I wish I had found your channel sooner, just subscribed. I'm encouraged by your honesty, sometimes I've felt like I'm the only one saying it like it is, its great seeing more folks doing the same. God Bless!
Yes sirrrr! I love your channel as well! Thanks for connecting! Ive done the song and dance for years with these companies…I’ve grown to the place of just telling the plain truth about this stuff now!
I bought the same setup, and for awhile was kind of disappointed, just had a lot of trouble breaking old habits and learning to use the touch screen versions. Also had the normal software issues getting started, and some frustrating freeze ups and calibration problems---those were all solved but some required spending hours on the phone with tech support. Agree with your sentiments, it's a cool look, and functional if you are willing to take the time learning all the gestures and new workflow. I was just never able to get completely comfortable, I am more tactile, like to physically turn knobs and move sliders to adjust fine dB changes, etc. I paired an Avid S3 and a Dock, so I'm basically using the Slate about as much as you:). Good video, not a knock, I think Slate makes good gear (albeit a bit pricey), but people should know what to expect before dropping 3k.
I hesitated for a long time getting a Slate Raven system -- sure, touchscreens get you part-way there, even the Studio One daw offers multitouch support, but it is a poor implementation -- but yes, keyboard/mouse (or trackball) can be nice for many things -- but gesture use that the Raven software provides, and the onscreen "menu system" are also very nice. Again, I hesitated for quite awhile, but now have a 3-touchscreen Raven system, and am very happy with it!
Man im on the fence on this, this video is amazing on explaining everything! and i appreciate the info, you killed it. Im still so conflicted for this product, the look of this is what sucks you in.. thanks for the video JM
Fellas i need your expertise. I just bought a Wing 48 channel digital console for my 15 year old daughter she’s just starting out she uses logic pro and in a class for pro tools to become certified. I’m converting my garage into a studio. The reason I bought the mixing board so she could get learn the old school way with what’s she’s doing now. After watching this video I’m thinking maybe I should take it back and get this Raven system. Please tell me watch you guys think? Thank you!
I agree 100 percent … I bought it primary for the bling ..it’s a more elegant looking solution vs your monitor on a plain table - feel exactly the same as you on it
Thought about it, and while is does "look" great, I need functionality. I ended up with the Console1 system. Less money, and I get insane mixing desk options. Just the SSL 4000 that is standard is just stupid sick! Thank you for the candid review. It helps a lot. Be well my freind.
I started to get the slate about a year ago but i did some research and put together my own touchscreen console. I use studio one 6 with a computer screen that i bought a touch screen frame for it and made the whole thing touch screen compatible.I also have a Faderport 16 with motorized faders. So between the touch screen and the faderport i have the new look and the old school feel. I use a touch pad on my computer so i have no mouse in the studio but the pad works like it. The computer screen frame was only about $135.
Still haven't seen any product with better workflow and DAW integration than the RAVEN, especially for the price. I can't believe people would buy an 8 fader SSL or 8 fader Avid for $1500 when the RAVEN comes with 24 faders and a display for only $999.
maybe the better question to ask is that why is it that people who buy the raven still go out and buy fader controllers? Again this is coming from someone that absolutely loves the raven...The touch based workflow just didn't land for me....ive tried writing automation with the raven faders in "fine fader" mode...wasnt tactile enough for me...ive wrote custom batch commands for common workflows...they just didn't land for me...as I stated in the video just because it doesn't work for me it doesn't mean it's not great for others....it's my opinion and that's ok...it would be a total misrepresentation to get on here and act like im just so into the touchscreen and batch commands and all that and I haven't opened the app in about a year lol...
@@JohnmikeWhen you talk about the touch based workflow, and batch commands, did you find them to be laggy or not as snappy as say, using touch on an iPad?
