We having been seeing a number of requests for help with people having problems using the free Avid Control app or its predecessor, the Pro Tools Control app. In this article, we have help, guidance, compatibility information and troubleshooting support for the Avid Control app.
What Is The Avid Control App?
Avid Control is a free app for iOS and Android devices, which allows control of supported EUCON-aware applications via your Wi-Fi network. The application requires registration before use. After you launch the Avid Control on your device, follow the onscreen instructions to create an Avid Master Account (or log in to an existing account). Once you have logged in you will need to complete the registration process.
Download And Installation
The Avid Control app is available in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, and the Amazon Fire Store. To download Avid Control go to your device's App Store and search for "avid control", and choose Get or Install.
Get EuControl Software Too
Before using Avid Control you will also need to download and install EuControl drivers for your Mac or PC workstation. EuControl software downloads are available in your Avid Master Account after you complete the registration process in the Avid Control app.
Compatibility for Avid Control
Qualified mobile Operating Systems:
iOS/iPadOS 12 or 13
Android v5 (Lollipop) or later
Qualified mobile devices:
Notes
The devices listed above are preferred devices.
However, Avid Control will run on over 10,000 Android Phones and Tablets from Android v5 onward.
Performance will vary depending on the CPU and memory specifications.
On Amazon Fire tablets, Avid Control runs best on the 9th generation Fire HD 10 but reasonably on the 7th generation.
The smaller 7" and 8" units will have slower performance.
Older iPads may work with Avid Control as long as they run iOS/iPadOS 12 or 13, but performance will vary depending on specifications.
There are no size limitations for devices used with Avid S1
Improving Avid Control Wi-Fi Connections
Many common Avid Control issues can be resolved by improving your wi-fi signal strength/reception. Try the following troubleshooting steps:
Power down your router and power it back up again (forcing it to re-initialise can resolve many different problems)
Get your mobile device as close to the router as possible; consider moving your router closer to your audio rig.
Use a dedicated Gaming Router with MU-MIMO technology like a TP-Link AC5400, Linksys Mesh AC2200 or AC3200. MU-MIMO (Multi User – Multiple Input Multiple Output) allows data to flow to multiple devices at the same time uninterrupted, great if you have more than one tablet.
Minimise physical obstacles in between the router and the mobile device; walls and electronic equipment in between the router and mobile device will impair the signal
There are several settings on Tablets and Phones that aim to improve connectivity for when you are travelling or moving about a building. They do this by switching to different signals or bands automatically. These are not required when in one location and cause instability and disconnects for Avid Control.
Make sure that the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are separate and not merged into one SSID (name) in the Wi-Fi settings in the Router. This is usually called Band Steering. 24GHz-5GHz-band-steering
Usually, if you are within 40 ft/12m the best band to use is 5GHz, if you are farther away then you may find the 2.4GHz is stronger. The 5GHz is a faster connection but less range, its usually less contended/busy so generally recommended for Avid Control use. Info on how to find the best Wi-Fi Channel
Turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Assist or Wi-Fi+ on your phone or tablet. This is where the tablet/phone switches between cellular and Wi-Fi to find the best signal. It will cause disconnects with Avid Control. Here is more info for Samsung, Apple and Android devices
If you have quality-of-service (QoS) in the router settings enabled, turn it off.
If you have IGMP Snooping in your router settings turn it off.
Other recommendations
It is recommended to connect your Mac or Windows Workstation to the Router using a single ethernet cable. Load Balancing with two network cables or a single network cable plus Wi-Fi can cause degraded performance.
Turn off voice assistants like Alexa and Siri
Switch to Ethernet:
Apple: Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter + USB 2 to Ethernet Adapter for connection of Ethernet cable direct to iPad. (Disable Wi-Fi on iPad when using this connection type.)
Apple new iPad with USB C: USB C to Ethernet Adapter
Android: USB to Ethernet Adapter (note: not all adapters are compatible with every tablet)
EuControl Software Compatibility
EuControl 2019.12 / 2019.12.1 / 2020.1
Workstation Compatibility:
macOS High Sierra 10.13 and higher (including macOS Catalina)
Window 10
Qualified Applications That Support EuCon
Pro Tools 2019.10 and higher
Apple Logic Pro X
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
For EUCON setup information please see Avid’s EUCON Application Setup knowledgebase article, and/or the EUCON Application Setup user guide.
Supported EuControl Control Surface Configurations:
Notes
Artist Color can also be added to any of the above configurations.
