Imagine a classic recording studio with a grand console dominating the room. Those days are over, replaced by DAWs that now lead the way in music production.
Gear and software are accessible to anyone interested in audio recording. Plus, vintage gear and equipment are now available in plugin forms.
Today, you can tweak your DAW using your computer mouse. Yet, for audio engineers and producers, the mouse often falls short. They enhance their DAWs with DAW Controller Surfaces or MIDI fader controllers for hands-on control.
The Best MIDI Fader Controllers in the Market Today
Let’s compare these in more detail.
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Once you understand the key factors for buying a MIDI fader controller, you’ll be closer to finding the perfect one for your needs. Here are some highly recommended MIDI faders to help you make your choice:
If you crave perfect control of your DAW, check out the JL Cooper FadermasterPro MIDI Automation Controller. It offers excellent command over your mixing, editing, programming, and other MIDI tasks.
Furthermore, it includes 20 programmable banks to store setup levels, editing configurations, and favorite parameters. It also offers over 50 factory presets. This CC fader stands out due to its precision, quality, and smooth operation.
It’s easy to use and streamlines your workflow. It features 8 fully-programmable, high-quality 100mm faders.
The Mackie MCU Pro is an excellent choice for those who want hands-on control of their DAW. With the Mackie Control Protocol, it provides ultra-high resolution and more tactile control than other models. It’s high-quality, simple to set up, and widely supported.
The Mackie MCU Pro uses the proprietary Mackie protocol for smooth software integration. It features 100mm touch-sensitive Alps motorized faders. It also offers V-pot control for software, virtual instruments, and plug-in effects.
Furthermore, it features 50 dedicated pushbuttons for perfect control of your DAW’s parameters, along with tape-style transport controls. A full-meter display shows parameters and track names. Quick cursor-style buttons for Down, Up, Left, Right, and Zoom add to its ease of use.
The Mackie MCU Pro features a USB MIDI interface for a direct PC or Mac connection. It includes software-specific Lexan overlays. This control surface has been a favorite for years due to its straightforward modular design.
You can expand it with extra banks of eight faders and an encoder unit to manage plug-in settings. The main MCU Pro Unit, though pricey, offers great value. Spending on the MCU Pro Unit is worth it.
This universal DAW remote control works for both Live and Studio applications. It supports HUI and Mackie control protocols, ensuring smooth integration with any compatible music production software.
The BEHRINGER (XTOUCH) has nine fully automated, touch-sensitive motorized faders (100mm). It includes 8 dynamic LCD Scribble Strips for a quick view of track parameters and names. The X-TOUCH provides seamless integration.
The PreSonus FaderPort 8 is the best-looking controller available. It features 8 touch-sensitive motorized faders (100mm) and 8 impressive Scribble Strip displays. You’ll save a lot of time controlling and mixing on your DAW with the FaderPort 8.
The PreSonus FaderPort 8’s motorized faders handle your workflow with precise automation. Its channel controls include standard level, solo, pan, mute, and record arm. With a digital scribble strip display, you’ll always stay on track. It also supports PreSonus Studio One, Mackie Control, and HUI, making it compatible with any DAW software.
The PreSonus FaderPort 8 boosts your workflow with dedicated transport controls. You can manage complex sessions with its Session navigator and quickly edit plug-in settings.
One key feature of the Akai Professional MIDImix MIDI Control Surface is its SEND ALL function. It syncs your MIDImix controls with your DAW’s settings, letting you seamlessly continue your work where you left off.
The MIDImix features an easy-to-use, lightweight, and portable design. It offers a streamlined setup for Ableton Live. Just plug it into your PC, launch Ableton, and start creating and recording music right away.
The Akai Professional MIDImix has 8 line faders, a master fader, and 24 multi-functional knobs, featuring 3 per channel. It also includes 8 buttons in two banks with solo and mute controls for each channel. Additionally, it offers 1-to-1 integration with your Ableton Live.
Understanding a MIDI Control Surface
MIDI fader controllers or control surfaces are MIDI/USB devices that connect to your DAW, offering hands-on control. They lack input or output capabilities and can’t be used to input audio data like digital or analog mixers.
The DAW controller resembles a mixing board but serves a different function. It’s actually a controller for your DAW, bringing most DAW functions to your desktop for hands-on control. Think of it as a sophisticated mouse that lets you manipulate your DAW, communicating with your software to make many functions easily accessible.
But How Does It Communicate with the DAW?
Understanding how the control surface talks to your DAW helps manage expectations. It uses a protocol that lets third-party devices sync with your recording and mixing software. This protocol, created years ago by software developers, enables plugins and other devices to communicate with your DAW.
Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider When Selecting a MIDI Fader Controller
The market has many control surface models, making the selection process tricky. To choose the right surface controller, consider these essential factors:
Faster Workflow
Control surfaces streamline your workflow. Using them is much easier and more convenient than a mouse and keyboard for operating your DAW.
Control surfaces offer dedicated controls like faders, a transport bar, and assignable buttons. These features create a smoother workflow than using a mouse and keyboard.
Mixing Results
You might not realize it, but using a controller can boost your mixing quality. Though it doesn’t directly record like audio interfaces and mixers, it impacts the mixing process. Faders control track gain in your DAWs and mixers. Gain, measured in decibels, isn’t linear like meters or kilograms.
The decibel measures a wave’s amplitude. Increasing the gain by 1dB doubles the wave’s amplitude. This doubling effect makes using the faders more complex when balancing instrument volume.
If you’re just using your mouse to find a balance, you’ll struggle. Control surfaces become valuable for making subtle fader adjustments, leading to better mixing.
Analog Feel
You’ll need a control surface to get the perfect coordination between your eyes and fingers while mixing or recording. A mouse just won’t cut it. With a control surface, you can manipulate your DAW much like using an analog mixer or console.
Remember, every studio needs an analog environment. Nothing beats the analog feel for recording or mixing. You can achieve this with a control surface, providing an analog-style user interface.
Consider Your Budget
Budget is a big factor in choosing a control surface. They’re generally cheaper than digital mixers, so you can get one for a much lower cost.
If you want to save on your recording and mixing setup, consider using control surfaces instead of digital mixers. These can be an excellent alternative.
Conclusion
If you need extra power while using your software, a control surface is a great option. It gives you full command of your DAW, making your workflow smooth and efficient. Control surfaces vary widely, which can make choosing the right one challenging.
Knowing the top control surfaces helps you compare their features. By studying these features, you can quickly find the control surface that best meets your needs.