@@Johnmike Oh wow! Some of the videos I’ve seen don’t really show that justice because at first it looks like the touch response is a bit laggy, but if it’s responsive like you say I’ve definitely had my eye on the 43” MTZ 👀👀
I have the dual Raven setup without the desk. I have had a hard time moving from mouse and keyboard to the touch screen as well. BUT overtime I am slowly getting more and more used to it. I still have to remind myself from time to time to use the touch screen but if I were to suddenly be without it, I would probably struggle at this point.
The main problem with the touchscreen is the fact that software is designed for mouse and keyboard. So, even if you were a touchscreen guy, it wouldn't make sense because too much still relies on the mouse and keyboard - and is too much of a hassle to make work well with a touchscreen. I think that's why so many people have gone back to things like Stream Decks, instead - just using them to load commands in the DAW itself. I'm not sure this will ever be fixed, because M&K isn't really going to be supplanted any time soon; so, software will continue to be designed primarily for that input. Large touchscreens are also very expensive, and AFAICT, support across platforms isn't really at parity (e.g. Windows is WAY better than macOS when it comes to dealing with them, at this juncture).
I brought my Raven when they first came out with the Mti1 and immediately got the 2 when it dropped, so I’ve had a Raven the entire 7 years of its release. I completely agree with everything you’ve stated, except I wouldn’t buy it again. My regret is that I passed on buying the Avid S3 and Dock station for the Raven, and that was the very worst decision I’ve made…
My school has the Raven Slate Desk and it was always cool to mess with the touch screen and it show off when doing projects, but I found when I had to do a lot of editing and mixing it just made more sense to use my mouse and keyboard because I was way more familiar with those hotkeys. But I still want to get it one day lol!
Interesting view. I wonder if you have looked at the new release of the Max and also the raven 4.0 software upgrade. I was toying with the idea of adding a single one to my setup in from so when I am doing stuff i dont have to constantly be running through menus. The batch command and grouping look neat. But I already have two S1s so I wonder if I am just suffering from GAS. :P)
Im not hatin i just thought it was funny......aye so i just landed a studio that has these ravens but they never hooked it up before.....so thats how i got to thisvideo...i too personally feel like i wont really use it so im really not looking forward to paying slate for that registration/subscription....but like you said its prolly gonna get more clients just because of the look@@Johnmike
I've had the raven for about 2 years, I never use it because I'm never actually sitting that close practicing on top of the screen when working. It is useful for some other little things, like hit drum pads on the screen while you tweak the mixer for the drum with the mouse. I miss having my having 34" ultra wide, in studio one the raven feels very cramped, I never leave the browser open like I did on the 34". I only haven't switched back because the 34" monitor will cover my speakers. Keyboard maestro is a million times better for automation and batch commands, paired with multiple stream deck xl's it's a billion times better
I built a desk of my own b/c I could never be satisfied with the slate desk. Cnc cut, 3x stronger, (2)8ru racks in the desk, side cart, usbc hub, only invested about $445-475
So, if using a non-mouse/keyboard interface interface feels abnormal, what would you do if you had a DAW controller, or even an actual console? I can say that if you are so stuck on using a keyboard/mouse interface, you will be stuck grabbing your mouse instead. So, it really comes down to can you force yourself to leave the mouse alone.
When you got this, I genuinely thought you’d end up not using the touch screen. I’d seen this and watched a ton of stuff on it but felt it was mostly a gimmick. I’ve always felt there was so much spin from Slate.
I had tried every midi controller made cause I wanted a “no mouse” experience. Raven was the first thing that made that real. Once you learn to use it it’s amazing! There’s a learning curve but for me it was worth it. Making music is far more enjoyable to me when it isn’t just a computer thing. Mouses are computer things 😂 great review tho love ur candor 🔥🙏🏼
I'm sorry, but I disagree with what you said. I've had the Raven for 3 years and I had a lot of difficulty using it at first, but with the latest update I can use ALL the functions, including the Raven Mixer in Logic (and not the external mixer). Over time, I realized that I had to 'force myself' to learn the gestures, and also to not use the mouse at all, programming it for this purpose. As long as you use it in a hybrid way, you will never be able to get used to it.
