How it Works
Avid Technology
Loading...
D-Control
User Manual
186 pgs8.07 Mb0

Avid Technology D-Control User Manual

Download
D-Control™ Guide
Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted ©2011 by Avid Technology, Inc., (hereafter “Avid”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicat ed in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9320-65044-00 REV A 10/11
Documentation Feedback
At Avid, we are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at techpubs@avid.com.
Contents
Part I Introduction
Chapter 1. Introduction to D-Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
D-Control Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
D-Control System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Expansion Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Operational Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Connection Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
System Requirements and Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mechanical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 2. D-Control Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D-Control Main Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D-Control Fader Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
XMON Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Part II Installation
Chapter 3. Setting Up D-Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
D-Control Stand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing D-Control Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Installing a Video Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Mounting D-Control Cables (Optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Reconfiguring the D-Control Keyboard for a Windows System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Moving the Keyboard and Trackball (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Replacing the Trackball with an External Trackball or Mouse (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 4. Connecting D-Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
D-Control Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Audio Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chapter 5. Configuring D-Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Starting Up and Shutting Down the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Software Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Setting D-Control Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
System Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Part III Reference
Chapter 6. Channel Strip Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Channel Strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Channel Strip Master Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Contents iii
Chapter 7. Plug-In Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Assigning and Removing Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Focusing Plug-Ins on D-Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Opening Plug-In Windows On-Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Managing Multiple Plug-In Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Making Plug-Ins Inactive or Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Changing Plug-In Presets from Channel Strips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Copying and Pasting Plug-In Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Enabling Plug-In Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Plug-In Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Displaying Dynamics Plug-In Gain Reduction on Channel Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Dynamics Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
EQ Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Chapter 8. Transport and Navigation Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Transport Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Zoom/Navigate Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Bank/Nudge Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Bank Select Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Dual Transport Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
D-Control Multi-Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Chapter 9. Management and Soft Key Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Window Management Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Session Management Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Soft Keys Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Miscellaneous Controls Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Memory Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Window Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Chapter 10. Monitor and Meter Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Monitor Section Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Control Room Monitoring System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Headphone/Cue System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Talkback/Listen System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Meter and Timecode Displays (Main Unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Meter Displays (Fader Module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Setting D-Control Meters for Different Reference Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Chapter 11. Normal Mode Operations and Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Assigning Elements to Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Viewing Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Making Elements Active or Inactive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Working with Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Working with the HEAT Option. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Working with Plug-Ins and Sends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Flip Mode and Flop Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Inline Console Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Working with Automation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
D-Control Guideiv
Chapter 12. Assigning Inserts, Sends and I/O with the Assign Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Overview of the Assign Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Insert Assign Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Send Assign Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
I/O Assign Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Chapter 13. Custom Fader Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Overview of Custom Fader Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Custom Groups Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Custom Fader Mix/Edit Groups Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Custom Fader Tracks Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Custom Fader Plug-In Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Custom Fader Flip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Custom Fader Map Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Appendix A. Utility Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Entering Utility Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Navigating Utility Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Exiting Utility Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
D-Control System Info Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
D-Control Name Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
D-Control Test Pages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Resetting D-Control to Factory Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
D-Control Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Appendix B. Audio Connections and Pinou ts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
25-Pin Female Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
15-Pin Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Appendix C. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Environmental Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Safety Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Contents v
D-Control Guidevi
Part I: Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction to D-Control
Welcome to the D-Control™ worksurface for Avid® ICON systems. D-Control provides hands-on control of nearly every feature in Pro Tools izing the Pro Tools mix environment.
®
, and offers powerful options for custom-
D-Control Features
D-Control provides a full set of controls for all Pro Tools recording, editing and mixing tasks, and a versatile remote-controlled audio monitoring system.
Control Features
• Touch-sensitive, motorized Penny and Giles faders
• Touch-sensitive, multi-purpose rotary controls
• Dedicated controls for assignment and activation of inputs, outputs, inserts and sends
• Flexible display of pan, insert, send, plug-in and mic pre controls
• Dedicated EQ and dynamics plug-in control sections
• Dedicated controls for all channel strip functions including recording and input monitoring modes, mute, solo, and channel select
• Dedicated controls for automation mode, enable and safe status
• Flip Mode for transfer of parameters from rotary controls to faders
• Custom Fader Mode for flexible channel and parameter mapping
• Full transport and navigation controls, including location commands and scrub/shuttle capability
Monitoring Features
• 8-channel control room monitoring system supports mono through 7.1 surround monitoring, with up to 6 possible in­put sources and 3 selectable output paths
• 2-channel cue system with 5 separate outputs and selectable talkback feed
• Built-in talkback microphone and external talkback mic In­put
• Standalone mode for monitoring without Pro Tools
D-Control System Components
The following components are included in a D-Control 16-channel or 32-channel system:
Main Unit
•D-Control Main Unit
•AC power cord
• Ethernet cable
•USB cable
•Windows keyboard caps set
• Ethernet loopback plug (for Ethernet testing)
Fader Module
(1 for 16-Channel System, 2 for 32-Channel System)
• D-Control Fader Module unit
•AC power cord
• Ethernet cable
XMON Monitoring System
•XMON Interface
•AC power cord
•XMON cable
D-Control Stand
• Left and right leg assemblies
• Rear crossbar assembly
•Rear pan support rail
•Front pan support rail
• Left and right plastic side caps
• Leg front caps
•Leg rear caps
• Stand hardware
• Video display arm assembly and hardware
Chapter 1: Introduction to D-Control 3
System Expansion Options
Connection Requirements
Fader Modules
Additional 16-channel Fader Modules can be added to D-Control, up to a total of 80 faders (five 16-channel Fader Modules).
Surround Panner Option
The Surround Panner option for D-Control work surfaces pro­vides tactile control for many mixing and panning features to enhance multichannel mixing for surround sound.
For details on D-Control expansion and customization options, visit www.avid.com.
Operational Requirements
Temperature and Ventilation
D-Control should be installed and operated in a climate-con­trolled environment, away from heat sources, and with ade­quate ventilation. D-Control should be operated at an ambient temperature that does not exceed 100 degrees F (35 degrees C).
The back panel and the front half of the bottom panel of each unit should be exposed to ambient air. Blocking or partially blocking the back panel or bottom panel of a D-Control unit may cause the unit to malfunction and may void your war­ranty.
The D-Control stand is designed to provide adequate ventila­tion for the D-Control units. Installation of D-Control units in other stands or studio furniture is not recommended, and may void your warranty if adequate ventilation is not maintained.
Water and Moisture
D-Control units should be operated away from sources of moisture or humidity and should be kept clear of liquids that might spill into the units.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If you need to clean the D-Control top surface, apply a non-bleach cleaning solution to a cloth or paper towel, then carefully wipe the surface. Do not use abrasives, cleaning so­lutions with bleach, or spray cleaners.
Pow er Connections
Each D-Control unit (Main Unit and Fader Modules) and the XMON Monitor Interface requires its own power connection. Make sure your power source is correctly rated for the number of units you are connecting. A surge protected power source (not included) is highly recommended.
Ethernet Connections
Each D-Control unit communicates with Pro Tools using Ethernet. A 10-BaseT Ethernet hub (not included) is required to connect D-Control units to the host computer.
USB Connections
The computer keyboard and trackball on the D-Control Main Unit require an available USB connector on the host computer or on a USB hub if your system has one.
Audio Connections
All external analog audio inputs and outputs for control room monitoring and studio communication are connected to the XMON interface. D-Control connects to the XMON interface with a single 15-pin cable (included). All analog inputs and outputs on XMON are DB-25 connectors.
Audio Cables for D-Control Monitoring
Avid offers a range of cabling options for connecting inter­faces and external sources to the XMON monitoring system. For details, visit www.avid.com.
System Requirements and Compatibility
D-Control requires a qualified system running Pro Tools HD or Pro Tools with Complete Production Toolkit.
For complete system requirements and a list of qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, visit www.avid.com/compatibility.
D-Control Guide4
Mechanical Specifications
D-Control Stand Dimensions (not including video display arm)
Maximum Height 39.7 inches (100.9 cm) Maximum Width Main Unit with 1 Fader Module (16-channel system) 65.3 inches (165.9 cm) Main Unit with 2 Fader Modules (32-channel system) 88.5 inches (224.8 cm) Maximum Depth 45.7 inches (116.1 cm)
Figure 1. Stand dimensions for a 16-fader D-Control system
Figure 2. Stand dimensions for a 32-fader D-Control system
Chapter 1: Introduction to D-Control 5
D-Control Guide6
Chapter 2: D-Control Overview
Monitor Section
Dynamics Section
EQ Section
Transport
Section
Channel Strip Master section
Channel Strip Master Function controls
Custom Fader controls
Focus
Talkback switch
Bank Select section
Window Management section
Session Management section
Soft Keys section
Bank/Nudge section
Zoom/Navigation section
Miscellaneous controls
Meter display
Talkback Microphone
Time Scale displays and Location indicators
Display Arm Housing Display Shelf
Automation Mode controls
Channel Strip Master Assign and
(also on left side of Main Unit)
Display controls
Channel Strip
D-Control Main Unit
Main Unit Top Panel
Figure 3. D-Control Main Unit top panel
Chapter 2: D-Control Overview 7
Meter Display
The Meter display on the D-Control Main Unit can be set to show the output levels, or levels associated with a track or plug-in. See “Meter and Timecode Displays (Main Unit)” on page 124.
Time Scale Displays and Location Indicators
Window Management and Session Management Sections
The Window Management and Session Management sections on the D-Control Main Unit include controls for opening and closing Pro Tools windows, and managing and saving Pro Tools sessions. See “Window Management Section” on page 101 and “Session Management Section” on page 102.
The Time Scale displays and Location indicators mirror the corresponding indicators in Pro Tools. See “Meter and Time­code Displays (Main Unit)” on page 124.
Display Shelf and Display Arm Housing
D-Control gives you two options for using a video display: You can place a free-standing display on the display shelf, or you can install a VESA TFT display on the included display arm. See “Installing a Video Display” on page 27.
Focus Channel Strip
The Focus Channel Strip on the D-Control Main Unit is used to bring the controls of any channel strip in a session to the center of the control surface, bringing them to the center mix position. See “Channel Strips” on page 49.
Dynamics and EQ Sections
The D-Control Main Unit provides dedicated Dynamics and EQ sections for plug-ins that support D-Control Dynamics and EQ plug-in mapping. See Chapter 7, “Plug-In Controls.”
Monitor Section
The Monitor section on the D-Control Main Unit includes a full set of controls for the control room monitoring, head­phone/cue, and talkback/listenback sections of D-Con trol. See “Monitor Section Controls” on page 115.
Zoom/Navigation Section
The Zoom/Navigate section on the D-Control Main Unit is used to control navigation, display, and selections in the Pro Tools Edit window. See “Zoom/Navigate Section” on page 97.
Soft Keys Section
The Soft Keys section on the D-Control Main Unit provides ac­cess to a wide range of Pro Tools commands directly from the control surface. It also provides access to preferences and set­tings specific to D-Control. See “Soft Keys Section” on page 103.
Miscellaneous Controls
The Miscellaneous Controls section on the D-Control Main Unit includes controls for basic Pro Tools editing and display functions. See “Miscellaneous Controls Section” on page 112.
Transport Section
The Transport section on the D-Control Main Unit includes two complete sets of transport controls, switches for setting the transport mode, scrub/shuttle controls, as well as ad­vanced audition and locate controls. See “Transport Section” on page 91.
Channel Strip Master Section
The Channel Strip Master section is a set of controls that ap­pears on both the left and right sides of the D-Control Main Unit, allowing easy access to powerful assignment, display, and channel function controls from any mixing position. See “Channel Strip Master Section” on page 57.
Custom Fader Controls
The Custom Fader controls in the D-Control Main Unit invoke a special set of D-Control modes, called Custom Fader modes, which let you set aside and customize channel strips for dis­play and editing of a variety of functions. See “Custom Fader Controls” on page 67.
Bank/Nudge and Bank Select Sections
The Bank/Nudge and Bank Select sections on the D-Control Main Unit are used to control the display of Pro Tools tracks on the control surface, in both Normal and Custom Fader modes. See “Bank/Nudge Section” on page 98 and “Bank Se­lect Matrix” on page 98.
D-Control Guide8
Talkbac k Switches
Two Talkback switches on the Main Unit provide mirrored control of the D-Control Talkback function. See “Talkback Switch” on page 69.
Automation Mode Controls
The Automation Mode controls mirror the function of the on-screen Automation Mode selector for each track. See “Au­tomation Mode Controls” on page 69.
Main Unit Back Panel
Footswitch jack
Keyboard/Trackball
USB connector
Ethernet connector
XMON Monitoring System connector
AC Power
Power switch
Figure 4. D-Control Main Unit back panel connectors
AC Power
The AC Power connector accepts a standard AC power cable. The D-Control Main Unit is auto power-selecting (100V to 240V) and automatically works with a standard modular power cord when connected to an AC receptacle in any country.
Power Switch
The Power switch applies power to the D-Control Main Unit.
Footswitch Jack
The footswitch jack on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit is a 1/4-inch TRS jack that supports two footswitch con­nections. See “Footswitch Connections” on page 34.
Keyboard/Trackball USB Connector
The USB connector on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit links the computer keyboard and trackball on the Main Unit to the Pro Tools system. See “USB Connections” on page 34.
Ethernet Connector
The Ethernet connector on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit provides communication to Pro Tools. See “Ether­net Connections” on page 33.
XMON Monitoring System Connector
The 15-pin connector on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit provides remote control of all audio monitoring func­tions from the D-Control Monitoring section. See “XMON Monitoring System Connection” on page 35.
Chapter 2: D-Control Overview 9
D-Control Fader Module
Channel Strip
Rotary Encoder
section
Meter
section
Channel Strip
Mode controls
Channel faders
Channel Strip
Function controls
Modifier keys
Fader Module Top Panel
Figure 5. D-Control Fader Module top panel
Meter Section
The Meter section on the D-Control Fader Module can display track levels, plug-in meters, and other parameters depending on D-Control metering preferences. See “Meter Displays (Fader Module)” on page 125.
Channel Strip
Each channel strip on the D-Control Fader Module has identi­cal channel controls, including six touch-sensitive rotary en­coders, display and mode controls, and a touch-sensitive fader. See “Channel Strips” on page 49.
Modifier Keys
Each D-Control Fader Module has a set of four switches in its lower left corner that duplicate the function of the Pro Tools computer keyboard modifiers. See “Modifier Key Switches” on page 56.
D-Control Guide10
Fader Module Back Panel
AC Power
The AC Power connector accepts a standard AC power cable. The D-Control Fader Module is auto power-selecting (100V to 240V) and automatically works with a standard modular power cord when connected to an AC receptacle in any country.
Power Switch
The Power switch applies power to the Fader Module.
Ethernet Connector
The Ethernet connector on the back panel of the D-Control Fader Module provides communication to Pro Tools. See “Ethernet Connections” on page 33.
XMON Interface
Power switch
MIDI Receive indicator
Mute indicator
Mute button
D-Control monitoring is based on the XMON analog interface, which is remotely controlled from the D-Control monitoring section.
XMON Front Panel
Figure 6. XMON front panel
Power Switch
The Power switch applies power to the XMON Interface.
Mute Indicator
The Mute indicator shows the mute status of XMON.
MIDI Receive Indicator
The MIDI Receive indicator shows MIDI activity between XMON and D-Control.
Mute Button
The Mute button mutes all XMON outputs. It is not possible to unmute XMON with this button. The XMON mute state can only be cleared from the D-Control Monitor section (see “Monitor Section Controls” on page 115).
Chapter 2: D-Control Overview 11
XMON Back Panel
Cue Inputs
Cue Outputs
Main Inputs Surround Inputs Stereo Inputs
Main Outputs Alt Outputs Talkback/ Meter Calibration Control Surface AC Power
Listenback/ Utility
Screws
The back panel of the XMON interface includes connectors for all external analog audio inputs and outputs for D-Control. See “Audio Connections” on page 35.
Figure 7. XMON back panel
D-Control Guide12
Part II: Installation
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control
This chapter explains how to set up 16-fader (Main Unit plus one Fader Module) and 32-fader D-Control systems (Main Unit plus two Fader Modules).
D-Control Stand
(16-Fader and 32-Fader Systems)
Figure 1. Assembled D-Control stand
The stand configurations for 16-fader and 32-fader systems have similar assembly procedures and the same number of parts (the crossbar and support rails are longer for a 32-fader system).
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 15
Stand Components
Left leg assembly Right leg assembly Rear crossbar assembly
Front pan support rail
Rear pan support rail
Left and right side caps
(2) Leg front caps
(2) Leg rear caps
Unpack the stand and confirm that you have all of the necessary parts. Figure 2 shows the metal parts of the stand. Figure 3 shows the plastics parts of the stand. Set the plastic parts aside to protect them from damage during initial assembly.
Figure 2. D-Control metal stand parts
Figure 3. D-Control plastic stand parts
D-Control Guide16
Stand Hardware
1/4-inch-20 x 1/2-inch button head cap screw
1/4-inch-20 x 1/2-inch socket head cap screw
M6 x 8mm Phillips pan head screw
#10-32 x 1/2-inch socket head cap screw
#10-32 x 1-inch socket head cap screw
#10-32 x 3/4-inch socket head cap screw
1/2-inch roll pin
#10 x 3/4-inch Phillips pan head screw
#6-32 x 7/16-inch Phillips pan head machine screw
The following hardware is provided with the D-Control stand (spare pieces may be included).
Figure 4. D-Control assembly hardware for metal and plastic parts
Hardware for Metal Stand Parts
• (14) 1/4-inch-20 x 1/2-inch button head cap screws
• (10) 1/4-inch-20 x 1/2-inch socket head cap screws
• (22) M6 x 8mm Phillips pan head screws
• (8) 1/2-inch-20 x 1-inch socket head cap screws for leveling the stand (not pictured)
• (3) 1/2-inch roll pins
Hardware for Plastic Stand Parts
• (3) #10-32 x 1/2-inch socket head cap screws
• (4) #10-32 x 3/4-inch socket head cap screws
• (26) #10-32 x 1-inch socket head cap screws
• (8) #10 x 3/4-inch Phillips pan head screws
• (3) #6-32 x 7/16-inch Phillips pan head machine screws
Cabling Accessories
• (14) cable tie mounts
•(8) screw mount cable ties
• (14) cable ties
•(4) Velcro rip ties
• (10) #8 x 1/2-inch self-tapping screws (for use with rip ties and screw mount cable ties)
Tools for Assembling the Stand
The following tools are included with D-Control:
• 5/32-inch hex driver (for button head cap screws)
• 3/16-inch hex driver (for socket head cap screws)
• 3/8-inch hex driver (for stand leveling screws)
The following additional tools are required to assemble the D-Control stand:
• #2 Phillips screwdriver (for large Phillips head screws)
• #1 Phillips screwdriver (for small Phillips head screws)
• small hammer (for 1/2-inch roll pins)
The following tools are optional, but will help with assembly:
• rubber mallet for adjusting the stand
• ratcheting nylon strap for closing up the stand
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 17
Placement of D-Control
(3) 1/2-inch–20 x 1-inch socket head cap screws
Preparing the Stand Legs
In planning the placement of your D-Control, make sure to ac­count for the dimensions of the assembled system, allowing for at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of open space behind the finished unit. This meets the ventilation requirements for the D-Con­trol units.
For detailed dimensional information, see “Mechanical Spec­ifications” on page 5.
When assembling the unit, you will need additional clearance on either side of the unit to push the sides of the stand to­gether in the final steps of assembly. You will also need access to the rear of the unit to make cable connections.
Before assembling the D-Control stand, make sure the floor in the installation space is level and the areas directly under the legs are flat.
Each stand leg has three holes for leveling screws in its base, which can be used to fine-tune the leveling of the unit.
Figure 5. Location of leveling screws
If you are placing the unit on a cement or hardwood floor, you can apply adhesive-backed rubber pads (included) to the bot­toms of the legs to protect the floor and help level the stand. If you are using the leveling screws, you can place rubber pads directly under the screws to further protect the floor.
D-Control Guide18
Figure 6. Applying rubber pads to bottom of D-Control leg
Assembling the Stand
Left stand leg
Right stand leg
Crossbar mounting brackets
Gap between crossbar and stand leg
Crossbar mounting bracket
After you have prepared the installation space for D-Control, begin by assembling the metal parts of the stand.
It is important that you first build the stand slightly wider than its final dimensions, and leave all screws loose enough to allow the stand legs to move side-to-side relative to the rear crossbar and rails. After you install the D-Control units on the stand, you will then slide the leg assemblies inward and tighten all screws.
To assemble the stand:
1 Place the right and left leg assemblies upright, and at the approximate width of the rear crossbar assembly. Position the legs so
that their crossbar mounting brackets are on the insides of the legs, facing each other as in Figure 7.
