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DAWs offer a lot of benefits over traditional analog studio workflows, but one thing that's missing is the tactile response of turning a knob or sliding a fader. Control surfaces offer the best of both worlds, combining the workflow improvements of digital audio with the familiar controls of an analog console.
With so many different control surfaces available, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your workflow. In this Buyer's Guide, you'll learn exactly what to look for when purchasing a control surface to ensure you find the perfect model.
- What are Control Surfaces?
- History of Control Surfaces
- How Control Surfaces Can Improve Your Workflow
- What To Consider When Buying A Control Surface
- The Best Control Surfaces
What are Control Surfaces?
Many control surfaces include faders, knobs, and buttons, providing tactile control over your DAW, as well as additional meters for visual feedback. Most control surfaces also feature basic transport controls, allowing you to navigate your session without using a mouse and keyboard. Many high-end control surfaces feature motorized faders for reading and writing automation. Control surfaces connect to your computer via USB or Ethernet.
History of Control Surfaces
In the mid-1990s, Digidesign started working on digital control surfaces to replace classic analog consoles and provide better integration with Pro Tools. They released the Digidesign ProControl in 1998, which was the first dedicated control surface for Pro Tools. It featured both microphone and line inputs and was connected to a PC via Ethernet. The ProControl was the precursor to the renowned Control 24 and C|24 controllers.
In 2004, Avid released the Icon D-Control, built specifically for large TV and film productions, and in 2010, they released the Artists Series and System 5 control surfaces for music production, targeted towards producers and engineers working in home studios. In 2013, Avid released the S6, a bold leap forward in control surface technology that combines the best features of the Icon and System 5 control surfaces.
Along the way, lots of new innovative control surfaces have hit the market, such as the touch-based Steven Slate Audio Raven and the versatile Softube Console 1, as well as dedicated plug-in controllers like the SSL UC1. Let's take a look at how you can integrate these control surfaces into your studio to speed up your workflow.
How Control Surfaces Can Improve Your Workflow
Control surfaces use MIDI to control DAW features, giving you complete control over your session and providing some additional meters for visual feedback. Most control surfaces feature one or more banks of channel faders, used to control levels. Additionally, many control surfaces include features found on traditional analog consoles, such as pan pots, solo and mute buttons, and dedicated record-enable buttons for each track.
Most DAW controllers feature transport controls, allowing you to play, stop, fast forward, rewind, and record throughout the session. Many control surfaces also feature navigation controls, like track and timeline scrolling, zoom controls, and a jog wheel for scrubbing and nudging. Finally, most control surfaces enable you to read and write automation, as well as toggle through automation modes.
All of these features make it easier to accomplish your goals without having to use a mouse and keyboard. This hands-on mixing approach helps save time and keeps you focused on the sound coming out of the speakers, instead of the waveforms on your computer screen.
What To Consider When Buying A Control Surface
- MCU (Mackie Control Universal): Pro Tools (via HUI emulation), Cubase/Nuendo, Logic Pro, Studio One, Ableton Live, Digital Performer, Reason, FL Studio, Bitwig Studio
- HUI (Human User Interface): Pro Tools, Cubase, Studio One, Digital Performer, Logic Pro
- EUCON (Extended User Control): Pro Tools, Cubase/Nuendo, Logic Pro X, Digital Performer
Some controllers utilize a proprietary communications protocol, meaning they only work with certain hardware and software. Check your controller’s user manual for specific compatibility information. Additionally, it's important to make sure your control surface can connect with your existing hardware. Most control surfaces use USB, FireWire, or Ethernet, so be sure your computer has the correct inputs.
Arguably, one of the most important considerations when purchasing a control surface is the number of faders or fader banks you need. Most control surfaces feature eight faders, but many feature two or four banks or channels (for up to 32 tracks). Additionally, many units can be daisy-chained to support higher channel counts.
Next, it's time to consider the bells and whistles. Would you benefit from a touch-sensitive control surface, like the Slate Raven? Or something with multiple motorized faders for writing automation, like the Avid S6? What about I/O? Would you benefit from additional analog inputs for recording and overdubbing or digital audio connectivity for routing signals throughout your studio?
The Best Control Surfaces
Ready to upgrade your studio and streamline your workflow with a new DAW control surface? Here are some of the most popular models on the market to help you find the perfect solution for your studio.
Large-Format DAW Control Surfaces
Avid S6
The Avid S6 is a completely customizable DAW controller with a modular design. Features two main controls (the Master Touch Module and the Master Automation Module) along with swappable modules for faders, knobs, buttons, and displays. The base model includes space for up to 16 faders and can be expanded with additional chassis. For more info, check out our Avid S6 Buyer's Guide.
