MIDI fader controllers for orchestral sample libraries ideally have at least four, consecutive, side-by-side faders that can be pushed up and down easily, and importantly, in tandem, so that you can control multiple performance aspects of your library’s instruments all at once.
These would be expression (i.e. volume), dynamics, vibrato, and library specific applications. Extra faders beyond these core 3 or 4 are welcome, as they can control mic mixes, how quickly the notes release, how quickly the pitched information of a sample starts when you press a key on your piano, and variations for a given sample for orchestral sample libraries like the Spitfire Audio Symphonic libraries.
Related: There’s more to making an orchestral sample library sound realistic than just using multiple faders. Check out my article How to Make an Orchestra Sample Library Sound Real for more info.
However, because of this very specific performance technique used by orchestral sample library users, it’s a bit elusive to find an adequate MIDI fader controller, as very few have actually been designed to accommodate such.
Below are potentially good choices of MIDI fader controllers for orchestral sample libraries, like those from Spitfire Audio or Orchestral Tools, in no particular order. I would suggest further researching ones you’re interested in for compatibility with your DAW. This article is basically my research notes in the hunt for such a controller!
This list was compiled for late 2023, early 2024.
Studiologic SL Mixface Control Surface
Works With: Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Apple GarageBand, Cockos Reaper, Steinberg Cubase, Motu Digital Performer, Presonus Studio One, Avid Pro Tools, Propellerhead Reason, Steinberg Nuendo
Studiologic SL Mixface control surface works with Digital Performer, and other major DAWs. It has on-board programming regarding which DAW it’s interacting with, and what MIDI data each fader/button is sending. Just enter programming mode, wiggle which fader you’re programming and assign it a MIDI CC#, etc.
Check it out on Amazon by clicking here. Check it out on Youtube by clicking here.
Pros: Faders are right next to each other to control expression, dynamics and vibrato all at the same time. Has individualized presets for each DAW it works with. Second page function allows 8 faders to control 16 different fader related mechanisms in your DAW. Magnetic strip on back to attach it to metal keyboard casings. USB and/or Bluetooth connectivity. Easily assign each fader a MIDI CC#, according to page 11 of the instruction manual.
Cons: Users complain of the following: Not usable with Pro Tools. Cheap feel. Faders feel stiff to control (doesn’t feel like a fader console).
Icon Pro Audio Platform M+ MIDI control surface
Works With: From the manufacture: “The Platform M+ integrates with most popular Digital Audio Workstations and digital mixers with iCon’s universal DAW mode and mapping for Cubase, Nuendo, Ableton Live, ProTools, Logic, Reason, Studio One, Bitwig, Samplitude, Adobe Audition, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Sonar, Reaper, the Touchmix-30 Pro digital mixer and Sound Devices Scorpio mixer/recorder. Bitwig Studio 8-Track is included. Mackie Control and HUI protocols provide nearly seamless interfacing with your digital mixer or your DAW’s functions. But even if your recording system is not on this list, you can still map its functions with our intuitive MIDI User Define mode.”
Pros: High quality product. You can add extenders to this unit, for mixing in your DAW. See the manufacture’s page on how many extensions the M+ can accommodate for your particular DAW. Faders are automated for further mixing options.
Cons: Faders are spaced far apart making long term use of three faders at a time for expression, dynamics, and vibrato difficult. One user complained of starting to develop a repetitive stress wrist injury when using the faders in such fashion for 7+ hours per day.
Icon P1-M DAW Control Surface
Works With: Compatible with leading DAWs like Bitwig, Cubase/Nuendo, Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools. Digital Performer 11 claims it has full support for the entire Icon family of controllers.
This one is more of a DAW controller, but does have software that allows you to assign the faders MIDI CC control data for expression, dynamics, etc.
The only advantage over the M+ above is that it can connect 3 different DAW’s, and has assignable buttons that can replace ‘hot-key’ commands (for example control-Z = undo) on a regular computer keyboard.