I was looking at the kensington trackball mouse cause i have minimal space. Touchscreen for editing wav shapes is a nightmare. Isn’t the latest trend 3 screens? two angled screens and eye level 43” screen. The angled screens are still useful. Maybe raven could upgrade the screens to 5k and ditch the cost of touchscreen.
Great video my brother. May I offer this? I’ve had 1 og raven & 2 new ones (small) & I really dug it for quite awhile. Now I use a 43” touchscreen and batch commander which is my favorite part of the raven.
@@Johnmike I feel like that would be a nice combo with your big faderport. You’d have the knobs and faders, the batch commander shortcuts & touchscreen capability which may come in a little bit handy.
I use it for VDMX/Resolume. For music live performance I rather have dedicated daw controller, but for visuals its perfect. I have big screen + I can program tons of litttle buttons for vfx, that I would otherwise have reprogram on a midi controller
Understanding that the raven has more functionality than just the screen interface is fair--but then came Logic Pro for iPad and you can connect your interface, track, touch, group, mix, master….know what..nevermind 😅 I always thought the slate looked great. Just wasn’t sold to spend the money on one cuz I felt that one day the iPad would make it pointless on the Multi-Touch touch side of things. We just need Apple to make a bigger iPad or multitouch surface.
The console looks good but it is impractical and also 2 Dell Touchscreen monitors will do the same thing for 1/10th of the price. Personally I find using the iPad as a touch controller much better than using a big touchscreen or the Slates. I can hold the iPad and move around with it whilst tweaking levels. The iPad can of course do many other things as well. Mouse and Keyboard is the way to go. Trackball mouse and a decent gaming keyboard will do everything you need and it also has macro buttons of sorts haha
I wrote a scathing review of how you ere killing you brand after listening to your intro into this review. HOWEVER!!!, I take everything back because we ARE on the same page. Look, Feel and Vibe are major WOW factors to a client, and open's up that checkbook!!! look feel, and vibe. WELL, DONE BROTHER!!!! Functional FURNITURE WELL DONE AND IM A FAN/ DJ Andy John, lets collaborate, ID love to help with your content creation.
They should have had a pencil like iPad Pro then disable touch screen apart from the pen then it would have been great for drums etc….like garage band on the iPad. They didn’t think of that….oh Stephen
Lol…people spend money on looks everyday…clothes, shoes, cars, houses lol….but I get you for music production most people don’t want to spend money on things like that…
facts only use it to impress clients and there's no space to put laptop ,, I thought I was the only one 😂😂😂 had to get a rack for the pre amps hahahaha
This thing is quite literally just a giant paper weight. Terrible controls, lack of accuracy, automation, and editing with precision isn’t even an option, it’s a true engineers nightmare. It also barely even has room for a mousepad for the sorry sucker who bought into it and found all of that out the hard way.
Bruh... did you say CAVE-AT? Please tell me you were being humerus (hehe). As an audio guy, go back in and dub in the correct pronunciation: CAH-VEE-AHT.
I wish I had found your channel sooner, just subscribed. I'm encouraged by your honesty, sometimes I've felt like I'm the only one saying it like it is, its great seeing more folks doing the same. God Bless!
Yes sirrrr! I love your channel as well! Thanks for connecting! Ive done the song and dance for years with these companies…I’ve grown to the place of just telling the plain truth about this stuff now!
I bought the same setup, and for awhile was kind of disappointed, just had a lot of trouble breaking old habits and learning to use the touch screen versions. Also had the normal software issues getting started, and some frustrating freeze ups and calibration problems---those were all solved but some required spending hours on the phone with tech support. Agree with your sentiments, it's a cool look, and functional if you are willing to take the time learning all the gestures and new workflow. I was just never able to get completely comfortable, I am more tactile, like to physically turn knobs and move sliders to adjust fine dB changes, etc. I paired an Avid S3 and a Dock, so I'm basically using the Slate about as much as you:). Good video, not a knock, I think Slate makes good gear (albeit a bit pricey), but people should know what to expect before dropping 3k.