Figure 7. D-Control stand legs positioned with crossbar brackets facing each other
2 Lift the rear crossbar assembly into position and slide it onto the crossbar mounting bracket on each leg. (The two sides of the
crossbar are identical, so it does not matter which side faces front.) Position the legs so there is a small gap between the sides of the crossbar and the inner surface of each leg. The screw holes in the brackets should be visible in the slots on the crossbar.
Figure 8. Placing the rear crossbar assembly on the mounting bracket (left); Detail of gap between crossbar and leg (right)
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 19
3 Using a 5/32-inch hex wrench, attach the crossbar to the
Rear pan
Front pan
support rail
support rail
Notch indicating left side of rear pan support rail
brackets with 1/4-inch-20 x 1/2-inch button head cap screws (see Figure 9), using 6 screws on each side (3 in front and 3 in back). Make sure to leave the screws loose enough so that the legs can be moved side-to-side relative to the rear crossbar.
5 Position the rear rail so that the edge with the V-shaped
notch points toward the left stand leg.
Figure 11. V-shaped notch in rear pan support rail
6 Lift the rear rail into place so that the rail rests on the rear
rail tabs of the stand legs (see Figure 12). The holes on the ends of the rail should line up with the slots in the rear rail tabs on each leg.
Figure 9. Attaching the crossbar
4 Locate the rear pan support rail, which is the larger of the
two rails provided with the stand.
Figure 10. Side view of pan support rails
Figure 12. Rear support rail in place on left stand leg
D-Control Guide20
7 Using a 3/16-inch hex wrench, attach the rear rail to the rail
Notch indicating left side of front pan support rail
tabs on each leg from below with 1/4-inch-20 x 1/2 inch socket head cap screws (see Figure 13), using 2 screws in each side. Make sure to leave the screws loose enough so that the leg as­semblies can be moved side-to-side relative to the rear rail.
10 Lift the front rail into place so that the rail rests on the fro nt
rail tabs of the stand legs. The holes on the ends of the rail should line up with the slots in the front rail tabs on each leg.
11 Using a 3/16-inch hex wrench, attach the front rail to the
rail tabs on each leg from below with 1/4-inch-20 x 1/2 inch socket head cap screws, using 2 screws in each side. Make sure to leave the screws loose enough so that the leg assemblies can be moved side-to-side relative to the front rail.
Figure 13. Attaching support rail from below
8 Locate the front pan support rail, which is the smaller of the
two rails provided with the stand.
9 Position the front rail so that the edge with the V-shaped
notch points toward the left stand leg.
Figure 15. Front and rear support rails in place on left stand leg
With the rear crossbar, rear support rail and front support rail in place (see Figure 15), you are now ready to install the D-Control units on the stand.
Figure 14. V-shaped notch in front pan support rail
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 21
Installing D-Control Units
MainFader
Main
Fader
16-fader system, Main on right
16-fader system, Main on left
Fader
MainFader
MainFader
Main
Fader Fader
Fader
Fader
32-fader system, Main in center
32-fader system, Main on right
32-fader system, Main on left
After the stand has been assembled, the next step is preparing the D-Control Main Unit and Fader Modules for installation.
Attaching the Spacer Pla te
A metal spacer plate goes between each D-Control unit on the D-Control stand.
Figure 16. D-Control spacer plate (removed from a Fader Module)
A spacer plate is pre-installed on the right side of each Fader Module. Depending on the size and configuration of your D-Control system, you may need to move the plate from one of the Fader Modules to the Main Unit. Refer to the section below for your system configuration.
32-Fader System
If you are building a 32-fader D-Control, you can place the Main Unit to the left, to the right, or in between the two Fader Modules.
16-Fader System
If you are building a 16-fader D-Control, you can place the Main Unit either to the left or to the right of the Fader Module.
Figure 17. 16-channel configurations
If you are placing the Main Unit to the left of the Fader mod-
ule, you need to move the spacer plate from the Fader Module to the Main Unit. Refer to “Moving the Spacer Plate” on page 23 before installing the units on the stand.
If you are placing the Main Unit to the right of the Fader
Module, you can use the spacer plate on the Fader Module as pre-installed. Proceed to “Installing the Units on the Stand” on page 24.
Figure 18. 32-channel configurations
If you are placing the Main Unit to the left or in between the
two Fader Modules, you need to move the spacer plate from the far-right Fader Module to the Main Unit. Refer to “Moving the Spacer Plate” on page 23 before installing the units on the stand.
If you are placing the Main Unit to the right of the two Fader
Modules, you can use the spacer plates as pre-installed on the Fader Modules. Proceed to “Installing the Units on the Stand” on page 24.
D-Control Guide22
Moving the Spacer Plate
long screws (5)
long screws (2)
Top roll pin location
Front roll pin location
Leveling the Pins on the Rightmost Unit
When installing the Main Unit to the left of any Fader Mod­ules, you will need to remove the spacer plate and its screws from the far right Fader Module and place them on the right side of the Main Unit.
Do not use a power screwdriver or similar high-torque device to remove and replace the screws for the spacer plate, as it might strip the threads in the screw housing.
To move the spacer plate:
1 Remove the screws holding the spacer plate in place. Make
sure to note the location of the longer screws (2 in the front and 5 in the back) as you remove them.
Fader Modules and Producer’s Desks ship with two pins in their right side to help anchor the units together on the stand. (These pins are not needed on the rightmost unit in your con­figuration, and can be removed.)
To level the roll pins on the rightmost unit:
1 Identify the unit that will occupy the rightmost position in
your configuration.
2 Use a small hammer to tap in the two pins the right side of
until they are flush with the side of the unit. (There is no stop in side the pin rails, so you will be ab le to install new pins if you expand your system later.)
Figure 19. D-Control spacer plate (removed from a Fader Module)
2 Remove the spacer plate from the right side of the Fader
Module.
Figure 20. Removing the spacer plate from a Fader Module
3 Remove the corresponding screws from the right side of the
Main Unit, and save them for the Fader Module.
4 Position the spacer plate on the right side of the Main Unit,
and attach it in place with the screws that originally held it on the Fader Module. Make sure to note the location of the longer screws.
Figure 21. Installing the roll pin in the top of a D-Control unit
Figure 22. Installing the roll pin in the front of a D-Control unit
5 Place the remaining screws in the side of the Fader Module.
Make sure to note the location of the longer screws.
The holes on the spacer plate are countersunk for instal­lation on the right side of a unit. Do not attach the spacer plate to the left side of any D-Control unit.
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 23
Installing the Units on the Stand
After the D-Control Main Unit and Fader Modules are pre­pared for installation, the units are placed on the stand in the appropriate order for your configuration. Install the units from left to right on the stand.
To install the D-Control units on the stand:
1 Lift the first unit into place on the stand so the channels in
the bottom of the unit go over the rear and front rails of the stand.
3 Lift successive units into place on the stand, being careful
not to bend the pins in the units you installed previously.
4 Slide the units together, guiding the pins in each unit into
the corresponding holes in the side of the next unit.
5 Attach the units to the front and rear rails from below with
M6 x 8mm Phillips pan head screws, using a total of 6 screws for the Main Unit (3 each in the front and rear rails) and a total of 4 screws for the Fader Module (2 each in the front and rear rails). Make sure to leave these screws loose enough so that the units can still move side-to-side relative to the rails.
Figure 23. Placing a Fader Module on the stand
2 Slide the unit to the left side of the stand, leaving a gap of
about an inch (2 cm) between the side of the unit and the flange on the inside of the stand.
Figure 25. Attaching a unit to the rails from below
Figure 24. Leaving a gap between the unit and stand
D-Control Guide24
Closing Up the Stand
(2) M6 x 8mm Phillips pan head screws
Next, you will close up the stand and finish attaching the units.
To close up the stand:
1 Move the stand legs together to completely close the gap be-
tween the stand and the outer units. (You may want to tap the base of the legs with a rubber mallet to help move them into place.)
2 Use a ratcheting nylon strap to compress the stand legs to-
gether.
Figure 26. Using a nylon strap on the stand legs
3 If there is still any gap between the rear crossbar assembly
and either of the legs, position the crossbar so that the gap is equal on both sides.
4 Tighten the 6 button cap screws on each side of the rear
crossbar.
5 If necessary, use the ratcheting nylon strap to compress the
D-Control units together by running the strap around the top part of the legs and across the D-Control units as shown in Figure 27. Make sure the nylon strap does not contact any switches or encoders on the surface.
Figure 27. Using a nylon strap on the D-Control units
6 Tig hten the 2 so cket head cap scre ws on each side of the front
and rear rails from below.
7 Attach the outside (rightmost and leftmost) units to the
flanges on the legs from below with M6 x 8mm Phillips pan head screws. Tighten these screws.
Figure 28. Attaching a unit to the leg flanges (view from below)
8 Tighten the Phillips pan head screws that attach the D-Con-
trol units to the front and rear rails from below.
9 Remove the nylon strap.
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 25
Installing the Plastic Side Caps
Remove this screw
(6) #10-32 x 1-inch socket head cap screws
(3) #10 x 3/4-inch Phillips pan head screws
(1) #6-32 x 7/16-inch Phillips pan hea machine screw
With the D-Control units in place and attached to the stand rails, you are now ready to install the plastic side caps.
Do not use a power screwdriver or similar high-torque device to attach the plastic side caps, as it may distort or damage the caps.
To install the plastic side caps:
1 On each side of the system, locate the pair of #6-32 machine
screws, arranged one above the other, near the front of each unit. Remove the lower of the two screws from each side of the unit.
3 Place the plastic side caps over each side of the unit, starting
by hooking the front of each cap around the front part of the stand leg, then sliding the cap backward into place. The holes on the cap should line up with holes on the stand.
Figure 31. Placing a plastic side cap on the stand
4 Attach each plastic side cap with the screws indicated in Fig-
ure 32. Leave the screws loose until you have placed all of the screws, then go back and tighten all of the screws carefully.
Figure 29. Removing the machine screw from a unit
2 Locate the two small blue rubber meter break caps and in-
stall them in the inside of the plastic side caps.
Figure 30. Installing a meter break cap in a plastic side cap
Figure 32. Attaching the plastic side caps
D-Control Guide26
Installing the Plastic Leg Caps
(2) #10-32 x 3/4-inch socket head
(1) #10-32 x 1/2-inch socket head
cap screws
cap screw
(2) #10-32 x 1-inch socket head cap screws
(3) #10-32 x 1-inch socket head cap screws
You can install the D-Control plastic leg caps at any time.
To protect the plastic leg caps from damage, install them last, after you have finished installing and configuring any other D-Control components and moved the system into place. If necessary, continue with other installations and return to these steps when you are finished.
Installing a Video Display
D-Control gives you two options for using a video display:
Free-Standing Display
port a free-standing flat screen display.
Arm-Mounted TFT Display
cluded with the Main Unit, you can mount a TFT-type display on D-Control.
General instructions for installing each display are given in the following sections. For details on setting up a particular display, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Installing a Free-Standing Display
The display shelf on the D-Control Main Unit can support a free-standing flat screen display (such as an Apple Cinema display) up to a 20-inch screen size. (Larger displays may ob­struct the view of the meter bridge on the Main Unit.)
To install a free-standing display:
1 Remove the display shelf panel from the Main Unit.
The display shelf on D-Control can sup-
Using the video display arm in-
Figure 33. Plastic leg cap placement
To install the plastic leg caps:
1 Place the front leg caps over each leg. Attach each front cap
with the screws indicated in Figure 34.
Figure 34. Attaching the plastic front leg caps
2 Place the rear leg caps over each leg. Attach each rear cap
with the screws indicated in Figure 35.
Figure 36. Removing the display shelf from the Main Unit
Figure 35. Attaching the plastic rear leg caps
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 27
2 Replace the mounting post housing on the underside of the
display shelf panel with the provided cover plate.
Figure 37. Mounting post housing (back of display shelf panel)
3 Run the display cabling through the cable port in the display
shelf panel.
4 Route the display cabling down through the Main Unit and
through the cable port in the bottom of the Main Unit. (You may need to remove a panel covering this cable port.)
Installing an Arm-Mounted TFT Display
The articulated video display arm included with the D-Control Main Unit can support a VESA-style display that weighs up to 20 pounds (9 kg).
The video display arm is packaged separately and includes hardware that is not needed for D-Control. The arm-mounting hardware is pre-installed in the bottom of the Main Unit.
To install an arm-mounted TFT display:
1 Mount the video display on the display arm assembly accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2 Discard the mounting post included with the monitor arm
assembly. A correctly sized replacement post is included with the D-Control Main Unit.
3 Install the new mounting post in the Main Unit. Note the ori-
entation of the post (the side with the longer slot faces the back of the unit).
Figure 38. Cable port in bottom of Main Unit (view from below)
5 Replace the display shelf panel on the Main Unit.
6 Place the display on the display shelf.
D-Control Guide28
Figure 39. Installing the mounting post in the Main Unit
4 Run the display cabling through the cable port behind the
mounting post housing (you many need to remove the display shelf to route any connectors through the port).
5 Route the display cabling down through the Main Unit and
through the cable port in the bottom of the Main Unit. (You may need to remove a panel covering this cable port. See Fig­ure 38.)
6 Place the display arm collar over the mounting post assem-
bly. Do not tighten the set screw for the collar.
7 Place the display arm assembly on the mounting post assem-
bly.
10 Insert the top cap/threaded rod in the mounting post as-
sembly and tighten it with the provided wrench.
Figure 40. Placing the arm assembly on the mounting post
8 Adjust the display arm collar so that its stops prevent the
arm assembly and video display from hitting the D-Control meter bridge. In most cases, the setscrew should not go into the hole in the mounting post assembly, but should be slightly to the right of the hole and the cable port as shown in Figure 41.
Figure 41. Detail of display arm collar and setscrew
9 Tighten the setscrew to fix the collar in place.
Figure 42. Attaching the arm assembly with the top cap/threaded rod
Figure 43. Installed arm mount assembly and video display
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 29
Mounting D-Control Cables (Optional)
Three different kinds of cable ties are provided with D-Con­trol.
5 Install the included Start (or “Windows”) keys to replace the
Alt/Option keys.
Velcro Rip Ties
These ties can be affixed to the D-Control stand legs. Two pre-drilled holes inside each leg accept #8 x 1/2-inch self-tapping screws.
Screw-Mount Ties
These ties can be affixed to the D-Control
stand legs with the #8 x 1/2-inch self-tapping screws.
Adhesive-Backed Ties
These self-sticking tie mounts let you place cable ties anywhere on the D-Control unit, and can be used to dress cables or to mount an Ethernet hub under the unit.
Reconfiguring the D-Control Keybo ard for a Windows System
The computer keyboard on the D-Control Main Unit ships with a Mac keyboard configuration.
If you will be using D-Control with a Windows-based Pro Tools system, you will need to reconfigure the computer keyboard.
To reconfigure the D-Control computer keyboard for Windows:
1 Using a 5/64-inch hex wrench, remove the screws in the com-
puter keyboard panel and detach it from the D-Control Main Unit.
Figure 45. Windows keys in place on alpha keyboard
6 Remove the Equals (=) key, also called “Capture” key, from
the numeric keypad.
7 Move the Slash (/) key, also called the “Enter Start End
Length” key, to replace the Equals key.
8 Move the Asterisk (*) key, also called the Enter Main Counter
key, to replace the Slash key.
9 Move the Minus (–) key to replace the Asterisk key.
10 Remove the Plus (+) key and install the included dou-
ble-sized plus key to replace the old Plus and Minus keys.
Figure 44. Removing the computer keyboard from the Main Unit
2 Locate the switch on the printed circuit board under the key-
board and move it to the opposite position.
3 Remove the two Apple Command () keys from either side
of the Spacebar on the alpha keyboard.
4 Move the Alt/Option keys inward to replace the Apple Com-
mand keys.
D-Control Guide30
Figure 46. Windows keys in place on the numeric keypad
11 Replace the computer keyboard panel on the D-Control
Main Unit and reattach its screws.
Moving the Keyboard and Trac kball (Optional)
You can move the trackball on the D-Control Main Unit to the left of the computer keyboard.
To move the keyboard and trackball:
1 Using a 5/64-inch hex wrench, remove the screws in the com-
puter keyboard panel and the trackball panel on the D-Control Main Unit.
2 Exchange the position of the trackball and keyboard panels,
and carefully rearrange their cables underneath the panels.
7 Connect the Molex plug you disconnected in Step 3 to the P2
connector on the printed circuit board. Make sure you fit the connector and plug together correctly (so that the plug snaps into place) to maintain polarity of this connection.
8 Route the cable of your trackball or mouse through the slot
in the blank plate.
9 Attach the blank plate to the Main Unit.
Reinstalling the Trackball
If you need to reinstall the factory trackball on a D-Control Main Unit, carry out the following procedure.
3 Reattach the computer keyboard and trackball panels to the
Main Unit.
Figure 47. Trackball located on left side of keyboard on the Main Unit
Replacing the Trackball with an External Trackball or Mouse (Optional)
If you prefer to work with your own trackball or mouse, you can remove the D-Control trackball from the D-Control Main Unit and replace it with the provided blank plate, and place your USB-compatible trackball or mouse on top of the blank plate.
To replace the trackball:
1 Using a 5/64-inch hex wrench, remove the blank plate from
the Main Unit.
2 Disconnect the Molex plug from the P2 connector on the
printed circuit board.
3 Disconnect the external trackball or mouse from the USB
connector on the printed circuit board.
4 Remove the screws holding the printed circuit board to the
bottom of the blank plate. Set the blank plate aside.
5 Locate the D-Control trackball plate and install the printed
circuit board on the underside of the trackball plate.
6 Connect the Molex plug that runs from the D-Control track-
ball assembly to the P1 connector on the printed circuit board. Make sure you fit the connector and plug together correctly (so that the plug snaps into place) to m aintain polarity of this con­nection.
7 Connect the Molex cable that comes from under the D-Con-
trol keyboard to the connector on the D-Control trackball as­sembly.
8 Reattach the trackball plate to the Main Unit.
To remove the trackball:
1 Using a 5/64-inch hex wrench, remove the trackball plate on
the D-Control Main Unit.
2 Disconnect the Molex plug from the P1 connector on the
printed circuit board on the bottom of the trackball plate.
3 Disconnect the Molex plug that comes from under the
D-Control keyboard from the trackball assembly.
4 Remove the screws holding the printed circuit board to the
trackball plate. Set the D-Control trackball plate aside.
5 Locate the blank plate and install the printed circuit board
on the underside of the blank plate.
6 Locate the USB connector on the printed circuit board, and
connect your trackball or mouse to it.
Chapter 3: Setting Up D-Control 31
D-Control Guide32
Chapter 4: Connecting D-Control
Footswitch jack
Keyboard/Trackball
USB connector
Ethernet connector
XMON Monitoring System connector
D-Control Connections
D-Control units require power, Ethernet and USB connections to operate with Pro Tools. An optional footswitch connection is also available on the Main Unit. The connectors on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit are shown in Figure 48.
Be sure to make all connections with your D-Control units and computer turned off.
Figure 48. D-Control Main Unit back panel connectors
Power Connections
Each D-Control unit (Main Unit and Fader Modules) and the XMON Monitor Interface requires its own power connection. D-Control Main Units, Fader Modules, and XMON Interfaces are auto power-selecting (100V to 240V) and automatically work with a standard modular power cord when connected to an AC receptacle in any country. A power cable is provided with each D-Control unit and the XMON interface.
To make D-Control power connections:
For each D-Control unit and the XMON Interface, connect
the included AC power cord the unit and to a power source.
Ethernet Connections
Each D-Control unit communicates with Pro Tools using Ethernet. An Ethernet cable is included with each D-Control unit. A 10-BaseT Ethernet hub (not included) is required to connect D-Control units to the host computer.
To make D-Control Ethernet connections:
1 Install the Ethernet hub according to its instructions, apply
power to it, and verify that it is functioning properly.
2 Connect the Ethernet hub to the Ethernet port on your com-
puter.
3 For each D-Control unit, connect one end of the supplied
Ethernet cable to a port on the Ethernet hub, and the other end to the Ethernet port on the back of the unit. Do not use any port labelled for LAN connections.
Connection sequence to the Ethernet hub does not mat­ter, because the order of the units can be configured from within Pro Tools.
Chapter 4: Connecting D-Control 33
Using D-Control on an Ethernet Network
Footswitch Connections
You can purchase a combined 10/100-BaseT Ethernet hub that can simultaneously support D-Control over 10-BaseT and other network traffic over 100-BaseT. This will allow you to use D-Control over a local area network.
Moderate network traffic (such as e-mail) should not affect communication between D-Control and the computer. If your network experiences heavy traffic, you may want to create a dedicated Ethernet network for D-Control.
Controlling Pro Tools Systems Over a Network
When D-Control is connected to an Ethernet network, it will be available to be declared by any Pro Tools system on that network. This lets you control different Pro Tools systems on the network with a single D-Control console. (You can only control one Pro Tools system at a time.)
