Dual audio interface just means two computers can connect to it at the same time. This is useful for changeoversThis is what I want to see, or at least some inspiration from the Model 1, particularly the way filter mixing is implemented.
I don't know about the 2 soundcard thing - it's a great idea in theory but I'm not sure how the OS would handle it; the computer is still doing all the processing in that scenario. Will the sound cards address each other for example? More likely it will just facilitate B2B situations, or possibly two people working together, but I kind of doubt that we'll be able to easily run individual Traktor decks through Ableton effects on the fly for example.
If they were building my dream mixer it would include:
* Filter mixing with resonance and frequency range control; I like having that as an option a la the DB4 so you can use the same knobs for EQ/ISO, but I think you can also implement it like the FF4.2 if that's not too busy a workstation. Or do like the Model 1 and forego regular EQ mixing entirely.
* Rotary channel option with crossfader. Obviously I'm not the target market for a Model 1 or a Rane 2015, but the lack of crossfader kills both of those for me.
* Analog sound path option. I should get over it but it kills me that digital mixers, even the Rane 2015, do A/D and D/A conversion even when you're playing vinyl with no computer attached. (This means the filter mixing would have to be implemented in analog circuitry of course, so it would be pricier, but it's not like A+H have been pricing their digital gear lower anyway).
* FX loop. I don't care how great your on-board effects are, some people like to add an analog isolator or guitar pedal or whatever, and there's no reason you should have to do contortions (like you do with the DB4) or abandon your favorite toys.
* If it's going to be a pure or mostly digital mixer, please A+H for heaven's sake recognize that it's a long term commitment. Commit to updating firmware to be compatible with OS updates, and ideally, be willing to implement reasonable new features in firmware updates. Don't abandon your users after a couple years like you've basically done with the DB series. I realize nobody can predict the future and it's not reasonable to expect too much for free years after you bought the product but I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd be willing to pay for substantial firmware updates that included new features. It was cool A+H did that with soft RIAA and rotary mixing for the DB4 but since then they not only stopped looking into feature requests; they even shut down the community forum completely. I'm sure this is a pipe dream as Pioneer has shown that the opposite business model works fine - make customers buy the same mixer over and over again at ever increasing prices for minor feature and compatibility updates. Sigh....
Guess I'll keep dreaming hehehe
Bookmarks