Frontier Designs TranzPort Wireless DAW Controller

Two-way interface. Compatible with Mac and Windows. Supports Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Sonar, and other DAW software applications.

Overall User Ratings (based on 21 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    0.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(21) (see rating details)
Submitted June 15, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Simply can't be beat for the money. Rock solid performance backed by a company who believes in this product."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Simply can't be beat for the money. Does what it's supposed to, supports tons of applications, and Frontier really stands behind this product.
Features
Does exactly what's advertised and works with so many applications. I like the fact the using SHIFT + JOG WHEEL lets you control volume faders on your tracks.
Ease of Use
So simple to get up and running. I use this with Ableton Live 5.2 (Mackie Control Universal mode) and it's great. The only buttons that don't work as expected in Live are the loop start/end buttons but this is because the MCU Emulation was optimized for Cubase. The same issue exists with Tascam and Yamaha controllers too. It is my understanding native Tranzport support is coming in a future Live update. It's no big deal though as everything else works perfect.
Quality
Good build quality. Buttons are crisp and solid and I don't think they will wear out. Jog Wheel is smooth as silk. The unit operates on batteries and has a battery-life indicator. I was worried it would blow through batteries quickly but it hardly uses any juice. If you always have the backlight turned on of course you will consume more resource.
Value
You can't beat this for the money. I have a Mackie Control Universal and never use it anymore. Sure the 100mm Pnny + Giles faders are nice, but the Tranzport is much more productive as you position it in front of you (on top of your synth perhaps?) and everything is just a hand-reach away.
Manufacturer Support
Frontier is quick to respond to emails of any kind. Their Forum is an excellent resource and their tech support people are very active on there. It's a great community with lots of positive people.
The Wow Factor
Cosmetically the unit looks very nice and professional.

Musical Background:

Active Musician

Musical Style:

Techno
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Submitted December 4, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Great product but a bit flaky..."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Overall its a great product. My only complaint is I would like the customer service department for Frontier to be a bit more vigilant in taking care of a problem rather than give me the same monotonous trouble shooting tips that i have used over and over again. Its a very useful product otherwise I hope to get it up and running.
Sound
It doesnt have a sound. Its a controller.
Features
It has great features. All features are useful for those of us in home recording. I like the fact that i dont have to run back and forth to my computer to arm a track or make dynamic changes.
Ease of Use
Its very straight forward. Driver disk comes with tutorials just in case you need to set up short cuts etc.
Quality
Right now in the middle of trying to get this product up and running for more than the 30 minutes it previously was active. It suddenly stopped working after i shut down my computer. I tried to get it to work with my i-tunes program and i havent had a link between my tranzport and the usb radio device its (supposed) to communicate with.
Value
Its worth every penny as long as its working. From the 30 minutes of use i could see how in the long run its a beneficial product to have.
Manufacturer Support
So far support hasnt been the best but it hasnt been the worst either. I have been talking with them and some helpful members of the forum back and forth. I have tried everthing but no one from customer service seems to be willing to just admit i have a faulty device, and give me the option to return it for another. So im a bit upset that i keep getting the run around on that front.
The Wow Factor
Its a must have. Thats why I bought it. It would have been nice if it came in a standard black color as well but thats besides the point.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Life Music
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Submitted September 6, 2012 by julian cain in silver spring, MD

"do not buy this"

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
It stopped working and its constantly a bother to keep in sync with computer. The worst thing about this product is the battery compartment. Well, it absolutely sucks! It's so hard to get the batteries in and out without a struggle. Do not buy....its a terrible design!

Musical Background:

19 years / keys and vocals

Musical Style:

blues, jazz, pop and dance
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Submitted July 12, 2005

"Your gonna love this thing!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Right now, this unit will server me just fine.
Sound
I am a Cubase SX3 user / window environment. This guy doesn't work to well doing Mackie Emulation, but product support sent me the beta plugin / driver for Cubase and it cleared things up. Let me tell you, this thing is AWESOME. If your a one man production team such as myself, you will love it. I didn't realize how going back and forth between the instrument and the computer keyboard slowed me down. I place this bad boy right on my keyboard and off I go!
Features
The new plugin / driver allows you to assign a lot more custom functions.
Value
All I have to say is once you start using it, you will wonder how you made it w/o it.
Manufacturer Support
They really responded fast and from what I have read in the forums, users with problems are treated great.

Musical Background:

semi pro

Musical Style:

Rock
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