For more information on switching control between systems, see “D-Control Multi-Mode” on page 100.
USB Connections
The computer keyboard and trackball on the D-Control Main Unit use a USB connection to communicate with the host com­puter. A USB cable is required (not included).
You can connect two SPST (single-pole, single-throw) foot­switch units to the D-Control Main Unit to control any of the following functions:
• Starting and stopping Pro Tools playback
•Starting ProTools recording
• Toggling Talkback on and off
The footswitch connector is a single 1/4-inch TRS jack on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit.
To wire a TRS connector for the D-Control footswitch jack:
Use the following wiring convention:
• Tip = Footswitch 1
•Ring = Footswitch 2
•Sleeve = Ground
The D-Control USB connection supports the use of a USB hub, if your system has one. A powered USB hub is not required.
To make the D-Control USB connection:
Connect one end of a USB cable to the USB port on the back
panel of the D-Control Main Unit, and the other end to the USB port on the computer or USB hub.
D-Control Guide34
Audio Connections
Cue Inputs
Cue Outputs
Main Inputs Surround Inputs Stereo Inputs
Main Outputs Alt Outputs Talkback/ Meter Calibration Control Surface AC Power
Listenback/ Utility
Screws
D-Control monitoring is based on the XMON analog interface, which is remotely controlled from the D-Control monitoring sec­tion. All external analog audio inputs and outputs for control room monitoring and studio communication are connected to the XMON interface.
XMON provides 18V phantom for its three external mic inputs (External Talkback Mic, Listen Mic 1, Listen Mic 2).
All audio connections are made with standard DB-25 connectors. The back panel of the XMON is shown in Figure 49.
Figure 49. XMON back panel
XMON Monitoring System Connection
D-Control connects to XMON with a single 15-pin cable. A 50-foot (15.25 m) cable is included with the D-Control Main Unit. The system supports up to an 80-foot (24.5 m) cable.
To connect the XMON to D-Control:
1 Connect the included AC power cord to the back panel of the XMON and to a power source. A surge protected power source is
highly recommended.
2 Connect one end of the included XMON cable to the Control Surface port on your XMON unit, and the other end to the 15-pin
Control port on the back panel of the D-Control Main Unit.
Chapter 4: Connecting D-Control 35
Control Room Monitoring Connections
AFL/PFL
Input
(2 channels)
Main
Input
(8 channels)
Surround
Input
(8 channels)
Stereo 1
Input
(2 channels)
Stereo 2
Input
(2 channels)
Stereo 3
Input
(2 channels)
Stereo 4
Input
(2 channels)
Listen
Mic 1
Listen
Mic 2
Level
Level
Input
Source
Select
AFL/PFL
Level
Pro Tools Solo Command
Mono
Summing
Level, Dim, Solo, Mute, Trim + Cal
Control Room Output Select
Main Output (8 channels)
Alt Output (8 channels)
Mini Output (2 channels)
[To Cue System]
Figure 50. Control room monitoring system block diagram
Inputs
Outputs
• Main Inputs (8 channels), balanced, +4 dBu (from Pro Tools)
• Surround Inputs (8 channels), balanced, +4 dBu
• Stereo 1 Inputs (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu/–10dBV
• Stereo 2 Inputs (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu/–10dBV
• Stereo 3 Inputs (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu/–10dBV
• Stereo 4 Inputs (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu/–10dBV
• AFL/PFL Inputs (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu
• Listen Mic 1 (external), mic level (XMON provides 18V phantom power)
• Listen Mic 2 (external), mic level (XMON provides 18V phantom power)
• Main Control Room Outputs (8 channels), balanced or unbalanced, +4 dBu
• Alt Control Room Outputs (8 channels), balanced or unbalanced, +4 dBu
• Mini Control Room Outputs (2 channels), balanced or unbalanced, +4 dBu
D-Control Guide36
Headphone/Cue System Connections
Main Monitor
Input
Cue 1
Input
(2 channels)
Cue 2
Input
(2 channels)
Cue 3
Input
(2 channels)
Internal
Talkback
Input
External
Talkback
Input
Talkback
switch
Talkback
Assign
Internal
Talkback
Level
External
Talkback
Level
Talkback/Slate Out (1 channel)
Cue 1 Out (2 channels)
Cue 2 Out (2 channels)
Cue 3 Out (2 channels)
HP Out (2 channels)
Studio LS (2 channels)
(2 channels)
[from Control Room System]
Figure 51. Headphone/Cue system block diagram
Inputs
• Main Monitor Input (2 channels)
• Cue 1 Input (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu
• Cue 2 Input (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu
• Cue 3 Input (2 channels), balanced, +4 dBu
• Internal Talkback Mic (from internal mic)
• External Talkback Mic, mic level (XMON provides 18V phantom power)
Outputs
• Cue 1 (2 channels), +4 dBu
• Cue 2 (2 channels), +4 dBu
• Cue 3 (2 channels), +4 dBu
• Headphone (2 channels), to internal headphone jack
• Studio Loudspeaker (2 channels)
• Talkback/Slate Output (1 channel)
Chapter 4: Connecting D-Control 37
Analog Outputs 1-8
Analog Outputs 9-16
Cue Inputs Main Inputs
Main OutputsCue Outputs Talkback/ListenbackAlt Outputs
1-2: Studio 3-4: Cue 1 5-6: Cue 2 7-8: Cue 3
1 = L 2 = Lc 3 = C 4 = Rc 5 = R 6 = Ls 7 = Rs 8 = LFE
1 = L 2 = Lc 3 = C 4 = Rc 5 = R 6 = Ls 7 = Rs 8 = LFE
1 = Ext Talkback Mic Input 2 = Listen Mic 1 Input 3 = Listen Mic 2 Input 4 = AFL Input 1 5 = AFL Input 2 6 = Mini Speaker Out 1 (L) 7 = Mini Speaker Out 2 (R) 8 = Talkback/Slate (Out)
To
Cue System
Amplifiers
To
Main
Speakers
To
Alternate
Speakers
To
Various
Inputs
and
Outputs
DB-25 to DB-25 connectors
DB-25 to XLR snakes
HD I/O
XMON
Example XMON Wiring Diagram
The following diagram shows basic XMON connections for a Pro Tools|HD system with an HD I/O that has 16 analog outputs.
Figure 52. Wiring diagram for HD I/O and XMON
D-Control Guide38
Chapter 5: Configuring D-Control
Starting Up and Shutting Down the System
Your D-Control-based system must be started up and shut down in a specific order.
Start your D-Control-based system in this order:
1 Turn on external hard drives first. Wait 10 to 15 seconds for
them to come up to speed.
2 Turn o n the D-C ontro l uni t s .
3 If you plan to work with MIDI equipment, turn on MIDI in-
terfaces and other MIDI devices.
4 Turn on all Pro Tools audio interfaces.
5 Turn o n the comput e r.
6 Turn o n the XMON i nter fac e .
7 Turn on monitor amplifiers or self-powered speakers.
Shut down your D-Control-based system in this order:
1 Turn off monitor amplifiers or self-powered speakers.
2 Turn off the XMON interface.
Updating System Firmware
Each release of Pro Tools software includes the most current D-Control firmware. When you declare a D-Control unit in the Pro Tools Peripherals dialog, Pro Tools compares the firm­ware of all connected units to the version available in Pro Tools software, and prompts you if an update is available.
If you are prompted to update firmware, follow the on-screen instructions to load the latest firmware to each D-Control unit.
Declaring D-Control Units in Pro Tools
Communication between D-Control and Pro Tools is config­ured from Pro Tools.
To declare D-Control units in Pro Tools:
1 Choose Setups > Peripherals, and click Ethernet Controllers.
3 Turn off all Pro Tools audio interfaces.
4 Shut down the computer.
5 If using MIDI equipment, turn off MIDI interfaces or con-
trollers.
6 Turn off the D-Control units.
7 Turn off external hard drives.
Software Configuration
All D-Control software is included when Pro Tools software is installed. The Pro Tools software installer places the D-Con­trol Personality folder on the system drive.
Refer to the Getting Started Guide that came with your system for instructions on installing or updating Pro Tools software.
Ethernet Controllers display in the Peripherals dialog
2 Select Enable. Pro Tools scans the Ethernet connection for
any D-Control units connected to the system.
3 Select the units in order as you want them arranged left to
right.
It is not necessary to declare units in the same sequence as they are physically arranged in the D-Control stand. You can set a Pro Tools system to use D-Control units in any order, to fit your workflow.
Chapter 5: Configuring D-Control 39
As each unit is selected, Pro Tools scans and brings it online. The current status of each unit is indicated in the Peripherals dialog in the following ways:
• Bold indicates a connected unit.
• Italics indicate an offline or disconnected unit.
• Underlining indicates that the selected unit is in use by another Pro Tools system.
4 After enabling all units, click OK to close the Peripherals
window.
When communication is established, Pro Tools displays col­ored outlines identifying each bank of Pro Tools tracks.
The colors in each unit row are used to identify controller fo­cus on-screen in Pro Tools. The bank, track, insert, send, or other element currently the focus of D-Control is outlined in the color associated with each unit.
Naming D-Control Units in Pro Tools
To set bank justification:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes Bank Justification (“BnkJus”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “BnkJus” to choose
between the “Left,” “CenterL,” “CenterR,” and “Right” settings.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Faders On/Off
The Faders On/Off preference lets you temporarily turn off D-Control faders to prevent fader movement when monitor­ing a mix.
To toggle D-Control faders on and off:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Faders On/Off pref­erence (“Faders”).
You can set the names for D-Control units from Pro Tools.
To name a D-Control unit in Pro Tools:
1 Choose Setups > Peripherals, and click Ethernet Controllers. 2 Click the Name button next to the unit. 3 Enter the name for the unit and click OK.
You can also set the names for D-Control Main Units and Fader Modules directly from the units themselves, by using Utility mode. For details on naming D-Control units in Utility mode, see “D-Control Name Page” on page 158.
Setting D-Control Preferences
This section describes the settings and preferences for D-Con­trol that are set directly from the control surface. For details on preferences that are set from Pro Tools, see the Pro Tools Reference Guide.
Fader, Encoder and Switch Preferences
The following settings and preferences affect operation of the faders, encoders, and switches on D-Control.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Faders” to toggle all
faders on and off.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Touch Value
The Touch Value preference determines whether faders and encoders, when touched, temporarily show the value of the pa­rameter they are controlling.
To toggle display of values on or off:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes Touch Value (“TchVal”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “TchVal” to toggle
value display On and Off.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Fader Bank Justification
The Bank Justification preference determines whether banks of channels in Normal mode are justified at the left, left center (to the left of the Main Unit), right center, (to the right of the Main Unit) or right side of the control surface.
D-Control Guide40
Display of Slave Track Controls in VCA Master Track Encoders
If you don’t want to view or adjust slave track controls from the VCA Master channel strip, you can turn off the display of slave track controls in the encoders of VCA Master tracks.
To toggle display of slave track controls in VCA Masters:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Encoder VCA display preference (“EncVCA”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “EncVCA” to toggle
the setting between “Yes” (display of slave track controls in en­coders) and “No” (no display of slave track controls).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operations switch to exit.
Display of Insert and Send Positions in Encoders
Rotary Encoder Velocity Mode
The Rotary Encoder Velocity mode affects responsiveness of rotary encoder knobs. Fixed mode is at normal resolution. In Velocity Sensitive mode, acceleration can be set to slow, me­dium or fast. In Fine mode, response is fixed at fine resolu­tion.
To set the Rotary Encoder Velocity mode:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Rotary Encoder Ve­locity Mode preference (“Rotary”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Rotary” to choose be-
tween the “Fixed,” “Vel-Sl” (velocity-sensitive slow) “Vel-Md” (velocity-sensitive medium) “Vel-Fa” (velocity-sensitive fast) and “Fine” settings.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
The Show Send/Insert Letters preference lets you display Send and Insert letters on send and insert positions with no assign­ment.
Encoder and channel strip displays show Insert and Send in­formation as follows:
With the Show/Send Insert Letters preference enabled, in-
serts with no assignments show only uppercase letters (A–J) in the corresponding positions.
With the Show/Send Insert Letters preference enabled,
sends with no assignments show only lowercase letters (a–j) in the corresponding positions.
Inserts and Sends with assignments show only the Insert or
Send name and no letters.
To enable display of Insert and Send letters:
1 In the Console Prefs Soft Keys section, press the Operation
switch repeatedly to display the page that includes Show Send/Insert Letters (“Lettrs”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Lettrs” to toggle the
setting between “On” and “Off.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operations switch to exit.
Pan on Lower Encoder
The Pan on Lower Encoder preference determines whether Pan controls are displayed on the bottom encoder of each channel, even when another type of control is displayed on the upper encoders.
To set the Pan on Lower Encoder preference:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Pan on Lower En­coder preference (“PanBot”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “PanBot” to toggle the
setting between “Yes” and “No.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Encoder Order
The Encoder Order preference determines whether inserts, sends, and pan controls will be displayed in order from top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top on D-Control rotary encod­ers.
To set the Encoder Order preference:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Encoder Order pref­erence (“Encod”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Encod” to toggle the
setting between “Bot-Tp” (bottom-to-top ordering) and “Tp-Bot” (top-to-bottom ordering).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Chapter 5: Configuring D-Control 41
Select Switch Latch Mode
The Select Switch Latch mode determines whether channel Se­lect switches follow latching or exclusive-or (non-latching) behavior when in Select mode.
To set the Select switch mode:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Select Switch Latch mode preference (“Select”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Select” to toggle the
setting between the “Latch” and “ExclOr” (unlatched) settings.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Custom Fader Preferences
The following settings and preferences affect display of Cus­tom Faders on D-Control. For more information on using Cus­tom Faders, see Chapter 13, “Custom Fader Modes.”
Maximum Custom Fader Bank Size
The Maximum Custom Fader Bank Size preference determines the number of channels to be used when displaying tracks in the Left or Right Custom Fader bank.
To set the maximum Custom Fader bank size:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Custom Fader Bank Size preferences.
2 Do one of the following:
• To increment the number of channel strips, press the Soft Key that corresponds to the preference setting you want to change.
– or –
• To decrement the number of channel strips, hold Shift and press the Soft Key that corresponds to the preference setting you want to change.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Custom Fader Bank Justification
The Custom Fader Bank Justification preference determines the distribution of the two available Custom Fader banks on the control surface.
LCFJst (Left Custom Fader Justification)
Determines whether the Custom Faders controlled by the left Custom Faders sec­tion are placed at the left, left center, right center, or right of the Main Unit.
Custom Fader Bank Size is set independently for each category of Custom Fader modes (Plug-Ins, Groups, and Track Types).
Options for bank size include 4, 8, 16, or 32 channels, up to the total number of channels on the D-Control system. You can choose settings for each of these sizes (indicated by the prefix “Min”) that use the minimum number of channels necessary, so that the Custom Fader section dynamically resizes to match the number of channels in the group.
LCFPI (Left CF Bank Size for Plug-Ins)
Determines the number of channels allocated for Custom Fader Plug-In mode in the Left Custom Fader section.
RCFPI (Right CF Bank Size for Plug-Ins)
Determines the num­ber of channels allocated for Custom Fader Plug-In mode in the Right Custom Fader section.
LCFGrp (Left CF Bank Size for Custom Groups and Mix/Edit Groups)
Determines the number of channels allocated for
Custom Groups mode in the Left Custom Fader section.
RCFGrp (Right CF Bank Size for Custom Groups and Mix/Edit Groups)
Determines the number of channels allocated for
Custom Groups in the Right Custom Fader section.
LCFTyp (Left CF Bank Size for Track Type)
Determines the number of channels allocated for Custom Fader Tracks mode in the Left Custom Fader section.
RCFJst (Right Custom Fader Justification)
Determines whether the Custom Faders controlled by the right Custom Faders section are placed at the left, left center, right center, or right of the Main Unit.
To set Custom Fader bank justification:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Custom Fader Bank Justification preferences (“LCFJst” or “RCFJst”):
2 Repeatedly press the Soft key that corresponds to “LCFJst” or
“RCFJst” to choose between the “Left,” “CenterL,” “CenterR,” and “Right” settings for the corresponding bank of Custom Faders.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
RCFTyp (Right CF Bank Size for Track Type)
number of channels allocated for Custom Fader Tracks mode in the Right Custom Fader section.
D-Control Guide42
Determines the
Display of Hidden Tracks in Custom Faders
Focusing Plug-Ins in Custom Fa der Mode
You can set D-Control to show hidden tracks in the Custom Fader views. You can then mix those hidden tracks, but you cannot select or record-enable them. Hidden track names are displayed in yellow in the Custom Faders.
To make hidden tracks visible in Custom Fader views:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes Custom Fader Tracks (“CFTrks”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “CFTrks” to toggle the
setting between Show Hidden Tracks (“ShwHdn”) and Hide Hidden Tracks (“HidHdn”).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Custom Fader Plug-In Mode View Definitions
There are three view options available for display of plug-in parameters in the channel displays of the Custom Faders. These options, or view definitions, are accessible from the D-Control operation preferences.
Name View
Shows the track name, plug-in name and channel format of the currently focused plug-in in the channel displays of the Custom Faders.
Expanded View
Shows additional plug-in controls in the chan­nel displays of the Custom Faders. This view can also be seen at any time by pressing and holding the Plug-In switch in the Custom Fader section until the switch flashes. See “Expanded Plug-In View” on page 154.
You can set D-Control to focus plug-ins directly in Custom Faders Plug-In mode instead of focusing them channel strips.
To enable focusing of plug-ins in Custom Faders on D-Control:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes Channel Editing for Plug-Ins (“ChanPI”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “ChanPI” to toggle the
setting between “On” (to focus plug-ins on Custom Faders) and “Off” (to focus plug-ins in channel strips).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operations switch to exit.
To focus a plug-in directly in Custom Faders:
1 Press the Inserts switch for the channel to display plug-in
names on the channel’s encoders. Press the Page Up and Page Down switches on the channel to display additional plug-ins.
2 Press the encoder Select switch for the plug-in you want to
focus.
The controls of the focused plug-in appear in Custom Fader Plug-In mode.
To focus a plug-in using the opposite mode from the current ChanPI setting:
Hold Control+Alt (Windows) or Command+Option (Mac)
when pressing the encoder Select switch for a plug-in.
Transport Mode Preference
Fader View
Maintains track names on channel displays and fader control of track volume while Custom Fader plug-in pa­rameters are displayed in the channel encoders. Entering Ex­panded view or Plug-In Map mode automatically exits Fader view.
To set the Custom Fader Plug-In Mode view:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
ed ly to display the page t hat includes Plug-In View Def inition s (“LPIDef” and “RPIDef ”).
2 Repeatedly press the Soft key that corresponds to “LPIDef”
or “RPIDef” to choose between the corresponding settings for the Plug-In Mode view.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
D-Control can operate in Dual or Single Transport mode. Dual Transport mode activates the second set of transport controls in the section labeled “Machine Transport.” In Single Trans­port mode, only the transport controls marked “Pro Tools Transport” are active.
To set the Transport mode:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Transport Mode pref­erence (“Trnspt”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Trnspt” to toggle the
setting between “Dual” and “Single.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Chapter 5: Configuring D-Control 43
Display Preferences
Meter Preferences
The following preferences affect the interaction of D-Control with on-screen display of elements in Pro Tools.
Target Track from Application
The Target Track from Application preference determines whether selecting an Insert or Send on-screen makes its track the focused track on the D-Control Main Unit. For details on focusing a track on D-Control, see “Focusing a Track” on page 131.
To set the Target Track from Application preference:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Application Target preference (“APTrgt”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “ApTrgt” to toggle the
setting between “Yes” and “No.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
Channel Window Display
The Channel Window display preference determines whether displaying plug-in or send pan parameters (by pressing an en­coder Select switch) on D-Control opens the corresponding plug-in or send window on-screen in Pro Tools. This prefer­ence also determines whether the Channel Select switches (in the Dynamics or EQ sections) change the channel display of multi-mono plug-ins.
When this preference is set to “Yes,” the on-screen display of
plug-in and send windows changes to reflect the state of the control surface.
When this preference is set to “No,” the on-screen display of
plug-in and send windows does not change to reflect the state of the control surface.
The following preferences affect operation of the meters on D-Control.
Send Meters On/Off
The Send Meters On/Off preference toggles send metering on and off. This preference applies when sends are displayed on the D-Control rotary encoders. This metering follows Send pre- or post-metering settings in Pro Tools.
To toggle send meters on and off:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the Meter swit ch re peate dly to
display the page that includes the Send Meters On/Off prefer­ence (“SndMtr”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “SndMtr” to toggle the
setting On and Off.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
Insert Meter On/Off
The Insert Meters On/Off preference toggles insert metering on and off. This preference applies when inserts are displayed on the D-Control rotary encoders.
