DigiDesign Command 8 Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. DigiDesign Manuals
  4. Music Mixer
  5. Command 8
  6. Manual

DigiDesign Command 8 Manual

For pro tools tdm and le systems on windows or macintosh
Hide thumbs Also See for Command 8:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

for Pro Tools TDM and LE Systems on Windows or Macintosh
Command|8 Guide
Digidesign
2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard
Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA
tel: 650·731·6300
fax: 650·731·6399
Technical Support (USA)
tel: 650·731·6100
fax: 650·731·6384
Product Information (USA)
tel: 650·731·6102
tel: 800·333·2137
International Offices
Visit the Digidesign Web site
for contact information
Web Site
www.digidesign.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Command 8 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for DigiDesign Command 8

Summary of Contents for DigiDesign Command 8

  • Page 1 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA tel: 650·731·6300 fax: 650·731·6399 Technical Support (USA) tel: 650·731·6100 fax: 650·731·6384 Product Information (USA) tel: 650·731·6102 tel: 800·333·2137 International Offices Visit the Digidesign Web site for contact information Web Site www.digidesign.com...
  • Page 2 Copyright This guide is copyrighted ©2004 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights Command|8 reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    About www.digidesign.com ........
  • Page 4 Chapter 3. Command|8 Overview ..........19 Command|8 Operating Modes .
  • Page 5 Appendix A. Utility Functions ..........55 Accessing Utility Mode .
  • Page 6 Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1. Introduction

    Introduction Welcome to Command|8, a control surface for • Navigation and Zoom controls. developed in collaboration between Digidesign • Tactile control of track volume, pan, send and Focusrite. Command|8 is a compact, and level, send pan, and record status, as well as flexible control surface for Pro Tools TDM and PRE (Digidesign mic preamplifier) gain.

  • Page 8: System Requirements And Compatibility

    Answerbase or join the has tested and approved. worldwide Pro Tools community on the Digi- For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, op- design User Conference. erating systems, and third-party devices, refer to Training and Education Study on your own using...

  • Page 9: Midi Control Surface Terms

    MIDI Control Surface Terms About This Guide Here are a few terms that apply to the use of a This guide assumes you have already installed MIDI control surface with Pro Tools. Pro Tools, and that you already have an under- standing of its features and operating conven- Bank A group of similar controls (such as faders, tions as explained in the Pro Tools Reference...
  • Page 10 The following symbols are used to highlight im- portant information: User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most out of Command|8. Warnings include information that could affect the performance of Command|8 hardware or Pro Tools session data. Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.

  • Page 11: Chapter 2. Installing And Configuring Command|8

    chapter 2 Installing and Configuring Command|8 This chapter explains how to install and config- Place Command|8 on a flat surface near your ure Command|8. computer monitor. Make sure not to block the back, sides, or front of Command|8 to maintain proper ventilation.

  • Page 12: Example Setups

    Example Setups Figure 1 shows Command|8 connected for use with Pro Tools, acting as a control surface, MIDI inter- face, and monitor controller. Command|8 with Pro Tools Setup Main Monitors MIDI sound module Audio outputs to Pro Tools Audio outputs to Pro Tools MIDI synth USB to CPU MIDI...
  • Page 13 Command|8 with Other Control Surfaces Digi 002 and Command|8 When used as a MIDI control surface with supported Digi 002 and Digi 002 Rack systems, Com- mand|8 faders function as additional faders (9–16, when left justified). Figure 2 shows fader mapping when Command|8 is used with a Digi 002.

  • Page 14: Command|8 Back Panel

    Command|8 Back Panel The figure below shows the Command|8 back panel connectors and switches. +4/–10 switches Punch In Power switch Out 1 Out 2 Main Power Socket Source Monitor Inputs Outputs Audio MIDI Figure 4. Command|8 rear panel Connect MIDI devices (see “Connecting MIDI Connecting Command|8 to Devices”...

