The 7 Best Control Surfaces for Logic Pro X (2023)
Using a control surface with Logic Pro X is a great way to supercharge your workflow and creativity. These are a great way to interact and control functions of your DAW in a way that feels much more like using analog gear and electronic instruments.
Logic Pro X is jam-packed with amazing features and stock plug-ins. With so much to offer, you might find it difficult to pinpoint what control surface will properly suit your needs. So, here’s a list of seven of the best control surfaces for your Logic Pro that you should consider.
Contents
- The Best Control Surfaces for Logic Pro X – Our Round-Up
- 1. Korg nanoKONTROL2 MIDI Control Surface – Black
- 2. Behringer X-32
- 3. Mackie Control Universal Pro
- 4. Behringer X-Touch Mini Ultra-Compact Universal USB Controller
- 5. PreSonus FaderPort Production Controller
- 6. Behringer X-Touch Universal Control Surface
- 7. PreSonus FaderPort 8 8-channel Production Controller
- Summary
The Best Control Surfaces for Logic Pro X – Our Round-Up
1. Korg nanoKONTROL2 MIDI Control Surface – Black
Korg nanoKONTROL2 is quite popular among musicians and mixers for its extremely user-friendly and simplified interface. It is also very affordable compared to the high-priced models in the market.
The wireless unit squeezes 8 faders into an incredibly compact device. Its small size is ideal to fit in directly in front of the user’s laptop/computer without taking too much space on their working desk. Some features aren’t common, such as transport control, which is why we have placed Korg nanoKONTROL2 in the first place. Play, record, fast forward, and rewind buttons are placed on the transport panel.
The switches provide easy access to each of the eight channels. The knobs allow you to achieve good stereo balance in your tracks. Korg nanoKONTROL2 is compatible with all major DAWs across Windows and Mac environment.
2. Behringer X-32
This is a magnificent and robust mixing board. Behringer models always offer great functionality as well as design. It packs everything you need to easily mix and record a live show into a single roadworthy chassis.
It will surprise you with its ultra-powerful performance. There are 40 inputs, 25 total bus digital-mixer, 16 mix buses, main LCR, 6 matrix buses, and even programmable mic preamps, which is unusual for control surfaces. Despite various configuration options, it is simple to use. X-32 requires you to spend some time to know how it changes the game. It is easily compatible with Logic Pro and other DAWs and works with smartphones.
3. Mackie Control Universal Pro
Commonly referred to as MCU, it is one of the best control surfaces available in the market.
MCU claims to provide an organic feel of faders and knobs at fingertips to users without sacrificing the experience of modern audio manipulation. It truly looks and feels like a real analog mixing board.
However, it’s comparatively much heavier and larger than any of the other options. MCU’s unlimited options for collecting audio give the user ample room for creativity.
It has 9 motorized faders and virtually all the standard controls and shortcuts that you can expect from a control surface. MCU also offers its own Proprietary Mackie communication protocol. Additionally, if you need more faders, you have the option to add one or more of the Mackie Control Extender Pro for an additional 8 tracks. This expansion makes it a full-featured control surface that synchronizes perfectly with Logic Pro as well as other DAWs.
4. Behringer X-Touch Mini Ultra-Compact Universal USB Controller
Compatible with Mackie Control and MIDI protocols, the X-Touch Mini USB controller is lightweight and ultra-compact.
There are 8 rotary controls with LED-collars that can be used both as buttons and knobs, another set of 16 illuminated buttons, and a single quality 60mm slider. With these, you can control your mix, plug-ins, and virtual synths quite efficiently and easily. What’s more, users can have fast access to 2 completely independent layers with 25 control elements in each.
It is compatible with pretty much every DAW including Logic Pro. Also, the X-Touch Mini is capable of controlling instruments and lightrooms. Just place your laptop on your workstation (or on a car seat) and plug in the USB controller to get started which also serves as a power source. Honestly, no other controller works as smoothly and flawlessly as Behringer X-Touch Mini!
5. PreSonus FaderPort Production Controller
Touted as one of the best companions to Logic Pro for its unique, modern, and compact design, PreSonus can easily fit into a small space. Its flexibility, affordability, and features pit it against the competitors.
PreSonus FaderPort gives you accessibility to key DAW features at your fingertips. Being a very powerful control surface, users are in for a surprise at every stage of the recording and mixing session. However, it’s limited with only one motorized fader which is suitable if you have a home studio.
The dedicated transport control with Play/Pause, Record, Stop, Loop, and FF/RW buttons along with the extra support pad, PreSonus FaderPort is comfortable to use and even fits in your hands perfectly. For beginners, using the 100mm physical fader will be helpful to optimize mixing instead of using complex multiple faders.
6. Behringer X-Touch Universal Control Surface
If you’re a beginner or an intermediate with a home studio, this device is a great purchase. It has 9 relatively large, fully automated sliders and is an overall touch-sensitive control surface favored by various artists and music producers.
Additionally, this equipment squeezes a generous amount of connection ports such as USB connection for DAW control, three ¼” footswitch inputs, full-sized MIDI I/O ports, and Ethernet Port along with a pair of USB ports.
The rotary controls with LED collars are provided for adjustments that are quick to use with any of your favorite parameters. State of the art controls that are easy to access make this product a perfect investment.
However, one drawback is its thick design and clunky control surface. If you like to work sitting on a chair, Behringer X-Touch Universal will feel uncomfortable and difficult to use. But, apart from its dimensions, it gives a superb performance.
7. PreSonus FaderPort 8 8-channel Production Controller
FaderPort 8 by PreSonus is one of the most effective control surfaces which packs a lot of features in it. Whichever studio you’re working in, no device can beat this controller due to its convenient size.
The efficient production controller will save plenty of time mixing and controlling your DAW (or Logic Pro software) with FaderPort 8 control surface.
It features 100mm motorized, touch-sensitive 8 faders that follow automation perfectly. If your home studio is loaded with a lot of equipment and you are interested in every musical detail, PreSonus FaderPort 8 will help you in achieving a perfect combination of results.
FaderPort’s faster workflow and dedicated transport controls allows you to manage complicated sessions with session navigators. The ability to edit common plug-in settings from your control surface is also impressive. Therefore, PreSonus Fader Port is extremely user-friendly.
Summary
At the end of the day, it is your pick to choose the best control surface that will suit your music production, as well as controlling Logic Pro. However, we have to say that investing in a good control surface will amplify your mixing process.