To toggle insert meters on and off:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the Meter swit ch re peate dly to
display the page that includes the Insert Meters On/Off prefer­ence (“InsMtr”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “InsMtr” to toggle the
setting On and Off.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
Meters Pre/Post Fader
To set the Channel Window display preference:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-
edly to display the page that includes the Channel Window dis­play preference (“ChanWn”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “ChanWn” to toggle
this setting between “Yes” and “No.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Operation switch to exit.
D-Control Guide44
The Meters Pre/Post Fader preference toggles channel meter­ing between pre- and post-fader modes.
To toggle channel meters between pre- and post-fader metering:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the Meter swit ch re peate dly to
display the page that includes the Meters Pre/Post Fader pref­erence (“Meters”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “Meters” to toggle the
setting between “PreFad” (pre-fader metering) and “PostFd” (post-fader metering).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
Center Meters Track/Output
The Center Meters Track/Output preference toggles the 8-channel meter display on the Main Unit meter bridge be­tween main output levels and the focused track. When set to meter the focused track, you can view levels for multichannel tracks up to 8 channels (7.1 surround).
To toggle the center meters between output and track metering:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the M ete r sw itc h re peate dly to
display the page that includes the Center Meters Track/Output preference (“CtrMtr”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “CtrMtr” to toggle the
setting between “Output” and “Track.”
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
Gain Reduction Priority
When encoder LED rings and channel meters are set to display dynamics plug-in gain reduction, you can set which function has priority when multi-function Compressor/Gate plug-ins are used.
To set the gain reduction metering priority:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the M ete r sw itc h re peate dly to
display the page that includes the Gain Reduction Priority preference (“GRPrio”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “GRPrio” to toggle the
setting between Compressor/Limiter (“CompLm”) and Ex­pander/Gate (“ExpGat”).
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
VCA Slave Metering On/Off
The VCA Meters On/Off preference toggles metering of VCA slave track levels on VCA channel rotary encoders on and off.
System Calibration
Recalibrating D-Control Faders
If a fader on a D-Control Unit shows response problems, you can recalibrate the faders with the Recal command in Utility mode. See “Recal” on page 161 for details.
Calibrating the Output Meters
You can calibrate the output meters on the Main Unit meter bridge from XMON, in order to match metering levels in Pro Tools with metering levels of external sources. The exam­ple below uses an HD I/O or 192 I/O as the reference source.
To calibrate the D-Control output meters:
1 Set the reference level of your HD I/O or 192 I/O according
to the instructions in its User Guide.
2 With the HD I/O or 192 I/O analog output connected to the
XMON Main Input, send a calibration tone to the D-Control Main Outputs, and note the output level on the D-Control me­ters.
3 Disconnect the HD I/O or 192 I/O analog output from the
XMON Main Input and connect it to the XMON Alt Input.
4 Activate the Alt Output.
5 Adjust the trim pots on the back panel of the XMON until the
output level for each channel on the D-Control matches the level displayed for the Main Output.
6 When you are finished, reconnect the HD I/O or 192 I/O an-
alog output to the XMON Main Input.
Calibrating SPL Indication on the Monitor Section
The D-Control Monitor section lets you display output level in dB or dB SPL. You can calibrate the SPL display to reflect the sound pressure level at the mix position. See “Calibration Mode Switch” on page 118.
To toggle VCA slave track metering on and off:
1 In the Soft Ke ys section , pr ess the M ete r sw itc h re peate dly to
display the page that includes the VCA Meters On/Off prefer­ence (“VCAMtr”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “VCAMtr” to toggle
the setting On and Off.
3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Meter switch to exit.
Chapter 5: Configuring D-Control 45
D-Control Guide46
Part III: Reference
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls
Rotary EncoderRotary Encoder
Channel Strip
Channel Strip
Channel Fader
Mode controls
Function controls
section
Automation Mode and Channel Status indicators
Rotary Encoder
Encoder
LED Ring
Encoder Knob
Encoder Display
Mute/Pre indicators Bypass/Mute/Pre
switch
Encoder
Automation Mode
indicator
Dynamics/EQ Plug-In indicators
Select switch
Channel Strips
The D-Control Main Unit has one central channel strip, called the Focus Channel Strip, and each D-Control Fader Module has 16 channel strips. Each channel strip (Figure 1) has identical controls, including six touch-sensitive rotary encoders, dis­play and mode controls, and a touch-sensitive fader.
Rotary Encoder Section
Each channel strip has six touch-sensitive rotary encoders with LED ring, display, mode switches, and status indicators. Rotary encoders control channel input, insert, send, pan, and mic pre parameters.
Channel Strip Rotary Encoder
Encoder Knob
The encoder knobs on D-Control channel strips are touch-sen­sitive. When you touch the encoder, the encoder display switches from the parameter name to the parameter value. Touch display of parameter values can be turned off.
When you are automating a parameter controlled by an en­coder, touching the encoder knob starts writing automation.
Inputs, Outputs, Inserts and Sends
Dyn
Figure 1. D-Control Channel Strip
When assigning a channel input or output, or an insert or send, the encoder knob is used to scroll through available in­puts, outputs, inserts, or sends. When adjusting the phantom power on a remote-controlled mic preamplifier, the encoder knob can be used to toggle phantom power on and off.
Instrument Tracks
On Instrument tracks, the bottom encoder knob is used to control MIDI Volume.
VCA Master Tracks
On VCA Master tracks, the encoder knobs are used to control the Volume of slave tracks.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 49
Encoder LED Ring
Dynamics and EQ Plug-In Indicators
Each encoder has a ring of 15 three-color LEDs. Discrete or stepped information is shown by single LEDs, and continu­ously variable information is shown by an expanding series of LEDs.
In Normal mode, encoder LED rings can show send level, pan position, plug-in parameter values, and mic pre settings. In Flip mode, they show track level.
Instrument Tracks
On Instrument tracks, the bottom encoder LED ring shows MIDI Velocity.
VCA Master Tracks
On VCA Master tracks, encoder LED rings show levels of slave tracks.
Encoder Automation Mode Indicator
Below each encoder knob is an LED marked “auto,” which lights when the corresponding parameter is enabled for auto­mation. The indicator lights green for Read mode, solid yellow when armed for automation in any of the Write modes, and flashes red when writing automation in any of the Write modes.
Encoder Display
Each encoder has a six-character display that shows parameter names. When the corresponding encoder knob is touched or moved, the display shows parameter values.
Encoder displays use colors and backlighting to indicate the following:
• Green: Default color for input, insert, send, pan, and mic pre parameter names and values
• Inverted green: Inactive input, inactive output, inactive plug-in or inactive send names
• Yellow: Assignment options in Assign mode, any param­eters in Flip mode
• Red: Clipped plug-in, send or channel
When viewing inserts on an encoder, these LEDs light to indi­cate the presence of a Dynamics plug-in (yellow LED) or EQ plug-in (green LED).
Mute and Pre Indicators
When viewing sends on an encoder, these LEDs light to indi­cate that the send is muted (red LED) or set to pre-fader oper­ation (green LED).
Encoder Select Switch
Each encoder has a Select switch that is used to assign an in­sert or send to that encoder, or to display insert or send parameters for editing.
Inserts
When assigning an insert, the encoder Select switch is used to confirm the selection of the following elements on each level:
•Insert type
•Plug-In subfolder
• Individual insert or plug-in
When viewing a plug-in, the encoder Select switch is used to display and edit plug-in parameters on that channel’s rotary encoders.
Sends
When assigning a send, the encoder Select switch is used to confirm the selection of the following:
•Send type (interface or bus)
• Send assignment
When viewing a send, the encoder Select switch is used to dis­play and edit send pan information on that channel’s rotary encoders.
VCA Master Tracks
On VCA Master tracks, encoder Select switches focus the cor­responding slave tracks in the Focus Channel Strip.
D-Control Guide50
Bypass/Mute/Pre Switch
Page Up switch
Dynamics switch
Microphone Preamplifier switch
Inserts switch Pan switch
Bypass/Spill
switch
Sends switch
Input switch
EQ switch
Page Down switch
MIDI Controls on Instrument Tracks
Each encoder has a Bypass/Mute/Pre (B/M/P) switch whose function depends on what is currently displayed on the en­coder. With Sends, the function of the B/M/P switch also de­pends on the current Switch Mode setting.
See “Switch Mode Switch” on page 61 for more information on changing the Switch mode and viewing the current function of the B/M/P switch.
Inserts
When a plug-in name is displayed on an encoder (in the
top-level Inserts display), the B/M/P switch bypasses the cor­responding plug-in. The B/M/P switch lights when the plug-in is bypassed.
When a plug-in parameter is displayed on an encoder (by
pressing its Select switch) the B/M/P switch affects certain pa­rameters (such as polarity or channel linking) that can be tog­gled on and off.
Sends
When a send name is displayed on an encoder, the B/M/P switch does one of the following:
• If the Switch Mode is set to Mute, the B/M/P switch mutes the corresponding send. The red Mute LED lights to indi­cate that the send is muted.
• If the Switch Mode is set to Pre, the B/M/P switch toggles the corresponding send between pre- and post-fader op­eration. The green Pre LED lights to indicate that the send is set for pre-fader operation.
Mic Pre
When mic pre parameters are displayed on a channel strip’s encoders (in the top-level Mic Pre display), the B/M/P switches do the following:
• Top encoder B/M/P: toggles phantom power on and off
• Gain encoder B/M/P: toggles mic pre HPF on and off
• Source encoder B/M/P: toggles mic pre Insert on and off
• Pad encoder B/M/P: toggles mic pre Pad on and off
• Polarity encoder B/M/P: toggles mic pre Polarity
Instrument Tracks
On Instrument Tracks, the bottom B/M/P switch is used to control MIDI Mute state.
The Instruments View in Pro Tools contains MIDI controls that can be displayed on the bottom encoder of D-Control channel strips.
To display MIDI volume and mute controls on an Instrument track:
Press the Input switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
section of the Instrument channel strip.
The MIDI controls appear on the bottom encoder (Encoder 6) as follows:
•Encoder knob: MIDI Volume
• B/M/P switch: MIDI Mute
• Encoder LED ring: MIDI Velocity meter
To display MIDI pan controls:
Hold the Input switch and press the Pan switch in the Chan-
nel Strip Mode controls section of the channel strip.
The bottom encoder (Encoder 6) knob controls MIDI Pan.
To exit display of MIDI controls:
Press another switch in the Channel Strip Mode section.
Slave Track Display on VCA Master Tracks
In normal Mode, VCA Master tracks show their slave tracks in their rotary encoders, as follows:
• Encoder knob: Slave track Volume control
• Encoder LED ring: Slave track meter level
•Encoder B/M/P switch: Slave track mute
• Encoder Select switch: Focuses slave track in Focus Chan­nel Strip
If there are more than six slave tracks for a VCA Master, you can the press the channel Page Up/Page Down switches to dis­play the additional slave tracks on the rotary encoders.
Channel Strip Mode Controls
Each channel strip has a set of Channel Strip Mode controls for displaying and editing pan, plug-in, mic pre, insert, or send parameters on the encoder section of the D-Control channel strip.
VCA Master Tracks
On VCA Master tracks, B/M/P switches are used to control the Mute state of slave tracks.
Channel Strip Mode controls
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 51
Page Up and Page Down Switches
Input Switch
Control parameters are arranged on channel strip rotary en­coders in pages, or groups of up to six parameters at a time.
The Page Up and Page Down switches light to indicate the presence of additional pages of sends, pan, plug-in, mic pre parameters, or (for VCA Master tracks) slave tracks, in the corresponding direction on each channel strip. If no addi­tional pages are available, neither switch is lit.
To move the page display of parameters on the encoders up or down:
Press a lit Page Up or Page Down switch.
Dynamics and EQ Switches
The Dynamics and EQ switches light to indicate the presence of the corresponding type of plug-in on a channel strip.
To display a channel strip’s first Dynamics or EQ plug-in on the rotary encoders for editing:
Press a lit Dynamics or EQ switch.
To cycle through all the Dynamics or EQ plug-ins on a channel:
Repeatedly press the corresponding switch.
With Audio and Auxiliary Input tracks, the Input switch is used to put channels into Inline mode. See “Inline Console Mode” on page 135.
With Instrument tracks, the Input switch is used to display that track’s MIDI controls on the rotary encoders. See “MIDI Controls on Instrument Tracks” on page 51.
Mic Pre Switch
When you press the Mic Pre switch, the controls for an avail­able remote-controlled microphone preamplifier are dis­played on the channel strip’s rotary encoders for editing. Mi­crophone preamplifiers are declared in the Pro Tools Peripherals dialog, and assigned to channels in the Pro Tools I/O Setup dialog.
Inserts Switch
When you press the Inserts switch on a channel strip, plug-in names are shown in two groups of five (Inserts A–E or Inserts F–J) on the encoder displays.
You can use Flip mode to transfer controls for any insert (A–J) from the channel encoders to the Faders. See “Flip Mode” on page 134.
To toggle display of Inserts A–E and F–J on a channel strip:
1 Press the Inserts switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
section of the channel strip to show the top-level Insert dis­play.
2 Press the Page Up and Page Down switches to toggle the
top-level Send display between the two sets of five sends (A–E and F–J).
To view the parameters for an individual plug-in:
Press the Select switch on the corresponding encoder.
To return to the top-level display of plug-ins on the channel strip:
Press the Inserts switch again.
The Inserts switch flashes when a plug-in on that channel has clipped. To clear a clip, press the Clear Clip switch in the Ses­sion Management section. See “Clear Clip Switch and Plug-In Clip Indicator” on page 102 for more information.
D-Control Guide52
Pan Switch
Bypass/Spill Switch
When you press the Pan switch, the pan controls for the chan­nel strip are displayed on the encoder displays.
If t he track is a multichannel tra ck, its Page Up switch lights to indicate that there are multiple pages of pan controls. Multi­channel pan controls are arranged as follows:
Surround Pan Display, Page 1
Display Pan Control
SCnt% Side Center Percentage (if any) Cntr% Center Speaker Percentage F Div Front Divergence Rear Rear Pan F/R Front/Rear Pan Front Front Pan
Surround Pan Display, Page 2
Display Pan Control
LFE Low Frequency Effect level R Div Rear Divergence Rear Rear Pan F/R Div Front/Rear Divergence F/R Front/Rear Balance
The function of the Bypass/Spill switch depends on what is currently displayed on the channel strip.
Inserts
In the top-level Inserts view (when plug-in names are dis-
played on a channel strip’s encoders), the Bypass/Spill switch bypasses all plug-ins on that channel.
When a single plug-in’s parameters are displayed on a chan-
nels strip’s encoders, the Bypass/Spill switch bypasses that plug-in only.
Sends
In the top-level Sends view (when send names are displayed
on a channel strip’s encoders), the Bypass/Spill switch mutes all sends on that channel.
When a single send’s parameters are displayed on a channels
strip’s encoders, the Bypass/Spill switch has no effect.
VCA Master Tracks
On VCA Master tracks, the Bypass/Spill switch displays (or
“spills”) the slave tracks for the VCA in Custom Faders.
Sends Switch
When you press the Sends switch on a channel strip, sends are shown in two groups of five (Sends A–E or Sends F–J) on the encoder displays. The rotary encoders control Send level.
F Div Front Divergence
To open/close the Output window on-screen for a track:
1 Press the Pan switch on the channel.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the chan-
nel’s encoder switch.
Two-Knob Surround Panning
When working in surround, you can link the front and rear pan controls on D-Control to facilitate X-axis motion in the sound field.
To link front and rear surround panners:
1 Press the Operation switch in Console Prefs section until
“2KbPan” appears in the Soft Keys.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “2KbPan” to toggle the
preference on or off.
You can use Flip mode to transfer controls for any send posi­tion (A–J) to the Faders. See “Flip Mode” on page 134.
To toggle display of Sends A–E and F–J on a channel strip:
1 Press the Sends switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
section of the channel strip to show the top-level Send display.
2 Press the Page Up and Page Down switches to toggle the
top-level Send display between the two sets of five sends (A–E and F–J).
To open/close a Send window on-screen:
1 Press the Sends switch on the channel whose Send window
you want to open/close.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the en-
coder Select switch for the Send you want to open/close.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 53
Send Pan Mode
Input Monitor Mode
switch
Channel Select
switch
Solo switch
Mute switch
Channel display
Automation Mode
switch
Record Enable
Automation Trim switch
switch
Channel Strip Function Controls
Send Pan mode allows you to adjust panning and level for an individual send on a channel at the same time. In Send Pan mode, Send Level is controlled by the channel fader and Send Pan is controlled by the encoders.
Send Pan mode lets you view different sends on individual channels, or by using the Do To All or Do To Selected switches, the same send across multiple channels.
In Send Pan mode, you can link Pan controls of individual Sends to the Main Pan controls of their tracks (the “Follow Main Pan” or “FMP”).
To enter Send Pan mode:
1 Press the Sends switch to display sends on the channel’s en-
coders.
2 Press the encoder Select switch that corresponds to the send
you want to display. The channel’s Send and Pan switches light to indicate that it is in Send/Pan mode.
To return to the top-level display of sends on the channel strip:
Press the Sends switch again.
To link a Send’ s Pan controls to the Main Pan controls of a track:
1 Put the track in Send Pan mode for the Send you want to link.
2 Press the B/M/P switch on any of the active encoders on the
track to toggle the FMP status of the send.
Send Clipping Indication
The Sends switch flashes when a send on that channel has clipped. To clear a clip, press the Clear Clip button in the Ses­sion Management section. See “Clear Clip Switch and Plug-In Clip Indicator” on page 102 for more information.
Each channel strip has a set of Channel Strip Function con­trols for controlling channel selection and focus, mute, solo, and record enable status, input monitor mode, and automa­tion mode.
Channel Strip Function controls
Input Monitor Mode Switch
The Input Monitor Mode switch toggles the input monitoring mode for that channel between Auto Input and Input Only mode. The switch lights when the channel is in Input Only mode.
Record Enable Switch
The Record Enable switch toggles record enable status for the channel. When the channel is record-enabled and the Pro Tools transport is stopped, the switch flashes. During re­cording, the switch lights continuously.
Record Safe Mode
To record safe a track from D-Control, hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the track’s Record Enable switch.
D-Control Guide54
Channel Select Switch
The function of the Channel Select switch depends on the Se­lect/Focus Mode setting. See “Select/Focus Mode Switch and Indicators” on page 67 for more information on changing the Select/Focus mode.
Select Mode
If the Select/Focus Mode is set to Select, the Channel Select switch selects the channel in Pro Tools. The switch lights when the channel is selected. In this mode, the Channel Select switch can be set to follow latching or exclu­sive-or (non-latching) behavior.
Focus Mode
If the Select/Focus Mode is set to Focus, the Channel Select switch focuses that channel’s controls on the Focus Channel Strip on the Main Unit. The switch lights when the channel is focused. In this mode, because only one track can be focused at a time, the Select switch follows exclusive-or (non-latching) behavior only.
Solo Switch
Automation Mode Switch
The Solo switch toggles solo status for the channel. When a channel is soloed, the Solo switch lights, and the Mute switches on other channels in the session flash to indicate im­plicit mute. The Solo switch function follows the Pro Tools Operation preference for latched operation.
Solo Safe Mode
To solo safe a track, hold Control (Windows)
or Command (Mac) and press the track’s Solo switch.
When a track is solo safed, its Solo switch flashes once.
Mute Switch
The Mute switch toggles mute status for the channel.
When a track is muted, its Mute switch lights solid.
When a track is implicitly muted (when another track is so-
loed), its Mute switch flashes.
Channel Display
Each channel display shows the channel information in the following display modes. In each mode, when the channel fader is touched, the display shows the channel volume in dB.
Track Name Mode
Shows the track name only.
The Automation Mode switch cycles the channel through the Pro Tools automation modes (Write, Latch, Touch, Read and Off). The active mode is shown by the Automation Mode LED indicators to the left of each channel’s fader. When in Off mode, none of the indicators is lit.
The Automation Mode switch lets you cycle the channel through Touch, Latch, and Read modes during playback, but it prevents you from entering Write or Off mode during play­back. To directly enter Write or Off mode during playback, use the Automation Mode controls in the lower left and right of the Main Unit. (See “Automation Mode Controls” on page 69.)
You can use the Do To All and Do To Selected switches to se­lect automation modes across multiple channels.
To select an automation mode for a channel, do one of the following:
• To cycle forward through the automation modes, press the Automation Mode switch on the channel.
– or –
• To cycle backward through the automation modes, hold Shift and press the Automation Mode switch on the chan­nel.
Group/Name Mode
Shows the group membership of the track
(by group letter) and an abbreviated track name.
Track Position Number/Name Mode
Shows the track position
number and an abbreviated track name.
Headroom Mode
Shows the abbreviation “HR” followed by the
remaining headroom in dB.
