Description
The latest generation of PreSonus’ classic USB control surface, The FaderPort enables you to record and mix with a smooth, touch-sensitive, motorized, 100 mm fader; transport controls; and many of the new workflows introduced in the fader port 8 and 16. Manage markers, punch in and out with a footswitch (not included), arm tracks, and employ the innovative session Navigator to control your favorite DAW application quickly and easily. The fader port connects via USB 2. 0 and offers native control of PreSonus Studio One DAW (studio One Artist is included), including control Link support and parameter follow, allowing quick hardware access to any control.
From the manufacturer
Advanced, Innovative DAW Control
FaderPort: USB Production Controller
Don’t kill that mouse—give it a companion
Although a keyboard and mouse are tried-and-true DAW-control devices, they’re far more effective when used in tandem with the FaderPort’s precise tactile control over mix and automation functions. A superior solution for anyone who mixes in the box, the FaderPort provides a 100 mm touch-sensitive, motorized fader for writing fades and automation in real-time and 24 buttons covering 40 different functions, all in a compact chassis that easily sits on any desk. Quickly zoom in on audio files for editing. Control track levels with the touch of a finger. With the FaderPort, you’ll enjoy the fastest, most efficient workflow you’ve ever experienced.
Features
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Work smarter.We’ve incorporated elements from the award-winning FaderPort 8 into our new and improved FaderPort. Rather than forcing you to revise your mixing method, the FaderPort augments the way you currently mix. You still use your faithful keyboard and mouse for things they do well, and the FaderPort handles what you really want to get your fingers on: your mix. This is DAW control the way you always hoped it could be! |
Universal compatibility. Integrated with Ableton Live.While compatible with most third-party software, FaderPort offers deeper integration with Ableton Live (version 10.1.5 and later). Navigate clips and scenes, change track volume and panning, and switch between Session and Arranger views, the FaderPort will help you work faster than ever. Even better: any FaderPort purchased after January 18, 2020 gets a free copy of Ableton Live Lite dropped in your My.PreSonus account. FaderPort’s streamlined workflow and support for the Mackie Control and HUI protocols also make it fast and easy to control Logic Pro X, Cubase, Pro Tools, and more. No driver installation is necessary; just plug the control surface into a USB port and take command of your mix. |
An amazingly fast, efficient studio workflow awaits you!With the compact, easy-to-use FaderPort, you’ll enjoy the fastest, most efficient workflow and the most session control you’ve ever experienced. But don’t just take our word for it; visit your favorite PreSonus dealer and try the FaderPort for yourself! |
One-button access to key functions.*
The FaderPort’s unique Session Navigator provides easy access to eight mission-critical functions for maximum flexibility. Use the large encoder button and companion buttons to edit and mix with greater efficiency and speed. Scroll through your timeline, using the encoder, or work measure by measure with the arrow buttons; zoom in and out on the timeline with the encoder and make your tracks larger or smaller with the arrow buttons; navigate and drop markers; and maintain constant control of your main level. Once you start using the Session Navigator, you’ll wonder how you mixed without it.
* Features may vary depending on your software.
Built for Studio One.
The optimized PreSonus Studio One mode will revolutionize your workflow in PreSonus’ award-winning DAW (Studio One Artist included). Use the Session Navigator to quickly move and nudge events in the Arranger window. The unique Link function allows you to instantly control any parameter beneath your mouse with the large encoder. Control link lets you customize your function buttons and much more. You’ll be amazed at how much faster you can work.
peederj –
Add a grommet for jog wheel!A simple hardware store rubber grommet as shown will turn the otherwise miserable knob into a jog/shuttle-style wheel you can easily turn with one fingertip. The knob will grind a bit (by design, sadly…this is an audio product and should be silent) but loosen up over time, as will the motorized fader.I like the design, have used the Faderport 2 for a few years, stayed with it for my podcast rig, which brings us to the audio side. It’s fine enough, nothing special, the headphone amp cranks but does get a bit of harmonic distortion when cranked. The mic pre is commodity, it has enough gain for the SM7B but no phase invert. I didn’t try a guitar, no idea of the input impedance.Comparing, the SSL2 is more euphonious than this certainly, but doesn’t have the nifty controller of course. This lacks the SSL2’s stereo control button, I think the low-latency input monitoring lock both channels as mono, but I didn’t test that. Both have 115dB dynamic range spec, the SSL2 does sound better, but I can live with this Presonus audio for simple use cases. The SSL2 headphone level doesn’t get as loud, but the preamps do have the somewhat handy “4K” mode.Testing further, the audio section on the ioStation is pretty poor. There are error spurs (continuous high tones) in the ADCs, and the main outs are unbalanced. This is sloppy corner cutting consumer gear quality. The PCB traces were made for manufacturing convenience and not for performance. Read the instructions next time. Presonus does read the instructions on their Quantum units fwiw.The DACs are OK, and the headphone amp, while getting some 3rd harmonic when cranked, is quite usable. I would probably prefer a USB Mic like the Shure MV7 over these ADCs if possible. But just to listen back in headphones while editing/mixing, or even over speakers, this works fine. The SSL 2 is far far better on the bench though. But no Faderport included unless you buy a UF8.
