As I've pointed out, my studio did a fairly extensive upgrade and in the process we switched to a ProTools H|D setup. Our previous setup centered around Steinberg's Nuendo and the Houston Control surface. I've sold most of my old software to a longtime friend who's starting a small MIDI project studio in Boston, but he did not want the Steinberg Houston Controller (he already owns a Mackie Universal Control Surface).

Basically, this baby is a paperweight for me. It has served me well, but I no longer need it. It was purchased new for over $1500 - but that was over two years ago and many hours in the studio. It is not in mint condition - but it works flawlessly. The LCD display has two blurred areas (over channels 7 & 8 - although the display is still very readable) and there is evident wear on the front of the unit from my wrists and hands while doing mixdowns. But every function of the unit works.

The beauty of the Houston Controller is that you can control virtually every aspect of Cubase or Nuendo from the controller without touching your mouse. From panning and fading, to selecting VSTi and effects, you really don't have to touch the mouse once your use to all the functions of the Houston Controller. It's got a bit of a learning curve and the manual is barely is adequite, but once you've played with it enough, Cubase or Nuendo are so much easier to use with the Controller than without. And for those of you who have used or are using Steinberg software products, you know their weakness is complexity. (But with that complexity comes a ton of power.) The Houston Controller really does allow you to take full advantage of the power Cubase or Nuendo offer. I always thought it was unfortunate that Stienberg never really got behind the Houston Controller - it's far better than the Mackie Universal Controller and works flawlessly with Steinberg products.

Keep in mind the Houston Controller will only work with Cubase VST-5.0 r5, Cubase SX, and Nuendo 1.5.1 and up. I'm not sure if it works with the new Cubase SE Hybid release or the stripped down Cubase SL (although it should). It originally came with Cubase VST-5.1 r1 and Nuendo v.1.5.1 -- Nuendo v.1.5.1 (and the 2.0 upgrade) was purchased by my buddy, but I still have the original CD for VST-5.1 r1 as well as the manual.

Features
- 9 touch sensitive motorized faders (they are very smooth)
- 8 rotary encoders with LED position indicators
- Large illuminated LCD display
- Full transport controls
- Jog & scrub wheel
- Numeric keypad

Requirements:
PC
Operating System Windows 98se/ME/2000/XP
Host Application Cubase VST version 5.0 R5 or higher, Nuendo version 1.5.1 or higher, Cubase SX
Other USB port or a multi port MIDI-interface where one in-/output is reserved for Houston
Mac
Operating System MacOS 8.6, 9.0, 9.1
Host Application Cubase VST 5.0 R1 or higher, Nuendo 1.5.1 or higher, Cubase SX
There is no Mac USB support - multi port MIDI-interface required
**Note -- I never really used the Houston Controller via USB. When I first got the controller I tried it using USB and using MIDI. MIDI took less resources and seemed to have a bit less latency. So from that first day of setup, I've used this unit exclusively via MIDI. So I cannot comment on how well it works via USB. But in the Cubase.net users group, must users contend that MIDI is the better way to go.

Sale Includes:
-Steinberg Houston Controller with manual
-Steinberg Cubase VST-5.1 r1 (includes several tutorials for the Houston Controller)
-Nemesys Music's GigaSampler LE (software sampler)
-Two MIDI cables
-One power cable

I know the music scene in this area won't get me many if any takers locally and I really don't relish the idea of using eBay having been burned in the past. So...before I'm relegated to eBay, I'd like to offer this unit to a community of people I know and respect. I'm looking for fair offers - so what I want to do is have a silent auction. If you want to bid on this Houston Controller please PM me the amount you are willing to pay (your price will include shipping in the United States - if your overseas or in Canada/Mexico we'll have to talk about arrangements). DO NOT leave your bid in this thread - I don't want this to become a bidding war. Just PM me a fair amount and whoever is the highest bidder will win. I do have a fairly low minimum I'd like to get from this - if no one offers above that amount, I will reserve the right not to sell this unit. Although if the highest offer is fair, I'll most likely take it.

I would prefer payment via PayPal - if you'd like to make other payment arrangements, please outline your payment plan in your PM to me. I will take offers until next Saturday May 29th.

Applied Sticky Paste

This could be a great addition to any serious audiophiles kit... will unsticky after sat 29th.

Awai.

Wish I could afford to make an offer, but oh well. On a side note, do you have pictures of this controller you can post?

Sorry I haven't got the pic up - wife left the camera at her moms. She sent the camera to us but forgot to send the CF card - went out today to buy a new card and boom - camera's DOA. Go figure - so I'm going to borrow a friends tomorrow and get some pic up for people.

Don't you love it when things go smoothly?

Sorry I never got the pics up - but I never got ahold of a camera.

Anyway...Aiwa, you can unsticky this. I'll do the eBay thang.

no offers huh?

Not a one. Figured I get at least 1. Oh well...I really hate eBay - it's just so much of a hassle with stuff like this. The buyer is never happy regardless of how well you outline that it's a used item and does have wear and tear...yada yada yada. Maybe I'll keep it around and use it at home....

hard luck Audiyoda, i dont think theres anyone specialised enough to need the kit your selling (apart from yourself obviously!) but at least you gave it a shot. best of luck with ebay - you'll be fine i'm sure the idiots on there are small in number and wont be intrested in screwing about with a specialised auction like this.

Awai.

Oh believe me Awai, I would love to have it. My broke ass can't even afford to let a go of a few dollars. Well im going to have to come off a few eventually to buy a midi port that will connect to my laptop.