Chapter 3. Command|8 Overview; Command|8 Operating Modes - DigiDesign Command 8 Manual

chapter 3
Command|8 Overview
This chapter introduces you to the Command|8
control surface and its main control sections, as
well as describing the different operating modes
in which Command|8 can be used.

Command|8 Operating Modes

When powered on, Command|8 will be in
Standby mode. Command|8 also has two oper-
ating modes: Pro Tools mode, or Stand-alone
mode.
Standby Mode
Command|8 is in Standby mode when it is first
powered on, waiting for you to either launch
Pro Tools (or a supported Avid system) or enter
Stand-alone mode.
Pro Tools Mode
When connected and powered on, Command|8
enters Pro Tools mode whenever you launch
Pro Tools. With a session open while in
Pro Tools mode, Command|8 faders, transport
switches, rotary knobs, and switches directly
control Pro Tools sessions and tracks. Com-
mand|8 MIDI ports can be used as you would
those on a standard MIDI interface.
Avid Mode
When connected and powered on, Command|8
enters Avid mode whenever you launch a sup-
ported version of Avid Symphony, Avid
Media Composer, Avid Xpress, or Avid
Xpress Pro. Faders automatically map to the Au-
tomation Gain Tool channels 1–8; Mute
switches map to Track On controls; Solo maps
directly to solo (Automation Gain Tool); Chan-
nel Select maps to track selection (Automation
Gain Tool); and the Channel Mode switches
map to track Snap Record. See your Avid docu-
mentation for more information on these fea-
tures.
Stand-Alone Mode
With Command|8 in Stand-alone mode, the
unit becomes a MIDI control surface, MIDI in-
terface, and analog monitoring controller that
operates independently from Pro Tools.
Command|8 can be toggled back and forth be-
tween Pro Tools and Stand-alone modes at any
time, providing tactile control of Pro Tools as
well as software synthesizers, Rewire applica-
tions, and other devices in use in your sessions.
For more information, see Chapter 5, "Us-
ing Stand-Alone Mode."
Chapter 3: Command|8 Overview 19