FaderPort DAW Controller with Studio One Pro Software

I'm enjoying the FaderPort. I love that it came with the latest version of Studio One 7 Pro. After a firmware update the FaderPort works perfectly in Studio One 7 without requiring any modifications or reprogramming. It's very intuitive to use. The physical fader feels nice to the touch. The build quality is solid. This is compatible with Studio One 7 DAW, which came with the FaderPort. I simply had to register my unit to be able to download the DAW software. The buttons are responsive. This is a solid value if you love Studio One and it's your DAW of choice. This lets me work with sound more efficiently without taking up much desk space.

This interfaced with my DAW (Waveform Pro) almost immediately. Just needed to download the driver and put it in Midi mode (hold the "Next" button as it boots, then hit the "Solo" button while in your DAW" and I'm able to swap channels, pan, scroll the timeline, adjust master, turn metronome (click) on and off, solo or mute whichever channel, and arm for recording. It's a fairly nice piece of equipment. I was initially shopping for an 8 or 16 fader device, but having a single fader that I can swap to whichever channel is very handy. I would recommend this as a cost effective alternative. I can also start, pause playback, start or stop recording. I can't speak for the software included, honestly for items like this I don't think they need to include it. Kinda a waste for most people looking at this, as they will be intermediate or advanced users.

This controller comes with Studio One Pro, and the motorized fader works perfectly for automation control. The included software alone makes this a worthwhile purchase. While there are occasional connection issues, solutions are readily available on YouTube, making them easy to resolve. Making and editing music with Studio One Pro is an excellent experience, and I highly recommend it.

Sometimes when I'm mixing, using a mouse can get frustrating at times when you're really trying to accurately adjust volume levels. This resolves that issue. The motorized fader and overall construction of the unit are solid. Initial setup can be a little finicky if you're using reaper but the secret is to download the Klinke version of Mackie Control and set the faderport for Logic. Transport controls are phenomenal and my overall workflow has improved quite a bit since introducing this to my setup. I was initially looking at the Faderport 8 because I wanted the flexibility of being able to adjust more than one track simultaneously however the one slider is easy to get used to especially if you don't want to clutter up your desk. The faderport comes with the Artist version of Studio One which I had never used, but after playing around with it, I may upgrade to the pro version. The artist version gives you limited capabilities with VST plugins. Overall, I'd say this is a win and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for more of an analog feel while using a DAW.

I never write reviews but just had to warn anyone planning on getting this: If you plan to try and use this with Pro Tools or Ableton like me - AVOID. It's worthless for that. PROS: - It has pretty lights and seems to be well made - it feels solid. CONS: - Calibration is out in Ableton by about 5db. Support just gives generic responses and promises future fixes which haven't come after a year and a half. - Can't get it to work at all in Pro Tools (yes, it's in Pro Tools mode, etc.). You can control it from Pro Tools but it doesn't control anything. Support can't figure it out. - You can only update the firmware over USB 1. Yes, you read that correctly, USB ONE. Pull out that dusty Pentium 3 and hope it still fires up and connects over dial up.. or rent a time machine to go back to 1999. - Apart from these non-starters, even if it works perfectly as they claim, the integration is almost non existent. You can't even use it to control sends in Pro Tools in order to write automation. It's a volume control at best, but getting to the fader you want to control is so much of a hassle it's not even worth using. If you plan to use it with Studio One you'll probably really enjoy it, seems to work well for the little time I tried it (support made me test it in there). They really shouldn't claim that this is designed to work with other DAW's because that hasn't been my experience at all.

This unit is awesome! Makes controlling Studio One so much faster and easier. Very high build quality! Have had it for several months. I also love this brand- own their mic and audio interface as well!

Faderport V2 Single channel. One other reviewer mentioned the Faderport works with Reaper. There is a workaround that will take less than an hour to get setup. You will have to search for and download the Klinke software. This was written by someone in the Reaper community. It is free and has simple instructions. This controls the Faderport and is a version of Mackie Control. The generic control software for many control surfaces. Once you have the Klinke software setup inside of Reaper. (You have to drag a few files into the UserPlugins folder). You will then need to start the Faderport while holding down the "Next" key. This will allow you to choose one of the operating modes. They have setups for Studio One, Logic, Live, Cubase, and Pro-Tools. If you are using Reaper. Set the Faderport into Logic mode for Logic software by hitting the "Mute" button, once you are in setup mode. *There is a setup already in Reaper for the Faderport. But I could only get it to work with a few of the buttons. So I used this workaround instead, with some success. I ended up with around 90% of the features working. I now have full functionality to: Arm, Solo, Mute, Touch, Read, Write, Latch, and trim on a track. Scroll between channels. Jump between markers. Scroll/fast backwards or forwards. Undo/Redo Pan. Record. Stop. Play/Pause. The 100mm Fader is motorized and works well and feels nice. Much better than using a mouse. I was going to go for the 8 or 16 channel version but went for this as space is limited. I can scroll extremely fast between tracks and have all the functions I really need. It would be nice to have more faders, but for the price this is a great tool. You can add a foot switch and use it to record when you're on your own. Keep your hands free for an instrument. Mixing should be about listening and not looking at stuff on the screen. I feel this gives me more of that. What didn't work? Nothing important that I'm going to miss. One was the link function - But Logic doesn't support that and I am using the Logic setup. The Section Button doesn't work. The Marker button scrolls but doesn't drop a marker. That's something I rarely do once I have an arrangement setup. I only have to press the M key on the keyboard. I don't mind that these few minor things don't work. I can program these buttons myself unless I can find someone who has already done it. But it's such a minor thing that I probably won't waste the time. Why only 4 stars? It has taken some 3rd party person who makes no money from this to create the software to make the Faderport work with Reaper. Neither of the two companies could stick a programmer on it for 2 days and make it work? Overall, this has improved my workflow. A few hours of use and you don't have to even look at it because you get the feel of where the buttons are. The unit is solid and well built. The buttons have just the right amount of rubbery feel to them. For just over $200.00 I think it's worth it. Even with the hour of messing around, you have to do to get it going.

It will do it for you too. THE TRANSPORT SECTION SAVES ME SO MUCH TIME, BUT IT'S THE MOTORIZED FADER THAT IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW FOR ME. Now I can write automation into my mixes for faded endings, boosted tracks during key parts or hooks in a song. Bridges, tags, and lifts can be tailored to accent right on cue. The big knob is a lifesaver when it comes to zooming in and out while editing with melodyne or autotune. Build quality is fine, and the fader is silent and precise, with no play and feels smooth gliding up and down. The buttons are the silicone type, and well labeled and lit. I would recommend this to weekend warriors and pros alike, and if more complex automation is required, it comes in an eight and sixteen channel variant.