LOS ANGELES (August 25, 2016) - Icon Pro Audio is proud to announce the Platform M control surface. The all-new Platform M is a MIDI control surface designed for producers, engineers and musicians who want the hands on control of a mixing console and the flexibility of modern “in the box” digital music production within a smaller physical workspace.

Featuring nine (9) touch-sensitive motorized faders with 10-bit resolution and 8 dual-functions encoder knobs, the Platform M integrates with most popular Digital Audio Workstations. It operates as a plug and play control surface for Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Samplitude, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Reason, Reaper, Studio One, and Bitwig via USB2.0. Tactile hands on control of your VST, RTAS, Direct X and AU Plugins are easily within reach. Dial in EQ frequencies, Q or gain with the rotary encoders.

The compact size (40cm x 20cm x 4.5cm) of this DAW controller means it fits comfortably into any studio setup. The Platform M is also designed to be the nerve center of your very own scalable, customizable, modular audio production system. MAP $349.99

Platform D

Platform D is the modular display unit for the Platform M control surface. The large backlit LCD display helps you keep track of each parameter, track, and control value in your mix. Housed in a robust metal casing, the Platform D is extremely easy to install and features an adjustable tilt angle to easily change viewing positions. MAP $159.99

Hi-Res images can be found HERE.

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Good news! I'm will wait this baby. "Big brother" is too large for my workspace.

Oh how this is almost awesome.

I completely realise how nothing can be designed to fit everyones different workflows. However, to me having a physical disconnect between the size of the visual module and the position of the faders makes this a very hard sell. I've sat behind pretty much every fader type controller ever - and being able to use it just by glancing at info displays is rudimentary to net-positive experience for your workflow.

I'm very surprised - is all - at the decisions behind the display module.

The faders - if they have a good feel - will be awesome.

I *can* see the use in this if the midi implementation means I can have the faders set to specific CC's permanently - and just use them for controls for VI's when composing. This would be very cool (and something that involves a lot of work arounds to work on a euphonix mc-mix). Ditto for using it on nuendo quick-controls (generic remote).

But that's only half the puzzle pieces in my view.

Maybe I'm being too harsh too early.
If the display kinda almost matches to the first 8 faders - and that is what is being mapped constantly (and the 9th is just a general fader) then - well - this could be the ticket.

I wonder if the 9th fader could be used as a single fader with d-fader....

Can't wait.

Will be ordering soon. I think I can do w/o Platform D for some time.

Totally getting one!

I'd rather wait for the extension, I don't need extra buttons, just faders. Why not make a single or dual fader version, too? Would sell very well.

That would be totaly awesome, i dont understand why we need a masterfader.

Me neither. Most of these controllers seem to have a master fader. I never touch mine in Logic, it always sits at 0db (I may occasionally add fade out automation at the end of a track, but don't need a physical fader for that).

The Platform M still looks good for what I need & I will probably get one once they are shipping in the UK.

Quick Question. Does anyone have the dimensions (size) for the unit yet? I can't see it on the website and trying to workout if it could possible fit in with my workstation setup. As much as I don't like the scribble strip solution, the fact these faders can also be used as midi faders may just mean they find a way into my workflow.

395(L) x 196(W) x 58(H)mm
15.6”(L) x 7.7”(W) x 2.3”(H)

bigger than I thought

The cool thing about this controller is I only really use the faders on my Mackie Universal and hardly any of the other controls, so this makes a lot of sense.

I just wish people would do 16 fader versions to reduce the amount of banking.

I read somewhere they planned an extension unit in the future. I wish they made a 1 fader only, small footprint (like Faderport, but midi assegnable)

My thoughts exactly. I got really excited, then I noticed the display doesn't align with the faders, and then I completely dropped the idea of buying one. Why on earth did they do that?

The USB cable shipped with the Platform M is 1.5 meters long by the way, I asked since I wanted to see how it would fit with my set-up.

How's the feel of it? faders are smooth? (specially for midi cc's editing).
What about noise? Is it too noisy? :-)

Thanks for the input!

Will be watching this space for sure

Heres a brief overview of my thoughts so far, this is jumping right out of the box spending about 10-15 minutes on Pro Tools 11, Windows 8.1.

Definitely a plastic enclosure but it has some reasonable weight to it! Feels nice and sturdy. I can see where the Platform D comes into play but I also like the idea of purchasing it separately, I use the mouse/key/monitor quite frequently so the addition of the faders for automation and leveling is ideal, I miss having faders.

