Akai Professional APC40 mkII Ableton Live Performance Controller
- Perfect Integration with Ableton Live
- 5 x 8 Clip-Launch Matrix
- 9 Faders
- 8 Control Knobs
Novation Launch Control XL Controller for Ableton Live (Black)
- Total Integration with Ableton Live
- 24 Knobs with Multicolor Indicators
- 16 Multicolor Buttons + 8 Faders
- Ableton Live and Loopmaster Samples
Akai Professional APC64 Next-Generation Ableton Live Controller
- For Studio and Live Performance
- 64 RGB Velocity-Sensitive Pads
- Polyphonic Aftertouch
- 8 Assignable Touch Strips
Akai Professional APC mini mk2 Compact Performance Controller for Ableton Live
- Complete Integration with Ableton Live
- 8x8 Clip-Launch Matrix
- 64 RGB Pads
- 9 Assignable Faders
Korg nanoKONTROL2 - Slim-Line USB MIDI Controller (Black)
- 8 Faders
- 8 Knobs
- 24 Switches
- Transport Controls
Icon Pro Audio V1-M DAW Control Surface
- Nine Touch-Sensitive Motorized Faders
- 100mm Faders with 12-Bit Resolution
- Five-Layer Commands, Hi-Res Jog Wheel
- 7" 24-Panel TFT Touchscreen
Avid Pro Tools Dock - EUCON Control Surface for Integrating with iPad
- 16 Soft Keys
- 8 Soft Knobs
- 2 Touch Strips
- Jog Wheel
Waves FIT Controller for Emotion LV1 Mixer
- 16+1 Motorized 100mm Touch Faders
- 16+1 Bright Strip Displays
- 16+1 Clickable Rotary Encoders
- 8 Fader Layer Selectors, Tap-Tempo Pad
Avid S1 EUCON-Enabled Desktop Control Surface
- 8 Channel Strips
- Touch-Sensitive Motorized 100mm Faders
- 8 Touch-Sensitive Rotary Encoders
- 8 High-Resolution OLED Displays
Korg nanoKONTROL2 Slim-Line USB MIDI Controller (White)
- 8 Faders
- 8 Knobs
- 24 Switches
- Transport Controls
Novation Launchpad Mini MK3 64-Pad MIDI Grid Controller for Ableton Live
- Compact, Portable, and Lightweight
- 64 RGB Performance Pads
- USB Powered
- Stop, Solo, and Mute Controls
Novation Launch Control XL 3 Control Surface for DAWs
- Control Surface for DAWs and MIDI Gear
- Effortlessly Map Controls via Components
- Eight 60mm Faders, 24 Endless Encoders
- 16 Assignable Buttons in Two Banks
Nektar Technology Panorama CS12 Channel Strip and DAW Plug-In Controller for Logic Pro, Cubase, and Nuendo
- Long-Throw 100mm Alps Motorized Fader
- 3.5" TFT Color Display
- 13 RGB Endless Encoders
- Fast and Intuitive Automation Recording
Solid State Logic UF1 Single-Fader DAW Control Surface
- Tactile Control over 3 DAWs at Once
- 100mm Motorized Fader
- Dual High-Resolution Displays
- Durable Soft-Feel Rubber Keys
Arturia Beatstep USB, MIDI, and CV Controller and Sequencer
- 16 Velocity and Pressure Sensitive Pads
- 16 Rotary Encoders
- 16 MIDI Controller Presets
- 16 Sequence Presets
Novation Launchpad X Grid Controller for Ableton Live
- 64 RGB Pads
- Launch Clips and Scenes
- 16 Buttons and 81 RGB LEDs
- Control Volume, Pans, and Sends
Icon Pro Audio V1-X DAW Control Expander for V1-M
- 8-Channel Expander for V1-M Controller
- Additional Tactile Control over DAW
- Eight Touch-Sensitive Motorized Faders
- 100mm Faders with 12-Bit Resolution
Solid State Logic UF8 Advanced DAW Controller
- Fader Bank and Controller for DAWs
- For Pro Tools, Logic, Live, and More
- 8 x 100mm Motorized Faders
- RGB Buttons and LCD Displays
Behringer X-TOUCH MINI Ultra-Compact Universal USB Controller
- Universal Remote Control
- Control DAWs, Instruments, FX, Lighting
- Mackie Control Mode
- Dual Layer Mode for Quick Changes
Denon Flash Start Remote RS-232C Remote Controller
- Control Media Players/Recorders
- For Denon Professional 500/700 Series
