Guide to the DAW Control Surface: You can get your mixing done much faster using these recording equipment. Learn about the various types of control surfaces, and which one to choose for you studio needs.
Studio/recording work means spending a lot of time on the computer. You always have the option of using the mouse for various activities you do on the music software, but you could easy spend hours getting one song right.
And if you do this day-in & day-out, its just a matter of time before your hands show symptoms of carpal tunnel. Not worth it really, if this is your profession!
And anyways, its possible to do a lot more work (& much faster) using a device such as a control surface rather than use the mouse of the computer.
You get a collection of buttons, levers, switches to control every aspect of your song. In fact, most engineers hardly touch the mouse once they start using control surfaces.
Recommended Control Surface
Presonus Fader Port
Compact in size. Comes with one fader (for basic transport controls, to connect footswitch jack for hands free punch in/out). Allows you to accurately write automation.
Korg nanoKONTROL2
The Korg nanoKONTROL2 fits 8 faders in a compact design, that fits nicely along-side your laptop or keyboard. Comes with Korg Kontrol Editor Software that you can use for use with various virtual instruments.
This model however DOESN’T have motorized faders to record automation (although automation can still be done using software).
The nanoKONTROL2 is often used in combination with the nanoPAD (for percussion) and the nanoKEYS (for synths) by electronic musicians.
Avid Artist Mix
The Avid Artist Mix is full of features laid in an visually-intuitive layout that makes it easy to use. It offers a much smoother response (compared to most other older control surfaces).
Warning: Because this model uses ethernet connection, newer laptops such as the Macbook Pro (which doesn’t have ethernet) will require either a thunderbolt-ethernet adapter, or a USB-ethernet adapter.
The Avid Artist Mix is definitely among the best control surface option available to most home studio owners (with or without Pro Tools).
Types of Control Surfaces Available
To cater to the needs of the artists, enthusiasts & pros, each with their own set of needs, you get various types of Control Surfaces, the more popular ones include:
Small sized control surfaces
These are very small/compact with usually only one fader and a few functions; perfect for the home user on budget.
The PreSonus Faderport is an excellent single Fader DAW controller.
Control surfaces on Keyboard controllers
Most expensive keyboard controllers now offer control surfaces as well, and the ones offered on the Novation Remote series are as much like a Mackie Control.
Control Surfaces as dedicated Mix Controllers
For most studio work, you need a larger control surface with many faders and several functions, such as the Mackie Control universal. If there is a standard, it has to be the Mackie Control universal (its expandable as well in case your needs grow).
This exciting new product from Behringer combines the versatility of today’s audio software with the feel of real controls.
Control Surface/Audio Interface combination
This is what I was pointing to earlier, as most manufacturers nowadays have products that integrate several features to offer an all-in-one solution to the home producer. These one include mid & audio interface as well.
The Cakewalk V-Studio 100 is a Control Surface plus USB interface, with built in effects.
Control surface/digital mixer combination
These are the biggest control surfaces, and also the most expensive. These include a full function digital mixer, several ins and outs, plus all the control surface functions.
The PreSonus StudioLive (24-Channel) is one such amazing digital board available at a reasonable price.
What to Choose?
Choose one from the several types, depending on what you’re trying to achieve.
One word of caution – certain controllers and interfaces usually operate with only certain software programs, so you need to confirm that the control surface you intend to buy will work with the music software you have.
Here’s a video on how to find the right Control Surface for Your Home Recording Studio:
What is a Control Surface?
A control surface is a hardware that connects to your computer to provide physical manipulation of your music software through MIDI.
These are available in various forms and sizes (small to very large), but all are designed to make music production using software much easier, faster, and more natural for musicians.
The array of buttons, knobs, and faders provided by most control surfaces will probably seem very familiar to musicians involved with audio production, whether live or in the studio, as many were borrowed from their hardware-based predecessors.
In case you’re a software DJ and have never touched a real mixer or recorder, you really don’t have to worry as these units are also designed to be intuitive.
Is it Same as a Studio Mixer?
Even though most control surfaces look similar to, & offer mixer-like functions, they are not true mixers as most cannot handle audio. They can only send out midi messages!
However, just to muddy the water a little, some control surfaces may offer audio I/O and handling capability. So you definitely have options that offer more features/functions.
Its like the distinction between midi interface & audio-interface, where are the lower price points you’ve clear distinctions and a particular model is not likely to offer you everything. However, if you pick up a top of the line stuff, its likely to provide you everything on one product.
How Does it Work?
In general, most DAW (digital audio workstation) control surfaces provide command over basic software music production tasks like track selection, mixing, editing, and volume control, as well as vital transport controls: stop, play, fast forward, rewind, and record.
Don’t want to use the default settings? You can customize its functions, based on the tasks you need to manage, using the assignable controls that most of these equipment have.
And these days, most control surfaces are plug-and-play with most major DAW software, so it’s quite easy to integrate them in your recording setup.
To Conclude
Mixing at home nowadays is more often done on a computer using a mouse and keyboard. Now you can have a real studio like experience by using a control surface in your setup. Besides improving the speed and precision of your workflow, you feel as if you’re working in a real studio. And I guarantee that once you mix with a real control surface, you’ll never go back to the mouse and keyboard again.
There are many who use an external audio interface (firewire) along with their computer, as it takes most of the load off your computer. The various physical sliders and buttons are right in front of you, and it’s also much easier as compared to using the mouse and finding the right functions on the screen.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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