Jeff Steigers CAPI automation system

Well this new development over at CAPI looks incredible!! Here is what Jeff posted at **************. This will add DAW control and automation to any mixer or summing unit."Hey guys, sorry for not popping in earlier. I had to get all of my open orders shipped today since I'm having a small outpatient surgery tomorrow morning. :-X Just a laparoscopic hernia repair. Should not be a big deal.So, yes I have been busy. Actually its not me. This is mostly all above my pay grade. I am however lucky enough to be involved with some heavy hitter geniuses! Seriously, these guys have worked with some of the largest console manufactures in the world and have clearly made analog/digital/software integration their bitch. The project was started nearly 2 years ago and things have gone well and came a long way in that time.We call it DAWtomation™. Its an analog level control system that is run by a DAW. At present, it will run in ProTools, Logic and Nuendo. The system has many different uses and tiers. All are based around a high quality 8 channel VCA (THAT 2180) board that communicates with a DAW. Level and mute automation moves can be written to your session file and will be carried out during playback. Level controls are made ONLY in the analog domain POST outboard gear so fader moves do not mess with your outboard!The system runs on its own proprietary plugin. Connections from the DAW to the VCA board are via USB or Thunderbolt. This is not a HUI system.On a 32 bit system the resolution is 1024 steps. On a 64 bit system it is 2048.The first product release will be the 8 channel VCA board and the software plugin. The VCA boards will be fully assembled only. When you see them, you will know why. This board can be used in place of a fader or potentiometer gain control so high quality mute/level automation can be added to summing mixers or other DIY projects. You simply wire it in like a pot. 3 wires per channel.Along with that release will be a balanced analog insert based automation system. A simple box with 16 inputs and 16 outputs. This box will house the VCA circuitry which will be parked between a INA137 and a DRV134. Clean and sonically invisible. These will also be fully assembled. A clever DIY guy could easily build an all discrete version of the same thingThe second product release will be a motorized moving fader system that can be used with nearly any analog mixing console. The faders will (most likely) be TKD motorized faders in a facia along with the 4 typical pushbutton switches for Mute, Read (safe), Write and Latch (update). These are the same controls that will be on the final version of the GUI. The plugin will fully interact with the physical fader and vice versa. In the long run, this will most likely be the easiest and most economical way for folks to upgrade their old MCI's, Studer's etc etc.The third product release will be interactive linking to SSL's moving fader automation. The existing faders on your old SSL desk will read and write level/mute automation that will be stored in your DAW session file. This will require a daughter driver board along with the main 8 channel VCA board. In this situation, the VCA's will not be populated but that is where the daughterboard will connect.Other old automation systems may be supported in the future but time will tell on that. Integration with FlyFaders can be achieved but it may be less expensive in the long run to just replace the faders with our moving faders.As of now, we are nearing the end of R&D. My colleague is off to England for the final push. Soon we shall see an updated and more finalized GUI as well as some new faders that actually move!Following are a few videos that we took over the weekend. We had the VCA box connected to the insert point of an SSL console so the full level audio was never changed within the DAW.Keep in mind, this is a fast a dirty GUI that was written just for prelim testing.Vid 1 is a pass while writing level control. This was done with a mouse.Vid 2 is playback of what was written in vid 1:Vid 3 is showing that the audio coming from ProTools into the SSL channels is always at full level despite what you hear. The level control is done fully in the analog domain.As of now, we have no fixed release date. We also have no firm pricing but rest assured, you may gasp when you find out just how reasonable it is!!"