Is a DAW Controller For Your Home Studio?

A DAW Controller can be a real step up for a Home Recording Studio but it's not for everyone. I weigh the Pros & Cons to help you decide if one is right for you.
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A DAW Controller or DAW Control Surface emulates a mixing desk by controlling functions in your DAW. However, they are capable of much more than mixing. I weigh the Pros and Cons to help you decide if one would work well in your home studio.

Learn more about DAW Controllers including automation here:
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Index
00:00 Video Start
00:56 The Experience
02:02 Access Functions
03:39 Fader Types
05:06 Hands-On Control
07:26 Expandability
09:03 DAW Integration
11:15 Workflow
12:41 Longevity

[eddaley]

Possibly the most helpful controller info ever for me at least. I am far from being new to this, but sometimes the bells and whistles can be quite alluring! This brought me back to earth on my expectations and certainly helped me adjust what I actually need to fulfill my needs and not break the bank! Thank you ...very good insight here....

[jonvincentmusic]

Great video. I recently bought a set of three Qcon Pro XS and a master Pro X on the strength of your old video from a couple of years ago. Definitely do not regret it.

[TheMaartian]

Great video! Thanks. Some of your comments can be extended to cover control surfaces that are part of a MIDI keyboard controller. I had a Nektar Panorama P6 with 9 non-motorized faders and one motorized fader, plus a bunch of buttons and rotary encoders. The non-motorized faders need a software host that supports "soft pickup" (not doing anything until the fader is moved to the current value in the DAW). Five years ago, not a lot of DAW controller interface software supported that feature (don't know about today, since I've moved to a control surface with no faders), so it needs to be confirmed before you set your expectations. For example, the proprietary interface protocol of the P6 never worked properly with PreSonus Studio One, even though Nektar claimed it did. The motorized fader NEVER worked in the motorized mode for me. I wound up landfilling the P6 when its color displayed failed, and replaced it with a Native Instruments S61 MkII, with no faders and fewer buttons and rotary encoders. Those at least work well in Studio One. It's nice to have control surface functionality as part of a keyboard controller (especially the transport controls), if for no other reason than to save a USB port. I had an original PreSonus FaderPort, but didn't use it much, and regretted the amount of desktop space it used, even for such a small control surface.

[keeonramusic]

Brilliant video and impeccable timing, I have a carpenter coming tomorrow to measure up for a studio desk (based on Mike Enjo's desk) so I can fit an ICON QCon Pro G2 Universal Control Surface. Just starting out, I know I don't need it, but I think it will make my workflow better from the start and set me up for good workflow habits. I watched another video you did on DAW controllers, and this video has assisted in my decision making process. Thanks Dan, great stuff!

[theNoriLi]

Oh boy this convinced me on my next diy project :D when it breaks I'll be prepped to fix it, shoring up the big weakness! Plus the xmas gifts

[thehomerecordingstudiozone]

With your advice I went for the Qcon G2 +2 extenders absolutely love them . It's the nearest I'll probably get to having a full 24 channel board in the forseable future. As you highlighted if you want a mixer at the centre of your setup it beats using a mouse any and every day of the week. It's true you do need to prioritise your desk real estate but I guess like everyone else you arrive at what suits your work flow best whether it be just 8 faders or 24. Great vid bud people thinking of getting one have justt been given some great insights.

[Gongtopia]

Thanks for the great video. I got a controller (Faderport 8) for the transport controls and motorized faders. I love being able to mix live with the faders and also being able to use them for automation. While my controller can map out and control plug ins, I still find it much easier to just use my mouse. I also use my iPad with Logic which works great when I'm across the room. So it really is up to how you like to work.

[kennethhwilliams]

I really appreciate your comments and practical insight on this. I'm thinking about getting new controllers, right now I have the originally Euphonix MC Control and MC Artist and the faders are starting to glitch and sometimes NOT move as I change banks so when touching them to make a move in automation on the intended channel it jumps to where the previous targeted channel fader was. Haha I don't have to tell you how this can screw up your mix and day. I'm going to take a look at the Icon gear.

[typodapsycho]

You got a sub just from how responsive to comments you are, so rare to see that!! Not to mention the video was helpful and informative

[renflot]

Thanks for the video. I liked the pros and cons you listed. I just purchased the Faderport 16 and am just going to install it today. I am a Studio One user, so I'll be looking to see if integration with the PreSonus native plug-ins are better than with the 3rd party plug-ins. I would expect so.

[crosstownsound]

I have a Mackie Control Universal (8 channel plus master and transport section) that isn't even USB - it communicates over MIDI. It's 16 years old and still working fine with Logic Pro.

[deejayblaz]

I’ve been looking at the qcon for a while. I use maschine inside logic for my plugin controls bc I love nks. This might actually be the perfect mixer for the electronic music producer. If I can program it for maschine software without logic, I’d be very happy, and it would probably ditch logic for good. Mixing in maschine with knobs just don’t cut it and those faders are very nice on the qcon. thanks for the video and it covered a lot of great info.

[Siralantoon]

Really enjoying your presentation and learning what I needed to know
Thank You.

[ToreHansen]

Very cool video, going to look more into controlliing this weekend.

[marcpinion]

I use a studiolive from presonus and it dose also let you control your plugins (even third party) and it also works with logic.

[citytonightproductions]

As I know you are a logic user, I wanted to share with you a game changer set of plugins for searching plugins in logic, gain control and even presets for waves, iAd and a few more. Found this the other day by chance, it’s called speakerfood plugin search. The bundle is $40USD to get all 3 plugs and so worth it. Just in case you haven’t heard of this software yet. I think you’d like it my friend! Great vid again btw!

[citytonightproductions]

Love my Qcon pro x and extenders, they are amazing units. Having hands on faders is worth it alone, never mind the programming you what to do, the jog wheel, the zoom features and the pan knobs. Closest thing to having an analog board in front of you without the $75k price tag lol
In regards to the second screen on the pro x, mine works with Logic, it shows the channel number from left to right across the 3 units I have. Not sure why yours isn’t working?

[nucentury]

I’m Running the AVID S1 with IPad PRO 11.5 I’m gonna Get one more and the Avid Dock. I thought about the Icon Qcon ProX G2 but I went with the S1 it was 200$ more and you get less but you get Quality Solid Build and the Econ Protocol runs to a T for automation and other things, I did try the Icon Platform nano.

[kubencg]

Unmotorized faders mostly have an AND-circuit. They only change setting, when 1. the value is being met and 2. when value changes.

[ehtaabbundhoo]

Really nice video. I am looking forward to get a daw controller. For plugins, maschine mk3 as midi controller is really good. For integration, I am disappointed that steinberg isn't working on a new controller unique for cubase pro.