James –
Works With Reaper – But There is A Workaround NeededFaderport 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/RedoPan. 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.
CC –
TimesaverBought this for mixing on the go and doing some occasional tracking with my guitar. This thing was breeze to set up with Logic and has so many thoughtful features they didn’t even advertise. Other than using for gain staging it also helps with quickly navigating around the project, zooming in and out, and even switching views in the DAW. I wish I knew about it much sooner. The build quality is awesome. This unit was a steal at $200, since the faderport is $200 and so is most interfaces. I’m very happy with this thing.
Eddie Parker –
A DAW and Mixer console all-in-one!Love it, Love it, … LOVE IT!!!The ioStation24c is a jewel in its self. Production is much simpler when your hand can run the major operations from one device. Try it and see for yourself.
Humble –
If you use Reaper, I wouldn’t. Little actual value and laughable customer serviceI got the Faderport (single fader, new 2018 version) to use in Reaper. Mainly for the volume slider. I thought it would allow for 100% control through the sound range but no matter how softly you move the fader, it jumps around erratically on the volume just the same as the mouse does (for example: .3% to .5% of a DB at best- not even say .1% DB). No value there for me.It uses Mackie Control but so what? If you use it with Reaper, the software control for the unit is treated like an unwanted stepchild and except for the transport buttons, basically none of the labeled buttons except Solo, Mute and Arm do what the say.Sure, you can program in MOST of the buttons to work in Reaper but if you press one button by accident, it will disable some of the other buttons you programmed in and you will have to waste time figuring out what went wrong.Also hard as you try- you can never get all the buttons to work. Some will not work no matter what version of Mackie Control you use. In other words – it seems like the big music software companies are forcing Presonus to not correctly support Reaper users. Hey, way to bow down on your knees to pressure Presonus! The Pan nob is notched so when you use it, you get the same disappointing outcome as the fader- at best the pan moves 4% at a time (not 1%). More underwhelming non-value there.The unit quit working completely within a month and a half of use (right outside the Amazon return window). At first it intermittently froze up in Reaper (I update to the newest versions of Reaper as they come out). No use for more then 20 minutes meant having to turn it off/on and reloading the Reaper driver for the Faderport. Otherwise, it was worthless. I contacted Presonus – over 2 months ago. Instead of simply stepping up to replace the (non-expensive) unit like any normal quality company would, I have been jumping through hoops with Technical Support sending endless emails back and forth trying different things, over and over. I have spent more time looking at a dusty paper weight then I have actually using this product.Really Presonus? Are you so cheap that you cant even stand behind a low cost $200 product and would rather take your customers through endless aggravation over long periods of time just so you can say you saved a few dollars? I wonder how much more you end up paying the tech support people to keep stringing your customers along? Hey, is my bad review worth the few dollars you saved?Im so done. Im sure it fills the role just fine for other people who don’t use Reaper and MAYBE in another 6 months or so-who knows- Presonus may actually agree to exchange the unit- like real grown up companies do.But I could care less. Unless its getting a full refund immediately, I feel that they well earned their “$220 boat anchor (your products, your tech support and your refusal to company up and stand behind your product sucks) review”.BTW- I also own a Presonus Audiobox 96 so this is not my first time around with this company – volume doesn’t go up near high enough, and the phantom power button is a joke- the unit cant provide enough power to get out of its own way. To hear any sound from a mic you have to turn it up all the way until you can hear background noise. Here’s an idea Presonus – have an option for us to use an actual plug in power adapter so this isn’t a problem. I would have paid more for that. Also – all the knobs are notched, just like the crappy pan on the Faderport- worthless.Additionally- can confirm – you must have an online connection to change some options on both of these products. They are not stand-alone like actual professional audio products are.I gave Presonus a real chance- twice- and remained patient for a long time but I would rather walk away from this company then spend another minute of my valuable time hoping for them to do the right thing and simply exchange the defective Faderport.I think Im going to give the Beringer X Touch universal control surface a shot (that’s right I said it). I had some bad Beringer products in the late 90’s but I have a few pieces now that work really well so I’m willing to give them another shot. I hate starting over and shelling out more money but I do like the idea of a single fader control for my DAW and the Faderport is an absolute turd.Oh you want Pros? Sure; its built solid. There’s one. It should make for a satisfying crunch when I stomp over the Faderport with my Jeep Wrangler multiple times.
Six String Slinger –
Work Flow at LightspeedIt 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.