  • Page 15: Installing Software For Command|8

    Only use the included power supply cable to connect Command|8 power. Additional power supplies are available from your Installing Software for Digidesign dealer. Use of any other cable or Command|8 power supply may damage your unit. Command|8 software is included on your...
  • Page 16 Connect power and USB as instructed in Check to make sure the Command|8 Person- “Connecting AC Power” on page 9 and “Con- ality file is installed (Applications / Digidesign / necting USB” on page 9. Controllers/Command|8). Make sure you have already installed...

  • Page 17: Connecting Analog Audio For Monitoring

    Check the Digidesign Web site (www.digide- Input Connections sign.com) for news of updated Command|8 firmware, as well as download and installation To monitor Pro Tools through Command|8: instructions. Connect your Pro Tools stereo mix outputs (usually Outputs 1–2) to the Command|8 Main...

  • Page 18: Connecting A Footswitch

    Connect the Main Left and Right outputs on Connecting MIDI Devices the Command|8 back panel to the inputs of powered monitors, a monitor amplifier, or other Command|8 provides 16 channels of MIDI in- monitor equipment. put and 32 channels of MIDI output through the MIDI IN 1, MIDI OUT 1, and MIDI OUT 2 Headphones connectors on the back panel.

  • Page 19: Configuring Midi

    Make sure you have connected any additional Configuring MIDI MIDI keyboards or sound modules to the Com- mand|8 5-pin MIDI ports on the back panel. (See After connecting Command|8 and installing its “Connecting MIDI Devices” on page 12.) software, you may want to update your MIDI system.

  • Page 20: Enabling Command|8 In Pro Tools

    The following table shows how AMS lists Com- Choose C|8 Surface (Windows) or Port 1 (Mac- mand|8 MIDI ports: intosh) in the Receive From and Send To selec- tors. Command|8 port equivalents in AMS AMS (in/out) Command|8 back panel ports Port 1 none (reserved for control surface communication via USB MIDI)
  • Page 21 Select the Command|8 MIDI control surface. Preamp page. Click OK. Configure the Mic Preamp window by doing the following (see the Digidesign PRE Guide for If Command|8 is not listed, check that it is details). still enabled (see “Enabling Command|8 in •...

  • Page 22: Communication Test

    When you add a device in Apple Audio MIDI Troubleshooting Setup while Pro Tools is running, it will be auto- matically enabled as an input device. If you If your system does not seem to be responding want to prevent MIDI data from a control sur- correctly, check all MIDI connections and set- face reaching Pro Tools, you can disable a con- tings.
  • Page 23 Incomplete or Eratic Click the Current Version tab. Communication Choose Drivers.32 to display the Drivers.32 tab. If Command|8 seems to be communicating in- consistently, or incompletely, try the following. Look at the entries in the right hand panel for MIDI entries listed as “midi” “midi1” and so on. To refresh and reinitialize Command|8 in Pro Tools: If the highest “midi”...
  • Page 24 Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 25: Chapter 3. Command|8 Overview

    chapter 3 Command|8 Overview This chapter introduces you to the Command|8 Avid Mode control surface and its main control sections, as When connected and powered on, Command|8 well as describing the different operating modes enters Avid mode whenever you launch a sup- in which Command|8 can be used.

  • Page 26: Command|8 Control Surface

    Command|8 Control Surface Figure 1 identifies each of the main Command|8 control sections. Console/Channel Meters View section Monitor section USB and MIDI Activity LEDs Modifiers Navigation and Zoom Transport Fader Strips Figure 1. Command|8 control sections Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 27: Lcd Display

    Console View LCD Display Command|8 is in Console View when any of the The LCD is a large, two-row display that shows Console View selectors Pan, Send, or Insert is lit up to six characters per fader strip. The LCD is in the Console View area.

  • Page 28: Fader Strips

    motors and their automated movements may be Fader Strips distracting. You can temporarily shut off (or mute) motorized fader movement using the Command|8 provides eight fader strips with F4/Fader Mute switch. identical controls. To mute faders: Meter LEDs Press F4/Fader Mute. While enabled, faders park and do not respond to touching or move- Rotary Encoder ment.
  • Page 29 Channel View The Channel Select switches select Hold the Display Mode switch. The lower row and edit individual send or insert settings as dis- of the LCD displays send level for the currently played across the LCD. selected send (A–E). Other view options available from the Display Channel Status LEDs Mode switch are noted throughout this guide,...

