DigiDesign D-Control, XMON User Manual

D-Control

Version 8.0

Legal Notices

This guide is copyrighted ©2008 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign.

003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O, 882|20 I/O, 1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite, Avid, Avid DNA, Avid Mojo, Avid Unity, Avid Unity ISIS, Avid Xpress, AVoption, Axiom, Beat Detective, Bomb Factory, Bruno, C|24, Command|8, Control|24, D-Command, D-Control, D-Fi, D-fx, D-Show, D-Verb, DAE, Digi 002, DigiBase, DigiDelivery, Digidesign, Digidesign Audio Engine, Digidesign Intelligent Noise Reduction, Digidesign TDM Bus, DigiDrive, DigiRack, DigiTest, DigiTranslator, DINR, D-Show, DV Toolkit, EditPack, Eleven, HD Core, HD Process, Hybrid, Impact, Interplay, LoFi, M-Audio, MachineControl, Maxim, Mbox, MediaComposer, MIDI I/O, MIX, MultiShell, Nitris, OMF, OMF Interchange, PRE, ProControl, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi, Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius, Smack!, SoundReplacer, Sound Designer II, Strike, Structure, SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab, TL Everyphase, TL Fauxlder, TL In Tune, TL MasterMeter, TL Metro, TL Space, TL Utilities, Transfuser, Trillium Lane Labs, Vari-Fi Velvet, X-Form, and XMON are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digidesign and/or Avid Technology, Inc. Xpand! is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice.

Guide Part Number 9106-59123-00 REV A 11/08

Documentation Feedback

At Digidesign, we are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us at techpubs@digidesign.com.

Communications & Safety Regulation Information

Compliance Statement

The models D-Control and XMON comply with the following standards regulating interference and EMC:

• FCC Part 15 Class A

• EN55103 – 1, environment E4

• EN55103 – 2, environment E4

• AS/NZS 3548 Class A

• CISPR 22 Class A

• ICES-003 Class A

Canadian Compliance Statement:

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003 Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

CE Compliance Statement:

Digidesign is authorized to apply the CE (Conformité Europénne) mark on this compliant equipment thereby declaring conformity to EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC.

Australian Compliance:

Communications Statement

This equipment has been tested to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device. Changes or modifications to this product not authorized by Digidesign, Inc., could void the Certification and negate your authority to operate the product. This product was tested for CISPR compliance under conditions that included the use of peripheral devices and shielded cables and connectors between system components. Digidesign recommends the use of shielded cables and connectors between system components to reduce the possibility of causing interference to radios, television sets, and other electronic devices.

Safety Statement

This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and Canadian safety certification in accordance with the specifications of UL Standards; UL6500 and Canadian CSA standard; CSA C22.2 No.1-M90. Digidesign Inc., has been authorized to apply the appropriate UL & CUL mark on its compliant equipment.

Important Safety Instructions

1) Read these instructions.

2) Keep these instructions.

3) Heed all warnings.

4) Follow all instructions.

5) Do not use this apparatus near water.

6) Clean only with dry cloth.

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.

12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

Radio and Television Interference

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

Do not attempt to service the equipment. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to authorized Digidesign personnel.

Any attempt to service the equipment will expose you to a risk of shock and will void the manufacturer’s warranty.

SPECIAL WARNING REGARDING VENTILATION:

Do not install D-Control anywhere or in any way that blocks free air flow at any time around the back panel of the unit.

SPECIAL WARNING REGARDING AMBIENT TEMPERATURE:

Before powering on the D-Control unit, be sure to allow it to reach room temperature. The unit includes some components that are senstive to cold temperatures, so it is recommended that you unpack the unit and allow it to acclimate before turning it on for the first time.

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

D-Control 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

Contents v

Part III Reference

Chapter 6. Channel Strip Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Channel Strips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Channel Strip Master Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

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 Time Code Displays (Main Unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Meter Displays (Fader Module) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Setting D-Control Meters for Different Reference Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

D-Control Guidevi

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 Plug-Ins and Sends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Flip Mode and Flop Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Inline Console Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Working with Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

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 Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

25-Pin Female Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

15-Pin Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Contents vii

D-Control Guideviii

Part I: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction to D-Control

Welcome to the D-Control™ worksurface for Digidesign® ICON systems.

D-Control System Components

D-Control provides hands-on control of every feature in Pro Tools, and offers powerful options for customizing the Pro Tools mix environment.

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

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 the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.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.

Power 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 via 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

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.

Digidesign offers a range of DigiSnake cabling options for connecting Digidesign interfaces and external sources to the XMON monitoring system. For details, visit the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com).

System Requirements and Compatibility

D-Control requires a Pro Tools|HD® system with at least one Pro Tools|HD audio interface.

An expanded HD-series system is required for higher track counts.

For complete system requirements and a list of Digidesign qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, refer to the latest information on the Digidesign website:

www.digidesign.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 Time Code 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 Time Code 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-Control. 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

Talkback 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.

D-Control 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.

