Want a Control Surface - Watch This First

Affiliate link options below.

Please know that by using any of the links below helps me continue with the channel as if you choose to buy from any of the links below I will get a small commission.

[odmusicman]

I think you make a good point where truly the choice for people is whether one just loves the idea of having a control surface or actually needs it for improved workflow. I am considering the Presonus Faderport and I have Studio One. What I have to reconcile is whether it will really help because up to now, I am doing well without it.

[edwardx.winston]

Such a practical and honest video, Barry. Well done.

I bought an old Digi/Focusrite Control 24 in great cosmetic shape for $700 from a local studio. I then found another used/non-functioning one for $100, which I promptly tore apart for spare parts (faders, transport buttons, jog wheel, knobs, etc.). After buying a rebuilt power supply for the nice Control 24 and the requisite software to run it with Logic (V-Control Pro by Neyrinck), I am about $1, 500 into the whole project. That might seem pricey for a 20-year-old relic, but to get something new with 24 motorized faders, a decent meter bridge, and various transport and plugin controls—at that price point—would leave me only one option: a Behringer X-Touch with two extenders. The Behringer stuff isn’t bad, but it’s plastic, while my Control 24 is 88 lbs. of steel sheet metal and ABS. It looks professional and understated compared to the Xmas tree lights of the Behringer.

I like putting my hands on faders. I think riding a fader or two adds a human feel that drawing perfect automation curves lacks.

That said, I didn’t actually NEED one. I could do everything with a mouse and save the trouble of keeping a piece of vintage gear running. But it just looks awesome in my project studio. It’s 2-3x bigger than a Faderport 16, and I’ll grant you that a lot of that size is wasted space and hardware (the built-in preamps are junk compared to what’s available today, so no one uses them), but I suppose I could use the preamps if I ever wanted to mix a live recording on the fly (which I will likely never do).

But the fact of the matter is that, to use the jargon of gun reviewer NutnFancy, this is about “second cool.” “First cool” is a term for the practical qualities of a device, whereas “second cool” is purely aesthetic and subjective, i.e., how the device affects you emotionally. So for me, the Control 24 has some “first cool” practical applications as a mixing tool, but it mostly has a “second cool” mojo I just love. And that’s okay.

Thanks for all you do, Barry! Keep up the good fight!

[teashea]

nice video - articulate and organized. I use a SSL system the mixing/mastering station in my studio with Reaper - SSL UF8, UF1, UC1, Bus +, SSL 12, Fusion, Big Six, Pure Drive Quad

[delmixedit]

Well said and I agree. One thing I'll add is that if people are going to try it, they need to fully commit to it and really dig into it for a set period of time. Just like switching out things on your mix bus, you have to work through it.

I've been on control surfaces most of my career and I cant work without them. I can fader ride an entire drum kit or up to 8 (my thumbs don't give you enough room to move 😅) guitars simultaneously.

This also applies to things like Streamdeck. Most people I talk to that don't really use it is because they never took the time to really dive in to learn and program it.

Awesome job again!

[KernSound]

I am from the old analog time, 24" tape, and a 48 channel board. I move faster with faders and even though I am proficient with a mouse and keyboard, I will be faster with faders. So for me a controller is a must. The faster I mix the better my mixes are.

[CrashwaggonMusic]

Been using the mouse for mixing for the last 25 years or so, and recently finally got myself a control surface, After about a week of getting used to using it, I can't believe I didn't get one years ago. Sure, most of the editing is still done with a mouse and keyboard, but I work WAY faster when doing actual mixing now than before. For me that's absolutely a good thing.

[mrbigglesworth]

I’m glad I’m finding these videos, helps me so much thank you 🙏

[orryfishburne]

Im still new to using a control surface. Im a Studio One user and decided to give the Faderport 16 a try. So far im loving it. Having a hands on approach has helped my workflow and inspiration. As a guitarist i really enjoy being able to use a footswitch to punch in and out too. After using this for about 2 months i will say that i would have been more than happy with the Faderport 8 instead of the 16. I like the idea of having 16 faders and it looks awesome on my desk, but in reality i dont need that many faders for my own work and it takes up a lot of space on my desk. I definitely use the transport controls and other track controls like arming tracks more than the faders, but i do use the faders a bunch as well. So far i have only used a fraction of what its capable of and havent even scratched the surface, but im looking forward to using it more and more.

[jrbenefieldjb]

Hey Barry JB here from Advancing Guitarists. Fantastic video. I started my day with this one and it helped me make a decision. Really glad I watched until the end and found out that I can kick you some coin every time I purchase from Sweetwater. Cheers.

[PurpleMusicProductions]

I am of the Gen X generation, so I prefer touching knobs, buttons, faders, books as it makes me feel more connected to the task at hand and I retain the information better. Once I got the opportunity to work with control surfaces there was no looking back regardless of the quirks. I use the UF8, UF1, UC1 for Pro Tools and Cubase. I agree Pro Tools needs to get with the modern times and change their protocols.

[Prolivesoundmixing]

I use my control surface for only one reason, and that’s when I need to do more than one thing at a time like moving more than one fader or pressing mute and solo at the same time to compare signals. But these situations happen often enough and are very crucial at times so it’s a good reason to have one.

[jonkthompson]

I have an iCon QCon Pro X and will turn my screen off when mixing! It helps a ton to focus on what I'm listening to vs what I'm seeing.

[JAMPROSOUND]

I've had several. I love the idea but ultimately work just as fast without.

After you buy one or two and then watch support for them vanish, you start to rethink things a bit.

There have been many very cool and useful surfaces over the years. They all seem to be missing something significant in some way and then become paperweights.

I have a collection building.

[stingylizard]

Our Behringer X-Compact w 9 faders still rockin'.

[dwightdeon]

I used to have a Tascam US-2400 with my protools rig, back in 2010. Loved it. Back then, the cheaper control surfaces didn't do much more than have transport control, panning and faders but for how i work, nothing beats riding a fader or pan pot when writing automation. got out of the game for a decade, sold everything i had and got back into this a few years ago. Have been slowly buying stuff, and a new control surface is on my wish list. I didn't know the SSL series didn't work as well on Pro tools... that's what I as going to look into, but was also considering a faderport. Will have to do some research and see what features i'd be missing and if it even matters for my use. I love the idea of the new plugin mapping thing they released and I just love grabbing a fader when mixing.

[CWoodOne]

Great video, Barry! BTW, how do you keep in shape and keep from getting fatigued with long hours at the console? A video on that topic would be great.

[Rhuggins]

Love my Console One. BUT - It was most certainly a learning curve. Training a new muscle. I came up on DAWs and with a mouse workflow. For awhile, it felt a lot easier using a mouse for that reason. Eventually - I started using one fader at a time - I realized that I liked the ability to click on a track, and automatically have a fader at my disposal to use for volume. Then, I realized panning was infinitely easier too. Fast forward - I adore it and use it a lot, in conjunction with other plugins of course.. I still kind of like the solidity and predictability of automating with a mouse, but I do use my faders sometimes too (mostly when I want ot feel like a badass lol).

[Quietcharacter]

Now that the softube console has the uad integration i use my mouse a lot less. Only thing I feel I'm missing now is a jog wheel to scrub thru my timeline

[SG-u]

You got the first part mostly right, which is control surfaces are for people suffering Gear Accusation Syndrome. There are two reasons to acquire one. First, you spend hours every day doing the same thing over and over and the control surface saves you time/effort. Second, the control surface allows you to do something you can't do with keyboard/mouse/automation. I suspect that for 80% of people neither of these things apply. So then you measure the cost (which doesn't really matter, if you use it, it's worth it), the time to learn it and integrate it (matters), and the workflow/desk space (matters a lot).

[privateer]

Several years back I got one. I've never really bonded with it. I'm just too used to working with a mouse.