  • Page 30: Console And Channel View Controls For Pan, Sends, And Inserts

    Console and Channel View Controls for Pan, Sends, and Inserts The Console and Channel View sections give you control over many on-screen elements in Pro Tools. Plug-In Bypass Display Mode Channel View selectors Plug-in Page switches Escape/Cancel Console View selectors Insert/Send Position selectors...
  • Page 31 Insert/Send Position Indicators A–E Select the Channel View Selectors send or insert A, B, C, D, or E. These switches de- EQ Identifies channels with equalizer plug-ins termine which of the five available send or in- assigned to them by illuminating their Channel sert positions (marked A–E in Pro Tools) are dis- Select switches.
  • Page 32 Inserts When you press the Inserts switch, Com- Plug-In < Page > Switches Plug-In controls are mand|8 identifies channels with any kind of in- organized in pages. In a process much like bank- sert assigned to them (including plug-ins or ing of channel faders, when a plug-in has more hardware I/O inserts) by illuminating their controls than can fit on the LCD at one time,...

  • Page 33: Transport, Navigation, And Zoom Controls

    Transport, Navigation, and Zoom Controls These controls mirror the operation of on-screen transport and navigation controls in Pro Tools. In addition, Function keys let you invoke special control surface commands. Fader Bank, Nudge, and Display Zoom switches Fader Flip switch Function/Utility switches Master Fader switch Navigation and Zoom keys...
  • Page 34 Navigation and Zoom Section Function/Utility Switches These multi-purpose keys control the display of F1 Utility Enters Utility mode. This is where you Pro Tools tracks on the Command|8 control sur- set control surface and input preferences, as well face, on-screen zoom functions, and other as run pre-programmed diagnostic tests.

  • Page 35: Monitoring Controls

    Headphones Monitoring Controls The Headphone Level adjusts only the output of Command|8 provides a Control Room section the Headphones port (located to the right of the for control over monitor and headphone level. headphone Level control). Connect inputs and outputs for monitoring as described below to utilize Command|8 analog To adjust headphone level: monitoring features.

  • Page 36: Usb And Midi Activity Leds

    USB and MIDI Activity LEDs The USB and MIDI Activity LEDs indicate USB and MIDI communication status. The USB LED stays lit when Command|8 is in Pro Tools mode. In other operating modes, the USB LED will darken when controls are moved The MIDI LED indicates MIDI activity at each of the Command|8 MIDI ports.

  • Page 37: Chapter 4. Using Command|8 With Pro Tools

    chapter 4 Using Command|8 with Pro Tools This chapter explains how to use Command|8 in Record/Playback Mode Switches a Pro Tools session for recording and mixing. Use the additional Transport switches to enable Loop Playback, Loop Recording, and Quick- Punch modes. Controlling the Transport Command|8 also supports TrackPunch re- Use the controls in the Transport section to...

  • Page 38: Navigating

    Repeat as necessary. Navigating To show full track names in the LCD, press Command|8 lets you select windows, bank Display Mode plus the corresponding chan- other tracks to its faders, and zoom in and out nel Select switch. The selected track’s full using the controls in the Navigation/Zoom sec- name is displayed across the LCD for as tion.
  • Page 39 Navigating Text Entry Fields Do one of the following: • Press the Up Arrow key to move the selec- When editing text and numeric values, the Left tion range to the previous track (above in and Right Arrow keys let you navigate among the Edit window, or to the left in the Mix editable fields.

