I have two S1s and a dock and I'd rather have an S3, for sure. As long as I can modify which parameters go to which encoders on the S3 like I can on the Avid Dock with the Avid Control app, I'd definitely prefer the S3. Especially if I kept the Avid Dock to go with the S3.
The S3 is great hardware for sure. I've switched over to using 2 S1s and Dock and I have to say I'll never look back. Having a couple of Amazon FireHDs or iPads as a meter bridge is really nice too. I also prefer the function buttons on the S1 compared to the S3, for instance the DYN function on the first layer without having to hold down shift. I honestly never used the 2 rows of encoders on the S3 so I don't miss that at all. 2 S1s are also a smaller footprint on my desk. Conversely, if I wanted to add another S1 I could technically add another 2. Unfortunately, the S3 can't be combined with other fader surfaces except the Dock. If they can overcome that, that would be a game changer. :) Thanks for watching and sharing your view.
End of life date for the S3 was dec 2021 - support stops dec 2026. So you’ve got 2 years ish of supported/compatibility use. Then you’re on your own. If that doesn’t matter to you - golden. If it does: S1’s and a dock.
Great video. Please advise. Can only afford either a dock "or" S1 (with iPad). I'm using Studio One to compose and learning PT to Mix my tracks as Studio One doesn't have a good video track (but it does have better MIDI than PT especially for Orchestral libraries). What daw controller would you advise me to purchase - S1 or Dock? I subbed. Thank you so much.
Hi Joanna, thanks for checking out my video. So, my strong suggestion would be to hold off buying either of those until you've tried AVID Control, the free iPad app. Avid Control has an 8 fader mixing screen which might be all you need as opposed to a dedicated physical hardware unit. You might get more mileage out of the Dock + Avid Control if you don't really plan on automating more than one track at a time and need more than one physical fader. You might even use Avid Control and feel that's all you need at the moment. :) So, start with Avid Control thehen figure out if you need more than one physical fader.
@@antslivesound Many thanks for your excellent advice Ant. I really hope your videos do well because you are so natural in delivering what really are complex subjects and you can make them sound normal for us plebs. That's a rare gift these days. I will talk your advice and start with the free app and then probably get the dock then like you advised as I have no need to be using multiple faders at once either for mixing or for automation as I work very slowly.
The Dock is a great device for mixing. It's very similar to the PreSonus Faderport but better. I'll always advocate for saving money until you really find out what you need or want. These devices are not cheap so it's a big decision.
@@antslivesound Was following this thread. Are you saying that for mixing, the S1 is not as effective as the dock? I'd have thought the S1 would be more suitable coz it has 8 faders whereas the dock only has 1. I'm also thinking about buying Avid hardware. Great vids man.
@@IRELAND_MY_LOVE No, sorry if it came across that way. True the Dock only has one fader as you select the different tracks in PT the Dock fader will follow those selections so mixing one track at a time is no problem. If you need more advanced mixing like automating multiple tracks at one time, or would like to see your mix physically spread out on a a "console" then the S1 would make sense. The Avid Control app's mixing screen displays 8 faders/tracks at a time. All I was trying to convey was to start with the Avid Control app and see where your needs take you. You may want something with transport controls but only need one fader, or maybe you want something that will display more of your mix in a physical control surface. There are advantages to both but it all depends on what you want/need and budget.
I was going to purchase the Avid s3 then I just found out that Avid will not suport it after 2026. Do think they will do the same to s1. Don't want to purchase. Can you please give me some advise as to what should I purchase. Thank You
Hi Rick, Interesting. where did you read about the S3 EOL? Anyway, the S3 has been out for a long time so 2026 doesn't sound too far out of line. The S1 is a new product so I don't see it reaching EOL any time soon but every product does have a life arc. Look at the Artist line, those just reached EOL what, a year ago? So I think you're plenty safe investing in the S1 line. Hope that helps.
Honestly, I don't think they will replace the S1 for a long time. There are on a trend right now where they want their bottom and top line to look and feel similar. The S3 is currently the only controller that falls a bit out of place being one of the oldest in the S-series and pretty unnecesary in the line up if it will just live in your studio considering the S1 and its expandability. Having said that, I still hope for a good replacement. Controllers with 16 faders packed close to each other are kind of rare.
Nice overview and presentation of these control surfaces. Thank you!
Hi Matt, Thank you.
I have two S1s and a dock and I'd rather have an S3, for sure. As long as I can modify which parameters go to which encoders on the S3 like I can on the Avid Dock with the Avid Control app, I'd definitely prefer the S3. Especially if I kept the Avid Dock to go with the S3.
