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PreSonus FaderPort 16 DAW Mix Control Surface With 16 Motorized Faders
$699.99PreSonus FaderPort 16 DAW Mix Control Surface Introducing the PreSonus FaderPort 16. This control surface is designed to bring the tactile, intuitive feel of a large-format console to your home studio, making you...12 Payments of $58.33
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Solid State Logic SSL UF1 Single Fader DAW Control Surface
$699.99SSL UF1 DAW Control Surface: Precision Control for the Modern Studio The SSL UF1 is Solid State Logic’s answer to a modern studio need: focused, high-performance DAW control in a compact format. It’s not trying t...12 Payments of $58.33
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SSL UF8 Eight Fader Multi-Layer DAW Control
$1,299.99SSL UF8 Eight-Fader Multi-Layer DAW Control Not all control surfaces are built the same when it comes to advanced DAW control. The SSL UF8 draws on over 40 years of Solid State Logic’s expertise in studio workflo...12 Payments of $108.33
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iCON Pro Audio V1X Extender for V1M Control Surfa
$759.95 - $899.00iCON Pro Audio V1-X Extender for V1-M Control Surface The iCON Pro Audio V1-X acts as a powerful companion to the V1-M, allowing you to scale your mixing setup to match the complexity of your projects. Designed t...12 Payments of $74.92
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iCON Pro Audio V1M USB and MIDI Control Surface
$999.00iCON Pro Audio V1-M USB and MIDI Control Surface The iCON Pro Audio V1-M provides a comprehensive, tactile command center for your production setup, bridging the gap between digital flexibility and the hands-on f...12 Payments of $83.25
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iCON Pro Audio P1M DAW Control Surface with D4T
$569.95 - $669.00Transform Your Studio with the iCON P1-M + D4T Bundle Embark on a journey to redefine your mixing and production workflow with the iCON P1-M + D4T bundle. This powerful duo combines a highly intuitive DAW contro...12 Payments of $55.75
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Softube Console 1 Fader MKIII Control Surface
$1,099.00Console 1 Fader Mk III gives you the control and feel of 100 mm fine-tuned console faders in your DAW and rounds out the Console 1 Mixing System as the perfect complement to Console 1 Channel Mk III. Set levels, aut...12 Payments of $91.58
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Avid S1 Control Surface
$1,495.00Avid S1 gives you deep hands-on control of your favorite audio and video software. Get the unparalleled speed, rich visual feedback, and software integration of Avid’s high-end consoles in a slimline surface that’s ...12 Payments of $124.58
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SSL UC1 Hardware Controller For SSL Plug-Ins
$719.95 - $799.99SSL UC1 Hardware Controller for SSL Plug-Ins The SSL UC1 transforms your digital audio workstation into a tactile mixing powerhouse, bridging the gap between legendary analog console workflow and modern plug-in p...12 Payments of $66.67
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Softube Console 1 Channel Mk III Control Surface
$759.95 - $899.00Softube Console 1 Channel Mk III Control Surface There's mixing with a mouse, and then there's actually mixing. The Softube Console 1 Channel Mk III is built for producers who'd rather trust their hands and ears ...12 Payments of $74.92
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PreSonus FaderPort V2 Single Fader USB DAW Control Surface
$209.99Take control of your mix with the FaderPort V2! Efficiently control your music while experiencing the flow of the song. The latest generation of PreSonus’ classic USB control surface, the FaderPort enables you to re...6 Payments of $35.00
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PreSonus FaderPort 8 8 Channel DAW Mix Computer Production Controller
$499.99PreSonus FaderPort 8 Production Controller Tired of endless mouse clicks just to adjust a vocal fader? The PreSonus FaderPort 8 Production Controller delivers the tactile satisfaction of a classic mixing console ...8 Payments of $62.50
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DAW Controllers
DAW Controllers
Mixing with a mouse works; it just doesn't work well. A DAW controller gives you physical faders, transport controls, and motorized feedback so you can move through a session the way mixing was meant to feel. At AMS, we carry DAW surface controllers from SSL, Avid, PreSonus, iCON Pro Audio, Softube, and more.