  • Page 40: Recording

    Loop Recording, and TrackIn- To take tracks out of record enable: put monitor switching. Command|8 also di- Press the Rec switch. When the Record Enable rectly supports the Digidesign PRE remote con- function is active, the Record Enable switch trollable microphone preamp. flashes.
  • Page 41 Punch Recording TrackPunch and Record Enabling Tracks Before tracks can be punched in and out using Command|8 supports QuickPunch and Track- TrackPunch, they must first be TrackPunch en- Punch recording. This section explains how to abled as well as record enabled. Command|8 fea- utilize these features from Command|8.
  • Page 42 To take tracks out of TrackPunch and record To punch multiple tracks simultaneously using enable: TrackPunch: Press Ctl/Clutch+Select (Windows) or Enable TrackPunch mode. /Ctl+Select (Macintosh) on each track. One Press the Rec switch, then press the channel press immediately places the track in Record Select switch to TrackPunch enable and record Safe mode.
  • Page 43 Press the channel Select switches to toggle Controlling PRE tracks between Input monitoring and disk mon- (Digidesign PRE Microphone Pre-Amp) itoring. When Input is enabled, the LCD above the selected track displays Input. When moni- If you use one or more PRE units with your toring from disk, the LCD displays AutoIn.

  • Page 44: Sends

    Press F3 PRE/MIDI Recall. The LCD displays To view and adjust send levels for all currently banked tracks (Console View): PRE unit number, channel number, and gain value in the LCD above each audio track. Be- Press the Send switch to the left of the rotary cause multiple PREs can be in use, unit and encoders to enter Send view.

  • Page 45: Plug-Ins And Inserts

    To lock the LCD to show send level: Adjust send level using the channel faders, and adjust send pan using the rotary encoders. Press /Ctl+Display Mode. The LCD will con- tinue to display send level even if the channel To show send level in the LCDs, press Dis- fader is adjusted.
  • Page 46 Flip mode maps plug-in controls to the faders Opening Plug-Ins for finer control when editing or automating. Plug-ins can selected in Console or Channel Hardware inserts can be taken in and out of by- View modes. Selecting a plug-in for editing pass (see “Plug-In Flip Mode”...
  • Page 47 Press the channel Select switch for the track Once an insert is targeted for editing, you can containing the plug-in you want to edit. The se- adjust the displayed parameters, bank to other lected track name appears in the upper row of plug-in pages to access other controls, and use the LCD.
  • Page 48 Navigating Plug-In Pages Press a flashing Select switch to open the first EQ on that track, or the most recently edited EQ plug-in if more than one. To show other plug-in control pages: Use the < Page > switches (in the Channel To cycle through multiple EQ plug-ins on the View row below the LCD) to bank to the previ- track, hold the EQ switch and press the Channel...

  • Page 49: Software Synths And Rewire Applications

    Software Synths and Rewire Applications Command|8 automatically supports any soft- ware synthesizers running as TDM or RTAS plug-ins in Pro Tools (see “Plug-Ins and Inserts” on page 39). Stand-alone software synths, samplers, effects, and Rewire-compatible applications (such as Reason, Live, and similar) can also be controlled by Command|8, letting you switch back and forth between environments while maintaining tactile control of session functions.
  • Page 50 Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 51: Chapter 5. Using Stand-Alone Mode

    chapter 5 Using Stand-Alone Mode This chapter explains how to configure and op- Once stand-alone mode has been configured erate Command|8 in stand-alone mode. and your presets stored, you can be working with Command|8 in Pro Tools, then switch to stand-alone mode to refocus to a stand-alone software synth, or a ReWire-compatible applica- Overview of Stand-Alone...

  • Page 52: Stand-Alone Mode Quickstart

    The last saved (or default) MIDI map is recalled Stand-Alone Mode QuickStart and its status is displayed in the LCD, similar to the following: This section lists the basic steps required use Command|8 in stand-alone mode. Detailed in- Example display of a preset in stand-alone mode structions for each step can be found later in Fader1 Fader2...

  • Page 53: Mapping

    Navigating Presets and Pages About Preset Pages Each Command|8 preset provides two pages, or In stand-alone mode, the F3 PRE/MIDI Recall banks, of programmable controls. In other switch enters a display mode that lets you navi- words, the progammable faders, encoders, and gate and select among the eight available Com- switches can each be given two unique assign- mand|8 presets.
  • Page 54 Mapping is a simple process that involves the The Channel View selectors (EQ, Dyn, Insert, following tasks: Pan/Send, < > Plug-In Page, Master Bypass, and Esc) are dedicated (pre-programmed) to CC Edit MIDI Maps. Touch to select faders, en- 121–127 as follows (they retain these assign- coders, and switches, then assign custom MIDI ments even when switching pages or presets, Continuos Controller or switch values to match...