The S3 is great hardware for sure. I've switched over to using 2 S1s and Dock and I have to say I'll never look back. Having a couple of Amazon FireHDs or iPads as a meter bridge is really nice too. I also prefer the function buttons on the S1 compared to the S3, for instance the DYN function on the first layer without having to hold down shift. I honestly never used the 2 rows of encoders on the S3 so I don't miss that at all. 2 S1s are also a smaller footprint on my desk. Conversely, if I wanted to add another S1 I could technically add another 2. Unfortunately, the S3 can't be combined with other fader surfaces except the Dock. If they can overcome that, that would be a game changer. :) Thanks for watching and sharing your view.
Helpful and informative video, thank you!
You're welcome. Glad it helped you.
Thank-you for making this video!
I'm glad it helped you!
Avid, you need to release control surfaces with 1 automation button by track AND trim auto by track.
Any other functions is secondary.
...and a 16-fader unit that's affordable...
End of life date for the S3 was dec 2021 - support stops dec 2026. So you’ve got 2 years ish of supported/compatibility use. Then you’re on your own. If that doesn’t matter to you - golden.
If it does: S1’s and a dock.
You're absolutely right. At this point in time the S1's + Dock is the way to go. I've completely switched over and haven't missed the S3 one bit.
Great video. Please advise. Can only afford either a dock "or" S1 (with iPad). I'm using Studio One to compose and learning PT to Mix my tracks as Studio One doesn't have a good video track (but it does have better MIDI than PT especially for Orchestral libraries). What daw controller would you advise me to purchase - S1 or Dock? I subbed. Thank you so much.
Hi Joanna, thanks for checking out my video. So, my strong suggestion would be to hold off buying either of those until you've tried AVID Control, the free iPad app. Avid Control has an 8 fader mixing screen which might be all you need as opposed to a dedicated physical hardware unit. You might get more mileage out of the Dock + Avid Control if you don't really plan on automating more than one track at a time and need more than one physical fader. You might even use Avid Control and feel that's all you need at the moment. :) So, start with Avid Control thehen figure out if you need more than one physical fader.
@@antslivesound Many thanks for your excellent advice Ant. I really hope your videos do well because you are so natural in delivering what really are complex subjects and you can make them sound normal for us plebs. That's a rare gift these days. I will talk your advice and start with the free app and then probably get the dock then like you advised as I have no need to be using multiple faders at once either for mixing or for automation as I work very slowly.
The Dock is a great device for mixing. It's very similar to the PreSonus Faderport but better. I'll always advocate for saving money until you really find out what you need or want. These devices are not cheap so it's a big decision.
@@antslivesound Was following this thread. Are you saying that for mixing, the S1 is not as effective as the dock? I'd have thought the S1 would be more suitable coz it has 8 faders whereas the dock only has 1. I'm also thinking about buying Avid hardware. Great vids man.
@@IRELAND_MY_LOVE No, sorry if it came across that way. True the Dock only has one fader as you select the different tracks in PT the Dock fader will follow those selections so mixing one track at a time is no problem. If you need more advanced mixing like automating multiple tracks at one time, or would like to see your mix physically spread out on a a "console" then the S1 would make sense. The Avid Control app's mixing screen displays 8 faders/tracks at a time. All I was trying to convey was to start with the Avid Control app and see where your needs take you. You may want something with transport controls but only need one fader, or maybe you want something that will display more of your mix in a physical control surface. There are advantages to both but it all depends on what you want/need and budget.
You're the man! Thanks! New Sub!
Great video. Thx!
Thank you for watching! Hope it helped.
I was going to purchase the Avid s3 then I just found out that Avid will not suport it after 2026. Do think they will do the same to s1. Don't want to purchase. Can you please give me some advise
as to what should I purchase. Thank You
Hi Rick, Interesting. where did you read about the S3 EOL? Anyway, the S3 has been out for a long time so 2026 doesn't sound too far out of line. The S1 is a new product so I don't see it reaching EOL any time soon but every product does have a life arc. Look at the Artist line, those just reached EOL what, a year ago? So I think you're plenty safe investing in the S1 line. Hope that helps.
Honestly, I don't think they will replace the S1 for a long time.
There are on a trend right now where they want their bottom and top line to look and feel similar.
The S3 is currently the only controller that falls a bit out of place being one of the oldest in the S-series and pretty unnecesary in the line up if it will just live in your studio considering the S1 and its expandability. Having said that, I still hope for a good replacement. Controllers with 16 faders packed close to each other are kind of rare.