DigiDesign Command 8, Manual

Page: 23 / 68

Chapter 3: Command|8 Overview 17
chapter 3
Command|8 Overview
This chapter introduces the Command|8 control
surface and its main control sections, and de-
scribes the Command|8 operating modes.
Command|8 Operating Modes
When powered on, Command|8 enters Standby
mode. Command|8 also has three operating
modes: Pro Tools mode, Avid mode, and Stand-
Alone mode.
Standby Mode
Command|8 enters Standby mode when it is
first powered on, waiting for you to either
launch Pro Tools (or a supported Avid system)
or enter Stand-Alone mode.
Pro Tools Mode
When connected and powered on, Command|8
enters Pro Tools mode whenever you launch
Pro Tools. With a session open while in
Pro Tools mode, Command|8 faders, transport
switches, rotary knobs, and switches control the
corresponding elements in Pro Tools. Com-
mand|8 MIDI ports can be used as you would
those on a standard MIDI interface.
Avid Mode
When connected and powered on, Command|8
enters Avid mode whenever you launch a sup-
ported version of Avid Symphony, Avid
Media Composer, Avid Xpress, or Avid
Xpress Pro. Command|8 faders automatically
map to the Automation Gain Tool channels 1–8;
Mute switches map to Track On controls; Solo
maps directly to solo (Automation Gain Tool);
Channel Select maps to track selection (Automa-
tion Gain Tool); and the Channel Mode
switches map to track Snap Record. See your
Avid documentation for more information on
these features.
Stand-Alone Mode
With Command|8 in Stand-Alone mode, the
unit becomes a MIDI control surface, MIDI in-
terface, and analog monitoring controller that
operates independently from Pro Tools.
Command|8 can be toggled between Pro Tools
mode or Avid mode and Stand-Alone modes at
any time, providing tactile control of Pro Tools
as well as software synthesizers, Rewire applica-
tions, and other devices in your studio.
For more information, see Chapter 5, “Us-
ing Stand-Alone Mode.”