I hesitated for a long time getting a Slate Raven system -- sure, touchscreens get you part-way there, even the Studio One daw offers multitouch support, but it is a poor implementation -- but yes, keyboard/mouse (or trackball) can be nice for many things -- but gesture use that the Raven software provides, and the onscreen "menu system" are also very nice. Again, I hesitated for quite awhile, but now have a 3-touchscreen Raven system, and am very happy with it!
Man im on the fence on this, this video is amazing on explaining everything! and i appreciate the info, you killed it. Im still so conflicted for this product, the look of this is what sucks you in.. thanks for the video JM
Your Honesty is great! I can continue to stay subscribed and watch you for it especially when it comes to gear. Thx
Fellas i need your expertise. I just bought a Wing 48 channel digital console for my 15 year old daughter she’s just starting out she uses logic pro and in a class for pro tools to become certified. I’m converting my garage into a studio. The reason I bought the mixing board so she could get learn the old school way with what’s she’s doing now. After watching this video I’m thinking maybe I should take it back and get this Raven system. Please tell me watch you guys think? Thank you!
excellent choice she gets the best of both world 😊
Yes, exchange it!
One of the reasons I love JM’s channel: He keeps it real.
By “real” you mean full of malapropisms in embarrassing profusion?
I agree 100 percent … I bought it primary for the bling ..it’s a more elegant looking solution vs your monitor on a plain table - feel exactly the same as you on it
Thought about it, and while is does "look" great, I need functionality. I ended up with the Console1 system. Less money, and I get insane mixing desk options. Just the SSL 4000 that is standard is just stupid sick! Thank you for the candid review. It helps a lot. Be well my freind.
I started to get the slate about a year ago but i did some research and put together my own touchscreen console. I use studio one 6 with a computer screen that i bought a touch screen frame for it and made the whole thing touch screen compatible.I also have a Faderport 16 with motorized faders. So between the touch screen and the faderport i have the new look and the old school feel. I use a touch pad on my computer so i have no mouse in the studio but the pad works like it. The computer screen frame was only about $135.
Still haven't seen any product with better workflow and DAW integration than the RAVEN, especially for the price. I can't believe people would buy an 8 fader SSL or 8 fader Avid for $1500 when the RAVEN comes with 24 faders and a display for only $999.
maybe the better question to ask is that why is it that people who buy the raven still go out and buy fader controllers? Again this is coming from someone that absolutely loves the raven...The touch based workflow just didn't land for me....ive tried writing automation with the raven faders in "fine fader" mode...wasnt tactile enough for me...ive wrote custom batch commands for common workflows...they just didn't land for me...as I stated in the video just because it doesn't work for me it doesn't mean it's not great for others....it's my opinion and that's ok...it would be a total misrepresentation to get on here and act like im just so into the touchscreen and batch commands and all that and I haven't opened the app in about a year lol...
@@JohnmikeWhen you talk about the touch based workflow, and batch commands, did you find them to be laggy or not as snappy as say, using touch on an iPad?
@@bharumusic Naa they are extremely responsive…the workflow just didn’t land for me
@@Johnmike Oh wow! Some of the videos I’ve seen don’t really show that justice because at first it looks like the touch response is a bit laggy, but if it’s responsive like you say I’ve definitely had my eye on the 43” MTZ 👀👀
@@Johnmike it’s hard to break habits and develope new ones. That’s all it boils down to.
There's one of these near me for sale for $2k. Got curious what it was so landed here.
I have the dual Raven setup without the desk. I have had a hard time moving from mouse and keyboard to the touch screen as well. BUT overtime I am slowly getting more and more used to it. I still have to remind myself from time to time to use the touch screen but if I were to suddenly be without it, I would probably struggle at this point.
