What is the difference between a Mackie Control Universal Pro, a Mackie Control Universal and a Mackie Control?
The Mackie Control Universal Pro is the next generation of the Mackie Control Universal. The Mackie Control Universal merged the Mackie Control, Logic Control and HUI technologies into one professional control surface.
The MCU Pro contains many enhancements, including an onboard USB MIDI interface, the opportunity for seamless expansion and a sleek new look. MCU Pro and MCU share the same music production software support, and Lexan overlays are included for the following applications: Pro Tools, Cubase/Nuendo, Digital Performer, Tracktion and SONAR.
Like the Mackie Control Universal, the MCU Pro allows you to use the control surface in one of three modes: Logic Control, HUI or Mackie Control. The default labeling on the MCU Pro is for Logic.
There are many other improvements to the new MCU Pro, including:
- USB connection allows hookup to computer with no MIDI interface purchase required
- Built in MIDI interface allows connection of three other Mackie Control Pro Series units, or other MIDI hardware such as keyboards, effects units and amp modelers. Unlimited expandability is possible with an external MIDI interface. Click to see a diagram of hookup options.
- Smaller side cheeks allow the MCU Pro, Extender Pro and C4 Pro to fit together more tightly, giving a seamless appearance
- New metal housing gives more professional look
- New channel strip button design allows for easier visual confirmation of muting, soloing, track arming and track select
- New illuminated button caps for easy viewing
- New weighted jog wheel
- Improved Penny + Giles faders
How many Extender Pros and C4 Pros can I add to the MCU Pro? Can I add more than three since there are only three pairs of MIDI I/O?
As with the older MCU, the maximum number of controllers (and types) really depends on the host DAW software. Three pairs of MIDI I/O are available for the first three expansion units. Beyond that, you can use a dedicated MIDI interface for additional units. Click to see a diagram of hookup options.
Users who have more free MIDI ports than USB ports can connect their MCU Pro via MIDI, just like the older units.
Does MCU Pro include the HUI Mode?
Yes! All MCU Pro units have HUI Mode for controlling Pro Tools.
What is a "Lexan™ overlay" and why do I need one?
A Lexan overlay is a thin sheet of polycarbonate that has DAW-specific nomenclature on the front and an adhesive on the back. It is designed to be placed over the master section of the MCU Pro to associate buttons and controls with specific software commands.
With an overlay, you can see which buttons, faders, and knobs control which parameters in your application. It’s as if the controller was made especially for your use…and it was. The adhesive is designed not to leave residue on the control surface, and can be removed and re-laid again and again. This allows users to interchange overlays freely without making a mess.
MCU Pro includes Lexan overlays for Digidesign Pro Tools, Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, MOTU Digital Performer, Mackie Tracktion and Cakewalk SONAR. Logic needs no overlay, as its functions are already silkscreened right on the MCU Pro. US customers can order additional overlays (Adobe Audition, Propellerhead Reason, Ableton Live, Sony Vegas, Soundscape, SAWStudio and more) online by contacting the LOUD Parts Department. International customers, please contact your Mackie distributor to order.
How do I connect the MCU Pro to my computer?
MCU Pro has an onboard USB MIDI interface, so hooking it up is a cinch — just connect the included USB cable to the USB port on the back of your MCU Pro, and connect the other end directly to your Mac or PC. The MCU Pro shows up as a class compliant MIDI device, so no need to install any drivers.
The MCU Pro can be connected to an AC power source between 90 VAC and 264 VAC (50–60 Hz), so you can easily use it anywhere.
Can I use the MCU Pro as an audio mixer?
The MCU Pro does not pass any audio so it cannot work as a “conventional” mixer. However,the MCU Pro will control the virtual mixer that lives within your preferred audio application. As you move the faders on the MCU Pro, you will see the adjustments being made on screen and you will hear the results through your audio interface. Hence the MCU Pro gives you the feeling that you are using an audio mixer even though no audio signals are actually passing through it.
Are there any options available for use with the MCU Pro?
Yes! You can add more faders to MCU Pro with the Mackie Control Extender Pro. The Extender Pro has all the same features as the regular channel strips on the MCU Pro, without the master section. The Extender Pro is designed to let you extend your control surface as desired, while utilizing just one MCU Pro as the master section for a true expandable control surface.
You can also take control of your plug-in and virtual instrument parameters with the Mackie Control C4 Pro plug-in and virtual instrument controller. The C4 Pro allows you to access up to 32 channel, plug-in, or virtual instrument parameters simultaneously — without switching banks. You can connect your C4 Pro to your MCU Pro via the master module’s onboard USB MIDI interface.