What a DAW Controller Actually Does for Your Workflow
A DAW mixer controller replaces mouse clicks with physical touch. Instead of clicking a fader on screen, you move it with your hand. Instead of clicking play and stop, you press a dedicated transport button. For engineers and producers who spend long sessions in a DAW, that tactile feedback reduces fatigue, speeds up common tasks, and makes mixing feel more like mixing — not like using a spreadsheet.
Single-Fader vs. Multi-Fader DAW Controllers
Single-fader DAW transport controllers like the PreSonus FaderPort V2 and the SSL UF1 give you motorized fader control over one channel at a time, plus transport, automation modes, and navigation. They’re compact, affordable, and eliminate the need to constantly grab the mouse during tracking and light mixing.
Multi-fader surfaces like the PreSonus FaderPort 8 and the iCON Pro Audio V1-M put eight or more touch-sensitive motorized faders in front of you for full mix sessions where moving multiple channels simultaneously is the priority. The right choice depends on how you work: single-channel tracking and automation versus hands-on mixing across an entire session.
Key Features to Look for in a DAW Surface Controller
Motorized faders are the most important feature on any serious DAW mixer controller — they move to reflect the current state of your session whenever you bank channels or switch modes, so what you see on screen always matches what your hands are touching. Touch sensitivity tells the DAW when you grab a fader, enabling automation punch-in and out without pressing extra buttons. Scribble strip displays show track names and values directly on the surface, so you are not constantly looking back and forth between hardware and screen.
The iCON Pro Audio V1-M includes a 7-inch programmable touchscreen, nine touch-sensitive motorized faders, a dedicated LED meter bridge, and per-channel TFT displays — a full console-style experience in a desktop unit. The Avid S1 delivers eight motorized faders with deep Pro Tools and EUCON integration and S6-style monitoring control. For SSL plug-in users, the SSL UC1 provides direct hardware control over SSL's 360°-enabled channel strips with a dedicated EQ display.
DAW Compatibility and Protocol Support
Most DAW controllers communicate via Mackie Control Universal (MCU) or HUI protocol, which gives them basic compatibility with nearly every major DAW on the market — including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, and Reaper.
Some controllers offer deeper native integration. For example, the PreSonus FaderPort series includes native Studio One support with full Control Link functionality, and the Avid S1 uses Avid's EUCON protocol for tight Pro Tools integration. The iCON P1 Nano can connect to up to three DAWs simultaneously. Always check the specific DAW integration your controller offers before buying, especially if you run a less common host or need specific automation features.
Frequently Asked Questions About DAW Controllers
Will a DAW controller work with any DAW?
Most DAW controllers support Mackie Control Universal (MCU) and HUI protocols, which provide basic compatibility with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, FL Studio, and most other major platforms. Deep native integration — such as parameter follow, automatic mode switching, and plug-in control — varies by controller and DAW combination. Check the manufacturer's supported DAW list before purchasing if native integration matters to your workflow.
Do DAW controllers replace a mouse entirely?
No — they complement it. A DAW transport controller handles faders, transport, automation, and navigation far faster than a mouse, but you will still use a mouse for tasks like editing regions, drawing automation curves, and navigating plug-in interfaces. The goal is to reduce the number of times you reach for the mouse during a session, not to eliminate it.
What is the difference between a DAW controller and a MIDI controller?
A DAW controller is purpose-built for controlling a digital audio workstation — it has faders, transport buttons, scribble strips, and deep software integration. A MIDI controller is designed for playing and performing, with keys, pads, and encoders that send generic MIDI messages. Some MIDI controllers include basic DAW transport functions, but they are not a substitute for a dedicated DAW mixer controller with motorized faders.
Do I need motorized faders?
Motorized faders are important for mixing and automation work. Without them, fader positions do not update when you bank channels or load a saved session, creating mismatches between screen and hardware. For transport control and basic navigation, you can get by without them. For serious mixing, they make a significant difference in usability.
Take Control of Your Sessions at AMS
A dedicated DAW controller makes every session faster and more intuitive. From compact single-fader transport controllers to full multi-fader surfaces, you can find options for every studio size and budget right here at AMS. We also offer 0% interest financing, VERY fast and free shipping, a free 12-month extended warranty, and a 45-day return window. Browse our full selection and pair your controller with the right audio interface and studio monitors for a complete recording setup.