The main problem with the touchscreen is the fact that software is designed for mouse and keyboard. So, even if you were a touchscreen guy, it wouldn't make sense because too much still relies on the mouse and keyboard - and is too much of a hassle to make work well with a touchscreen. I think that's why so many people have gone back to things like Stream Decks, instead - just using them to load commands in the DAW itself. I'm not sure this will ever be fixed, because M&K isn't really going to be supplanted any time soon; so, software will continue to be designed primarily for that input. Large touchscreens are also very expensive, and AFAICT, support across platforms isn't really at parity (e.g. Windows is WAY better than macOS when it comes to dealing with them, at this juncture).
I brought my Raven when they first came out with the Mti1 and immediately got the 2 when it dropped, so I’ve had a Raven the entire 7 years of its release. I completely agree with everything you’ve stated, except I wouldn’t buy it again. My regret is that I passed on buying the Avid S3 and Dock station for the Raven, and that was the very worst decision I’ve made…
My school has the Raven Slate Desk and it was always cool to mess with the touch screen and it show off when doing projects, but I found when I had to do a lot of editing and mixing it just made more sense to use my mouse and keyboard because I was way more familiar with those hotkeys. But I still want to get it one day lol!
That intro cliff hanger!
Meanwhile, everyone else is here for his solid opinion about the PRODUCT. Mission accomplished.
Interesting view. I wonder if you have looked at the new release of the Max and also the raven 4.0 software upgrade. I was toying with the idea of adding a single one to my setup in from so when I am doing stuff i dont have to constantly be running through menus. The batch command and grouping look neat. But I already have two S1s so I wonder if I am just suffering from GAS. :P)
Yea I looked at it…same stuff…it didn’t impress me enough to keep it…I just got rid of it about a month ago…
caveat ......the way u said that word was soooo wild.....i dont use that word ever but I definitely know how to say it
Oh ok…
Im not hatin i just thought it was funny......aye so i just landed a studio that has these ravens but they never hooked it up before.....so thats how i got to thisvideo...i too personally feel like i wont really use it so im really not looking forward to paying slate for that registration/subscription....but like you said its prolly gonna get more clients just because of the look@@Johnmike
I've had the raven for about 2 years, I never use it because I'm never actually sitting that close practicing on top of the screen when working. It is useful for some other little things, like hit drum pads on the screen while you tweak the mixer for the drum with the mouse. I miss having my having 34" ultra wide, in studio one the raven feels very cramped, I never leave the browser open like I did on the 34". I only haven't switched back because the 34" monitor will cover my speakers. Keyboard maestro is a million times better for automation and batch commands, paired with multiple stream deck xl's it's a billion times better
I agree about the stream deck...you can def accomplish a whole lot
I built a desk of my own b/c I could never be satisfied with the slate desk. Cnc cut, 3x stronger, (2)8ru racks in the desk, side cart, usbc hub, only invested about $445-475
Man do you have a picture or video of your setup? Would love to see it!
@@Johnmike next time I go to the studio(35miles away 🥱) I’ll take some it worked out perfect. Just used double baffled mdf. Painted gloss black
@@hybridstudios39 sounds amazing!
So, if using a non-mouse/keyboard interface interface feels abnormal, what would you do if you had a DAW controller, or even an actual console? I can say that if you are so stuck on using a keyboard/mouse interface, you will be stuck grabbing your mouse instead. So, it really comes down to can you force yourself to leave the mouse alone.
When you got this, I genuinely thought you’d end up not using the touch screen. I’d seen this and watched a ton of stuff on it but felt it was mostly a gimmick. I’ve always felt there was so much spin from Slate.
I had tried every midi controller made cause I wanted a “no mouse” experience. Raven was the first thing that made that real. Once you learn to use it it’s amazing! There’s a learning curve but for me it was worth it. Making music is far more enjoyable to me when it isn’t just a computer thing. Mouses are computer things 😂 great review tho love ur candor 🔥🙏🏼
No disrespect to Slate but I've bought a few products from them, and everything's either discontinued or stopped working/being supported
I'm sorry, but I disagree with what you said. I've had the Raven for 3 years and I had a lot of difficulty using it at first, but with the latest update I can use ALL the functions, including the Raven Mixer in Logic (and not the external mixer). Over time, I realized that I had to 'force myself' to learn the gestures, and also to not use the mouse at all, programming it for this purpose. As long as you use it in a hybrid way, you will never be able to get used to it.
