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Does anyone make a small outboard fader pack (hardware) for controlling DAW's virtual faders?

Bob_Ross

Bob_Ross

Gold Supporting Member
Dec 29, 2012
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29,433
#1
I feel like I'm at least two decades out-of-date when it comes to pro audio products for the studio, so maybe this is something super-common ...or maybe it's something that came & went and everyone's doing something else nowadays?

I'd like to get some outboard hardware faders -- more than one, but I don't really need eight -- that I can plug into my computer and use to control the virtual faders onscreen in my Digital Audio Workstation. I want the tactile feel of real faders, rather than trying to push virtual faders around with a mouse, and I want to be able to control relative balances of at least two separate tracks simultaneously.

If this were 1999 I'd probably be looking at a Mackie HUI (except I don't need all the additional features the HUI had) or maybe those modular fader packs that Digidesign made for Pro Tools (except I won't be using it with Pro Tools).

A tiny control surface: Four 100mm faders that connect via USB would probably be ideal for my needs. Does such a thing exist?

Thanks.
 
#4
Aloe said:
well, a faderport 8 is at least smaller than a hui
Click to expand...

You mean this Presonus thing?
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FaderPort8--presonus-faderport-8-production-controller
92f4d97d6eHUOWvfSEoAipbXniQxMgV87y6GJFYH.jpg


That's not a terrible idea at all, thanks!

Now I just need to confirm it will work with my ancient Mac and equally ancient DAW!
 
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#6
ClusterFlux said:
Yes, there are lots of MIDI controllers with faders. What is your budget?
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't flinch at all when I looked at the $399 Presonus Faderport 8 that @Aloe suggested ...but my preliminary search also turned up a number of products by Speck and Neve that were in the >$1,700 range, and that's definitely too much for the amount of use this thing would get.

So let's say my budget is under $500, and if I can do it for half that, even better. Thanks.
 
#8
There’s a big gap between single fader and 8 fader models. Even with 8 I found myself spending too much time banking up and down for it to be useful. For me it’s either chaining together enough for 24-32, or just using mouse and keyboard, MAYBE with a single fader for automation drawing. Also, if a unit doesn’t have scribble strips it’s not worth your time.
 
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#9
Loads of options nowadays, the SSL UF8 is the best one by far, offering the real tactile feel of an analog console; or if you can manage with a single fader, the SSL UF1. Presonus, ICON, Behringer also have several offerings but they don't have the quality of the SSL.
The SSL UF8 can be daisy-chained with additional units and has scribble strips.
 
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#11
There are dozens of MIDI Control Surfaces on the market with faders on them. That's what you're looking for.

Most are going to be like the Novation Launch Control or Akai MidiMix with a bunch of faders, and a few other assignable buttons and knobs.

If you really genuinely only want FADERS with nothing else, there are things like Midi Maker Sparrow, which is ONLY midi Faders. (Some models also have faders and one knob for each fader.) They have versions from 3 faders up to 8 faders.

But search for MIDI Control Surface and you'll get tons of devices that have a few physical faders to control the ones on your DAW.
 
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#14
I know you said you wanted the tactile experience, and that’s cool.

But if you want to adjust one (or more) while the track plays, have you looked into your DAW’s automation abilities? I use automation a lot in Logic.
 
#15
Automation is absolutely great. If any of you remember recording in the tape era the all hands on deck mixdown where everyone in the band has fader moves to perform, and as fun as that was, you appreciate automation deeply.

Not sure about OP butI definitely want faders because I drive a mouse all day for work and find it picayune to finely contral faders and knobs with a mouse. Plus slow and flow killing....
 
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#17
silky smoove said:
Even with 8 I found myself spending too much time banking up and down for it to be useful. For me it’s either chaining together enough for 24-32, or just using mouse and keyboard, MAYBE with a single fader for automation drawing. Also, if a unit doesn’t have scribble strips it’s not worth your time.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm actually not looking for something to replace the virtual mixing console in my DAW. I just want something to write automation on one or two tracks simultaneously, rather than having to draw breakpoints and curves.


Stylee Mousse said:
Anyone have experience integrating fader interfaces with old DAWs?

I’m using Logic PRo 9 on my non-networked MacBook Pro, which does what I need.

I assume control interfaces all have drivers that need current OS?
Click to expand...

I gotta confess, ^^^this is probably going to be the deciding factor for me, because I am using an ancient version of my DAW running on an ancient Mac with an ancient OS!


ctmullins said:
I know you said you wanted the tactile experience, and that’s cool.

But if you want to adjust one (or more) while the track plays, have you looked into your DAW’s automation abilities? I use automation a lot in Logic.
Click to expand...

Per above, I want the tactile fader(s) for writing automation. I'm not looking for a "mixing surface" that will replace the virtual console, just something that allows me to draw intuitive fader changes without getting hung up on the visual geometry of those curves.
 
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