JazzMutant sent us updated info on the JazzMutant Dexter, a next-generation control surface optimized for working with mainstream sequencing apps.

JazzMutant has partnered with the major sequencer manufacturers, so Dexter accurately mirrors the functionality of most popular DAWs (including Logic Pro, Cubase, SONAR and Nuendo) on its robust, touch-sensitive screen. Control the features within your sequencer by touch to click, drag, select and control parts and levels. And with Dexter’s unique Multi-touch Display Technology, Dexter responds to an unlimited number of simultaneous touches so you can quickly and easily get to the heart of your sequencing.

Visual feedback is key with Dexter with your complete project shown on screen—tracks, effects, levels, surround positions, timecodes—it’s all there without any abbreviations. You can even switch off your computer monitor and use Dexter by itself if you wish.

Ease of Use

Dexter’s main interface mimics that of your DAW’s and has large, clear icons, offering a totally intuitive workspace for your projects. A clever colour-code system enables users to quickly and easily determine the status of parts of your project, such as which tracks are active or solo’d.

Navigating around Dexter is simplicity in itself, thanks to several groundbreaking features. A Smart Overview function displays a miniature version of key elements of your arrangement—like the mixer. Tracks within your songs can easily be rearranged according to whatever parameters (for example, which tracks are solo’d or muted). You can even group together certain tracks for easy viewing/control/editing simply by selecting them using the powerful Group Edit feature.

One of the best features within Dexter is its zoomable operation that allows you to increase the size of controllers to specify a higher editing resolution—it’s an unprecedented level of precision unheard of in traditional hardware controllers.

Screen Interface

There are beautiful on-screen graphical representations of many parameters, including EQ and surround sound. You can even control parameters to insert effects with more plug-in instrument support to come in future software updates (the firmware is easily updatable with regular updates in the pipeline).

Dexter not only looks great, it feels very solid too. And with a robust design, the unit can be taken on the road to be used in a variety of performance, recording and production environments.

Dexter has been designed with just one purpose in mind: to make music production easier, fun and efficient. It literally brings the power of digital audio workstations to your fingertips in a creative and user-friendly way.

Musikmesse: JazzMutant has introduced the first multitouch sensor control surface, dedicated to DAW control designed for Cubase, Sonar, Logic Pro, Nuendo, and Pyramix.

JazzMutant has partnered with leading software companies, such as Steinberg, Cakewalk and Apple, to redefine the interaction between Digital Audio Workstations and the user. This laptop-sized control surface has been designed with only one purpose in mind: making user experience more pleasant, playful and efficient. At the foundation of this design lies JazzMutant’s patented Multitouch display technology.

Here’s the info from JazzMutant’s description:

One glimpse suffices to get acquainted with Dexter’s workspace. Its design is crystal clear and immediately understandable. Dexter is fully self-documented: all functions are available through explicit icons. The main interface on Dexter accurately mimics the mixer of your DAW.

For greater visual comfort, each individual track is drawn with a specific color that represents its current state: shades of blue differentiate active tracks from muted ones, while red or yellow backgrounds make record enqbled or soloed tracks stand out from the rest. For smarter navigation a unique set of buttons allow you to rearrange Dexter’s mixer on the fly. These allow instant sorting of your channels based on your needs. For example, press the button to display only the soloed tracks on the screen. With Dexter, channels you don’t need never get in your way.

INSTANT NAVIGATION

Dexter has been designed to offer the most immediate access to any features of your Digital Audio Workstation. The era of dreadful navigation buttons to configure tracks and devices is foregone. Dexter introduces a novel way of browsing through your project. The Track Edit mode offers a clear overview on all the parameters of an individual channel, including graphical EQ display, effects editing, bus sends, and surround panning.

Dexter includes an arsenal of fancy widgets meant to make operation even more efficient and pleasant. The smart Overview widget displays a miniaturized picture of the whole mixer. Dragging a finger across it discloses the content and state of each bank of tracks.

SUPERB PLUGIN INTERFACE

The way common control surfaces has dealt so far with plugins is just dreadful. Dexter is the first controller ever to address this frustrating limitation. For that purpose, Dexter supplies just the right tools to master all your EQs, dynamics and effects. Dexter’s beautiful EQ controller will amaze you straight away. Exactly mirroring the filter curve of your sequencer’s EQ, this appealing interface particularly benefits from Multitouch technology in order to bring spontaneity and precision to the uppermost level. Forget about those unnatural key sequences to access a particular parameter of an insert on a track. Dexter lets you jump from the touch of a finger to a unified interface that shows every effect and parameter in a clear way.

For the first time, DAW controlling actually looks and feels natural.

UNIQUE SURROUND CONTROL

With its unique palette of tools dedicated to sound spatialization, Dexter is a dream come true for multichannel work. Its breakthrough surround panner provides live monitoring of up to eight channel positions in the surround space at one time. Sound sources can naturally be moved around using the tips of your fingers in the most intuitive manner. Dexter also introduces novel ways of reshaping the whole surround soundscape through simple finger gestures. Rotation of all your sources can be achieved by manipulating the panner just like a spinning vinyl! Drag two fingers apart to spray all sources away from the center.

UNPRECEDENTED PRECISION

JazzMutant introduces a whole new concept with Dexter : that of . You can now tweak in real time the resolution you want to acheive from one controller. on your faders when you need that extra bit of precision in a mix. when you’re looking for the widest range achievable. Dexter brings matchless precision to your mix that top-of-the-range physical faders just can’t compete with.