MCU Pro allows for unlimited expandability: you can connect up to three pieces of external MIDI gear to the unit itself, and add more via an external MIDI interface.
The maximum number and types of controllers you can add depends on your music production software. (Consult your DAW’s documentation for more info.)
What kind of faders are in the MCU Pro?
The MCU Pro is designed with Penny + Giles custom touch-sensitive motorized optical faders with 100mm throw and 1024 step, 10-bit resolution.
Why should I buy a MCU Pro over the competition?
The MCU Pro offers:
- Best feature set for the price
- Proprietary communication protocol for the tightest software integration available (not just MIDI mapping, or poor emulations of Mackie’s pioneering technology, leaving their controllers vulnerable to flawed performance.
- Only control surface to offer custom overlays that give you correct labeling for each DAW
- Much greater amount of controls and buttons than other controllers in their class
- Real time visual feedback, and full transport display
- Superior two-way communication via LCD scribble strips saves you from constantly looking up at your monitor
- Most extensive and integrated software support of any controller
- Custom-built optical faders with 1024-step resolution
- Traditional analog mixing console ergonomics for a comfortable look and feel
- Technical support from real live Mackoids
- Pro build quality—MCU Pro constructed out of metal and has sturdy metal parts versus plastic (like the competition uses)
What specific controls in my software will interface with the MCU Pro?
It all depends on the software you use with the MCU Pro, but the Lexan overlay contains all the function labels you need to control that specific software application. The default labels on the MCU Pro are for Logic. For all the supported functionality of the MCU Pro respective to your preferred music production software, please refer to the DAW manufacturers' documentation. You can usually find this information at the DAW manufacturers' web site.
Can I use the MCU Pro with my laptop, or as a mobile studio?
Absolutely! The onboard USB interface makes it easy for the MCU Pro to connect right to your laptop computer via USB. And because the MCU Pro ships with an external AC adaptor for its power supply*, it can be used in any country around the world.
* The AC power supply provided with your MCU Pro is a universal power supply, and it can be connected to an AC power source between 90 VAC and 264 VAC (50–60 Hz).
What the heck is this proprietary communication protocol I keep hearing about?
Basically, the communication protocol is a sophisticated way for your software to communicate with our control surfaces, and vice versa. The resolution means it’s better than ordinary MIDI. MIDI parameters can have values from 0 to 127; our communication protocol works with values from 0 to 1023, meaning you can make finer adjustments and get nearly 10 times the precision.
Developers of your software use the communication protocol to customize the way our Mackie Control Pro Series controllers work with your application. This means Mackie Control Pro Series controllers integrate with your software like no other control surfaces can.
To learn more about the communication protocol and the history of Mackie control surfaces visit our Mackie Control Surfaces Timeline page.
How can I tell if my software supports MCU Pro and Extender Pro?
Consult the chart below to see which controllers your DAW supports.
| |
MCU Pro |
Extender Pro |
| Logic / Logic Express 7 |
 |
|
| Final Cut Pro 5 |
|
|
| Pro Tools |
|
|
| Cubase / Nuendo |
|
|
| Live 5 (and up) |
|
|
| Reason 3 |
|
|
| Digital Performer 4 (and up) |
|
|
| Tracktion 2 (and up) |
|
Tracktion 3 |
| Audition |
|
|
| SONAR |
|
|
| ACID Pro 6 |
|
|
| Vegas |
|
|
| Samplitude / Sequoia |
|
|
| SoundScape |
|
|
| SAW Studio |
|
|
I already have an original C4. Will it work with the MCU Pro?
Yes. Original C4 and Extender units will work with MCU Pro. Please note, however, that the newer units have been redesigned so the older ones will not match visually.
Is the MCU Pro family a replacement for the MCU family or will both lines be sold?
The MCU Pro is the replacement for the older control surfaces. Once the Mackie Control Pro Series is on the market and dealers have sold out stock of the MCU family, the older ones will be discontinued.
Why does the MCU Pro connect with USB but the C4 Pro and Extender Pro still connect with MIDI, like the older units?
Most users purchase an MCU Pro first, and buy an Extender Pro or C4 Pro as an “add on.” By keeping MIDI as the connection protocol for the add-ons, you can run very short MIDI cables to the built in MIDI I/O of the MCU Pro, which makes for a very tidy setup. If the add on units also connected through USB, you would have to run many USB cables to the computer, and likely need to purchase a USB hub as well.
Does the MCU Pro come bundled with any software?
Yes, the MCU Pro comes bundled with Tracktion music production software, which has complete support for the MCU Pro
|