Monogram Creative Console
Works With: Monogram claims their controller works with ‘any DAW’.
The Creative Console features a modular design, where different controller modules can be combined by the end user. It’s not necessarily a dedicated MIDI controller for music production, but I have seen the presenters on the Spitfire Audio YouTube channel using it, or a previous version of it, to control their symphonic libraries. I think I’ve also seen maybe Guy Michelmore (YouTube orchestral library guru) use it as well. So I thought I’d include it here. Check it out on the manufacture’s website.
Pros: Very sleek design and small form factor. Designers do market the faders expressly for modulation, expression and vibrato for a MIDI instrument, though the faders can be programmed to do more than such. And they do say it will work with any DAW.
Cons: The music community help page for Creative Console (CC) is not much more than a place where music producers’ questions go to die. I’ve scrolled through several posted questions where no answers were given, even after being posted for a year or more. Those few that do have answers allude to great technical difficulty using the CC with a Windows based PC, secondary to poorly written drivers. However, this is from a post 3 years old; perhaps newer drivers are now in place.
Korg nanoKONTROL Studio Mobile MIDI Control Surface
Works With: Likely works with the major DAW’s if you have the appropriate driver, updates, editor/plug-in. KORG Gadget, Logic, GarageBand (Mac OS only, not supported by iOS), Live, Cubase, Studio One, Sonar, Pro Tools, and Digital Performer. The nanoKONTROL Studio is compatible with any software that supports MIDI control change, including Reason, FL STUDIO, Tracktor, etc,.
One user was unable to use it with Reaper. See their post about it on Amazon. From the manufacture: ” A serious problem has been confirmed with the compatibility of GarageBand 10.3.3 and Logic Pro X 10.4.5 or later. If you are using the nanoKONTROL Studio Control Surface plug-in for GarageBand / Logic, please refrain from updating to GarageBand 10.3.3 or Logic Pro X 10.4.5 or later while we work on a solution.“
See Korg’s nanoKontrol here on Amazon.
Pros: Faders are small and next to each other, for smaller hands. Blue Tooth capable. You can see Paul from Spitfire Audio using a nanoKontrol2 (the version with just the faders) on this video, using just one finger. nanoKontrol and nanoKontrol2 are affordable for the budget minded.
Cons: Faders have a small travel area, so you have less accurate control of your orchestral instruments. This could be a time vacuum if precision is key to your work. Some users report that the unit feels fragile and cheap.
Related: I’m currently using the Korg nanoKontrol2 to control my Spitfire Audio Symphony Complete orchestral sample library. If you want to know how to set that one up, to transmit midi CC data for your orchestral sample libraries, please read my article, How to Set Up the Korg nanoKontrol2 for Orchestral Sample Libraries.
Fader Master Professional
Works With: Likely universal compatibility, but so far I’ve seen Cubase, and Logic Pro users having success with it.
Fader Master Pro by JL Cooper. Users are recommending it for use with Spitfire Audio orchestral libraries, due to the smoothness of the faders, allowing for expression, dynamics, and vibrato to all be recorded in one pass.
Other JL Cooper products work with DP
Pros: Faders long enough to get detailed expression programing for your orchestral sample library. Allows for precise and smooth fading. Very heavy so you can lightly touch the faders without the unit moving around on your desk.
Cons: Expensive unit just for 8 faders. No USB out on unit, meaning you’ll need to buy a MIDI to USB interface.
Behringer X-Touch Compact Universal Control Surface
Works With: May work with Digital Performer (according to this DP/X-Touch review, though it should be noted this model is a larger version of the ‘Compact’ model shown here)**, and works with Studio One, Cubase, and other major DAW’s, according to the manufacture.
**This Amazon review reports that the X-Touch Compact doesn’t fully integrate with Digital Performer (though the review was from 2018, before the latest iteration of DP):
This mixer does not fully honor Mackie Control or HUI implementation. Faders work ok, however none of the extended buttons or rotary pots work. My DAW is Digital Performer.
