Control surfaces are a new technology. These devices act as the physical liaison between the features from your digital mixer, and the tools of modern music software. This article explains the concept of a control surface, how it is used in a recording studio, and what this means for you and your D.A.W.
Having hands on control of compatible music software is a novel idea that uses digital music technology to combine the assets of music software & hardware. The control surface is a relatively new addition to the pro audio equipment line-up. It has been creatively developed to being an affordable luxury available for hobbyists, and still be intuitive enough to supplement professional record studios. The control surface has begun to merge the best of both worlds in music software and hardware technology, and a satisfying bang for your buck ratio.
Control surfaces look similar to a digital mixers. They act in a similar manner too. However, there are some distinct differences in how these two devices function.
- Digital Mixers: Mix digital audio from within the mixing board.
A digital mixer does its mixing onboard, using its own effects, and can output the mix to hard-disk or recorder for mix-down and mastering.
- Control Surfaces: In their raw conception, are midi controllers that simulate the faders and adjustment knobs of an analog or digital mixing board by replacing them with physical midi-signal controls to use.
The hands on faders, knobs, and buttons are used to mix your tracks with digital control.
This means automated mixing settings and adjustments can be stored into memory and brought up instantly when you open the song in your music software. Digital control also means you can customize the controls to sync the buttons to the tool you use most.
Do they do this?
Yes, I have had no problems with my control surface after a year or use. Granted, it took a little while to get used to some functions.
Do they do it well?
In my experience, they work very well.
Are they practical?
They are more intuitive than an analog mixer,
and they are cheaper than a digital mixer. This hybrid mixer called the control surface is a great addition to my recording studio.
A control surface has given us the feeling and functionality of a digital mixer, for half the cost. A control surface is just a bare bones controller for your music software. The beauty of this is that you have yet another option that gives you faders! This is huge, as mouse clicking can become a giant pain…
The control surface is a pretty basic idea of adding hardware pleasure to control your music production software. The overall performance of control surfaces is currently very satisfying to use, and they are still progressing. Firmware updates from developers keep adding more compatibility to more programs. Pro audio developers have realized the key to this products potential is through the coordination of software programs and their midi hardware.
In Conclusion
- Control surfaces today are capable of upgrading with drivers/firmware etc. So the technology progresses, right with your control surface. Tally another point to the score for the digital recording studio.
- A control surface synchronizes with compatible music software and allows real-time control of track levels, panning, third party plugins and other mixing controls.
There are a growing number of (hybrid) combination units as well.
These are control surfaces that include two or all of the following: audio interface/midi interface/preamps/a/d and d/a converters.
These combined units can be very convenient. For the most part, these control surface combinations can wrap up the digital and analog hardware needed for a competent home or project studio. While this may seem like an amateur or easy route to take, I will tell you these combo units are pretty cool. They are definitely capable of quality mixes with a little time to learn and develop your technique.
