Steinberg Media Technologies AG, have unvieled the new 'Houston' remote controller at the for Nuendo and Cubase VST production systems... Hopefully this'll open the floodgates for more of these types of products from a variety of manufacturers', which frankly, I can't see why there is not an abundance of already as this is EXACTLY what is the missing 'hole' in the PC music-making market... so this has to be good news, although the price is ludicrously high imo and currently is only aimed at pro-studio's with cash to spare to put into 'ease of operation' features.
Houston is a MIDI/USB remote controller for Steinberg's VST audio engine. It features nine 100mm touch sensitive motorized faders, (8 channel & one master), eight rotary encoders with LED position indicators and a matrix of buttons, to bring all aspects of the VST mixer within easy reach. Additionally it possesses a large LCD display, transport controls and an jog & scrub wheel, a numeric keypad for entering values, and for selecting setups & marker positions.
Houston's operating system is designed for total hands-on mixing within Nuendo or Cubase VST, without having to use the mouse or PC keyboard. It provides access to potentially every parameter available in VST windows. Houston uses an all-for-one or one-for-all layout, meaning that both the display and related rotary encoders are showing the same parameter for all eight channels or eight related parameters for one channel.
The illuminated function matrix clearly indicates the current display mode. Houston is designed so that all basic VST parameters are only one button push away. If a set of related parameters require more than a set of eight controls, the page up and page down buttons quickly move to the additional parameters. However the user still remains in the context of the selected function group so that it's not necessary to repeatedly press buttons to find the required parameters.
Both plug-in parameters for VST audio effects and VST Instruments can be displayed, edited and automated from the Houston's controls.
Houston supports the Cubase VST mixer views and window sets. It is possible to open and close windows completely remotely, and to change the currently addressed set of eight channels, and these can be any of the VST audio channels regardless of whether they are audio, group or synthesizer channels.
Houston is a compact desktop unit with built in mains power supply. It is the same width as a standard PC keyboard and designed to complement it as the ultimate controller for the virtual studio.
Houston will be available from January, 2001 for USD $1999.00 ... street prices will be less of course...
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