Dave –
The one piece of gear I couldn’t live withoutFirst some background about myself. I started audio engineering in the ‘90’s on analog equipment. I’m used to having a console and faders in front of me. I also use Studio One, so the inter-connectivity between it and the Faderport adds to its usefulness. I barely touch my mouse and keyboard when doing a mix.Once you learn your way around the Faderport, and the control it gives you it’s a game changer. It’s not just automated faders, you can control and have access to just about any parameter in your mix. Automation is a breeze, jumping to different sections in your mix is just a button press away. Honestly, after 3 years of owning the Faderport 8, I have nothing negative to say about it. The best purchase I have ever made for my studio.
Damiano –
Get one – it’s really cool and fun and greatSuper cool and fun to use. The comments regarding undo/redo are uninformed – if you hold the shift down for a couple of seconds it remains in force, so you can have undo and redo ready as you record (shift doesn’t affect the transport and recording control etc). Where I wasted some time was putting it into Mackie Control mode. You have to hold the next button when powering up, and then you hit touch button for HUI or mute for MCU. Silly thing is that there are two mutes and I initially kept hitting the wrong one (the one nearest – bottom right – that mutes the audio interface) rather than the channel mute (I didn’t read the HUI mode mechanism). I love this product. Too cool for school…. my only wish? I wish that it could run off USB-C power as an option (it’s nice to have the power supply to not drain the laptop) because it makes it so more portable in the home, traveling, studio etc. It’s great to get Studio One Artist and all of the free software too (but I’m a Logic Pro X fan – but I have played with Studio One is pretty slick – I just find it has missing bits and pieces that Logic has acquired over the decades…Love the sound quality too…. two products in one super cool package. And it looks great as well!
RA –
Faderport 16 – Be aware of Major Issues / November 2020I am a studio veteran and previous touring professional with primetime TV appearances. I do not leave reviews, but if I can help others with it, I will do so. I have the Studio live 32 Series III – A faderport V2 – Atom Drum Pad, and Studio One Professional 5, and have also had the Studio Live 24 Series III – and their stage boxes AVB monitoring and their discontinued digital remote CS mixer too. As you can see I have been a major supporter of Presonus even going back to their Firewire Firepod interface back in the day.Faderport 16 usage for channel button on, and left right arrow buttons does not connect with the on screen mixer in studio one and is a useless function – the assumed movement like on Faderport V2 (single channel) is the channel arrows scrolls the software mixer window on the Studio One screen fader by fader to help you keep track of your movement. On the faderport 16 the channel arrows only move into view the unseen faders on the physical mixer’s tiny scribble strips and still leave the previous selected channel engaged and highlighted. Movement around on this mixer as a whole takes 3 times longer fiddling with what is what and where you are at and what track is in view. Depending on what button mode you are in, there is no consistency to what the blue scroll wheel does or left right buttons do – In a constant state of checking your mode, then asking yourself can I use this button for this, and that scroll wheel for that. Add to this the shift button mess, as buttons that you were using for this, are all the sudden doing something else because the shift button is on – even though you turned it off. So cumbersome and its a function overload with poor design for software navigation on every level. I was blown away by how much more logical, functional and fast the single channel faderport v2 is in comparison to this.The LCD scribble strip screens above the faders are near useless and as you can see on the youtube videos horribly invisible (those videos don’t lie) – and of the same embarrassingly cheap quality as the studiolive series III scribble strips. The only way to effectively use this mixer is to have the studio one mixer viewable on a computer screen, and then you are battling with what your touching on the faderport16 and what mixer channel on screen is in view. Double the work and focus, its a constant back and forth. The single faderport v2 you always know what channel you are on, and can control the entire mixing workflow with one hand stationary. Mute, Solo, Arm Volume pan – right there in front of you underneath your hand – and all the functions of automation with one handed operation.The record arm buttons are hidden underneath the select layer toggle button to the left. Meaning, even on a faderport v2 single channel you can go directly to a channel with one hand using the arrows or scroll wheel and engage the record arm with one button press, literally just resting your hand in a stationary position and working the whole studio app with your fingers (not even moving your wrist). Faderport 16 however requires fishing for the channel you need which is a chore on those tiny scribble strips, using two arms, then going to the arm button on the side, then remembering which track you were going to arm (because the select buttons go blank when you push it), arm it, then click arm button again to get back to the select button option to know which track you are on in a sea of 16 faders. This is the most ridiculous implementation of track arming I have ever seen. Above the scoll wheel on the right handside there are buttons on top that could have been used for this purpose to arm an engaged track that are not even in use or functional (not even coded for features) – Choose shift Arm to arm all track, and then there is no way to Un Arm all the tracks you just did other than un-button press them all one by one, or use your mouse to shift click the tracks in studio one – no toggle for arming all/ disarming all.When scrolling around the mixer – the master fader moves – meaning the faderport 16 puts the