Originally Posted by J-S-Q ➡️

If you want transport with an S3, you can either buy the recently discontinued Artist Transport, or the new Dock. So it is available, but it's obviously a further cost.

For me, the S3 is quite close to being the perfect Cubase controller. No stability issues with Eucon whatsoever for me (on Windows). Most of the ways in which it could be improved are down to software implementation. The hardware ticks most of the boxes already. Team it up with a monitor at the back and you can align the Cubase mixer with your channels, like a Nuage (see attached picture). Works a treat. Really doesn't feel like it was designed for another DAW.

Having said that, I'm sure if Steinberg made something similar, it would be even better and it is hard to understand why they have not done this.

My controller essentials are:
1. Hi res scribble strips i.e. NOT like the 6 character limit of MCU
2. Colour coded channel illumination so I can easily identify my tracks. Same for the buttons ideally. If I assign a button to enable Write Automation, let me make that button red! Then I can easily remember what it is.
3. Maximum customisation of buttons. I want to be able to assign any button to any function
4. Must be able to customise the order that plugin parameters appear on the controller. 100% essential.
5. Should integrate well with a monitor behind the controller (as described above, with the S3)
6. I want either 16 faders, or a modular approach of say 8 x fader modules.
7. A dedicated channel section for control of EQ/dynamics might be a nice bonus if it's implemented well but this is not essential.

Really though, most of what makes a good controller is in how the software is implemented. It's all in the details. e.g. how many buttons do I have to press to edit a particular plugin? Can it do 'VCA Spill'? Does the EQ feel right when I twist the knobs? (i.e. NOT like it does on a CC121). Basically, how many milliseconds do I have to think for before I get to where I want to go?

OR.... for a completely different approach.... a kind of CC121 on steroids could be a great controller. Basically a nicely built controller that has knobs for all common aspects of controlling a single channel. Dedicated EQ, sends, dynamics. Lots of visual feedback i.e. scribble strips for all controls. Excellent implementation of plugin control. A little bit like the Softube Console 1, but open to all plugins and with better visual feedback.