There are a lot of companies out there these days touting their computer-based hard disk recording systems. Truth is, many of them are pretty great. But when you look at which company literally pioneered the entire concept of using a computer to do audio recording, only one name comes to mind, and that’s clearly Digidesign.

Year after year, innovation after innovation, Digidesign just keeps on finding new ways to make recording with your personal computer faster and easier and sounding better than ever. Here at Sweetwater, we’re shipping Pro Tools|24 systems in record numbers and we have a feeling that more and more musicians, engineers and studio owners will be installing a system of their own soon, particularly with the introduction of Digi’s new ProControl Advanced Control Surface (prices start at $11,995 - not cheap, but as we all know, the best rarely is).

ProControl is a modular hardware control surface that adds tactile mixing and editing capability to Pro Tools systems, meaning you can touch it, grab knobs and faders, push buttons, etc. It interacts with Pro Tools software via the DigiFader moving faders and 25 high resolution, 8-character “scribble strips” plus dedicated switch and encoder controls (including control room monitoring and talkback).

In essence, ProControl serves as a comprehensive “front end” for Pro Tools TDM mixing, editing and DSP processing, and serves as the only mix controller in the user’s (uh, that’s you!) work environment. Its modular design allows you to configure a system that perfectly suits your needs and budget. In fact, recording, editing and mixing with ProControl will totally change your concept of what to expect when working with a fully integrated, pro Digital Audio Workstation.

The Pro Tools TDM system contains some of the most powerful mix automation available on any digital system, regardless of price. This includes Write, Touch, Latch and Read modes for fader levels, pans, sends, mutes, plug-in parameters and more.  ProControl provides access to this mixing power through Digi’s Patent Pending DigiFader moving faders and dedicated function switches and encoders. Literally every parameter capable of automation in Pro Tools TDM systems can be controlled right from the ProControl surface.

Fader and send levels, pan position, scrub/shuttle and transport control, edit tools/modes and plug-in access and editing are all available from the ProControl surface. Control room and studio monitoring of stereo or surround sound Pro Tools mixes is also provided. ProControl even includes an integrated Trackpad for those rare times when you need to access an item on the Pro Tools graphic interface. Located in the Main Section of ProControl, the Channel Matrix contains 32 dedicated, illuminated channel buttons, 4 bank switches, the Channel/Group LED Display and other function buttons which allows you to quickly navigate through large Pro Tools sessions. Using the matrix, you can view the status of functions like solo, mute and record readys on channels which are not currently displayed in the Fader Section. In addition, you can quickly scan a large “console” configuration in order to locate a specific channel(s) and immediately re-configure the Fader Section to display the desired group of channels.

There’s a lot more you’ll want to know about ProControl if you’re a Pro Tools user (or even if you’ve been considering the purchase of a Pro Tools system). And please, try to disregard the fact that the ProControl unit will look so totally cool in your studio - we know you’re beyond such superficial things. So if you want to know more, we suggest a simple call to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for all the inside information and (of course) your special pricing on a ProControl unit - or even an entire Pro Tools System. (The fine print: Digidesign products are not available in all areas, so consult your Sales Engineer before ordering).