Level Mode
Shows the track volume level in dB only.
Channel displays use colors and backlighting to indicate the following:
• Green: Channel names and values
• Inverted green: Inactive channel
• Red: Clipped channel
Automation Trim Switch
The Automation Trim switch toggles the channel into the cor­responding Trim mode for Write, Latch, Touch, and Read modes. Active Trim mode is shown by the yellow Trim mode LED indicator to the left of each channel’s fader. The Automa­tion Trim switch has no effect while the channel is in Off mode.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 55
Fader Section
Automation Mode
indicators
Group Status
indicator
Custom Fader Mode
indicator
AutoMatch
indicators
Channel Fader
Shift Control Win (Start) (Windows)
Option (Mac)
Alt (Windows)
(Command) (Mac)
Channel Strip Fader section
Fader
The touch-sensitive faders on D-Control channel strips con­trol channel volume in Normal mode, and a wide range of pa­rameters in Flip mode or the Custom Fader modes. When you touch a fader, its channel strip display changes from track name to track volume level (in Normal mode), or from param­eter name to parameter value (in Flip modes or Custom Fader modes). When you are automating a parameter on a fader, touching the fader starts writing automation.
Custom Fader Mode Indicator
The Custom Fader Mode indicator (a blue LED marked CF), located to the left of each channel’s fader, lights to indicate that the channel is currently in Custom Fader Mode.
AutoMatch Indicators
The AutoMatch indicators (green arrow-shaped LEDs), lo­cated to the left of each channel’s fader, light to indicate the direction you need to move the fader in order to match the au­tomation level previously written for that track. This is espe­cially useful when editing fader automation.
Modifier Key Switches
Each D-Control Fader Module has a set of four switches in its lower left corner that duplicate the function of the Pro Tools computer keyboard modifiers.
Modifier Keys (Fader Module)
Automation Mode Indicators
The Automation Mode indicators, located to the left of each channel’s fader, indicate the active automation mode. WR (Write), TC (Touch) and LT (Latch) are red LEDs; TM (Trim) is a yellow LED; and RD (Read) is a green LED.
When in Write mode, the Write indicator flashes at all times.
When in Touch or Latch modes, the corresponding indicator
lights solid until automation writing begins.
When a track in Latch mode is primed for writing automa-
tion, its Latch mode indicator flashes.
When automation writing begins, the appropriate indicator
flashes.
If automation is turned off for the channel (Off), none of the
indicators is lit.
Group Status Indicator
The Group Status indicator (a green LED marked GRP), lo­cated to the left of each channel’s fader, lights to indicate that the channel is a member of an active Mix or Edit group in Pro Tools. If the channel is a member of an inactive group, or if groups are suspended, this indicator is off.
Shift Switch (Windows and Mac)
The Shift switch duplicates the function of the Shift key on the D-Control computer keyboard.
Control Switch (Windows and Mac)
The Control switch duplicates the function of the Control key on the D-Control computer keyboard.
Win Switch (Windows) or Option Switch (Mac)
The Win/Option switch duplicates the function of the Win­dows (Start) key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac) on the D-Control computer keyboard.
Alt Switch (Windows) or Command Switch (Mac)
The Alt/Command switch duplicates the function of the Alt key (Windows) or the Command key (Mac) on the D-Control computer keyboard.
The order of the modifier keys on the Fader Module reflects the order of the corresponding keys on a Windows or Mac keyboard, from left to right.
D-Control Guide56
Channel Strip Master Section
Channel Strip Master Function controls
Custom Fader controls
Talkback switch
Automation Mode controls
Make Inactive
controls
Plug-In Automation
controls
Assignment
controls
Switch Information
controls
Automation Enable
controls
Automation Write
controls
Global
controls
Global
Channel Strip
Mode controls
Flip switches
Channel Strip Master Assign and Display controls
The Channel Strip Master section (Figure 2) is a set of chan­nel-related controls that appears on both the left and right sides of the D-Control Main Unit, allowing easy access to these controls from any mixing position. The operation of each con­trol in this section is mirrored on both sets of controls at all times.
Flip Switches
The six yellow Flip switches in the Channel Strip Master sec­tion correspond to the six horizontal rows of rotary encoders on the D-Control channel strips.
Flip Mode
The Flip switches invoke Flip mode, which transfers controls from the corresponding rotary encoder to the fader on each channel strip, allowing convenient editing and automation of send, pan, plug-in, and mic pre parameters directly from the channel faders.
In Flip mode, the rotary encoder control swaps with the chan­nel fader; the encoder Select switch swaps with the channel Se­lect switch; the encoder Bypass/Mute/Pre switch swaps with the channel Mute switch; and the encoder display swaps with the channel display.
In Flip mode, the Flip switch for the affected row of encoders is lit, and the affected encoder displays appear in yellow.
Instrument Tracks and Flip Mode
In Flip mode, Instrument track controls are transferred as fol­lows:
• The fader on each channel controls the parameter (MIDI Volume or MIDI Pan) that was assigned to the bottom en­coder, and the bottom encoder controls track Volume.
• The channel Mute switch controls the MIDI Mute function, and the B/M/P switch on the bottom encoder controls chan­nel mute.
To transfer controls from a row of rotary encoders to the channel faders:
Press the Flip switch that corresponds to the encoder row.
To exit Flip mode:
Press a lighted Flip switch.
When D-Control is in Flip mode and you enter Make Inactive mode or Assign mode, it is temporarily taken out of Flip mode, but the Flip switch remains lit. When you exit Make Inactive mode or Assign mode, controls return to their flipped positions.
Figure 2. Channel Strip Master section
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 57
Flop Mode
Inputs Inactive
switch
Sends Inactive
switch
Outputs Inactive switch
Inserts Inactive switch
Inputs Inactive Switch
A variation of Flip mode, Flop mode transfers controls from any of the top five rows of rotary encoders to the bottom row of rotary encoders, allowing you to bring any encoder control within easy reach from the mix position.
In Flop mode, the affected row of encoders moves to the bot­tom row of encoders, the Flip switches for both affected rows are lit, and the encoder displays for both rows appear in yel­low.
To transfer controls from any of the top five rows of encoders to the bottom row of encoders:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or Control key (Mac) and
press the Flip switch that corresponds to the encoder row.
To exit Flop mode:
Press either of the lighted Flip switches.
When D-Control is in Make Inactive mode or Assign mode, it is temporarily taken out of Flop mode, but the Flip switches remains lit. When you exit Make Inactive mode or Assign mode, controls return to their flopped positions.
Make Inactive Controls
The Inputs switch invokes Inputs Inactive mode and displays channel inputs in the bottom row of encoders. The By­pass/Mute/Pre switch on the bottom encoder toggles the input inactive and active.
Outputs Inactive Switch
The Outputs switch invokes Outputs inactive mode and dis­plays the main channel outputs in the bottom row of encoders. The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on the bottom encoder toggles the output inactive and active.
Sends Inactive Switch
The Sends switch invokes Sends Inactive mode and displays the channel’s sends on its encoders. The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on each encoder toggles the corresponding send inac­tive and active.
Inserts Inactive Switch
The Inserts switch invokes Inserts Inactive mode and displays a channel’s inserts on its encoders. The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on each encoder toggles the corresponding insert inac­tive and active.
The Make Inactive controls are used to make tracks, inputs, outputs, sends, or inserts inactive. Each switch puts D-Control into a temporary Make Inactive mode in which elements are made inactive or reactivated. The switch flashes while Make Inactive mode is in effect.
Make Inactive Controls
Making a Track Inactive
In Make Inactive mode, channel Select switches are lit on all tracks.
To toggle a track inactive/active:
1 Press any of the Make Inactive switches.
2 Press the channel strip Select switch for each track you want
to deactivate or activate.
3 Press the flashing Make Inactive switch to exit Inactive
mode.
To toggle an input, output, send, or insert active/inactive:
1 Make sure the channel is showing the top-level view for the
element you want to make active/inactive.
2 Press a Make Inactive switch to enter the appropriate Make
Inactive mode.
3 Press the Bypass/Mute/Pre switches on encoders to deacti-
vate or reactivate their corresponding track elements.
4 Press the flashing Make Inactive switch to exit Inactive
mode.
D-Control Guide58
Plug-In Automation Controls
Enable Parameter
switch
Automation Safe switch
Assign Inputs
switch
Assign Sends
switch
Assign Outputs switch
Assign Inserts switch
The Plug-In Automation controls are used to enable parame­ters for automation and to place them in automation safe mode.
Plug-In Automation controls
Enable Parameters Switch
To toggle automation safe on and off:
1 Press the Automation Safe switch.
2 Press the channel Select switch on the tracks for which you
want to toggle automation safe status. The automation safe status of the track is reflected by the Safe button in the track’s on-screen output window.
3 Press the Bypass/Mute/Pre switch for the plug-ins or sends
for which you want to toggle automation safe status.
4 Press the Automation Safe switch again to exit Automation
Safe mode.
The Enable Parameters switch lets you enable parameters for automation by touching or pressing their controls.
In Enable Parameters mode, the Enable Parameters switch is lit. While in this mode, the Auto LED for any rotary encoder enabled for automation is lit red, and the switch for any pa­rameter enabled for automation is lit.
To toggle automation on and off for plug-in parameters:
1 Press the Enable Parameters switch.
2 Touch the rotary encoders or press the switches for the con-
trols whose automation you want to toggle on or off.
3 Press the Enable Parameters switch again to exit Enable Pa-
rameters mode.
You can also toggle automation for a plug-in parameter by holding Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+ Option+Control (Mac) and touching the rotary encoder for the parameter.
Automation Safe Switch
The Automation Safe switch invokes a mode in which the By­pass/Mute/Pre switch for each plug-in or send and the channel Select switch for each track become Safe switches.
Assign Controls
The Assign controls are used to assign inputs, outputs, in­serts, and sends to channels. Each switch puts D-Control into a temporary Assign mode in which elements are assigned or removed from channels. The switch flashes while Assign mode is in effect.
You can enter Assign mode while Pro Tools is playing back. To confirm the assignment of inputs, outputs, and sends, the transport must be stopped. You can, however, confirm the as­signment of inserts during playback.
Assignment controls
Assign Inputs Switch
Plug-Ins and Sends
While in Automation Safe mode, pressing a Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on a plug-in or send protects any automation on that plug-in or send from being overwritten. The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch for any protected plug-in or send is lit, reflecting the state of the Safe button in the on-screen plug-in or send output window.
Tracks
While in Automation Safe mode, pressing a channel Select switch protects volume, pan and mute parameters on that track from being overwritten. The channel Select switch for any protected track is lit, reflecting the state of the Safe button in the on-screen track output window.
The Inputs switch invokes Assign Inputs mode, in which the bottom row of encoders shows channel inputs.
When assigning an input, the Select switch on the bottom en­coder is used to navigate down through Input menu levels, and the encoder knob is used to scroll through available choices at each level:
• Input type (Interface or Bus), shown in yellow
• Individual inputs, shown in green
Press the Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on the bottom encoder to navigate back up the Input menu levels.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 59
Assign Outputs Switch
The Outputs switch invokes Assign Outputs mode, in which the bottom row of encoders shows channel outputs.
When assigning an output, the Select switch on the bottom en­coder is used to navigate down through Output menu levels, and the encoder knob is used to scroll through available choices at each level:
• Output type (Interface or Bus), shown in yellow
• Individual outputs, shown in green
Press the Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on the bottom encoder to navigate back up the Output menu levels.
Assign Sends Switch
The Sends switch invokes Assign Sends mode, in which the channel encoders shows the sends on a channel.
When assigning a send, the encoder Select switch is used to navigate down through Send menu levels, and the encoder knob is used to scroll through available choices at each level:
• Send type (Interface or Bus), shown in yellow
• Individual sends, shown in green
The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on each encoder is used to navi­gate back up the Send menu levels.
Assign Inserts Switch
The Inserts switch invokes Assign Inserts mode, in which the channel encoders show the inserts on a channel. When assign­ing an insert, the encoder Select switch is used to navigate down through Insert menu levels, and the encoder knob is used to scroll through available choices. The Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on the bottom encoder is used to navigate back up the Insert menu levels.
The order in which plug-ins appear in the Insert menu is de­termined by the Pro Tools Display preference for plug-in or­ganization.
If the Organize Plug-In Menus by Category option is selected, menu levels and choices include:
• Insert type, shown in yellow
• Plug-In subfolder, shown in yellow
• Individual insert or plug-in, shown in green
If the Organize Plug-In Menus by Category option is not se­lected, the Plug-In subfolder level is not present.
To assign an input, output, send or insert:
1 Press an Assign switch to enter the corresponding Assign
mode.
2 On the channel where you want to make the assignment, turn
an encoder knob to select from the first level of menu choices.
3 Press the encoder Select switch to move down and the By-
pass/Mute/Pre switch to move up through menu levels.
4 Do one of the following:
• Press the flashing encoder Select switch or press the flashing Assign switch to confirm the assignment.
– or –
• Press the flashing Escape switch to cancel the assign­ment.
To assign multiple inputs, outputs, sends, or inserts:
1 Press an Assign switch to enter the corresponding Assign
mode.
2 Turn the encoder knobs and use the encoder Select and By-
pass/Mute/Pre switches to select each assignment.
3 Do one of the following:
• Press the flashing Assign switch to confirm all the assign­ments at once.
– or –
• Press the flashing Escape switch to cancel all the assign­ments.
To remove an input, output, send or insert:
1 Press an Assign switch to enter the corresponding Assign
mode.
2 For the assignment you want to remove, press the encoder
Bypass/Mute/Pre switch repeatedly until you reach the top-level menu for the assignment.
3 Turn the encoder knob counter-clockwise until no assign-
ment is visible.
4 Do one of the following:
• Press the flashing encoder Select switch or press the flashing Assign switch to confirm the removal.
– or –
• Press the flashing Escape switch to cancel the removal and restore the assignment.
D-Control Guide60
Removing Plug-In Assignments
Show ValuesSwitch Info
Switch Mode switch
switch switch
Pre-Fader Mode indicator
Mute Mode
indicator
Switch Information Control s
You can use the Set to Default switch to quickly remove plug-in assignments from tracks, without having to go into Assign mode.
This method removes the assignments immediately, and cannot be canceled.
To quickly remove plug-in assignments:
1 Press the Set to Default switch.
2 Press the encoder Select switch for each plug-in assignment
you want to remove.
3 Press the flashing Set to Default switch.
Assigning MIDI Inputs and Outputs on Instrument Tracks
The Assign Inputs and Assign Outputs switches can be used to assign the MIDI Inputs and Outputs on Instrument tracks.
To assign a MIDI Input or Output on an Instrument track:
1 Press the Assign Inputs or Assign Outputs switch to enter the
corresponding Assign mode. Encoder row #5 shows MIDI in­puts/outputs.
2 On each channel where you want to make an assignment,
turn the encoder knob in encoder row #5 to select from the first level of MIDI menu choices.
3 Press the encoder’s Select switch to move down and the By-
pass/Mute/Pre switch to move up through MIDI menu levels.
4 Do one of the following:
• Press the flashing encoder Select switch or press the flashing Assign switch to confirm the assignments.
– or –
• Press the flashing Escape switch to cancel the assign­ments.
The Switch Information controls are used to change the mode and display of encoder Bypass/Mute/Pre switches, and glob­ally show encoder parameter values.
Switch Information controls
Switch Mode Switch
The Switch Mode switch toggles the function of encoder By­pass/Mute/Pre switches between Mute and Pre-Fader func­tions when displaying sends on the encoders.
• When the Switch Mode is set to Bypass, the encoder B/M/P switch mutes the corresponding send.
• When the Switch Mode is set to Pre, the encoder B/M/P switch toggles the corresponding send between pre- or post-fader operation.
To set the Switch Mode:
Press the Switch mode switch repeatedly until the appropri-
ate indicator lights (Mute or Pre).
Switch Info Switch
The Switch Info switch can follow toggling or momentary be­havior. If pressed briefly, it toggles the encoder display to show the function assigned to the Bypass/Mute/Pre switch on each rotary encoder. If held, the function is shown until the switch is released.
Show Values Switch
The Show Values switch can follow toggling or momentary be­havior. If pressed briefly, it toggles encoder display between parameter name and parameter value. If held, parameter value is shown until the switch is released.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 61
Automation Enable Controls
Enable Inserts Automation
Enable Send Volume Automation
Enable Send Mute Automation
Enable Volume
Automation
Enable Pan
Automation
Enable Mute
Automation
Enable Send Pan Automation
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
Automation Write to All
Automation Write to End
Automation
Write to Start
Automation
Write to Punch
Automation Write to Next
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
Automation Write To Controls
The Automation Enable controls are used to enable or suspend writing of each type of automation on all channels. The Auto­mation Enable controls mirror the function of the corre­sponding buttons in the Automation Enable window.
When writing is enabled for an automation type but it is not
currently writing on any track in the session, the correspond­ing switch lights solid.
When writing is enabled for an automation type and it is
currently writing on any track in the session, the correspond­ing switch flashes.
Automation Enable controls
Inserts Switch
The Inserts switch enables and suspends writing of automa­tion for any automation-enabled plug-in parameters on all tracks in the session.
Volume Switch
The Volume switch enables and suspends writing of channel volume automation on all tracks in the session.
Pan Switch
The Pan switch enables and suspends writing of channel pan automation on all tracks in the session.
Mute Switch
The Mute switch enables and suspends writing of channel mute automation on all tracks in the session.
The Auto Write To controls invoke the manual “Write to Start/End/All/Punch/Next” commands and the automatic “Write to Start/End/All/Punch/Next on Stop” automation commands in Pro Tools.
The “Write to Start/End/All/Punch/Next” commands can also be invoked from the Soft Keys section of D-Control.
“Auto Write To” switches
All Switch
The All switch writes the current automation value of all write-enabled parameters to an entire selection or track when performing an automation pass.
To manually write automation to all of a track or selection:
Press the All switch during playback.
To write automation to all of a track or selection on stop:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or the Control key (Mac) and
press the All switch.
To set Write to All on Stop to remain enabled after each automation pass:
Hold the Alt+Start keys (Windows) or the Option+Control
keys (Mac) and press the All switch.
To disable automatic Write to All on Stop:
Press the flashing All switch.
Send Volume Switch
The Send Volume switch enables and suspends writing of send volume automation on all tracks in the session.
Send Pan Switch
The Send Pan switch enables and suspends writing of send pan automation on all tracks in the session.
Send Mute Switch
The Send Mute switch enables and suspends writing of send mute automation on all channels.
D-Control Guide62
Start Switch
Punch Switch
The Start switch writes the current automation value of all write-enabled parameters to the start of a selection or track when performing an automation pass.
To manually write automation to the start of a track or selection:
Press the Start switch during playback.
To write automation to the start of a track or selection on stop:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or the Control key (Mac) and
press the Start switch.
To set Write to Start on Stop to remain enabled after each automation pass:
Hold the Alt+Start keys (Windows) or the Option+Control
keys (Mac) and press the Start switch.
To disable Write to Start on Stop:
Press the flashing Start switch.
End Switch
The End switch writes the current automation value of all write-enabled parameters to the end of a selection or track when performing an automation pass.
The Punch switch writes the current automation value of all write-enabled parameters back to the punch point (the loca­tion in the track where the current automation pass started).
To manually write automation back to the punch point:
Press the Punch switch during playback.
To write automation back to the punch point on stop:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or the Control key (Mac) and
press the Punch switch.
To set Write to Punch on Stop to remain enabled after each automation pass:
Hold the Alt+Start keys (Windows) or the Option+Control
keys (Mac) and press the Punch switch.
To disable automatic Write to Punch on Stop:
Press the flashing Punch switch.
Next Switch
The Next switch writes the current automation value of all write-enabled parameters forward to the next automation breakpoint.
To manually write automation to the end of a track or selection:
Press the End switch during playback.
To write automation to the end of a track or selection on stop:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or the Control key (Mac) and
press the End switch.
To set Write to End on Stop to remain enabled after each automation pass:
Hold the Alt+Start keys (Windows) or the Option+Control
keys (Mac) and press the End switch.
To disable automatic Write to End on Stop:
Press the flashing End switch.
Unlike the other Write To commands, the Write to Next on Stop command always remains enabled after each automation pass, until you disable it.
To manually write automation forward to the next breakpoint:
Press the Next switch during playback.
To set Write to Next on Stop to remain enabled after each automation pass:
Hold the Start key (Windows) or the Control key (Mac) and
press the Next switch.
To disable automatic Write to Next on Stop:
Press the flashing Next switch.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 63
Global Controls
Do to Selected
Set to Default
Do to All switch
Suspend Groups
switch
switch
switch
The Global controls are used to apply commands that affect multiple channels in various ways.
