Avid S1 Control Surface

Product Reviews

Very solid control surfcae for the EuCon protocol, I use it with an Avid Dock, so it's a nice setup, that takes up very little space, and it works well with Nuendo, and Logic

By Lockett P on June 12, 2022

The Avid S1 implements with pro tools flawlessly, enabling comprehensive control of many parameters. I like the small foot print as I have two Aids S1s. They connect together via magnets and an optional connector.
I have programed some of the user buttons to do some of my favorite functions.
Once great function compared to the HUI command is the attention track.
When working with a high track count, you can simply touch the fader in pro tools and the S1 with bank accordingly.
You can also use your fav eqs and compressors with the rotary knobs.
My beefs are:
Some of the fader knobs pop off on accident when your moving too fast. I just pop them back in, but I also have an old dirty Command 8 and the faders never pop off.
Another issue is the iPads will loose connectivity. Not a huge issue since the S1s use a physical network cable, they hardly every lose connection. I've even moved the router closer to my system. It's better, but I still loss connectivity. In order to get them back on line I have to turn my network connection off and on and restart eucontrol.
Another beef is the way the rotary knobs control 3rd party plugins. It would be nice if they were customizable because some of the layouts are pretty much backwards making it hard to use without looking at both the S1 and the Screen.
Overall the Avid S1 is a solid solution for serious home studio or pro studios alike.
It makes recording and mixing more intuitive. We also do Live Stream concerts at the studio and the S1 worked incredibly. I don't think I would have been able to mix two singers, a piano and backing tracks with just the mouse
.
Compared to other controllers onthe market, I have the Command 8, and we have tried the Behringer X-Touch. Without the Eucon protocol your stuck with faders and a transport. None of the cool features work. Let's face it, Avid ain't gonna let you have fun in pro tools unless you use their toys.
Buy one from Vintage King and be happy!

By Matt M on June 20, 2021

If your running PT, don’t waste your time with any other control surface. It’s perfect.

By Cary S on May 9, 2021

Nothing beats the avid s1 in the control surface world.

By oluyomi o on March 28, 2021

I bought this primarily to make adjusting multiple headphone mixes easier on myself, but have found it to be almost as useful and fun as having a full 16 or 24 channel console/controller. When it comes to working with Pro Tools specifically, this is as intuitive and easy to use as you might imagine an Avid designed device to be (I am actually a little cynical by nature, so I was somewhat surprised at this). I tried a number of third party devices before sending them back, including the Icon X series and an old HUI device a buddy let me borrow, and while they certainly worked to a certain degree of success, I couldn't accomplish my initial goal. I'm not sure if it would work with other DAW's and would certainly recommend looking at the cheaper alternative controllers out there for those programs, but the S1 (and I imagine the other controllers in the S# series, though I have not tried any others) has earned my vote for cheaper in the long run for Pro Tools.

By Charles on November 16, 2020

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