For the price and considering everything that is out on the market this unit holds its value, at first I didn't think the USB cable would reach my desktop but it did, faders are as noisy as I remember motorized faders on a control surface being (003 ect.) though I would've appreciated an all black USB cable.

Response is a 7/10 when riding multiple faders otherwise it feels great. The response for panning feels a bit slower with increments varying as I turn on the control surface, if you go for a drastic pan L from 100 on R it won't reflect on Pro Tools, but I don't know if this is a thing with all surfaces or this one to be exact, again I appreciate the price point with motorized faders and what I have been able to delve into so far. I purchased on American Musical, so I get the extra year of warranty similar to Sweetwater, 3 payments, and the 45 day return policy, which is great.

I've been keeping my eye on this unit since its bigger brother was announced before coming to Market; and because that particular units seem to be overkill for my particular needs and workflow I have been interested in platform m.

I wonder if any of you early adopters could tell me how this unit performs with plugin control; Is it easy to control plugin parameters with the rotating knobs of this unit or is its primary application fader and panning control??????

Any insight into this is highly appreciated;

Sincerely,
Useg Diaz-Granados
www.oversightentertainment.se

The only issue you'll probably have with controlling plugins is knowing what knob controls what parameter on each plugin. It would be a case of start turning knobs and see. Particularly as there is no display on the Platform M. Not hugely practical.

I'll say this as well. Even when there is a display (as per the Icon QCon Pro). Its still not that good because a lot of plugs have lots of parameters, the names have to be shortened, and spread across multiple pages. So it still takes 3-4 times as long to find the correct knob, than it does to just do it with the mouse. So other than to pan I don't use them.

I recently bought a Griffin Powermate and that I find is a much better solution, for plugin control, as you just hover the mouse over the parameter then turn the Griffin to adjust it. Pretty quick and intuitive. It's also only about 50-60 dollars or pounds. So quite cheap too. So far works with all my plugs. See attached pic for how I have things laid out.

Originally posted by Blayz2002Thank you for the info blayz2002.

I have other midi controllers in my setup that could be assigned to handle plugin parameters, I just been to lazy to set them up because I can work effectively with the mouse and I have felt that it don't slow down my workflow.

I presume that since the Platform m is a MIDI controller that you could assign it to different plugin parameters with a little effort which might be worth it if you have certain plugins that you prefer using repetitively.

Hope more of you out there share your experience using this unit.

Sincerely,
Useg Diaz-Granados
www.oversightentertainment.se

Thanks a lot for that mini-review!

How does it handles the banks?

I'm asking because I'm limited to two banks of eight with the Nocturn on HUI mode, so I was wondering if it's a Nocturn or HUI limitation.

Hey Guys!
My name is Brian and I handle some tech support and social media stuff for Icon Pro Audio.
Sorry I’m jumping in here so late but I just recently found out about this thread and I had to gather up some answers!

First, I notice a lot of you are curious about the 9th (master) fader. Yes! You can re-map it using our iMap software or using MIDI learn functions provided by some DAWs.

Also a few of you were wondering about a single or dual fader version.
At this time we don’t have plans for anything like that, but we kinda already have something!
The QCon Lite: Qcon Lite | Icon

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing Cgbravo! I’m happy to see you seem satisfied with the Platform M.

Yes, you can control plugins with it, but as Blayz said you may have a hard time doing so without the Platform D.


Thanks for the great questions and all the love, I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if there's anything else I can help you guys with.

@ iconofficial welcome aboard, great to have you around!

Can you please address my question about banks on Pro Tools/HU?

Best regards!

Sorry diogo, didn't mean to miss your question.
I don't believe there is a limit to how many banks HUI can use, but that could very well be wrong. I know the QCon Pro (and Pro X) will bank through as many tracks as there are in the project.

I've reached out to my supervisor for clarification on this, but as far as I know the Platform M should be able to bank through however many tracks your DAW will allow.

Thanks for the question!

Thank you sir for the reply!

Waiting for the clarification - I also believe it's a Nocturn limitation rather than a HUI limitation, fingers-crossed that this is the case.

Cheers

Don't want to sound rude, but that plastic, flimsy, horrible design is in no way entering my Studio
Platform is a big step forward in the right direction.

blayz2002, I read on Griffin's website that the Powermate software isn't fully compatible with El Capitan. Do run into any problems using it?
Sorry for being off topic guys.

I had the Qcon Lite for a while but sold it again.
Buttons got stuck all the time, sometimes not responding at all and overall the build quality of the unit wasn't great.

The Platform M looks quite intriguing though!