Global controls
Do To All and Do To Selected Switches
The Do To All and the Do To Selected switches on D-Control can be used in two different ways: to apply actions to multiple tracks in a Pro Tools session, and to change the display mode of multiple channel strips on D-Control.
The Do To All and Do To Selected switches can follow momen­tary or latching behavior.
When single-pressed, their effect applies only to the next
operation.
When held, they apply to all operations carried out while be-
ing held.
When double-pressed, they latch on and flash until pressed
a second time.
Applying Actions to Multiple Tra cks in Pro Tools
The Do To All and Do To Selected switches are convenient for performing tasks such as muting, soloing, assigning sends, or assigning the same plug-in across multiple tracks in a session.
To apply actions to multiple tracks in a Pro Tools Session:
1 Do one of the following:
• Press the Do To All or the Do To Selected switch to apply the action to one parameter.
– or –
• Double-press the Do To All or the Do To Selected switch to latch the corresponding action and apply it to multiple parameters.
2 Press any of the following switches to apply the correspond-
ing action to all tracks or all selected tracks in the current ses­sion:
• Channel Mute switch
• Channel Solo switch
• Channel Solo Safe: Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) + Solo switch
•Automation Mode switch
• Automation Trim switch
• Channel Select switch (in Select mode)
• Record Enable switch
• Record Safe: Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) + Record Enable switch
• Input Monitor Mode switch
3 Depending on the current channel strip display mode, you
can apply the following across all tracks or all selected tracks in the session:
• Mic Pre Controls: Polarity, Pad, Impedance, Source, Gain
• Send Pre/Post: B/M/P switch in Send Pre/Post mode
• Send Mute: B/M/P switch in Send Mute mode
• Plug-In Bypass: B/M/P switch in Inserts mode
4 You can also carry out any of the following tasks across all
tracks or all selected tracks in the session:
• Assigning Inputs, Outputs, Inserts and Sends
• Deactivating Inputs, Outputs, Inserts, Sends and Tracks
• Resetting controls with the Set to Default switch
• Changing panner linkage
• Changing panner editor choice
D-Control Guide64
5 When you are finished, if Do To all or Do To Selected are
latched on, press the flashing Do To All or Do To Selected switch to exit the corresponding mode.
Changing Parameter Display on D-Control Channel Strips
Dynamics switch
Microphone Preamplifier switch
Inserts switch Pan switch
Bypass/Spill
switch
Sends switch
Input switch
EQ switch
The Do To All and Do To Selected switches can be used to dis­play and edit pan, mic pre, insert, or send parameters across all tracks or all selected tracks in a session.
The Do To All and Do To Selected switches are applied inde­pendently to channel strips in Normal mode and channel strips in Custom Fader mode. The display mode of the Focus Channel Strip is not affected by Do To All or Do To Selected operations.
This independent operation lets you put banks of channels in several display modes at once (for example, pan on channels in Normal mode, plug-ins on channels in Custom Fader mode, and sends on the Focus Channel Strip).
The Set to Default switch can follow momentary or latching behavior. When single-pressed, its effect applies only to the next operation. When double-pressed, it latches on and flashes until pressed a second time.
You can also use the Set to Default switch to remove plug-in assignments from channels. See “Removing Plug-In Assignments” on page 61.
While the Set to Default switch is pressed or latched on, the following parameters can be reset:
To reset a channel’s track volume to 0 dB:
Press the Set to Default switch + the channel Select switch.
– or –
To change the display mode of D-Control channel strips:
1 Press the Do To All or the Do To Selected switch.
2 Press any of the following Channel Strip Mode switches on
any individual channel to apply the corresponding action to all or all selected channels on D-Control:
•Dynamics switch
•EQ switch
•Input switch
• Microphone Preamplifier switch
•Inserts switch
•Pan switch
• Bypass/Spill switch
•Sends switch
Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and touch the channel
fader.
To reset a channel’s pan control to 0 (center)
Press Set to Default + the pan encoder Select switch.
To reset a send’s level to 0 dB:
Press Set to Default + the send encoder Select switch. This
sets the send level to 0 dB, regardless of the Send default set­ting in Pro Tools Operation preferences.
To reset a channel’s mic pre gain to 0 dB:
Press Set to Default + the mic pre gain encoder Select switch
To reset an LFE channel’s gain to 0 dB:
Press Set to Default + the encoder Select switch for the LFE
channel.
To set a plug-in’s parameters to their default values:
Press Set to Default + the Compare switch for the plug-in.
(The Compare switch appears in the D-Control Dynamics and EQ sections, and in Custom Fader Expanded Plug-In mode.)
Suspend Groups Switch
Channel Strip Mode controls
3 When you are finished, if Do To all or Do To Selected are
latched on, press the flashing Do To All or Do To Selected switch to exit the corresponding mode.
Set To Default Switch
The Set to Default switch is used to reset parameters on the D-Control surface to their default values. This switch works in both Normal and Custom Fader modes.
Instead of using the Set To Default switch, you can also hold the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac) and press the corresponding switch to reset parameters to their default values.
The Suspend Groups switch suspends all groups in the session.
The Suspend Groups switch follows latching behavior, and flashes to indicate groups are suspended. To exit Suspend Groups mode, press the Suspend Groups switch again.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 65
Global Channel Strip Mode Controls
Global Page Up and Page Down
Global EQ
Global Mic Pre
Global Pan
Global Sends
Global Dynamics
Global Input
Global Inserts
switches
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch
Escape switch
Select/Focus Mode
switch and indicators
Solo Clear switch
Mute Clear switch
Display Mode switch
Suspend Automation switch
Global Pan Switch
The Global Channel Strip Mode controls are used to display and edit pan, mic pre, insert, or send parameters across all tracks in a session. These controls do not affect channel strips in any of the Custom Fader modes.
Global Channel Strip Mode controls
Global Page Up and Page Down Switches
The Global Pan switch displays the channel pan controls on the rotary encoders across all channels.
Global Sends Switch
The Global Sends switch displays the send controls on the ro­tary encoders across all channels.
Channel Strip Master Function Controls
The Channel Strip Master Function controls are used to change modes for the channel Select switches, channel dis­plays, clear Solo and Mute states, and globally suspend auto­mation.
The Global Page Up and Page Down switches change the page display on all channel strips.
To move the page display of parameters on all rotary encod-
ers up or down, press the Global Page Up or Page Down switch.
Global Dynamics and EQ Switches
The Global Dynamics and EQ switches display the first plug-in of the corresponding type on the rotary encoders across all channels. To cycle through all the Dynamics or EQ plug-ins across all channels, repeatedly press the corresponding switch.
Global Input Switch
The Global Input switch toggles all applicable channels into Inline mode (Audio and Auxiliary Input tracks) or to display MIDI controls on the rotary encoders (Instrument tracks).
See “Inline Console Mode” on page 135 and “MIDI Controls on Instrument Tracks” on page 51.
Global Mic Pre Switch
The Global Mic Pre switch displays the controls for re­mote-controlled microphone preamplifiers on the rotary en­coders across all channels.
Channel Strip Master Function controls
Escape Switch
The Escape switch is used to exit modes and to cancel opera­tions or on-screen dialogs. When an action has occurred that can be exited or canceled with the Escape switch, the switch flashes.
Global Inserts Switch
The Global Inserts switch displays inserts on the rotary encod­ers across all channels.
D-Control Guide66
Select/Focus Mode Switch and Indicators
Map switch
Flip switch
Lock switch
Window switch
Custom Groups switch
Mix/Edit Groups switch
Tracks switch
Plug-In switch
Bank/Cycle switch
Custom Faders
display
Custom Fader Controls
The Select/Focus Mode switch toggles the function of channel Select switches between Select and Focus mode.
In Select mode, channel Select switches are used to select
channels in Pro Tools.
In Focus mode, channel Select switches are used to focus a
channel’s controls on the Focus Channel Strip on the Main Unit.
The LEDs on either side of this switch indicate the current mode.
Solo Clear Switch
The Solo Clear switch clears all latched Solo switches in the session. This switch flashes when any channel is soloed.
Mute Clear Switch
The Mute Clear switch clears all mutes for all tracks in the ses­sion. This switch lights when any channel is muted.
The Mute Clear action can be undone by pressing the Undo switch.
Display Mode Switch
The Custom Fader controls invoke a special set of D-Control modes, called Custom Fader modes, which let you set aside and customize channel strips for display and editing of a variety of functions. The Custom Fader modes are Custom Groups mode, Mix/Edit Groups mode, Tracks mode, and Plug-In mode. See Chapter 13, “Custom Fader Modes” for complete information on Custom Fader modes.
The Display Mode switch toggles the channel display between the five display modes: Track Name, Group/ Name, Channel Number/Name, Headroom Value, and Level modes. See “Channel Display” on page 55 for more information.
Automation Suspend Switch
The Automation Suspend switch suspends reading and writ­ing of all automation on all tracks in the session. All channels are left in their current automation mode, but automation op­erations are temporarily suspended.
The Automation Suspend switch flashes while automation is suspended.
Custom Fader controls
Custom Faders Display
When a Custom Fader mode is active, the Custom Faders
display shows the name of the Custom Group, Mix/Edit Group, or the plug-in displayed on the Custom Fader channels.
When no Custom Fader mode is active, the Custom Faders
display shows the name of one of the plug-ins on the focused channel. (When you enter Custom Fader Plug-In mode, this plug-in will be displayed on the Custom Fader channels.)
Custom Switch
The Custom switch invokes Custom Groups mode, which lets you create a custom collection of channels and arrange them in any order in the Custom Fader channels. Custom Groups are unique to D-Control and are not reflected on-screen in Pro Tools.
Groups Switch
The Groups switch invokes Mix/Edit Groups mode, which lets you create, edit, and recall Pro Tools Mix and Edit groups to the Custom Fader channels.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 67
Tracks Switch
Lock Switch
The Tracks switch invokes Track Type mode, which lets you call any of the following track types to the Custom Fader chan­nels: Master Faders, Audio Tracks, Auxiliary Inputs, MIDI Tracks, Instrument Tracks, or Hidden Tracks.
In Track Type mode, the Bank Select switches in the Bank Se­lect Matrix are used to select the track type to display.
Plug-In Switch
The Plug-In switch invokes Plug-In mode, which lets you call the currently focused channel’s plug-in controls to the Cus­tom Fader channels.
Map Switch
The Map switch works with Custom Groups mode, Mix/Edit Groups mode, and Plug-In mode. While in these modes, the Map switch lets you further customize the control layout by mapping individual rotary encoder controls to faders within the Custom Fader channels.
The Map switch has no effect on other D-Control channels in Normal mode.
Flip Switch
The Custom Fader Flip switch works with Custom Groups mode, Mix/Edit Groups mode, and Plug-In mode. While in these modes, pressing the Flip switch transfers controls from the top row of encoders to the faders in the Custom Fader channels. Pressing the Flip switch additional times flips sub­sequent rows of encoders to the faders. The Custom Fader Flip switch has no effect on other D-Control channels in Normal mode.
The Lock switch applies to Custom Fader Plug-In mode only. This switch locks the plug-in that is currently displayed in the Custom Faders display, so that it does not change when you focus a different channel in the Focus Channel strip. The Lock switch lights when the plug-in is locked.
When Custom Fader Plug-In mode is active, the locked
plug-in appears in the Custom Fader channels, so you can fo­cus a different channel on the Focus Channel Strip and keep the locked plug-in in the Custom Fader channels.
When Custom Fader Plug-In mode is not active, the locked
plug-in appears in the Custom Faders display, so you can focus a different channel on the Focus Channel Strip and keep the locked plug-in in the Custom Faders display. (When you enter Custom Fader Plug-In mode, this plug-in will be displayed on the Custom Fader channels.)
Window Switch
The Window switch opens and closes the plug-in window on-screen for any plug-in whose name is displayed in the Cus­tom Faders display.
Bank/Cycle Switch
While in Custom Groups or Mix/Edit Groups mode, the
Bank/Cycle switch is used to bank faders within the Custom Fader channels, if there are more channels than can be dis­played at one time.
While in Custom Fader Plug-In mode, the Bank/Cycle switch
cycles through the plug-ins on the focused channel, displaying their controls on the Custom Fader channels.
When no Custom Fader mode is active, the Bank/Cycle
switch cycles through the plug-ins on the focused channel, dis­playing their names in the Custom Faders display.
D-Control Guide68
Automation Mode Cont rols
Automation Trim
Automation Read
Automation Off
Mode switch
Mode switch
switch
Mode switch
Automation Write
Mode switch
Automation Touch
Mode switch
Automation Latch
Mode switch
Talkback switch
Trim Switch
The Automation Mode controls are used to display and set au­tomation modes. These switches light to indicate that at least one channel is in that automation mode. If multiple channels are selected and set to different automation modes, all appli­cable mode switches are lit.
These Automation Mode controls mirror the function of the on-screen Automation Mode selector for each track, and let you change automation modes during playback.
Automation Mode controls
To set the automation mode of one or more channels:
1 Hold an Automation Mode switch (Write, Touch, Latch,
Trim, Read, or Off).
2 Press the Select switches on the channels whose automation
mode you want to set.
The Trim switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Trim mode.
Read Switch
The Read switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Read mode.
Off Switch
The Off switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Off.
Talkback Switch
Two Talkback switches, located at the bottom of each Channel Strip Master section on the Main Unit, provide mirrored con­trol of the D-Control Talkback function.
To set the automation mode of one or more selected channels:
1 Press the Do To Selected switch.
2 Press the Select switches on the channels whose automation
mode you want to set.
3 Press an Automation Mode switch (Write, Touch, Latch,
Trim, Read, or Off).
To set the automation mode of all channels:
1 Press the Do To All switch.
2 Press an Automation Mode switch (Write, Touch, Latch,
Trim, Read, or Off).
Write Switch
The Write switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Write mode.
Touch Switch
The Touch switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Touch mode.
Latch Switch
Talkback switch
The Talkback switches can follow momentary or latched be­havior. If held, the switch is active only when pressed down.
If rapidly double-pressed, the switch latches on and flashes to indicate that talkback is active. Press the switch again to turn off talkback.
Talkback can be activated automatically. See “Auto Talkback Switch” on page 123 for more information.
Talkback level is set with the Talkback controls in the Monitor section. See “Talkback/Listen System” on page 122 for more information.
The Latch switch indicates or sets the automation mode for the selected tracks to Latch mode.
Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 69
D-Control Guide70
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls
D-Control lets you assign, display and control plug-ins di­rectly from the control surface in several ways.
D-Control provides dedicated Dynamics and EQ sections for plug-ins that support Dynamics and EQ plug-in mapping. These sections include encoders and switches that map to standard controls for each plug-in type.
Plug-Ins of all types can be focused across multiple D-Control channels using Custom Fader Plug-Ins mode. See “Custom Fader Plug-In Mode” on page 153.
Plug-In Channel Formats
D-Control supports mono, stereo, multichannel and multi-mono plug-in channel formats. Multi-mono plug-ins comprise up to eight individual mono channels that can be linked in any combination.
With D-Control, you can display, edit, and link specific chan­nels of multi-mono Dynamics and EQ plug-ins directly from the Channel Select switches in the corresponding section.
Assigning and Removing Plug-Ins
You can make plug-in assignments directly from D-Control in several ways. In Inserts mode, plug-ins can be added on an in­sert-by-insert basis. In Assign Inserts mode you can assign plug-ins to insert positions on multiple tracks.
3 At the insert position where you want to make the assign-
ment, turn the encoder knob to select from the first level of menu choices.
4 Press the encoder Select switch to move down and the By-
pass/Mute/Pre switch to move up through menu levels.
5 When the plug-in you want to assign is displayed, press the
encoder Select switch to confirm your selection.
To assign plug-ins to multiple tracks:
1 Press the Assign Inserts switch to enter Inserts Assign mode.
The first two send or insert positions will show on the encoder displays by default.
2 At the insert position where you want to make the assign-
ment, turn the encoder knob to select from the first level of menu choices.
3 Press the encoder Select switch to move down and the By-
pass/Mute/Pre switch to move up through menu levels.
4 When the plug-in you want to assign is displayed, press the
encoder Select switch to confirm your selection.
5 Repeat steps 2–4 to make additional insert assignments.
6 Press the flashing Assign switch to confirm the assignments
and exit Inserts Assign mode.
To remove a plug-in:
1 Press the Set to Default switch.
To assign a plug-in in Inserts mode:
1 Press the Inserts switch to display inserts on the channel
where you want to assign the plug-in.
2 Do one of the following:
• If the insert location you want to use is empty, press the corresponding encoder Select switch.
– or –
• If a plug-in is already present in the insert location you want to use, press and hold the corresponding encoder Select switch.
2 Press the encoder Select switch for each plug-in you want to
remove.
3 Press the flashing Set to Default switch to exit Set to Default
mode.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 71
Default Plug-In Preferences
You can set a default EQ plug-in and default Dynamics plug-in in Pro Tools, which makes them available for quick assign­ment from D-Control.
To focus a plug-in on the Focus Channel Strip:
1 Focus the plug-in’s track on the Focus Channel Strip.
2 Press the Inserts switch on the channel. The plug-in names
are displayed in the channel’s encoders.
To set a default EQ or Dynamics plug-in:
1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Preferences and click Mixing. 2 Under Setup, choose a plug-in from the Default EQ or Default
Dynamics
3 Click OK to close the Preferences window.
To assign a default EQ or Dynamics plug-in on a D-Control channel:
Hold the EQ or Dyn switch on the channel and press the Se-
pop-up menu.
lect switch where you want to make the assignment.
– or –
Do the following:
• Press the Inserts switch on the channel to enter Local As­sign mode.
• Press the Select switch on the encoder where you want to make the assignment.
• Press the EQ or Dyn switch on the channel.
Focusing Plug-Ins on D-Control
A plug-in is focused when its controls are mapped to the knobs, switches or faders on D-Control. Its parameters can then be edited and automated from the control surface. D-Control lets you focus a plug-in with or without displaying its window on-screen.
You can focus a plug-in in several ways: on the encoders of its channel; on the encoders of the Focus Channel Strip, and in the Custom Faders section.
3 Press the Select switch under the name of the plug-in you
want to focus. The plug-in parameters are displayed in the Fo­cus Channel Strip’s encoders.
4 If there is more than one page of parameters for the plug-in,
the Page Up or Page Down switches light. To move through pa­rameter pages, press the corresponding switch.
To focus a plug-in in the Dynamics or EQ section:
1 Focus the plug-in’s track on the Focus Channel Strip by
pressing the track’s Select switch. The first dynamics and EQ plug-ins on that track are automatically focused in the corre­sponding D-Control section.
2 Press the Cycle switch in the Dynamics or EQ section to fo-
cus successive dynamics or EQ plug-ins on that channel. (The No Insert option is always available.)
To focus a plug-in in the Custom Faders section:
1 Focus the plug-in’s track on the Focus Channel Strip by
pressing the track’s Select switch. The first plug-in that is not a dynamics or EQ plug-in is automatically focused, and its name appears in the Custom Faders display.
2 In the Custom Faders section, press the Bank/Cycle switch to
cycle through the plug-ins on the focused channel. (The No In­sert option is always available.)
The plug-in whose name appears in the Custom Faders display is then available for Custom Fader Plug-In mode. See “Custom Fader Plug-In Mode” on page 153.
Opening Plug-In Win dows On-Scr e en
With dynamics and EQ plug-ins, you can also focus plug-in parameters on the dedicated Dynamics and EQ sections of D-Control.
To focus a plug-in on a channel strip:
1 Press the Inserts switch for the channel to display plug-in
names on the channel’s encoders.
2 Press the encoder Select switch for the plug-in you want to
focus.
The controls of the focused plug-in appear on the channel’s encoders. You can page through the plug-in’s controls by pressing the Page Up and Page Down switches on the channel.
D-Control Guide72
There are several ways to open plug-in windows on-screen from D-Control.
To open a plug-in window from any channel on D-Control:
Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the en-
coder Select switch for the plug-in.
To open a plug-in window on a focused track:
1 Focus a track in the Focus Channel Strip by pressing its Se-
lect switch.
2 In the Custom Faders section, press the Bank/Cycle switch to
cycle through the plug-ins on the focused track. Plug-In names are shown in the Custom Faders display.
3 In the Custom Faders section, press the Win switch to open
the plug-in whose name is displayed.
To open a focused Dynamics or EQ plug-in window:
Press the Window switch in the Dynamics or EQ section of
D-Control.
To open or close all focused plug-in windows:
Press the Plug-In switch in the Window Management sec-
tion.
To close all open plug-in windows:
Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) and press the Plug-In
switch in the Window Management section. This closes all real-time and AudioSuite plug-in windows.
To set D-Control to automatically open plug-in windows:
1 Press the Operation switch in the D-Control Soft Keys sec-
tion repeatedly to display the page that includes the Channel Window Display preference (“ChanWn”).
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “ChanWn” until its
value is “Yes.”