- Twenty Hot Start Buttons
- Instantly Start and Stop Audio Files
Akai Professional MPC Studio Music Production Controller for MPC Software
- Integrated Hardware/Software System
- Compact Design
- 16 Full-Sized Vel Sensitive RGB Pads
- Color LCD for Browsing and Editing
PreSonus FaderPort Single-Fader USB Control Surface (2nd Generation)
- Touch-Sensitive 100mm Motorized Fader
- Large 360-Degree Push-Button Encoder
- Transport & Automation Controls
- Solo, Mute & Marker Controls
Solid State Logic UC1 Hardware Plug-In Control Surface
- SSL Workflow and Console Ergonomics
- Knob-per-Function Control of Plug-Ins
- Includes Channel Strip 2 Plug-In
- Includes Bus Compressor 2 Plug-In
JLCooper AXOS Surround Panner for AVID Pro Tools and Apple Logic Pro X
Icon Pro Audio iControls Mini USB MIDI Controller (Black)
- 9 Assignable Faders
- 9 Assignable Data Encoders
- Transport Controls
- Cursor Joystick
TC Electronic Brickwall HD-DT Master Limiter Plug-In with Hardware Controller
- Transparent Brickwall Limiter for DAWs
- Dedicated Tactile Hardware Interface
- Loudness Limiter for Streaming Platforms
- Premium ISP Limiting for Clean Results
Akai Professional MIDImix High-Performance Portable Mixer/DAW Controller
- Perfect Integration with Any DAW
- 9 Faders: 8 Channel and 1 Master
- 24 Knobs Total: 3 Per Channel
- 16 Buttons in 2 Banks
BEACN Mix Desktop Control Surface (White)
- USB Audio Controller for Windows
- Ideal for Conferences, Streaming, Gaming
- Customizable Full-Color 5" LCD Screen
- Four Assignable Push-Button Knobs
Using Control Surfaces & MIDI Fader Controllers
Control surfaces are an effective way to interact with your software programs to conveniently produce music. They come with physical MIDI faders, buttons, knobs, and sliders for easy hands-on operation, as well as flashing lights to give you better understanding of your equipment during the music-making process.
Why Use DAW Control Surfaces?
One of the most important benefits of control surfaces and other MIDI performance and wind controllers is better ergonomics. When using a keyboard and mouse for music production, you'll find yourself sitting with a poor posture for long hours, and wasting movement. The superior ergonomics of control surfaces will keep you comfortable and efficient.
DAW control surfaces also allow you to adjust multiple faders simultaneously. This saves you the time of having to make vocal fader adjustments and then going back to the beginning of the song to make instrument tweaks. Control surfaces also eliminate the visual aspects of music production, to help you concentrate more on the quality of music rather than the way waveforms and level meters look on the screen. If you're a DJ, you can make use of the scribble strips on MIDI control surfaces that display names, parameter values, and other vital information of your tracks.
What to Look for in a Control Surface
Consider the connectivity protocol of MIDI fader controllers. For instance, USB/MIDI keyboard controllers are not only compatible with USB and MIDI connections, but may also come with Bluetooth, FireWire, and Ethernet connectivity. This connectivity enhances the attachment of more control surface functions.
You may also want to consider touch-sensitive and motorized faders to enhance your workflow. For example, drum pad controllers have touchpads that allow you to quickly add effects to the beats.
Browse B&H Photo and Video's wide selection of control surfaces to find the right device for your music production.