Figure 6. Applying rubber pads to bottom of D-Control leg

D-Control Guide18

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

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

front 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

Main

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 Plate

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

Module, 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 any Fader Modules on the right of the Main Unit, 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 inside the pin rails, so you will be able 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 Tighten the 2 socket head cap screws 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 head 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 The display shelf on D-Control can support a free-standing flat screen display.

Arm-Mounted TFT Display Using the video display arm included 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.

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 dis-

play 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 ac-

cording 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

orientation 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 as-

sembly.

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.

Vel cro R i p T ies 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 Keyboard 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

computer keyboard panel and detach it from the D-Control Main Unit.

5 Install the included Start (or “Windows”) keys to replace the

Alt/Option keys.

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

keyboard and move it to the opposite position.

3 Remove the two Apple Command (a) 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 Trackball (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

computer keyboard panel and the trackball panel on the D-Control Main Unit.

6 Locate the USB connector on the printed circuit board, and

connect your trackball or mouse to it.

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.

2 Exchange the position of the trackball and keyboard panels,

and carefully rearrange their cables underneath the panels.

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.

Reinstalling the Trackball

If you need to reinstall the factory trackball on a D-Control Main Unit, carry out the following procedure.

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 maintain 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.

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

computer.

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.)

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).

The D-Control USB connection supports the use of a USB hub, if your system has one. A powered USB hub is not required.

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 Pro Tools 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 2,

Ring = Footswitch 1, Sleeve = Ground.

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

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

Analog Outputs 1-8

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 = 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)

Cue System

Amplifiers

Main

Speakers

Alternate

Speakers

Various

Inputs

and

Outputs

DB-25 to DB-25 connectors

DB-25 to XLR snakes

192 I/O

XMON

Example XMON Wiring Diagram

The following diagram shows basic XMON connections for a Pro Tools|HD system with a Digidesign 192 I/O with 16 analog outputs (with a 192 AD card installed).

Figure 52. Wiring diagram for 192 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 on the D-Control units.

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 on the computer.

6 Turn on the XMON interface.

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

You can set the names for D-Control units from Pro Tools.

Fader, Encoder and Switch Preferences

The following settings and preferences affect operation of the faders, encoders, and switches on D-Control.

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.

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.

To name D-Control units in Pro Tools:

1 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click Ethernet Controllers.

2 Click Name Units.

Naming D-Control units

3 Enter the names for the units 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.

Fader s 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”).

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”).

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 Refer- ence Guide.

D-Control Guide40

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.

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.

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 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

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.”

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.

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.

3 Hold Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) and press the

Operations switch to exit.

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.”

RCFTyp (Right CF Bank Size for Track Type) Determines the number of channels allocated for Custom Fader Tracks mode in the Right Custom Fader section.

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

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.

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 Cus-

tom Groups mode in the Left Custom Fader section.

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.

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.

RCFGrp (Right CF Bank Size for Custom Groups and Mix/Edit Groups) Determines the number of channels allocated for Cus-

tom 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.

D-Control Guide42

Display of Hidden Tracks in Custom Faders

Focusing Plug-ins in Custom Fader 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.

Fade r V iew 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.

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

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 Custom Fader Plug-In Mode view:

1 In the Soft Keys section, press the Operation switch repeat-

edly to display the page that includes Plug-In View Definitions (“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.

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.

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.

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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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

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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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).

D-Control Guide44

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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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.”

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 a Digidesign 192 I/O as the reference source.

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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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.

To calibrate the D-Control output meters:

1 Set the reference level of your 192 I/O according to the in-

structions in the 192 I/O Guide.

2 With the 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 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 192 I/O analog out-

put 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 Keys section, press the Meter switch repeatedly 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 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.

Dyn

Figure 1. D-Control Channel Strip

When you are automating a parameter controlled by an encoder, touching the encoder knob starts writing automation.

Inputs, Outputs, Inserts and Sends

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 (such as the Digidesign PRE), 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.

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 (TDM plug-in, RTAS plug-in, Multi-Mono TDM plug-in, Multi-Mono RTAS plug-in, or Hardware Insert)

• Plug-in subfolder (such as EQ, Dynamics, Pitch Shift, Reverb, or Delay)

• Individual insert or plug-in

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 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

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

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.

Instrument Tracks

On Instrument Tracks, the bottom B/M/P switch is used to control MIDI Mute state.

VCA Master Tracks

On VCA Master tracks, B/M/P switches are used to control the Mute state of slave tracks.

Chapter 6: Channel Strip Controls 51

Channel Strip Mode Controls

Page Up switch

Dynamics switch

Microphone Preamplifier switch

Inserts switch Pan switch

Bypass/Spill

switch

Sends switch

Input switch

EQ switch

Page Down switch

Input Switch

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.

Channel Strip Mode controls

Page Up and Page Down Switches

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.

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 (such as the Digidesign PRE) 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 133.

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.

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 Pag e Up and Page Down switches to toggle the t op

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 the track is a multichannel track, 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

LFE LFE channel

Cntr% Center Speaker Percentage

F Div Front Divergence

Rear Rear Pan

F/R Front/Rear Balance

Front Front Pan

Surround Pan Display, Page 2

Display Pan Control

R Div Rear Divergence

Rear Rear Pan

F/R Div Front/Rear Divergence

F/R Front/Rear Balance

F Div Front Divergence

Front Front Pan

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.