To swap multiple plug-in windows while changing track focus:
1 Focus a track with multiple plug-ins (for example, dynamics,
EQ and Pitch Shift plug-ins) by pressing the track’s Select switch.
2 Open multiple plug-in windows on the focused track while
holding the Shift modifier.
3 Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while changing focus to
another track with multiple plug-ins by pressing the track’s Se­lect switch.
Focused plug-ins with open windows swap into new plug-in windows on-screen, wherever plug-ins are present in the new track.
Making Plug-Ins Inactive or Active
You can toggle the active/inactive status of a plug-in directly from a channel strip without putting D-Control into Make Inactive mode.
With this preference set to “Yes,” when you assign a new plug-in, press an encoder Select switch to edit a plug-in, or cy­cle through plug-ins on the focused track, the plug-in window will automatically open on-screen.
Managing Multiple Plug-In Windows
D-Control lets you open and swap multiple plug-in windows on-screen. This makes it possible keep plug-in windows open while focusing on different tracks (for example, in a session where several tracks have Dynamics and EQ plug-ins).
Ta rgeting Plug-Ins
A plug-in is said to be targeted on-screen when its target icon in the plug-in window header is lit red. The first plug-in win­dow to be opened is automatically targeted.
When a plug-in window is targeted, it is replaced when you
open any new plug-in window.
When a plug-in window is not targeted (when its target icon
is grey) the plug-in window will remain on-screen.
To open multiple plug-in windows:
Hold Shift while opening each new window. The new plug-in
windows are not targeted.
To toggle a plug-in active/inactive directly from a channel strip:
1 Press the Inserts switch on a channel strip to display the
names of the plug-ins on the channel’s encoders.
2 Hold Control+Start (Windows) or Control+ Command
(Mac) and press the encoder Select switch for the plug-in.
Changing Plug-In Presets from Channel Strips
You can activate next or previous settings in the Plug-In Li­brarian menu directly from any channel strip on D-Control. These commands mirror the Next and Previous Setting but­tons in the plug-in header.
To enable the next or previous plug-in setting from a channel strip:
1 Focus the plug-in in a channel strip so its controls are visible
on the channel strip encoders.
2 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
Page Up (Next) or Page Down (Previous) switch in that chan­nel strip’s Channel Strip Mode controls.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 73
Copying and Pasting Plug-In Settings
You can copy plug-in settings from a plug-in and paste them into another instance of the same plug-in directly from a channel strip on D-Control, from either the top-level view or the focused view of the plug-in.
To copy and paste plug-in settings from the top-level plug-in view:
1 On channel strips where you want to copy and paste the
plug-in settings, press the Inserts switches to display the names of the plug-ins on the channel encoders.
2 Copy the settings of a plug-in by holding Shift+Control
(Windows) or Shift+Command (Mac) and pressing the en­coder Select switch under the name of the plug-in.
3 Paste the settings into another instance of the same plug-in
by holding Shift+Control (Windows) or Shift+Command (Mac) and pressing the B/M/P switch under the name of that plug-in.
You can use the Do To All and Do To Selected switches to copy and paste settings to all plug-ins at the same in­sert position on all or all selected tracks.
To copy and paste settings from the focused plug-in view:
1 On channel strips where you want to copy and paste the
plug-in settings, focus the plug-ins on the channels so their controls are visible on the channel strip encoders.
2 Copy the settings of a plug-in by holding Shift+Control
(Windows) or Shift+Command (Mac) and pressing the en­coder Select switch under the bottom row of encoders of the plug-in’s channel.
3 Paste the settings into another instance of the same plug-in
by holding Shift+Control (Windows) or Shift+Command (Mac) and pressing the B/M/P switches under the bottom row of encoders for that plug-in.
To toggle automation on and off for a parameter of a plug-in:
1 Press the Inserts switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
of a track to show the top-level Inserts display. Plug-In names appear in the encoder displays of that track.
2 Press an encoder Select switch to display a plug-in’s param-
eters on the rotary encoders.
3 Hold Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+Op-
tion+Control (Mac) and touch the rotary encoder for the plug-in parameters you want to enable for automation.
To toggle automation on and off for all parameters of a plug-in:
1 Press the Inserts switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
of a track to show the top-level Inserts display. Plug-In names appear in the encoder displays of that track.
2 Hold Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+Op-
tion+Control (Mac) and touch the rotary encoder for the plug-in whose parameters you want to enable for automation.
To to gg l e a u to ma t io n on a n d of f f or a ll p l ug - ins in a gi ve n I n se rt position:
1 Press the Inserts switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
of a track to show the top-level Inserts display. Plug-In names appear in the encoder displays of that track.
2 Press the Do To All switch in the Global controls section.
3 Hold Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+Op-
tion+Control (Mac) and touch the rotary encoder for any plug-in at the insert position (Insert 1–5) where you want to enable plug-in automation.
To toggle automation on and off for plug-ins in a given Insert position on all selected tracks:
1 Select the tracks containing the plug-ins you want to enable
for automation.
2 Press the Inserts switch in the Channel Strip Mode controls
of a track to show the top-level Inserts display. Plug-In names appear in the encoder displays of that track.
Enabling Plug-In Automation
When plug-in names are displayed in top-level view on a D-Control channel strip, you can quickly enable all parame­ters of a plug-in for automation.
You can also use the Do To All or Do To Selected switches on D-Control to automate multiple plug-ins in the same insert position in a session.
D-Control Guide74
3 Press the Do To Selected switch in the Global controls sec-
tion.
4 Hold Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+Op-
tion+Control (Mac) and touch the rotary encoder for any plug-in at the insert position (Insert 1–5) where you want to enable plug-in automation.
Plug-In Mapping
You can put a plug-in into Learn mode, select parameters for mapping, and independently map two sets of plug-in parame­ters to each encoder or its associated B/M/P switch, all directly from the control surface.
For complete instruction on creating and managing plug-in maps, see the Pro Tools Reference Guide.
Putting a Plug-In into Learn Mode
You can put a plug-in into Learn mode directly from D-Con­trol.
To put a plug-in into Learn mode from the control surface:
1 Focus the plug-in in Custom Fader mode.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the Map
switch in the Custom Faders section.
You can map parameters to encoders and B/M/P switches in both the Custom Faders and in channel strips.
You cannot map controls to the EQ and Dynamics sections of D-Control.
When you put a plug-in into Learn mode, its track is focused in the Focus Channel strip and it is automatically put into Custom Fader Plug-In mode. In Learn mode, encoder displays for a focused plug-in are blank, showing that it is ready for mapping of parameters to the encoders and B/M/P switches.
LrnTch (Learn Touch) Console Preference
The Learn Touch preference (in the Operation Soft Keys) de­termines whether controls are active when a plug-in is in Learn mode. When this preference is enabled, encoders and switches will not send commands to Pro Tools while in Learn mode, but will only allow Learn mode operations. This lets you select parameters for mapping from the control surface.
Plug-In Mapping and Channel Strips
D-Control plug-in map parameters are arranged in Channel Strip pages of 6 separately mappable encoders and switches. These pages are displayed one full page at a time on the 6 en­coders in D-Control channel strips.
Plug-In Mapping and Custom Fader Bank Size
D-Control plug-in map parameters are arranged in Custom Fader pages of 8 separately mappable encoders and switches.
When plug-in mapping is displayed in Plug-In Custom Fader banks, the arrangement of plug-in map pages follows the set­ting for Maximum Custom Fader Bank Size for Plug-Ins (in the Operation Soft keys).
By default, the Left Custom Fader Bank is used, unless the Left Custom Fader Bank Size (LCF) is set to 0 or the Left Custom Faders are locked. In these cases, the Right Custom Fader Bank is used.
When creating and recalling plug-in maps, it is important to use the same Custom Fader Bank Size setting, so that plug-in maps display consistently. The examples in this sec­tion are for a Custom Fader Bank Size of 8 channels.
To take a plug-in out of Learn mode from the control surface:
Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the flash-
ing Map switch in the Custom Faders section.
– or –
Press the Win switch in the Custom Faders section to close
the plug-in window.
Creating and Editing Plug-In Maps
To create a custom map of plug-in parameters:
1 Make sure the LrnTch (Learn Touch) preference (in the Op-
eration Soft Keys) is set to On.
2 Open the plug-in whose mapping you want to customize.
3 Put the plug-in into Learn mode. The plug-in is focused with
blank encoders and switches, ready for mapping.
4 On the control surface, do one of the following:
• For an EQ or Dynamics plug-in, make sure a plug-in of the same type is displayed in the EQ or Dynamics section of the control surface.
– or –
• For all other plug-in types, display a different instance of the same plug-in type in a second location (for example, on a channel strip in Normal mode, or in another bank of Custom Faders).
5 Touch the encoder or press the switch for the parameter you
want to map. The encoder’s auto LED or the switch’s Mute LED lights.
6 On the encoder where you want to map the parameter, press
the encoder Select switch to toggle between the two available views on the control.
7 Map the parameter by doing one of the following:
• Touch the encoder to map a continuous or a switched pa­rameter, or press the B/M/P switch to map a switched pa­rameter.
– or –
• If D-Control is in Flip mode, touch the fader to map a continuous or a switched parameter, or press the channel Select switch to map a switched parameter.
8 Take the plug-in out of Learn mode.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 75
To change parameter mapping in a plug-in map:
1 Make sure the LrnTch (Learn Touch) preference (in the Op-
eration Soft Keys) is set to On.
2 Open the plug-in whose mapping you want to change. 3 Choose the map you want to change from the Map Preset
pop-up menu.
4 Put the plug-in into Learn mode. The plug-in map is focused
on the control surface.
5 On the control surface, do one of the following:
• For an EQ or Dynamics plug-in, make sure a plug-in of the same type is displayed in the EQ or Dynamics section of the control surface.
– or –
• For all other plug-in types, display a different instance of the same plug-in type in a second location (for example, on a channel strip in Normal mode, or in another bank of Custom Faders).
6 Touch the encoder or press the switch for the parameter you
want to map. The encoder’s auto LED or the switch’s Mute LED lights.
7 Locate the encoder where you want to change the mapping,
and if necessary, press the encoder Select switch to toggle be­tween the two available views on the control.
Changing Plug-In Map Presets
You can select the next or previous plug-in map for a plug-in directly from D-Control.
To enable the next or previous plug-in map from a channel strip:
1 Focus the plug-in in the channel strip so its controls are vis-
ible on the channel strip encoders.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the Page
Up (Next) or Page Down (Previous) switch in that channel strip’s Channel Strip Mode controls. The name of the plug-in map preset is shown momentarily in the bottom encoder dis­play.
To enable the next or previous plug-in map from the Custom Faders:
1 Focus the plug-in in the Custom Faders section.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and press the Page
Up (Next) or Page Down (Previous) switch in a Custom Fader channel. The name of the plug-in map preset is shown momen­tarily in the Custom Fader channel displays.
To select the next or previous plug-in map on multiple channels, use the Do To All and Do To Selected switches on D-Control.
8 Touch the encoder or press the B/M/P switch to map the pa-
rameter.
9 Take the plug-in out of Learn mode.
To remove parameter mapping from a plug-in map:
1 Make sure the LrnTch (Learn Touch) preference (in the Op-
eration Soft Keys) is set to On.
2 Open the plug-in whose mapping you want to change. 3 Choose the map you want to change from the Map Preset
pop-up menu.
4 Put the plug-in into Learn mode. The plug-in map is focused
on the control surface.
5 Locate the encoder where you want to change the mapping,
and if necessary, press the encoder Select switch to toggle be­tween the two available views on the control.
6 Do one of following for each parameter mapping you want to
remove:
• If the Parameter menu shows
No Control, touch the en-
coder or press the B/M/P switch to remove the parameter mapping.
– or –
• If the Parameter menu shows the name of a preset, hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the B/M/P switch to remove the parameter mapping.
7 Take the plug-in out of Learn mode.
D-Control Guide76
Displaying Dynamics Plug-In Gain Reduction on Channel Meters
You can display gain reduction metering for dynamics plug-ins directly on channel meters in Normal mode. When this metering mode is active, the D-Control channel meters show both track level and compressor gain reduction when you display the plug-in’s parameters on the channel encoders.
Mono Tracks
channel strip, the channel’s left meter shows track level, and the channel’s right meter shows plug-in gain reduction.
Multichannel Tracks
on a D-Control channel strip, the channel’s left meter shows the first channel’s level, and the channel’s right meter shows gain reduction.
Center Meter Display
the D-Control Main Unit is set to display levels for the focused track, the center meters show levels for up to two output chan­nels, plus input, output, gain reduction, and downward ex­pansion for a dynamics plug-in on the focused track.
To display dynamics plug-in gain reduction on channel meters:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Meter switch.
When a mono track is displayed on a D-Control
When a multichannel track is displayed
When the 8-channel center meters on
To display dynamics plug-in gain reduction on the center meters:
1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Meter Prefs 1 switch.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “CtrMtr” to toggle the
display to “Track.”
3 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “GRChan” to turn on
display of gain reduction.
4 Press the Meter Prefs 1 switch to exit.
5 Focus a channel with a dynamics plug-in on the Focus Chan-
nel Strip.
6 Press the Dynamics switch in the Focus Channel Strip Dis-
play controls to display the plug-in’s parameters on the Focus Channel Strip encoders.
The dynamics plug-in input level, output level, gain reduc­tion, and downward expansion are displayed in the rightmost center meters, from the top down.
2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “GRChan” to turn on
display of gain reduction.
3 Press the Meter switch to exit.
4 On a channel with a dynamics plug-in, press the Dynamics
switch in the Channel Strip Display controls to display the plug-in’s parameters on the channel strip encoders.
The dynamics plug-in gain reduction is displayed in the chan­nel’s right meter, from the top down.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 77
Dynamics Section
Knee/Hysteresis Attack Gain/Hold
Ratio/Range Release Threshold Gain Reduction
meters
Input and Output
meters
Low Filter High Filter
Level controls
Channel Select
switches
Dynamics Edit and Display controls
controlscontrolscontrols
control
controlcontrols
controls control
The Dynamics section includes standard controls for compressor, gate, and limiter plug-ins, an array of controls for managing the display and editing of plug-in parameters, and selecting or linking channels in multi-mono plug-ins.
D-Control Dynamics section
Dynamics Plug-In Support
Dynamics processing plug-ins may have widely varying con­trols, depending on their applications. The D-Control Dynam­ics Section provides dedicated knobs and switches to accom­modate the widest range of plug-ins possible. Not all plug-ins will require all the Dynamics controls, while others may have more parameters than can be displayed in the Dynamics sec­tion at one time. To display all controls in any plug-in, you can use Custom Fader Plug-Ins mode.
Displaying Dynamics Plug-Ins
The D-Control Dynamics section automatically focuses the first dynamics plug-in on the channel displayed in the Focus Channel Strip on the Main Unit.
To display successive dynamics plug-ins that are on the fo­cused channel, press the Cycle switch in the Dynamics section.
D-Control Guide78
Knee/Hysteresis and Ratio/Range
Knee/Hysteresis encoder
Hysteresis indicator
Knee
indicator
Ratio/Range
encoder
Ratio
indicator
Range indicator
Attack encoder
Release encoder
Controls
Knee/Hysteresis and Ratio/Range controls in the Dynamics section
Knee/Hysteresis Control
The top encoder in this section controls the knee shape or the hysteresis value for the current plug-in page, depending on which indicator is lit. The Auto indicator under the encoder knob lights when the displayed parameter is enabled for auto­mation.
Ratio/Range Control
The bottom encoder in this section controls the compression ratio or the range value for the current plug-in page, depend­ing on which indicator is lit. The Auto indicator under the en­coder knob lights when the displayed parameter is enabled for automation.
Attack and Release Controls
Attack and Release controls in the Dynamics section
Attack Control
The top encoder in this section controls the attack value for the current plug-in. The Auto indicator under the encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Release Control
The bottom encoder in this section controls the release value for the current plug-in. The Auto indicator under the encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 79
Gain/Hold and Threshold Controls
Gain/Hold encoder
Hold indicator
Gain
indicator
Threshold
encoder
Filter Frequency
encoders
Q/Slope
encoders
Notch/Shelf
switches
and indicators
Filter In
switches
Gain/Hold and Threshold controls in the Dynamics section
Gain/Hold Control
The top encoder in this section controls the gain (make-up gain) or the hold value for the current plug-in page, depending on which indicator is lit. The Auto indicator under the en­coder knob lights when the displayed parameter is enabled for automation.
Threshold Control
The bottom encoder in this section controls the threshold value for the current plug-in page. The Auto indicator under the encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for au­tomation.
Low Filter and High Filter Controls
Low Filter and High Filter controls in the Dynamics section
The Dynamics section includes controls for high- and low-fre­quency EQ filters available on certain dynamics plug-ins.
Filter Frequency Encoders
The top encoders in these sections control the filter frequency for each filter. When the filter is a notch filter, these encoders control the center frequency. When the filter is a high-pass or low-pass filter, these encoders control the cutoff frequency.
Q/Slope Encoders
The bottom encoders in these sections control the Q value (for notch filters) or the slope of the cutoff (for high-pass or low-pass filters).
Notch/Shelf Switch and Indicators
The Notch/Shelf switches in these sections let you switch be­tween the two filter types when they are available. The indica­tors above the switch light to show which type of filter is ac­tive.
Filter In Switches
The Filter In switches in these sections let you engage or by­pass each filter independently.
D-Control Guide80
Dynamics Channel Select Controls
Dynamics displays
Master Link switch
Bypass indicator
Select/Link/Bypass Mode switch
Channel Select switches
Channel Select controls in the Dynamics section
Dynamics Displays
The LED displays in the Dynamics section show the name of the focused plug-in by default. When any rotary encoder is touched, these displays show the corresponding parameter name and value.
Channel Select Switches
Multichannel Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multichannel plug-in, all chan­nels are controlled in tandem and the Channel Select switches have no effect.
Multi-Mono Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multi-mono plug-in, the con­trols for the channels are usually linked and edited together.
However, you can edit plug-in settings for individual channels of a multi-mono plug-in by using the Channel Select switches to unlink all of the channels, or to link specific channels.
There are Channel Select switches for the following channels:
•L (Left)
• Lc (Left Center)
•C (Center)
•Rc (Right Center)
•R (Right)
•Ls (Left Surround)
•Cs (Center Surround)
• Rs (Right Surround)
•LFE
These choices support all possible channel configurations in Pro Tools. A maximum of eight channels (7.1 surround) may be in use at any time.
Master Link Switch
Multichannel Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multichannel plug-in, all chan­nels are controlled in tandem, and the Master Link switch has no effect.
Multi-Mono Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multi-mono plug-in, the Master Link switch toggles the Master Link button in the plug-in win­dow, which links or unlinks all channels of the plug-in. When the Master Link button is enabled, the Link switch is lit.
Select/Link/Bypass Mode Switch
The Select/Link/Bypass Mode switch determines the function of the Channel Select switches with multi-mono plug-ins.
Select Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which channel of a multi-mono plug-in is the focus of the plug-in controls. When a channel is selected, its switch is lit. If any channels are linked, their switches follow linked be­havior.
In Select mode, if the D-Control Channel Window Display preference is set to Yes, the Channel Select switches also change the channel display in the plug-in window.
Bypass Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which channels of a multi-mono plug-in are bypassed. When a channel is bypassed, its switch is lit. If any channels are linked, their switches follow linked behavior.
Link Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which individual channels of a multi-mono plug-in are linked together. Linked channels are indicated by switches that are lit.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 81
Dynamics Edit and Display Controls
Page switch
External Key switch
Compare switch
Cycle switch
Bypass switch
Key Listen
switch
Save As
switch
Lock
switch
Automation switch
Automation Safe switch
Window switch
Edit and Display controls in the Dynamics section
Page Switch
With plug-ins that have more than one page of controls, the Page switch lights. Pressing this switch steps through the pages for the currently displayed plug-in.
Active paged controls are shown in the plug-in window by col­ored outlines.
External Key Switch
The External Key switch turns the Key Input on or off for plug-ins that support side-chain processing with external in­put. This switch lights when Key Input is on.
Key Listen Switch
The Key Listen switch turns the Key Listen function on or off for plug-ins that support auditioning the Key Input. This switch lights when Key Listen is on.
Save As Switch
The Save As switch performs the Save As command in the Plug-In settings menu.
To save a Dynamics plug-in setting from D-Control:
1 Press the Save As switch in the Edit and Display controls of
the Dynamics section. The Save As switch flashes while the Save Settings dialog is open.
2 Type a name for the plug-in setting.
3 Do one of the following:
•Click
OK to save the settings and close the dialog.
• Press the flashing Save As switch to save the settings and close the dialog.
• Press the Escape switch to exit the dialog without saving the settings.
D-Control Guide82
Lock Switch
Safe Switch
The Lock switch is used to lock the focus of the Dynamics sec­tion on the current plug-in. When the plug-in focus is locked, the current plug-in remains in the Dynamics section, even when a different track is focused on D-Control. This switch lights when the plug-in focus is locked.