I was looking at the kensington trackball mouse cause i have minimal space. Touchscreen for editing wav shapes is a nightmare. Isn’t the latest trend 3 screens? two angled screens and eye level 43” screen. The angled screens are still useful. Maybe raven could upgrade the screens to 5k and ditch the cost of touchscreen.
I don't get what you are using it for. As just a monitor?
Great video my brother. May I offer this? I’ve had 1 og raven & 2 new ones (small) & I really dug it for quite awhile. Now I use a 43” touchscreen and batch commander which is my favorite part of the raven.
I’ve considered and am still considering getting a 43in…I really tried working into my workflow…it just never landed fully
@@Johnmike I feel like that would be a nice combo with your big faderport. You’d have the knobs and faders, the batch commander shortcuts & touchscreen capability which may come in a little bit handy.
I use it for VDMX/Resolume. For music live performance I rather have dedicated daw controller, but for visuals its perfect. I have big screen + I can program tons of litttle buttons for vfx, that I would otherwise have reprogram on a midi controller
Understanding that the raven has more functionality than just the screen interface is fair--but then came Logic Pro for iPad and you can connect your interface, track, touch, group, mix, master….know what..nevermind 😅
I always thought the slate looked great. Just wasn’t sold to spend the money on one cuz I felt that one day the iPad would make it pointless on the Multi-Touch touch side of things. We just need Apple to make a bigger iPad or multitouch surface.
Thx for being honest bro. Nice desk though.
The console looks good but it is impractical and also 2 Dell Touchscreen monitors will do the same thing for 1/10th of the price. Personally I find using the iPad as a touch controller much better than using a big touchscreen or the Slates. I can hold the iPad and move around with it whilst tweaking levels. The iPad can of course do many other things as well. Mouse and Keyboard is the way to go. Trackball mouse and a decent gaming keyboard will do everything you need and it also has macro buttons of sorts haha
I wrote a scathing review of how you ere killing you brand after listening to your intro into this review. HOWEVER!!!, I take everything back because we ARE on the same page. Look, Feel and Vibe are major WOW factors to a client, and open's up that checkbook!!! look feel, and vibe. WELL, DONE BROTHER!!!! Functional FURNITURE WELL DONE AND IM A FAN/ DJ Andy John, lets collaborate, ID love to help with your content creation.
They should have had a pencil like iPad Pro then disable touch screen apart from the pen then it would have been great for drums etc….like garage band on the iPad. They didn’t think of that….oh Stephen
Slate Ravens were known to be a Gimmick fr They Launched. For their price just buy normal screens 😂 this life ain't an episode of Star Trek
Lolololol
Guy actually said “cave at”. (For Caveat). So why would I listen to him about anything?
Exactly…absolutely terrible pronunciation of words!…I I’m going stop listening to what he has to say too!
“Caveat” Kav-ee-ott
I know I know…very much mispronounced that word…lol
Spending more money just for looks sounds crazy to me. Sounds like an attempt to justify the waste of money. But to each their own.
Lol…people spend money on looks everyday…clothes, shoes, cars, houses lol….but I get you for music production most people don’t want to spend money on things like that…
facts only use it to impress clients and there's no space to put laptop ,, I thought I was the only one 😂😂😂
had to get a rack for the pre amps hahahaha
This thing is quite literally just a giant paper weight. Terrible controls, lack of accuracy, automation, and editing with precision isn’t even an option, it’s a true engineers nightmare. It also barely even has room for a mousepad for the sorry sucker who bought into it and found all of that out the hard way.
plus your arm gets tired hovering out there in front of you.
Bruh... did you say CAVE-AT? Please tell me you were being humerus (hehe). As an audio guy, go back in and dub in the correct pronunciation: CAH-VEE-AHT.