Artist Transport can be added to any of the above configurations that don't include an Avid Dock
Important! The EUCON performance improvements included in S6 v3.5 and later makes those versions incompatible with all previous versions of EUCON and EuControl. As a result, version 3.5 and future versions must not be run on the same network (subnet) as any previous EUCON Surface software. All devices on the network must be running the same version of EUCON/EuControl. Please uninstall or remove from the same network all previous S6, System 5 Hybrid, S5-MC/MCPro, Avid Dock, Avid S3, and Artist Series software. Be sure to update other EUCON software to v3.5 or higher before using EuControl v3.5 or higher.
EuControl 2019.9 / 2019.9.1
Workstation Compatibility:
macOS Sierra 10.12 and higher
Window 10
Qualified Applications That Support EuCon
Pro Tools 2019.6, 2019.10
Apple Logic Pro X
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
EuControl 2019.5 / 2019.5.1 / 2019.7
Workstation Compatibility:
macOS Sierra 10.12 and higher
Window 10
Qualified Applications That Support EuCon
Pro Tools 2019.5 or 2019.6 recommended
Apple Logic Pro X
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
EuControl 2018.3
Workstation Compatibility:
Mac OS 10.10.3 or higher, including macOS High Sierra 10.13
Window 7 or Windows 10
Qualified Applications That Support EuCon
Avid Pro Tools 12.8 or later
Avid Pro Tools | HD 12.8 or later
Apple Logic Pro X
Steinberg Cubase
Steinberg Nuendo
Supported EuControl Control Surface Configurations:
There is more information in Avid’s Avid S1 Support and Avid Dock Support articles.
Support Resources
Avid Control is a free application. Technical issues can be reported and discussed on the Avid Pro Audio Community, and paid support can be purchased from the Avid web store.
User Forum: duc.avid.com
Pro Tools users - Purchase a per-incident Avid Support Code
Pro Tools HD users - Purchase a per-incident Avid Support Code
Other EUCON application users - Purchase a per-incident Avid Support Code
EuCon And Avid Control Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I configure my media application to communicate with Avid S1, Avid Control or Avid Dock?
A: Make sure EUCON is enabled in Pro Tools Setup menu > Peripherals; for other EUCON media applications.
Q: Will Avid S1 work with Avid S3, S4, S6, System 5, MC Pro, ICON, or C|24 control surfaces?
A: No, Avid S1 is only compatible with Avid Control and Avid Dock. It is possible to use Avid Control in conjunction with some MIDI controllers, such as Command|8.
Q: Will Avid Control work with Windows Mobile devices?
A: Avid Control is compatible with iOS or Android devices only.
Q: How do I create custom Soft Keys?
A: These can be created in EuControl Settings > Soft Keys tab. For instructions please refer to the Avid Control Guide. You can download a custom Soft Keys set with instructionn.
Q: Can I create custom mixer layouts for Avid Control?
A: No, custom layouts can only be created for Artist Mix or Avid S3. However, they can be recalled directly from Avid Control.
Q: How do I see which Mac or PC application is focused?
A: Tap on the gear icon to access the Settings window and look for "Focused Application".
Troubleshooting / How-To
If EuControl is crashing when enabling it in Pro Tools or other apps, run the Uninstall EuControl app and do a clean install of the current EuControl.
Make sure the mobile device and the workstation are on the same Wi-Fi network.
If you use EuControl 3.3 with Pro Tools 11.3.1 or earlier, meters will not appear on the control surface or Avid Control app.
If metering isn't working with Pro Tools 11.3.2 or later, check that Pro Tools and/or EuControl and MC Client are not Blocked from incoming connections in your Mac's firewall settings:
"Block all incoming connections" should be unchecked
"Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming messages" should be checked
If launching Avid Control after installing doesn't allow you to sign into your Avid account to activate it, check the Date & Time settings on your mobile device to make sure it is set to match your network time. (Setting to Automatic is recommended.)
Before configuring an iPad for use with Avid Control, ensure there are no apostrophes in the name of the iPad, such as "User's iPad." This may cause EUCON to not detect the iPad. Rename the iPad device name if needed. To change the iPad's name:
Go to Settings > General > About and tap name of the device, located at the top line. Rename the device, avoiding the use of apostrophes. Tap "Done."
If the EuControl application isn't communicating with Avid Control, select "Restart EUCON Applications..." from the EuControl menu bar icon. Then, make sure Avid Control is added to the "My Surfaces" list in the EuControl Settings > Surfaces tab.
When the Avid Control app is communicating with your workstation you will see the name of the Focused Application in the Settings window (gear icon). If the field is blank then use the Restart EUCON Applications command:
On Mac, click the EuControl icon on the taskbar and select Restart EUCON Applications, then click Yes.
On Windows, click the EuControl icon in the Task or System tray (Windows) and select Restart EUCON Applications, then click Yes. Unused icons will be shown in the Hidden icons view. All EUCON applications are restarted, including EuControl.