Pro Control, Control 24, Mackie Control or what? I need CONTROL!

I'm going to be doing a lot more in house mixing on my TDM system and it's time for me to decide on a controller. I've worked at a few studios with the C-24 but never a Pro Control. I do like the C-24 but it's a little overkill with all the pres and analog section. I gave up on digi releasing a similar controller without the bells and whistles. I'm following an eBay auction for the PControl starting at 5k. I'm also thinking of the Mackie Control x3 for Pro Tools. I don't dig the Radikal, Motor Mix. JL Cooper is too much money for so little. Anyone have any advise? I'd hate to blow 5 grand and regret it.

I love the ProControl, everything is nicely spread out and not cramped. The HUI is a peice of shight, faders flying out of control and locking when trying to write...GRRRRR!, don't bother. If you're purchasing a used procontrol there are some things you should consider, The analogue section has been upgraded in later units which fixed the polarity problem with the main output, noisy buttons and the headphone amp was replaced with a louder one. On older models the rotary encoders in the DSP section were a click/stop version which are really annoying, not a big deal to get changed by a decent tech. Arm rests are another issue, older models had a crappy rubberised paint that comes off so a replacement arm rest might be in order as well. Faders are cheap to replace, about $150 yanky dollars if I remember correctly. Good Luck! Stefan Nowak

If Mackie Control is going to be HUI emulation dependant for PT, doesn't this mean no master fader?

I own 2 ProControl systems and I couldn't be happier. We still do lots of things with the mouse, but the mixing surface and performance has been great. A PC used for $5k is a good deal, but you'll probably need a fader or two down the line....no big expense. I bought a used PC for 6k a year ago.