Compare Switch
The Compare switch toggles the Compare button in the plug-in window, which alternates between the currently saved plug-in setting and any changes you have made.
Automation Switch
The Automation switch lets you enable Dynamics parameters for automation by touching or pressing their controls in the Dynamics section only.
In Automation mode, the Auto switch is lit. While in this mode, the Auto LED for any rotary encoder enabled for auto­mation is lit red, and the switch for any parameter enabled for automation is lit.
To toggle automation on and off for individual Dynamics parameters:
1 Press the Automation switch.
The Safe switch toggles the Safe button in the plug-in window, which protects existing automation for that plug-in from be­ing overwritten.
Cycle Switch
The Cycle switch steps through all available Dynamics plug-ins on the focused channel.
Bypass Switch
The Bypass switch bypasses the plug-in.
Window Switch
The Window switch is used to open and close the on-screen window for the currently focused plug-in.
2 Touch the rotary encoders or press the switches in the Dy-
namics section for which you want to toggle automation.
3 Press the Automation switch again to exit Automation mode.
To toggle automation on and off for all parameters of a Dynamics plug-in:
1 Press the Automation switch.
2 Do one of the following:
• Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac).
– or –
• Hold Do to All.
3 Touch any rotary encoder or press any switches in the Dy-
namics section.
4 Press the Automation switch again to exit Automation mode.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 83
Dynamics Gain Controls and Meters
Input Gain encoder
Output Gain encoder
Clip indicator
Input meter
Output meter
Compressor/Limiter
Gain Reduction
meter
Expander/Gate Gain Reduction meter
Level controls (left) and meters (right) in the Dynamics section
Input and Output Gain Encoders
The Input and Output Gain encoders control the input gain and output gain for the current plug-in. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Input and Output Meters and Clip Indicator
The Input and Output meters show the input and output levels for the current plug-in. The Clip indicator lights when a clip is re­ported by the plug-in, and can be cleared by pressing the Clear Clip switch in the Session Management section.
Gain Reduction Meters
The Gain Reduction meters show the amount of gain reduction for Compressor/Limiter functions (on the left) and Expander/Gate functions (on the right).
You can also display gain reduction metering for dynamics plug-ins directly on channel meters in Normal mode. See “Displaying Dynamics Plug-In Gain Reduction on Channel Meters” on page 77.
D-Control Guide84
EQ Section
High-Pass
Filter
Low
Filter
Low-Mid
Filter
Mid
Filter
High-Mid
Filter
High
Filter
Low-Pass
Filter Level
controls
Channel Select
switches
Input and Output metersEQ Edit and Display controls
controls controls controlscontrolscontrolscontrolscontrols
The EQ section includes standard controls for a variety of multi-band plug-ins, an array of controls for managing the display and editing of plug-in parameters, and controls for selecting or linking channels in multi-mono plug-ins.
D-Control EQ section
EQ Plug-In Support
EQ processing plug-ins may have widely varying controls, de­pending on their applications. The D-Control EQ Section pro­vides dedicated knobs and switches to accommodate the wid­est range of plug-ins possible. Not all plug-ins will require all the EQ controls, while others may have more parameters than can be displayed in the EQ section at one time.
To simultaneously display all controls in any plug-in, you can use Custom Fader Plug-Ins mode.
Displaying EQ Plug-Ins
The D-Control EQ section automatically displays the first EQ plug-in on the channel that is focused in the Focus Channel Strip on the Main Unit.
To display successive EQ plug-ins that are on the focused channel, press the Cycle switch in the EQ section.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 85
High-Pass Filter and Low-Pass Filter
Q encoders
Notch/Shelf switches and indicators
Frequency encoders
Filter In switches
Q encoders
Notch/Shape switches and indicators
Frequency encoders
Band In switches
Gain encoders
Controls
Low Shelf/Peak and High Shelf/Peak EQ Controls
There are similar controls for high-pass and low-pass filters on the extreme left and right sides of the EQ section.
High-Pass Filter and Low-Pass Filter controls in the EQ section
Q Encoders
The top encoders for these EQ bands control the Q of each fil­ter. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Notch/Shelf Switches and Indica tors
The Notch/Shelf switches in these EQ bands let you switch be­tween the two filter types when they are available. The indica­tors on either side of the switch light to show which type of fil­ter is active.
Frequency Encoders
The bottom encoders in these EQ bands control the filter fre­quency for each filter. When the filter is a notch filter, these encoders control the center frequency. When the filter is a high-pass or low-pass filter, these encoders control the cutoff frequency. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Band In Switches
The Band In switches in these EQ bands let you engage or by­pass their corresponding EQ band in the plug-in.
There are similar controls for the low and high shelf/peak EQ bands on the left and right sides of the EQ section, just inside the high-pass and low-pass filter controls.
Low Filter and High Filter controls in the EQ section
Q Encoders
The top encoders for these EQ bands control the Q of each band. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Notch/Shape Switch and Indicators
The Notch/Shape switches in these EQ bands let you switch between the two EQ types when they are available. The indica­tors on ei ther side of the swit ch light t o show whic h type of E Q is active.
Frequency Encoders
The middle encoders in these EQ bands control the frequency for each band. When the EQ is a peaking type, these encoders control the center frequency. When the EQ is a high- or low-shelf type, these encoders control the cutoff frequency. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Gain Encoders
The bottom encoders in these EQ bands control the gain for each band. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Band In Switches
D-Control Guide86
The Band In switches in these EQ bands let you engage or by­pass their corresponding EQ band in the plug-in.
Low-Mid, Mid, and High-Mid EQ Band Controls
Q encoders
Frequency encoders
Gain encoders
Band In switches
There are similar controls for low-mid, mid, and high-mid EQ bands in the center of the EQ section.
Low-Mid, Mid and High-Mid EQ band controls in the EQ section
Q Encoders
The top encoders for these EQ bands control Q values for each band. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Frequency Encoders
The middle encoders in these EQ bands control the center frequency for each band. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Gain Encoders
The bottom encoders in these EQ bands control the gain for each band. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Band In Switches
The Band In switches in these EQ bands let you engage or bypass the corresponding EQ band in the plug-in.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 87
EQ Channel Select Controls
EQ displays
Link switch
Select/Link/Bypass Mode switch
Channel Select switches
Bypass indicator
Channel Select controls in the EQ section
EQ Displays
The LED displays in the EQ section show the name of the fo­cused plu g-in by def ault. Whe n any rotary encoder is touched, these displays show the corresponding parameter name and value.
Channel Select Switches
Multichannel Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multichannel plug-in, all chan­nels are controlled in tandem and the Channel Select switches have no effect, except with multichannel plug-ins (such as Focusrite d2) that directly support channel selection.
Multi-Mono Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multi-mono plug-in, the con­trols for the channels are usually linked and edited together.
However, you can edit plug-in settings for individual channels of a multi-mono plug-in by unlinking all of the channels, or by using the Channel Select switches to link specific channels.
There are Channel Select switches for the following channels:
•L (Left)
• Lc (Left Center)
•C (Center)
•Rc (Right Center)
•R (Right)
•Ls (Left Surround)
•Cs (Center Surround)
• Rs (Right Surround)
•LFE
These choices support all possible channel configurations in Pro Tools. A maximum of eight channels (7.1 surround) may be in use at any time.
D-Control Guide88
Master Link Switch
Multichannel Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multichannel plug-in, all chan­nels are controlled in tandem, so the Master Link switch has no effect, except with multichannel plug-ins (such as Focusrite d2) that directly support channel linking.
Multi-Mono Plug-Ins
When you are working with a multi-mono plug-in, the Master Link switch toggles the Master Link button in the plug-in win­dow, which links or unlinks all channels of the plug-in. When the Master Link button is enabled, the Link switch is lit.
Select/Link/Bypass Mode Switch
The Select/Link/Bypass Mode switch determines the function of the Channel Select switches with multi-mono plug-ins.
Select Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which channel of a multi-mono plug-in is the focus of the plug-in controls. When a channel is selected, its switch is lit. If any channels are linked, their switches follow linked be­havior.
In Select mode, if the D-Control Channel Window Display preference is set to Yes, the Channel Select switches also change the channel display in the plug-in window.
Bypass Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which channels of a multi-mono plug-in are bypassed. When a channel is bypassed, its switch is lit. If any channels are linked, their switches follow linked behavior.
Link Mode
In this mode, the Channel Select switches deter­mine which individual channels of a multi-mono plug-in are linked together. Linked channels are indicated by switches that are lit.
EQ Edit and Display Controls
Compare switch
Cycle switch
Master Bypass switch
Save As
switch
Lock
switch
Automation switch
Automation Safe switch
Window switch
Edit and Display controls in the EQ section
Save As Switch
The Save As switch performs the Save As command in the Plug-In settings menu, which saves a new settings file for the plug-in.
To save an EQ plug-in setting from D-Control:
1 Press the Save As switch in the Edit and Display controls of
the Dynamics section. The Save As switch flashes while the Save Settings dialog is open.
2 Type a name for the plug-in setting.
3 Do one of the following:
•Click
OK to save the settings and close the dialog.
• Press the flashing Save As switch to save the settings and close the dialog.
• Press the Escape switch to exit the dialog without saving the settings.
Lock Switch
The Lock switch is used to lock the focus of the EQ section on the current plug-in. When the plug-in focus is locked, the cur­rent plug-in remains in the EQ section, even when a different track is focused on D-Control. This switch lights when the plug-in focus is locked.
Compare Switch
The Compare switch toggles the Compare button in the plug-in window, which alternates between the currently saved plug-in setting and any changes you have made.
Automation Switch
The Automation switch lets you enable EQ parameters for au­tomation by touching or pressing their controls in the EQ sec­tion only.
In Automation mode, the Auto switch is lit. While in this mode, the Auto indicator for any rotary encoder enabled for automation is lit red, and the switch for any parameter en­abled for automation is lit.
To toggle automation on and off for individual EQ parameters:
1 Press the Automation switch.
2 Touch the rotary encoders or press the switches in the EQ
section for which you want to toggle automation.
3 Press the Automation switch again to exit Automation mode.
To toggle automation on and off for all parameters of an EQ plug-in:
1 Press the Automation switch.
2 Do one of the following:
• Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac).
– or –
• Hold Do to All.
3 Touch any rotary encoder or press any switches in the EQ
section.
4 Press the Automation switch again to exit Automation mode.
Chapter 7: Plug-In Controls 89
Safe Switch
Input Gain encoder
Output Gain encoder
Clip indicator
Input meter
Output meter
The Safe switch toggles the Safe button in the plug-in window, which protects existing automation for that plug-in from be­ing overwritten.
Cycle Switch
The Cycle switch steps through all available EQ plug-ins on the focused channel.
Bypass Switch
The Bypass switch bypasses the plug-in.
Window Switch
The Window switch is used to open and close the on-screen window for the currently focused plug-in.
EQ Level Controls and Meters
Level controls and meters in the EQ section
Input and Output Gain Encoders
The Input and Output Gain encoders control the input gain and output gain for the current plug-in. The Auto indicator under each encoder knob lights when the parameter is enabled for automation.
Input and Output Meters and Clip Indicator
The Input and Output meters show the input and output levels for the current plug-in. The Clip indicator lights when a clip is reported by the plug-in, and can be cleared by pressing the Clear Clip switch in the Session Management section.
D-Control Guide90
Chapter 8: Transport and Navigation Controls
Scrub/Shuttle switches and controls
Pro Tools Transport
switches
External Machines switches
Online switches
Transport Mode switchesAudition switches
Locate switches
Machine Transport
switches
Master Record Mode
switches
Rewind Fast
Forward
Stop Play Record
MIDI Merge indicator
Transport Section
The D-Control Transport section includes two complete sets of transport switches, switches for setting the transport mode, scrub/shuttle switches and controls, and advanced audition and locate switches.
D-Control Transport Section
Transport Switches
D-Control has two sets of transport switches, one for Pro Tools, and the other reserved for external machines con­trolled with the MachineControl option.
Pro Tools Transport switches
Pro Tools Transport
The D-Control Pro Tools Transport switches correspond to the controls in the Pro Tools Transport window.
Rewind Switch
Moves backward through the Pro Tools session
beginning from the current cursor position.
Fast Forward Switch
Moves forward through the Pro Tools
session beginning from the current cursor position.
Stop Switch Play Switch
Stops playback of the Pro Tools session.
Begins playback of the Pro Tools session from the
current cursor position.
Record Switch
Arms Pro Tools for recording. Exact function depends on current Pro Tools record mode (QuickPunch, TrackPunch, Wait for Note, Pause).
MIDI Merge Indicator
Shows when MIDI Merge is activated.
Machine T ransport
With the MachineControl option, you can place D-Control in Dual Transport mode, which activates the Machine Transport switches. These switches can then be assigned to control an external 9-pin or MMC device.
Chapter 8: Transport and Navigation Controls 91
Scrub/Shuttle Controls
Scrub
switch
Trim
switch
Shuttle
switch
Scrub/Shuttle Wheel
Selecting with the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel
The Scrub/Shuttle controls are used for the following:
• Edit cursor operations, including scrubbing, scrubbing while trimming, shuttling, and making selections.
• Zooming, Pro Tools window navigation, and banking faders on D-Control.
Scrub/Shuttle controls
Scrub/Shuttle Wheel
The Scrub/Shuttle wheel is used to control cursor position in Pro Tools, and for zooming, window navigation, and banking faders.
Scrolling and Locating in Pro Tools Windows
To create selections with the Scrub/Shuttle wheel:
1 Locate the cursor in a track.
2 Press the Scrub switch or the Shuttle switch.
3 Do one of the following:
• Hold the Mark In switch and turn the Scrub/Shuttle wheel counter-clockwise to create or extend the selection to the left.
– or –
• Hold the Mark Out switch and turn the Scrub/Shuttle wheel clockwise to create or extend the selection to the right.
To scrub while adding to the front of a selection:
Hold Start+Shift (Windows) or Control + Shift (Mac) while
scrubbing the front of the selection.
To scrub while adding to the end of a selection:
Hold Start+Shift+Alt (Windows) or Control+Shift+Option
(Mac) while scrubbing the end of the selection.
To scrub with fine resolution while adding to the front of a selection:
Hold Start+Shift+Control (Windows) or Con-
trol+Shift+Command (Mac) while scrubbing the front of the selection.
To horizontally scroll the contents of the Edit window or Mix window:
1 Focus the window you want to scroll by clicking in it or by
pressing the corresponding window key in the Window Man­agement section.
2 Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while turning the
Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
To vertically scroll the contents of the Edit window or Mix window:
1 Focus the window you want to scroll by clicking in it or by
pressing the corresponding window key in the Window Man­agement section.
2 Hold Shift while turning the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
To locate the cursor in the Edit window while in Continuous Scroll Mode:
Hold Control+Alt+Start (Windows) or Command+Op-
tion+Control (Mac) and press the Mark In or Mark Out switch in the Audition section.
To scrub with fine resolution while adding to the end of a selection:
Hold Start+Shift+Alt+Control (Windows) or Con-
trol+Shift+Option+Command (Mac) while scrubbing the end of the selection.
Continuous Zooming in the Edit Window
To horizontally zoom continuously in the Edit window:
Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) while turning
the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
To vertically zoom continuously in the Edit window:
Hold Control+Alt (Windows) or Command+Option (Mac)
while turning the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
Moving Windows On-Screen with the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel
To move a Pro Tools window horizontally on-screen:
In the Window Management section, hold the switch for the
window and turn the Scrub/Shuttle wheel.
To move a Pro Tools window vertically on-screen:
In the Window Management section, hold the switch for the
window, hold Shift, and turn the Scrub/Shuttle wheel.
D-Control Guide92
Nudging Track Position or Focus on D-Control with the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel
To nudge the position of tracks on D-Control in Normal mode:
Hold any of the Nudge/Bank switches and turn the
Scrub/Shuttle wheel.
To nudge the position of tracks on D-Control in Custom Faders:
Hold the Bank/Cycle switch in the Custom Faders section
and turn the Scrub/Shuttle wheel.
To nudge the track focused in the Focus Channel Strip:
1 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the
left or right Nudge 1 switch.
2 While holding the Nudge1 switch, turn the Scrub/Shuttle
wheel.
Scrub Switch
Trim Switch
The Trim switch places the transport in Trim/Scrub mode, which lets you scrub to locate an edit point, then trim to that point.
To scrub while trimming:
1 Navigate to a clip or selection you want to trim.
2 Press the Trim switch.
To trim to the end of a selection, hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while pressing the Trim switch.
3 Press the Scrub switch.
4 Rotate the Scrub/Shuttle wheel to move the cursor to the
trim location.
5 To trim to the cursor location or to the beginning of the se-
lection, press the Trim switch again.
The Scrub switch places the transport in Scrub mode, which lets you scrub from the cursor position or across a selection.
To scrub audio in Scrub mode:
1 While Pro Tools is stopped, press the Scrub switch.
2 Rotate the Scrub/Shuttle wheel clockwise to scrub audio for-
ward, or counter-clockwise to scrub audio backward.
3 To exit, press the Scrub switch again.
Scrubbing Without Entering Scrub Mode
You can use the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel to scrub while the trans­port is stopped or during playback, without entering Scrub mode.
To scrub during playback:
1 Click in a track you want to scrub.
2 Hold Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) while turning the
Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
To latch the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel in scrub:
Press Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) momentarily (less
than 1/2 second) while turning the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
Shuttle Switch
The Shuttle switch places the transport in Shuttle mode, which lets you locate the cursor in the Edit window
To use Shuttle mode:
1 While Pro Tools is stopped, press the Shuttle switch.
2 Rotate the Scrub/Shuttle wheel clockwise to shuttle forward,
or counter-clockwise to shuttle backward.
3 To exit, press the Shuttle switch again.
Scrub, Trim/Scrub and Shuttle modes can be used to create se­lections and define clips in the Pro Tools Edit window.
To scrub with fine resolution:
Hold Start+Control (Windows) or Control+Command (Mac)
while turning the Scrub/Shuttle Wheel.
Chapter 8: Transport and Navigation Controls 93
Master Record Mode Switches
Master Record Enable switch
Master Input Monitor Mode switch
Pro Too ls Online
switch
9-Pin Remote
switch
Loop Playback
switch
Machine Online
switch
TrackPunch
switch
QuickPunch
switch
Transport Mode Switches
The Master Record Mode switches are used to change the re­cord enable and the input monitoring mode of all channels in a session.
Master Record Mode switches
Master Record Enable Switch
The Master Record Enable switch toggles record enable status for all applicable audio tracks in a session. This switch flashes when channels are record-enabled and the Pro Tools trans­port is stopped, and lights continuously during recording.
If any tracks in the session are record-enabled, pressing the Master Record Enable switch takes them out of their enabled state. If no channels are record-enabled, pressing the Master Record Enable switch places all applicable audio tracks into record-enabled state.
Master Input Monitor Mode Switch
The Master Input Monitor Mode switch toggles the input monitoring mode for all record-enabled audio tracks in a ses­sion. (This is the same as choosing the “Change Record En­abled Tracks to Auto Input” or “Input Only” in Pro Tools.) This switch lights only when there are record-enabled tracks in Input Only mode.
To toggle the input monitoring mode of all audio tracks in a session, hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while pressing the Master Input Monitor Mode switch.
The Transport Mode switches are used to put the Pro Tools transport in the various playback and record modes.
Transport Mode switches
Pro Tools Online Switch
The Pro Tools Online switch toggles the Pro Tools online state. The online state is mirrored in the Online button in the Pro Tools Transport window.
While Pro Tools is online and waiting for timecode, this switch flashes. When timecode is received, this switch lights continuously.
9-Pin Remote Switch
The 9-Pin Remote switch enables 9-pin Remote Deck Emula­tion mode with the MachineControl option.
Machine Online Switch
With the MachineControl option, the Machine Online switch toggles the external machine online status. You can cycle the Pro Tools Transport Master by holding Start (Windows) or Control (Mac) and pressing the Machine Online switch.
Loop Playback Switch
The Loop Playback switch toggles Loop Playback mode in Pro Tools. When Loop Playback mode is active, this switch lights. The Loop Playback state is mirrored in the Play button in the Pro Tools Transport window.
D-Control Guide94
QuickPunch Switch
The QuickPunch switch toggles QuickPunch record mode in Pro Tools. When QuickPunch mode is active, this switch lights. The QuickPunch state is mirrored in the Record button in the Pro Tools Transport window.
TrackPunch Switch
The TrackPunch switch toggles TrackPunch record mode in Pro Tools. When TrackPunch mode is active, this switch lights. The TrackPunch state is mirrored in the Record button in the Pro Tools Transport window.
Loading...
Buy Points How it Works FAQ Contact Us Questions and Suggestions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms of Use