master fader on any available mixer channel not used – as you add more faders – the master channel moves to the right – what is the purpose of that? – a master fader is always in one spot – even when using the faderport v2 the master fader is never mixed in with the scrolling through tracks – I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally hit the master fader volume thinking it was another track as they are all mixed together on the faderport 16. This is a side effect of their cheap deployment not including a physical master fader (there is a button for master that turns the master fader on the blue scroll wheel which is notched in steps and not smooth). Regardless of the master button option, the master fader should never be on a fader unless you want it there, and surely should never move around.The plug edit function would be a great feature if the scribble strips weren’t of such a horribly bad resolution. the tiny text contrast, and fonts shown there force you to hunch over the unit and search around for what is what for the connected parameter. To even view those scribble strips you need this mixer propped in an angle. Its beyond cumbersome, and defeats the whole purpose of having nice plug in displays on a Large HD screen. These scribble strips are TINY. And I mean TINY. This once again, slows down the entire process of searching for what fader and button does what instead of just getting the work done with a click of the mouse, or setting up a midi remote which would do the same thing. They budget deployed this unit with no pans for each channel (have to use a notched pan knob on the side that is clicked with values that skip in between integers – its the most clunky deployment you can imagine, and if only 1 knob was to be used for panning function, why make it notched and step clicked? There is a panning button option that turns the faders into pans, but at that point you lose connection to the VOLUME FADER for synchronous automation runs!!!Although Studio One Daw is extremely stable and probably the most feature rich DAW out there bar none (I have used them all – ProTools – Cubase – Nuendo – Ableton – Studio one all versions – Studio One blows them all out the water) – the faderport 16 will disconnect from the recording session when instantiating certain Plugins – meaning the physical mixer will disconnect from Studio one while say Omnisphere gets added to a track. Once back online, the mixer connects but is now bugged with Lights that are incorrect colors, buttons that should be lit, are not lit, and non responsive to fader views using the buttons to the right of the faders, you will also see the scribble strips glitch out with incorrect data. Only way to resolve this is go to external devices in studio one and force a reconnect command which fixes it. Next time you add the plugin, it will do it again. I have tested this on 4 different DAW’s, and different build versions of Studio one 5 to the most current 11 19 2020,, and also re-firmwared my Faderport 16 unit multiple times. All show the same bugs on every different PC system – This behavior is also seen with Addictive Drums vst. Last thing you want during a creative session is wrestling with these technical corruption breaking your mood just so you can have a fader to touch – its SO not worth it. A true mixing environment is one that can be man handled with very little eye requirements. knowing your hand is on an eq knob, or a fader or a pan knob, you name it, using your ears. A physical hardware target that is always the same, and always works is why hardware mixing is so addictive. Faderport 16 is a constant fight for I need to do this here, and do that there, then this here, then that over there, then wait, if its shift on, that its here, then wait no, its over there, oh my its glitched, let me fix it, rinse repeat.I had very high hopes for this unit, in fact was beyond excited to integrate it, but if making music is your critical priority – this unit can derail you very quickly artistically. It can take a powerfully speedy workflow and derail it to mud. It is not the end all controller many had hoped for. I have learned it inside and out, backwards and forward, every single function shift option, hack trick, and feature (i’m a total tech nerd and always on the cutting edge of equipment) -for the price its an expensive hyped paperweight that can be spent better on plugin instruments or real musical instruments or midi tools to get the job done. I have reported these issues to Presonus, and they have provided no resolutions for it, I do hope at some point, this item gets fleshed out before they simply discontinue it like they have done with other products, and move on to the next invention. As much as I like them, Presonus does have a history of this type of product evolution.My personal professional advise, get a faderport v2 if using Studio One, its all you need if you are recording and mixing in the box and want to get REAL work done, not battle with this process just to have a cool toy in front of you (it does look sexy). I like gadgets just like the next guy – however this one is going back.
Gashog –
Faderport 16.This review is for the Faderport 16, for some reason when I click on it in my browser it brings up my previous purchase of the single Gen 2 Fader port.Anyway…only regret is that I didn’t buy the FP16 first as I missed the return window on the single unit.Having the 16 channels GREATLY improves workflow. Apart from mixing you can edit plug-ins, sends etc.I though I had a dodgy unit and started a return (for replacement) as I noticed that occasionally the backlighting in the transport (only during playback) section flickered just ever so slightly. Plugged in my single channel Fader Port and it does the same thing. Searching online I found that it seems to be “normal” in that many people have noticed the same thing. If I go into the board setup and illuminate all LED’s, it doesn’t do it so I’m not concerned that it’s a defect as such. Certainly doesn’t affect functionality.I score a lot of string parts and being able to physically adjust banks of 16 faders at a time has made mixing so much easier.Stop mixing with a mouse and buy it!