DM4800 & DM3200 as One Control Surface?

[hasbeen]

I have both consoles. Can I make it so I have the combined surfaces to use as 40 faders?

I use Logic Pro and am still running Mountain Lion.

Thanks!

 

[cmaffia]

You can only cascade like systems but I'm wondering if you can still combine for Remote Layer use. That will require you to add 5 Mackie Devices in your DAW setup (2 - DM3200 - 3 - DM4800). Also both consoles will have to be connected to your Mac via USB. One problem I see is that when you select the Remote Layer on one unit it won't automatically happen on the other which is how it works when you cascade. If you discover you can assign fader banks properly across both consoles you will have to manually select the Remote Layer on each machine. Please let us know your results.

On a side note, my decision to either buy another DM3200 to cascade or sell it for the more expensive DM4800 took me years to make. My procrastination worked in my favor. After a while, a used DM3200 really came down in price while the discontinued DM4800 still sold for considerably more. I realized that by cascading 2 DM3200's, I'd have more flexibility than one DM4800. I still wish I had the Fat Channel but I can live without it considering what I paid for the 2nd DM3200 and what I gained.

 

[hasbeen]

Okay, so far I have designated the 4800 as the Mackie control and added 4 extenders. The faders are responding as I wished. I opened a 40 channel project and have 40 faders!

I am pretty ignorant as to how to customize any further but I think I will begin to teach myself.

 

[cmaffia]

I'm not clear as to what you've accomplished. I thought the intention was to try using both consoles in remote layer without cascading. Sounds like you only configured the dm4800 for remote layer use but I'm confused as to why you assigned 4 Maxkie controllers rather than the required 3 (1-8, 9-16, 17-24)? Using the remote layer in cascade mode, if I had a 40 track project, tracks 1-32 would spread across both consoles. If I nudged or banked it would increment tracks on console 2. I was under the impression that you were looking for this kind of functionality without being able to cascade 2 different DM models. If this were at all possible, again, you'd have to have USB connections from both consoles to your Mac.

 

[hasbeen]

I am using the DM4800 and DM3200 with 2 USB cables. The 4800 is the Main Mackie Controller (1-8) with 2 Mackie Extended Controllers (9-16, 17-24) and the 3200 is just 2 Mackie Extended Controllers (25-32, 33-40). I have a total of 40 faders . The 3200 picks up where the 4800 leaves off with tracks 25-40. It seems I could use any other control surface designated as a Mackie Extended Controller for even more faders if I wanted to.

Seems the Main Controller designation adds the ability to hit the transport buttons and banks etc. The Extended just adds the extra channel strip functions.

Both are in Remote layer and are not cascaded. I don't think you can cascade a 3200 and 4800 even if I wanted to right?

 

[cmaffia]

Good to know it works. Thought it would. If you want to add more extenders you can but not sure why you'd want more. Up to you.

 

[hasbeen]

Nope, no more extenders!

I am sorry to say that the consoles don't get as much use as they used to since I got an Apollo. My HD24 doesn't either. But I use the control surface every day.

I will probably sell my meter bridge and firewire cards soon.

 

[waterstrum]

Hey hasbeen, Cool to hear that you can use that setup as a control surface.
You are correct that cascade only works with an identical pair of DMs.

cmaffia, I believe you have attained the highest level of DM realization.
Reminds me of my former tandem Panasonic DA7 setup.
I loved that combo, but no higher sample rates and ancient backup tech.

Are you able to run two If-FW cards in your tandem setup?
Does TMC work for backup?

You got me thinking......

 

[cmaffia]

@waterstrum I suppose you could somehow run two seperate computers and have them linked via MIDI while using 2 FireWire cards. Lots to manage I would think. 2 of everything. 2 DAWS and project files, etc. Other advantages with 2 cascaded dm3200; both consoles become one and most expansion cards can be accessible indirectly between boards through buss assignments. Not to mention the amalgamation of the Remote Layer.

Regarding TMC, when I open it I can toggle through a drop down either of the machines in one TMC instance. I can open both bridge monitors simultaneously if I wanted as well. I'm still pushing what can be done with cascaded units and the surround sound project I'm working on is really giving me the ability to do so.

If you or anyone chooses to buy another unit to cascade you're only challenge will be to find a cascade cable. They were discontinued several years ago. Fortunately I found a local cable manufacture local to me in Long Island New York. They are a bit pricey but they are very complicated cables and they make them professionally.

Regarding attaining the highlest level of DM realization, I doubt it although I have implemented a few things out of the norm possibly. Remember Jamsire is the pioneer and sage of the UDL layer amongst other things! Not to forget some of esteemed forum members such as Jarno who is an electronic brainiac as well as Tascman.