Control surfaces are an absolute must for many audio engineers. These days controllers come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small budget-friendly options through to large format deluxe models costing more than some luxury cars. In this article, we're going to take a whistle-stop tour through the lower end of the control surface market, looking specifically at the single fader category.
Not every audio engineer can indulge themselves in medium to large form factor control surfaces, often because space is at a premium in their studios. If you have limited space on your desk and yet require a control surface, then the following single fader options are well worth checking out.
Having limited desk space isn't the only reason to consider a single fader controller. Many engineers move between studios or travel a lot with work. These little devices serve users who are frequently on the go well as they are small enough to throw into a backpack and move around with a laptop. Another of the benefits of these sorts of control surfaces is price. These are typically much simpler in design so the purchase price typically reflects that. If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford more than $300 to $400 on a new DAW control surface, then some of the following products are all great options to consider.
The range of single fader controllers isn't huge with the slightly larger eight fader units and modular systems being more popular. But don't discount these pocket-sized controllers as they often provide all the essential control features you need to get a production completed. For many jobs, you only need a single fader for riding the level on one source at a time.
With that, what are the best single fader control surfaces on the market today?
Avid Dock - MSRP $1,199 (Excluding The Cost Of A Tablet)
We kick off this article with the most expensive single fader product in the list. Avid's Dock has been with us for a couple of years now and even though Avid makes it, the Dock isn't just compatible with Pro Tools. Eucon is the brain behind Avid’s Dock, which enables it, together with Avid’s free Control app, running on iOS, and soon on Android as well, to work with many other popular Eucon compatible applications.
Transport controls, a jog wheel, several encoders, programmable touch strip buttons and the ability to control monitoring level are some of the main features in Avid's Dock. Unlike the other single fader controllers that we're about to highlight, the Dock with a tablet enables users to navigate their entire session without the need for reaching a mouse. Users can touch available tracks in the Tracks view of Avid's Control App, the single attention channel fader responds by moving to that track's level value, and you're good to go. The 8 touch-sensitive push-top soft knobs (4 either side of the tablet display) feel lovely and correspond to whatever EQ, dynamics or effects you have loaded in the Channel view of the Control app.
Many may wonder why the price of Avid’s Dock is so steep when compared to similar products, but once you've played with a Dock using the Control App and seen the build quality and workflow options you'll probably consider the Dock to be a fair price.
Top-Down Dimensions:
Width: 35.2cm
Height: 35.9cm
Depth: 2.7 cm, 13.8 cm (front, rear w/knobs)
Though, if your budget is tight, you're in luck, there are several other options to consider if you need a single fader controller under your finger. Read on to learn about those…
Behringer X-Touch One - MSRP: $269.99
The Behringer X-Touch range provides three models with the X-Touch One being the entry-level model. It provides a single motorised fader, a single encoder with LEDs surrounding showing pan position, a timecode display along with the essential transport buttons. X-Touch One is compatible with all the popular DAWs and ships with 11 overlay templates to match up button names with specific DAW controls. Mackie and HUI are the supported protocols with this device connecting to your computer over USB. What makes X-Touch One special is that Behringer included a jog wheel, you don’t find these typically on single faders units. Each of the buttons illuminates from within, making this a very attractive and easy to navigate controller.
Between the single motorised fader and encoder, you’ll find an LCD display that displays track name, which is again another feature you’ll find exclusively on this particular single fader controller.
The X-Touch One, unlike other single fader controllers, can be fully bus-powered via USB, however, two USB slots are required to fully power this device to enable the use of the motorised fader. The good news is that an external PSU can be used to fully power this device if you only have one available USB slot in your computer.
Top-Down Dimensions:
Width: 19.6cm
Height: 23.3cm
Depth: 6.5cm
For the money, you may be hard-pressed to find another controller this feature-rich. However, if you don’t feel Behringer’s X Touch one is the right single fader controller for you then luckily you have a few more options to consider below.
iCON Platform Nano - MSRP $229.99
iCON’s range of DAW controllers have been around for a few years and are widely considered to be the lowest cost option of controller you can buy for your studio. In amongst their range of modular eight fader units, we find this, Platform Nano. Featured is a single motorised fader and unlike Behringer's X Touch One there are four encoders across the top of this device. There is a jog wheel with a single backlit LCD for displaying track name and other essential values. Again, like the X-Touch, the connection is over USB 2.0 and supports Mackie and HUI protocols enabling this to integrate with all popular DAWs. So far so good, what’s the catch?
The differences between this and the X-Touch are slim with the Nano costing around $40 less. For that price saving, you may be sacrificing the better look and design of the integrated coloured LEDs in the buttons.
However, if you are on an extremely tight budget, iCON's Platform Nano looks to feature all the essential control aspects you need to navigate and mix your productions.
Top-Down Dimensions:
Width: 19.5cm
Height: 21.5cm
Depth: 5.5cm
PreSonus Faderport - MSRP: $285.95
Of the single fader controllers in this list, PreSonus' single fader Faderport recently entered into its second generation making this the most developed single fader controller around. The V2 Faderport was redesigned to include better feel, ruggedness and a fresher more up to date look. The latest version 2 of Faderport is the slimmest of the single fader controller bunch, useful if desk space is limited. Unlike the X-Touch One and iCON Nano, the Faderport doesn’t have an LCD, which does let the design down slightly. Faderport V2 looks to be the most expensive option as well, which again lets it down slightly, though if you shop around you may find some good deals on these which will cost you less than $220.
One neat addition if you buy a Faderport V2 is a free copy of Studio One Artist worth £85 here in the UK. That’s a generous bundle, especially if you are brand new to recording or you wish to buy Studio One and want to save money buying a separate DAW. Being a PreSonus product, seamless integration with Studio One is to be expected but does it work with other DAWs? Yes, like the other devices we’ve looked at so far, Faderport also supports Mackie and HUI protocols. When you first power up Faderport it will default to Studio One, this can easily change by holding down several buttons upon turning the device on to switch its function to other DAWs.
Faderport V2 can be used without a main’s power supply via bus power instead from the USB connection, though in this configuration although the fader will still work, it won’t be motorised.
For Studio One users on tight budgets, Faderport is an obvious choice of single fader unit.
Top-Down Dimensions:
Width: 14cm
Height: 23cm
Depth: 4.5cm
PreSonus ioStation 24c Announced - Part Interface Part Controller
PreSonus, the makers of Studio One, announced the ioStation 24c audio interface at NAMM2020.
The ioStation 24c audio interface includes two of PreSonus XMAX Class A analog microphone preamps with converters designed to provide 115 dB of dynamic range. They have incorporated elements from their FaderPort series controllers into the ioStation 24c. You will still use your keyboard and mouse for things they do well, while the ioStation 24c can handle what you really want to get your fingers on: your mix.
Streamlined workflow and support for the Mackie Control and HUI protocols make ioSatation 24c able to control Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, Ableton Live, and more without needing to install drivers. Understandably there is deep integration with Studio One DAW.
Future Control Surface Considerations To Consider If You Outgrow Single Faders
In the future, if you feel you have outgrown your single fader controller, or you currently have a little extra money to spend, consider the following control surfaces we discuss in our articles below: