Slate Digital Batch Commander for Logic Pro X Review
Our practiced friends over at Slate Media Technology recently sent us a Raven MTi to cheque out. I'd been hybrid mixing for quite some time and transitioning to mixing in the box exclusively and the Raven seemed like it could exist a nice center piece for ITB mixing, especially if the physical feel of mixing was something an engineer didn't want to lose.
System Requirements
Before we dive into my experience with the Raven, allow me tell you what you lot're gonna need first. The Raven works on all major DAWs as well equally both Windows and Mac machines. The Raven MTi itself is a 27", LED backlit IPS, 10-touch multi-touch on, HD 1920×1080 display. You'll need USB 2.0, HDMI, and an iLok ii.
For Mac users, a 2.5Ghz+/i5 processor or greater, Intel Hard disk drive 4000 graphics carte (512MB VRAM), and viii or more than GB of RAM is required. Information technology'll work with Os X x.vii-ten.12.
For Windows users yous'l need two.3 Ghz+/i5 processor or greater, 512 VRAM or greater, and at least viii GB of RAM. Note that the quality of the graphics card volition directly effect the quality of the operation of the Raven. If your DAW automobile is a creature, you'll accept little worry. The Raven MTi works on Windows viii and 10.
Unboxing
The Raven arrives well packed with all necessary cables, a base stand up, and cleaning supplies. You can look an IEC cablevision, DVI cablevision, a microfiber cloth, Revitalizer (cleaning solution), and some documentation to get you started. Plan on cleaning the surface once a week simply even more depending on how much you use information technology (or how dingy y'all're hands were!).
Setting Information technology Up
The Raven MTi is mostly plug and play and just needs a petty bit of scale to know your touching angles in order to give yous accurate response. Because I was already using a Control 24 I ran into a little hiccup installing the Raven'due south 5-Control that got worked out in mere minutes with the help of the techs at Slate.
I'm the type of person that when I get a new piece of gear or software, I want to outset using it correct away without reading any instructions or watching any tutorials. And so, in keeping with that habit I dove right in. Unfortunately, I got ahead of myself and had to exercise some tutorial viewing. It'south nix tough, just aligning the slate mixer faders over your DAW faders and getting the concept of controls down.
That existence said, I was already poking around in a session within minutes.
The Features
The Raven is a true multi-touch control. Yous can utilise several fingers one time you've made contact and you don't need to be in the correct spot on the screen.
What I hateful is that I was able to grab aqueduct 1,v,vii,10, and xiii faders simultaneously by touching and sliding across the screen. That tin't be done on the console with one hand. At present imagine using both hands! Did I mention 100mm virtual faders? That's great fader resolution making fine tuning very like shooting fish in a barrel.
With your fingers you tin can do everything you can exercise in your DAW normally like panning, sends, or tweak plugin settings. I quickly customized the toolbar to have my preferred tools, which was every bit easy equally dragging and dropping controls to and from the toolbar. Its the transport, editing tools, moving ridge and track zoom, scrub, shuttle etc.
Batch Commander is a really cool perk that allows you to automate your standard procedural tasks. Amazingly it tin can automate upward to 1,000 central commands with the touch of one single push button. It also comes pre-programmed with 100 common commands and layouts. Its a real time saver. Since my reviewing the Raven MTI at that place's at present iOS remote support.
Some Finer Points – (Personal Favorite Features)
Sliding/Swiping – Similar your iPhone or other touch device y'all can navigate the mix and edit window only by swiping the screen with your finger. You tin can also do multiple functions with a single bear on and sliding like soloing multiple tracks by selecting a solo push button and without lifting your finger sliding beyond other solo buttons dodging any y'all don't desire soloed.
Fine Faders – If you massage tracks with automation in mere 1/2dB increments this characteristic is pure gold. Y'all can adjust the fader resolution making your finger movements equate to tenths of a dB movements.
Drawing Automation – Using your finger to draw automation is fun and satisfying. If you really like the tactile feel of mixing, drawing automation combined with zoom controls makes the task far less wearisome.
Batch Commander Tasks – This feature is and so piece of cake to use and can save a ton of fourth dimension in your 24-hour interval past executing several footstep processes automatically. For example, if I have a "become to" vocal chain that has a De-Esser, a couple EQs, Tape Emulation, a couple of compressors, a limiter, and a multi ring compressor in series on a track, by striking ane button Batch Commander goes through the entire procedure in front of your eyes in mere seconds. At present call up virtually how many commands yous can gear up up. The one thing it won't practice is brand me a fresh espresso.
The Verdict
The Raven MTi is a no brainer. It adds WOW factor to your studio.
At just $999 the Slate Raven MTi is a no brainer. Information technology adds functionality, tactile satisfaction, time saving features, and WOW Cistron to your commercial or home studio. It'south a nice eye piece to the ITB mixing workflow and is far more than ergonomic than the keyboard and mouse. It's a quality innovation coupled with amazing support from the folks over at Slate Media Engineering science and a minor investment for and then much bang for your buck.
If you lot notwithstanding need more bells and whistles and a sexier centerpiece, you should probably cheque out the Raven MTX that comes with Slate Control. Satin black finish, wood panels, 5,one/seven.one surroundings options, and analog monitoring? Sign me upwardly!
Editor's Note: For those with a bigger budget (and a bigger room!), be sure to check out the Raven Z series. From Slate Media Engineering'south website:
The RAVEN Z Serial of Multi-Touch Production Consoles offer a state of the fine art workflow centre for the Aristocracy Modern Studio. Choose from ii models, the full-size Z3 or Z3C, our more compact offering. Both models feature a center 46" multi-touch panel and two 27″ multi-touch panels along with the Slate Control fully analog monitoring organization. The Z3 series tin can exist configured according to the client's needs with specific rack spaces and locations, custom colors, and much more.
Slate Raven MTi Review
Determination
At simply $999 the Slate Raven MTi is a no brainer. It adds functionality, tactile satisfaction, time saving features, and WOW Factor to your studio. Makes a nice center slice to the ITB mixing workflow
Pros
Blindside for your buck
Batch Commander is worth the cost of admission
Custom layouts
User saved preferences
Excellent Support
Cons
Not an Anti-Glare surface
MTi is not v.1/7.ane Surround
Source: https://recordingstudio.com/slate-raven-mti-review/
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