Amazon review of X-Touch Compact
Pros: Faders next to each other for multi-CC control needed for orchestral sample libraries. Multiple faders for mixing tracks, once you’re done composing.
Cons: More compatible with Windows based PCs, and thus difficult to reprogram MIDI information in Logic Pro, according to this review. Not the best manual.
Fader Pro from MusioTech.com
Works With: Fader Pro works with most DAWs that read MIDI data, including: Ableton, Cakewalk, Cubase, Kontakt, Logic Pro, Reaper, Studio One, 1010Music Blackbox
Some DAWs do not work natively with Fader Pro, including: Digital Performer, ProTools, & LUNA.
In the case of ProTools and Digital Performer, you can get them to work by using MIDI translation software, such as what you find at https://www.bome.com/products/miditranslator.
Here’s a video on how to pull off the work around: How to ProTools with ANY MIDI Faders! If you purchase a fader from MusioTech, they can offer you 15% off the price of the Bome software.
LUNA should also be possible to translate with the software above, although the manufacture has not spent time with the unit to verify functionality.
Pros: Custom built MIDI fader controllers for orchestral sample libraries (i.e. 100mm faders close together). Small footprint on your writing desk.
Cons: needs extra software to run Digital Performer and Pro Tools.
The Sparrow from The MIDI Maker
Works With: Logic Pro X, Kontakt, Ableton, Cakewalk, Studio One, and Cubase.
Not compatible with the following DAW’s, without a translation app to turn MIDI into HUI: Pro Tools, Digital Performer
Check out the Sparrow on Midi Maker’s website.
Again for ProTools and Digital Performer, you can likely get them to work by using MIDI translation software, such as what you find at https://www.bome.com/products/miditranslator.
Pros: Great bare bones MIDI fader controller for orchestral sample libraries. Faders long enough for detailed expression, dynamics, and vibrato controls. You can purchase different numbers of faders for extra controls.
Cons: Doesn’t work out of the box with DAW’s like Pro Tools, or Digital Performer. One user from Canada had a bad customer service experience with this small business (see below).
From the MOTU forum:
I ended up buying the Sparrow from theMidiMaker. I don’t recommend it.
The shipping took more than a month. While I’m in Canada I buy stuff from the US regularly and it never takes that long.
Based on the pictures on their website I was expecting solidly made unit in metal like a stomp box. Instead you get a light plastic box that feels cheap. They also sent me the wrong cable. I tried to reach out but was getting no reply. I eventually did after a few weeks and they said they’d send a proper cable but they never did. I followed up and never heard back from them. Poor customer service.
Ironically, I had a review request sent to me before I even had received the unit. I gave it a 1 star but of course my review is nowhere to be found on their website.
A $200 waste.
User on MOTUnation.com (view post here)
AKAI Professional MIDImix MIDI Control Surface
Works With: Instant 1 to 1 mapping with Ableton Live (Ableton Live Lite included).
AKAI states, ‘Most of MIDImix’s controls may be automatically mapped to control various track-specific parameters in your DAW. If your DAW lets you assign its parameters to a hardware MIDI controller (“MIDI learn”), you can further customize MIDImix’s control mapping.’
However, MOTU Nation is reporting that the MIDImix won’t work with Digital Performer due to lack of universal Mackie/HUI communication.
Conclusion
Thanks for checking out my research notes on MIDI fader controllers for orchestral sample libraries!
The main take away here is that there are options, but you have to pay attention to compatibility. The commercial manufactures aren’t specifically for orchestral sample library use, but one can make due if one of those works well with your DAW. The small business controllers are built more specifically for these libraries, but not all DAW’s will work with them out of the box, and an extra piece of software is required.
Next up check out my main page to explore my symphonies, other orchestral tools, and chamber works. Or take a look at more articles posted below.
Take care…