Avid S4
The Avid S4 is a customizable semi-modular control surface that harnesses the mixing power of the award-winning Avid S6 in a smaller, more affordable package. Available in four base configurations, including three, four, and five-foot base configurations with 8, 16, or 24 faders. For more info, check out our Avid S4 Buyer's Guide.
PreSonus FaderPort 16
The FaderPort 16 is a compact 16-channel control surface with all of the essentials. Includes sixteen 100 mm touch-sensitive, motorized faders and 89 buttons covering 104 different functions. Mackie Control and HUI protocols make it fast and easy to control virtually any DAW, but the FaderPort 16 really shines when working with PreSonus Studio One.
Small-Format DAW Control Surfaces
Avid S1
Inspired by the best-selling S Series controllers, the Avid S1 delivers the same intuitive interface and rich visual feedback in a streamlined package. The S1 packs an array of powerful mixing tools into a compact, streamlined control surface that fits neatly between your monitor and your keyboard. Equipped with motorized faders, touch-sensitive knobs, and customizable soft keys, the S1 has everything you need for total hands-on control over your mix. Mute and solo tracks, fine-tune plugin parameters, and write automation with unprecedented speed and precision.
Avid Dock
Turn your iPad or Android tablet into a versatile, ergonomic studio controller with the Avid Dock. Compatible with your favorite EUCON-enabled DAWs, the Avid Dock offers extensive audio, video, and monitoring software integration and control.
SSL UF8
The SSL UF8 is a compact control surface that combines the brand's renowned ergonomics with advanced features like touch-sensitive faders, encoders, high-resolution color LCD TFT displays, custom workflows, and a multi-purpose CHANNEL encoder for quick and easy editing.
SSL UF1
The SSL UF1 combines a single, ultra-smooth motorized fader with convenient controls in an intuitive layout. Dual high-resolution displays give you clear visual feedback for levels, plug-ins, and session details, while dedicated transport controls and a weighted jog wheel keep you moving quickly through your mix. You can use the UF1 on its own for focused, hands-on control, or expand it as part of the SSL control surface ecosystem for a more complete setup.
SSL UC1
Unlike most of the other items on this list, the SSL UC1 isn’t your typical control surface, it’s a dedicated hardware plug-in controller. You can use it solo to tweak SSL’s channel strip and bus compressor, or link it up as part of the larger SSL control surface ecosystem.
Nektar Panorama CS12
Much like the SSL UC1, the Nektar Panorama CS12 is a dedicated channel strip plug-in controller, but this one is tailor-made for Logic Pro. It comes packed with a motorized ALPS fader, twelve 360º assignable pots, 26 transport and DAW function buttons, plus a sharp 3.5" full-color display.
iCon Pro Audio V1-M
The V1-M is a powerful DAW controller featuring nine touch-sensitive motorized faders and a fully customizable 7-inch digital touch-screen display. The V1-M is compatible with a wide range of popular DAWs, including Bitwig, Cubase/Nuendo, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools. Additionally, you can connect to up to three DAWs simultaneously.
iCon Pro Audio P1-M
The P1-M brings everything you love about iCon Pro's popular V1-M to a compact, semi-modular design. Designed to streamline your DAW workflow, the P1-M features eight touch-sensitive motorized faders, a programmable 4-inch digital touchscreen display, and a smooth-action jog wheel shuttle. Best of all, P1-M grows alongside your setup with easy upgrades like the P1-X Expander and optional display modules.
Softube Console 1 MKIII
The Console 1 MK III is an updated version of Console 1, featuring the same build quality as the original units, as well as the versatile Solid State Logic SL 4000 E console plug-ins. The Fader controller works best for controlling levels and writing automation, while the MK II is best for mixing and tweaking plug-ins.
PreSonus FaderPort 8
A smaller version of the FaderPort 16, FaderPort 8 features eight touch-sensitive, motorized, 100 mm faders and 57 buttons to help you work faster and smarter. Eight high-definition Scribble Strip displays provide visual feedback, including channel number, track name, pan position, and more.
Touch-Screen Control Surface Options
Steven Slate Audio Raven
Steven Slate Audio offers a series of multi-touch production consoles that bridge the gap between computer and controller. The MTi MAX features a 27-inch display with up to 32 virtual faders on screen at a time. Easily navigate through your session, adjust levels, and tweak plug-ins with your fingertips. The Raven Max is a full multitouch mixing console loaded with two ultra-sleek RAVEN MTi MAX screens, long-throw virtual faders, high-precision controls, and a new interface.
