Frontier Designs has announced a new single-channel control surface, the AlphaTrack. The new unit offers a motorized 100-mm fader – touch-sensitive, with 10-bit resolution. There are controls for record, solo (with solo indicator LED), and mute, as well as automation. Three touch-sensitive rotary encoders (knobs to you and me) allow parameter control, with a 32-character backlit display for parameter values. You can switch among pan, send, EQ, plug-in, automation parameters. There are also switches for loop control, editing, and user-programmable functions. Rounding out the control complement are transport controls, and a unique jog/shuttle strip. Use two fingers, and it acts like a shuttle control; one finger and it’s a jog control; tap, and it selects markers – this looks to be a very cool way to navigate within your project. A footswitch jack supports punch-in or recording. The AlphaTrack supports both Mac OS X (including Intel Macs) and Windows via USB.
