any of the six Flip buttons migrates their corresponding rotary encoder
controls down to the fader section. Dedicated buttons control plug-ins, input/output/send
assignments, automation modes, global channel strip modes, and more.
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(D)
EQ
Panel
D-Control's EQ Panel makes easy work of editing supported EQ plug-ins.
The EQ Panel includes dedicated rotary encoders with LED rings and
an alphanumeric display for viewing the EQ's parameter values.
The alphanumeric
display is split: The left side indicates the plug-in name by default;
when an encoder is touched, the display adjusts to reflect the corresponding
parameter's name. The right display shows the current or last-touched
value. Also included are a Clip indicator, Compare and Safe buttons,
a Master Bypass button, and a Cycle button that allows the EQ editing
panel to be assigned in a "round robin" fashion to any
applicable channel EQ. Two LED bargraphs are used to report input
and output levels
of the plug-in and have corresponding input and output level controls.
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(E)
Dynamics
Panel
Like the EQ Panel, the Dynamics Panel allows direct control of dynamics
plug-ins. In addition to similar controls found on the EQ panel, specific
dynamic controls are available: The Ext Key button switches the External
Key input on and off, while the Listen button, behaving as a solo function,
enables the user to audition the Key input. Dynamics Gain Reduction meters
display gain reduction separately for Compressor/Limiter and Expander/Gate
plug-ins via dual LED bargraph meters. A Dynamics Output Level meter
displays the output level from the Dynamics Section. Two multi-purpose
filter sections control filter parameters depending on the filter type;
a Filter In button places the Filter in circuit and illuminates the button's
LED.
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(F)
Machine
Control Panel
D-Control's machine control panel includes two sets of full transport
controls - Play, Stop, Record Arm, etc., and a jog/shuttle wheel. This
means you can run Pro Tools and an external video deck - or a backup
tape deck - simultaneously.
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(G)
Time
Code Displays
D-Control features five main 7-segment displays for monitoring Main
and Sub counters, Start, End, and Length data. The Main and Sub
counters both
have four LEDs which can be set to indicate Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Milliseconds,
Hours: Minutes: Seconds: Frames, Bars|Beats, Feet|Frames, and
Sample modes.
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(H)
LED
Bargraph Meters
Eight LED bargraphs in the center section display surround mix levels.
Each channel strip has two 32-segment, tri-color LED meters so you
can meter stereo channels in Pro Tools. Green segments meter between
-60 and -6, amber meters between -5.2 and 0, and red indicates clip.
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(I)
File
Functions
File functions include the ability to Save, Undo, and Redo, send a MIDI
All Notes Off message, disable D-Control's QWERTY keyboard, and monitor
and clear clipping on audio channels, plug-ins, and sends.
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(J)
Zoom/Navigate
D-Control's integration with Pro Tools includes console-based control
of zoom and navigate functions. You may never reach for your mouse
to edit in Pro Tools again!
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(K)
Soft
Keys
Press any of the Soft Key mode buttons and the functions associated with
each mode are shown in the half-dozen 6-character alphanumeric soft key
displays. Soft Key modes provide quick access to Pro Tools editing functionality,
Window, Playlist, Track and MIDI options, and more. When the system powers
up, the displays list general session information until a soft key is
pressed.
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(L)
Window
Management Section
This section's illuminated buttons allow you to easily call up or put away
Mix, Edit, and MIDI Event windows, as well as other discrete Pro Tools
windows, giving you access to a wide variety of controls and views (including
Beat Detective).
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(M)
Miscellaneous
Section
This section is reserved for miscellaneous functionality including
future productivity advancements.
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(N)
Bank
Controls
Bank controls enable you to move freely and quickly between channels in
a session.
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(O)
Monitor
System
ICON supports mono through 7.1 recording, mixing, and monitoring, and makes
easy work of setting up the exact monitoring configuration any session
requires. D-Control's monitor system consists of an external rack enclosure
called XMON that is remotely controlled from the D-Control work surface.
Providing comprehensive monitoring of Pro Tools output and/or external
analog inputs, the monitor/communications system feeds multiple control
room monitors as well as headphone and cue subsystems. The D-Control
monitor section connects to XMON via a single 15-pin cable. The main
control room path includes an input source selector, three separate level
controls, and output select buttons, along with listenback microphone
inputs. The headphone/cue subsystem includes an input source selector,
level controls with output select buttons, and a talkback assign.
D-Control's monitor system uses touch-sensitive rotary encoders along
with two separate 6-digit alphanumeric displays. When rotary controls in
the
monitor section are touched, the displays adjust to indicate the parameter
name on the left display and the parameter value on the right display.
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(P)
Monitor
Tray
The center-positioned monitor tray includes a VESA-standard TFT
mounting arm designed to handle up to a 22" monitor. An optional
speaker bridge supports an additional arm for a second monitor.
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(Q)
Pan
Controller Option
This space is reserved for forthcoming pan controllers for stereo and surround
mixing.
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(R)
Pro
Tools Keyboard and Trackball
Integrated into the D-Control Master section is a Pro Tools keyboard
and a trackball that can be switched from right to left side, as you
need.
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(S)
Custom
Faders
The Channel Strip Master section also provides access to Custom Fader
mode controls. Custom Fader mode involves designating channel strips
(in groups
of eight) via the Soft Keys section to serve as dedicated custom-configured
controls - including rotary encoders - for Master Faders, Pro Tools Mix
and Edit groups, Custom Groups, and plug-in parameter editing. D-Control
banks the remaining channels around the Custom Fader channels. Through
Custom Faders mode, D-Control is able to provide mixing flexibility
that extend beyond those of the Pro Tools software interface, offering
more than simple "one to one" control of on-screen parameters
found in other control surface options. Using Custom Faders, operators
can designate a section of D-Control for specific tasks, such as ordering
a collection of tracks or assigning tracks for plug-in editing. For instance,
one bank of channel strips can be assigned to control an Access Virus soft
synth's parameters, while another bank might be configured to manipulate
Master Faders. In conjunction with the environment's complete recall capabilities,
Custom Faders offer benefits that can positively affect workflow speed,
including the ability to divide the work surface into two autonomous halves.
Custom
Groups support the capability of creating preset track layouts on the
fly. This mode allows operators to select any number of tracks, display
them in any order, and recall them with the simple push of a button while
playback or recording is taking place. Custom Groups mode also allows
operators
to display a single track multiple times, with each incidence displaying
a different set of parameters associated with that track. This enables
operators to easily view and edit multiple aspects of a single track
simultaneously, including plug-ins, sends, and pan parameters.
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