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The Control Surface

Software companies that make music production programs know that some hardcore analog junkies hate the fact that computers have little going for them in the case of an interactive interface. They also know that these same vintage gurus are adapting to the sign of times, but need an introductory tool to excites them. Control surfaces are the exact tool for this. Software users are tired of computer keyboards and a mouse to simply point and click, point and click . Once they've adapted to tools such as midi keyboard controllers they thirst for more, often adding a USB drum pad soon after, but knowing they've only scratched the surface.

Many control surfaces are especially design to work with one software program only, such as tools made for Pro Tools by Digidesign. Others work without regards to the software program, they only need you to assign their controls. As you move up the ladder in price,, complexity and functionality of these control surfaces the line that divides them from mere computer clones to analog tool becomes thin. Digidesign and Mackie make top of the line control surfaces that you would swear are high grade analog mixing console boards and would never be able to tell they connect by USB and firewire.

If you wanr hands-on experience and intimacy with your music production software and want a tool to speed up your productivity there may be no better tool than a control surface.

RECOMMENDED CONTROL SURFACES (Sorted by Price, lowest to highest)


M-Audio iControl Garageband MIDI Controller
Price: $99.99


Behringer BCR2000 B-Control Rotary
Price: $129.99


Novation Nocturn Intelligent Plug-In Controller w Automap Universal 2.0 Software
Price: $149.99


Evolution UC-33e Desktop MIDI Control Workstation
Price: $259.99


Mackie Control Universal
Price: $699.99


JL Cooper CS-102 Control Station
Price: $799.99


Mackie Control Extender Pro
Price: $799.99


Mackie Control C4 Pro
Price: $1099.99


Digidesign Command 8 Control Surface
Price: $1199.99


Mackie Control Universal Pro
Price: $1299.99


M-Audio ProjectMix IO
Price: $1299.99


TASCAM FW1884 FireWire Audio MIDI Interface and DAW Control Surface
Price: $1299.99


Digidesign C 24 24-Track Control Surface
Price: $9999.99