  • Page 55: Editing Midi Maps

    F2 MIDI Edit display, channels 5–8 Editing MIDI Maps Lo Val Hi Val Mode Name This section provides instructions for program- Single Fader1 ming (mapping) Command|8 faders, encoders, and switches. ch 5 ch 6 ch 7 ch 8 Custom mapping can be saved as presets, •...
  • Page 56 Select the fader, encoder, or switch you want To set a fader or encoder for single or double precision: to program by doing any of the following: • To select a fader, move the fader. (See “Pro- Select the fader or encoder. gramming Faders”...

  • Page 57: Presets To Save And Recall Maps

    Programming Switches When finished selecting a preset, press the channel 7 encoder (Okay), or press the channel The 24 switches in the fader section that can be 6 encoder (Cancel) if you need to cancel the custom mapped in Standalone mode include naming.
  • Page 58 Loading and Saving Presets with When Command|8 prompts you to save the currently displayed preset to flash memory, do SysEx one of the following: Command|8 supports SysEx to store and recall • To confirm and save, press the channel 7 presets into and out of Pro Tools or any compat- Select switch (Okay).
  • Page 59 Naming Presets Naming Controller Assignments You can save custom names for presets, making You can give each programmable control its it easier to manage multiple presets for different own custom name. Some people get by with the devices. default controls and their own memory. Others will appreciate the ability to give parameters names that indicate the control to which they To name a Command|8 preset:...
  • Page 60 Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 61: Appendix A. Utility Functions

    appendix a Utility Functions Command|8 Utility functions include the fol- Accessing Utility Mode lowing: • Software and firmware version display To access Command|8 Utility mode: • Fader calibration Press F1 Utility. The LCD displays the avail- • Tests for faders, encoders, LEDs, switches, able Utility functions across the upper row.

  • Page 62: Fader Tests

    Press the channel 8 Select switch to stop the Fader Tests test. Command|8 provides tests for fader and group To test fader group resolution: performance. Press F1 Utility, if necessary, to enter Utility Use this routine to return the motorized, touch- mode.

  • Page 63: Lcd Display Test

    LCD Display Test Encoder Test Use this test to assess the performance of the Use this test to evaulate the performance of the LCD. Command|8 rotary encoders. To test the LCD: To test the encoders: Press F1 Utility, if necessary, to enter Utility Press F1 Utility, if necessary, to enter Utility mode.
  • Page 64 Command|8 Guide...

  • Page 65: Index

    index Symbols +4 dBu 11 C|8 Surface 14 @ (inactive send or insert) 39 CC# (Stand-alone mode) 50 Chan (Stand-alone mode) 50 Numerics channel controls faders 22 –10 dBV 11 mute switch 22 Select 22 solo switch 22 AC power 9 channel select switch 22 A–E Channel View 21...
  • Page 66 F1 Utility 55 knobs (see rotary encoders) F2 MIDI Edit 49 F3 PRE/MIDI Recall 37 F4 Fader Mute 22 F5 Focus 28 test 57 plug-ins 40 sends 38 MIDI 30 Fader Flip 23 test 56 USB 30 Fader Mute 22 Live 45 faders 22 muting 22...
  • Page 67 modes Flip mode 23 Reason operational 19 and Stand-alone mode 45 Monitor Inputs 11 recording 37 monitoring Loop mode 37 Auto Input and Input Only 36 monitor modes 36 connections for 11 QuickPunch 35 using TrackInput 36 TrackPunch 35 moving selections 33 requirements 2 multi-mono 42 ReWire 45...
  • Page 68 target ventilation 5 and control surfaces 3 view options 23 and plug-in windows 40 views test Channel View 21 LCD 57 Console View 21 LEDs 56 F5 focus 40 rotary encoders 57 Home View 21 switches 57 TrackInput monitoring 36 TrackPunch 35 Web site 2 tracks...

Table of Contents