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just like on a traditional console. I should also note that early adopters of the CC121 complained that the resolution of the eq sweeping was too broad, unpredictable and jumpy. I can confirm that this has been rectified by the latest version 1.5 software update. More controls and the AI knob The rightmost section starts on top with a single pushbutton-style rotary encoder above four user-definable function buttons, all of which can be set to a whole host of popular Cubase functions and commands in Cubase’s hardware setup menu. I especially liked that the rotary encoder comes set to turn on or off the click track and control its volume. You can also attach a standard Yamaha footswitch to a jack in the back and assign it to your favorite function. Below these is the single most innovative component of the CC121, the AI knob. At first glance this large silver knob appears to be little more than a jog wheel, which of course it is, with a single button press. But it’s more than that; it can control almost anything! Working in tandem with your mouse, this knob can control almost any adjustable parameter you mouse over in Cubase. If you find a function you want it to stay put on, simply hit its Lock button. It can even control the parameters of all VST 3 plug-ins as well as a handful of VST 2 plugs, third-party included. A good rule of thumb is, if said plug-in’s parameters can be adjusted by your mouse wheel, then the AI should work too. This feature opens up new joys of real-time plug-in tweaking and automation in Cubase. The CC121 can also be set to Cubase Quick Controls, allowing you to use the eq section to tweak effects sends and returns and such. Think of this as an alternate layer of command for the CC121. Conclusions The CC121 brings control of Cubase to a whole new level; it has just the right balance of user programmability while hitting all the essential Cu-bases. At a street price of $429 it is almost twice that of the other single-fadered competition, but it is hard to complain about something this rock-solid that works instantly in Cubase out of the box with no tweaking or troubleshooting.

MR816 X and MR816 CSX
The MR816 Advanced Integration DSP Studio is a FireWire-based 1U rackmount audio interface with eight analog channels, eight digital channels and onboard DSP. Two models are available, the CSX with builtin eq, compression and reverb, and the X with just reverb; I reviewed the CSX version. The MR816 will work with any DAW as a standard FireWire interface. It uses a standard control panel/software mixer similar to most multichannel devices. Unless you use it with Cubase, while you can still access all of the hardware features, as well as the onboard DSP much as you would on a digital mixer, it will not be integrated into your DAW’s channel strips nor as a VST plug-in (see below). Inputs and outputs The MR816 CSX is jam-packed with connections and controls. There are eight XLR/TRS Neutrik combo connectors for input (2 on the front/6 in back). The rear of the unit also houses eight 1/4" TRS analog outputs, a pair of 1/4" insert jacks for channels 1 and 2, a pair of ADAT optical connectors, a pair of standard S/PDIF jacks, a pair of standard BNC word clock connectors, and a socket for the heavyduty included wall wart power supply. The front panel also has a pair of independent headphone jacks. Channels and control Each channel contains one of Yamaha’s latest D-Pre microphone preamps. These are a newly designed Class-A inverted Darlington circuit. They are of the uncolored variety and are solid sounding and clear. Channel one also has a Hi-Z switch for direct connection of an electric guitar or bass. Each channel contains an input knob, a green LED signal indicator that lights red as soon as –3 dB is reached, as well as individual 48V phantom power and a –26 dB pad controlled by a backlit multifunction button which also selects each channel and operates Cubase’s quick connect routing function. A pair of multifunction knobs control master volume, headphone volume, and the onboard DSP parameters, via successive button presses.

RECORDING AUGUST 2010

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Recording - August 2010

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