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 chan-

nels 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.

You can use Flip mode to transfer controls for any send position (A–J) to the Faders. See “Flip Mode” on page 133.

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 Pag e Up and Page Down switches to toggle the t op

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.

2 Press the Soft Key that corresponds to “2KbPan” to toggle

the preference on or off.

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

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.

Channel Strip Function Controls

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

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.

D-Control Guide54

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.

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.

Group/Name Mode Shows the group membership of the track

(by group letter) and an abbreviated track name.

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.

Automation Trim Switch

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

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 Fade r

Shift Control Win (Start) (Windows)

Option (Mac)

Alt (Windows)

a (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 indica-

tor 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 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

Channel Strip Master Section

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.

Wh en D- Cont rol is in Make Inact ive m ode o r Ass ign mode, it is temporarily taken out of Flop mode, but the Flip switches remains lit. When you ex it M ake I nact ive m ode o r 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.

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.

Plug-in Automation controls

Enable Parameters Switch

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

4 Press the Automation Safe switch again to exit Automation

Safe mode.

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.

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.

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.

Assignment controls

Assign Inputs Switch

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 (TDM plug-in, RTAS plug-in, Multi-Mono TDM plug-in, Multi-Mono RTAS plug-in, or Hardware Insert), shown in yellow

• Plug-in subfolder (such as EQ, Dynamics, Pitch Shift, Reverb, and Delay), shown in yellow

• Individual insert or plug-in, shown in green

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 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.

If the Organize Plug-in Menus by Category option is not selected, the Plug-in subfolder level is not present.

D-Control Guide60

Removing Plug-in Assignments

Show ValuesSwitch Info

Switch Mode switch

switch switch

Pre-Fader Mode indicator

Mute Mode

indicator

Switch Information Controls

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 Tra cks

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.

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).

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.

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

Automation Write to All

Automation Write to End

Automation

Write to Start

Automation

Write to Punch

Automation Write to Next

switch

Send Mute Switch

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.

The Send Mute switch enables and suspends writing of send mute automation on all channels.

Automation Write To Controls

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.

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.

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.

D-Control Guide62

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.

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

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

being held.

 When double-pressed, they latch on and flash until pressed

a second time.

Applying Actions to Multiple Tracks 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.

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:

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).

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

To reset a channel’s track volume to 0 dB:

 Press the Set to Default switch + the channel Select switch.

– or –

 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.

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.

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

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

Escape switch

Select/Focus Mode

switch and indicators

Solo Clear switch

Mute Clear switch

Display Mode switch

Suspend Automation switch

Global Inserts 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 Inserts switch displays inserts on the rotary encoders across all channels.

Global Pan Switch

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.

D-Control Guide66

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.

Select/Focus Mode Switch and Indicators

Map switch

Flip switch

Lock switch

Window switch

Custom Groups switch

Mix/Edit Groups switch

Tra c k s s witc h

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 Controls

Automation Trim

Automation Read

Automation Off

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 De-

fault Dynamics pop-up menu.

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-

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.

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.

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 Windows On-Screen

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.

D-Control Guide72

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, dynam-

ics, 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).

Targeting 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 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.

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.

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.

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 toggle automation on and off for all plug-ins in a given Insert 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.

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.

D-Control Guide74

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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 Fade rs:

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 encoder 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 When a mono track is displayed on a D-Control channel strip, the channel’s left meter shows track level, and the channel’s right meter shows plug-in gain reduction.

Multichannel Tracks When a multichannel track is displayed 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 When the 8-channel center meters on the D-Control Main Unit is set to display levels for the focused tr ack, th e ce nter me t ers sh ow l evels f o r up to two output cha nnels, 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.

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

Channel 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 Controls

Knee/Hysteresis encoder

Hysteresis indicator

Knee

indicator

Ratio/Range

encoder

Ratio

indicator

Range indicator

Attack encoder

Release encoder

Attack and Release 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 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).

D-Control Guide80

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.

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(RightSurround)

•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 s witch

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 Indicators

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 either side of the switch light to show which type of EQ 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.

D-Control Guide86

Band In Switches

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 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, 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(RightSurround)

•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

Select/Link/Bypass Mode Switch

The Select/Link/Bypass Mode switch determines the function of the Channel Select switches with multi-mono plug-ins.

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.

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 but to n 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

D-Control Guide90

Chapter 8: Transport and Navigation Controls

Scrub/Shuttle switches and controls

Machine Transport

switches

Pr o Too ls Tr a n s p o r t

switches

External Machines switches

Online switches

Transport Mode switchesAudition switches

Locate 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 Digidesign MachineControl.

Pro Tools Transport switches

Pro Tools Transpor t

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 Stops playback of the Pro Tools session.

Play Switch 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 Transport

With Digidesign MachineControl, 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

Tri m

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.

D-Control Guide92

DigiDesign D-Control, XMON User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual