HAMBURG, Germany (MuseWire) – Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH today released its new CMC controllers. Dedicated to Steinberg’s Cubase advanced music production system, the six USB-powered CMC units offer an integrated control solution that provides a desirable degree of flexibility and configurability.

The CMC controllers are equipped with a combination of control elements that provide tactile control over certain Cubase functions. Each unit can be used separately or hooked up together with the included joint plate, resulting in a control desk that leaves no wishes unfulfilled.

“The CMC controllers are ultra-portable and the design’s perfect, but more importantly, the units offer a mind-blowing array of control options. Without a doubt, the CMCs are the perfect complement to Cubase, and Nuendo too,” commented Stefan Schreiber, Steinberg’s product marketing manager for hardware.

The CMC-CH channel controller houses 16 illuminated rubber push-buttons, one rotary encoder and a touch fader. The multi-colored buttons provide access to VST instrument settings, solo and mute tracks, bypass EQs, sends and inserts and channel freeze. Eight of the 16 buttons can also be assigned to a second function. The Channel Select button browses through the entire Cubase mixer, while the rotary encoder is used for panning. The LED-based touch fader controls the volume level while displaying the fader position.

The CMC-FD fader controller features four high-precision touch faders with LED-based metering and solo/mute function. The touch faders offer simultaneous control over four channels in Cubase. With the Channel Select and Bank Select buttons, users can jump to individual channels or select entire channel groups in the Cubase mixer. Up to four FD units can be combined together for 16-channel control.

The CMC-QC quick controller boasts 13 illuminated buttons and eight rotary encoders in three different modes: EQ, Quick Control and MIDI. In EQ mode, the rotary encoders reflect the channel EQ controls in Cubase, while the QC mode maps Quick Control capability onto the encoders for controlling effects and other parameters. The MIDI mode turns the unit into a freely configurable MIDI controller. Eight of the 13 push-buttons can be assigned to random Cubase functions. The included CMC-QC editor allows users to adjust MIDI control change parameters through the computer.

The CMC-PD pad controller features 16 highly responsive backlit pads and one rotary encoder. The pads change their background color according to the pressure exerted. Depressing the pads triggers MIDI notes or selects volume response curves. In 4Velocity mode, the pads are used for easy step recording. The rotary encoder browses sounds and presets in Cubase. The included PD editor software is used to assign MIDI notes to each pad.

The CMC-TP transport controller houses 17 buttons and a touch slider. The slider allows users to jog or shuttle through the project, tap in the tempo, scroll, zoom and browse. All major transport functions, including play, stop, record, cycle, fast forward and rewind, are controlled via the CMC-TP. Other buttons are used, for example, to insert markers, set the locator range or insert new tracks. The top four buttons can each be assigned to a second function, for even more control in Cubase.

The CMC-AI controller highlights Steinberg’s universal AI Knob, together with its ten function buttons. The AI Knob allows users to control any control element in Cubase by simply moving the mouse cursor over it. In Volume mode, the AI Knob turns into a high-precision master volume control whereas in Jog mode, the AI Knob is used to jog through the project. The AI Knob also doubles as a browse button to search and select presets. The four function buttons can be assigned to further control parameters.

CMC accessories comprise the CMC Studio Frame 4 and the CMC CC121 Extension Frame. The CMC Studio Frame 4 is a durable construction for housing up to four CMC units. The CMC CC121 Extension Frame can hold up to two CMC units and one CC121 controller.

Availability:

The CMC controllers and accessories are available through the Steinberg Online Shop in October. Shipping of the CMC controllers and accessories to dealers in Europe begins in October; however, the exact time of availability at certified Steinberg dealers is subject to regional variations.

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