PreSonus FaderPort 8 Mix Production Controller PreSonus

The PreSonus FaderPort 8 is a TEC award-winning, 8-channel mix controller with 8 touch-sensitive, motorized long-throw faders, full transport controls, scribble strip displays, session navigation controls, and much more

 At this point in the annals of pro audio, do we really have to convince you that faders are a superior control mechanism to mouse and trackball control? Of course not. But if you do need a little extra convincing, apart from being a more musical and accurate control of writing automation, you can’t get carpal tunnel from faders. Lets face it. They were great when they were invented, and they’re great now, if fact, even greater, thanks to touch-sensitive, mechanical automation. Of course, faders are only part of the story these days. With all of the features and functionality of DAW systems, such as banking, setting markers, and track navigation, not to mention instantiating and controlling plug-ins. Now, those things can be handled with a mouse, but switching back and forth between mouse and control surface can be disruptive to the creative flow – that’s why the PreSonus FaderPort 8 also has 65 buttons covering 78 DAW functions. You can zoom in on audio files for editing, modify plug-in parameters, manage aux mixes – and, of course, control track levels with the touch of a finger and a more natural movement.

PreSonus FaderPort 8 – Just the Facts:

• Comprehensive control of for all major DAWS*
• 8 touch-sensitive, 100mm long-throw, motorized faders
• 8 scribble-strip displays
• Complete recording-transport controls: Play, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Record, and Loop
• Drop Marker, Next/Prev Marker, Next/Prev Event
• General session controls: Undo/Redo, Arm All, Solo/Mute Clear, Track Management, Click On/Off
• Session Navigator provides quick control over track scrolling, channel banking, timeline scrolling, and much more
• Channel Controls: Level, Pan, Solo, Mute, Rec Arm
• Automation Controls: Touch, Latch, Trim, Write, Read, Off
• Optional Fader functionality: Plug-in edit, bus sends, pan
• Mac / Windows compatible with native Studio One support, HUI, and Mackie Control Universal emulation
• Footswitch input for hands-free start/stop
• USB 2.0 connectivity
• Includes PreSonus Studio One Artist software
  

PreSonus FaderPort 8 – Beneath the Surface:

Since there’s no rigidly defined way of working with mouse and keyboard, people tend to shy away from adding another level of complication to the process, and as such, may avoid control surfaces. Being active musicians as well as engineers, PreSonus, in designing the FaderPack 8, had no intention of forcing you to change your mixing method. Instead, it augments the way you currently mix. You still use your keyboard and mouse for things they do well, while the FaderPort 8 handles what you really want to get your fingers on: our mix.

Having the ability to control the levels of 8 channels at once makes creating a more musical mix easier than ever before. And the FaderPort 8 allows you to view just the information you need to access. Sixteen digital scribble strips provide visual feedback so you can quickly navigate between tracks and buses. Need to automate your virtual instruments? The FaderPort 8 lets you view just those tracks, making switching automation tasks a breeze. This is DAW control the way it should be.

One-button access to key functions

Remember that added layer of complication we talked about, not to mention steep learning curves? Not an issue with FaderPort 8. The FaderPort 8’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.

Session Navigator lets you edit and mix with efficiency and speed:

• Navigate quickly through your tracks using the encoder, or one at a time with the arrow buttons
• Zoom in and out using the encoder to make edits. Need to make your tracks bigger or smaller? Tap the arrow buttons!
• Scroll through your timeline, using the encoder, or work measure by measure with the arrow buttons
• Bank through tracks quickly with the encoder or one bank at a time with the arrow buttons
• Turn on the click track
• Open the marker track and navigate markers using the encoder or the arrow buttons, and drop a marker by pressing the encoder
• Navigate quickly through sections in the Arranger track in Studio One or through Events with DAWs that support Mackie Control/HUI
• Maintain constant control over your master fader

*Features may vary depending on your software.

 

Universal compatibility and Studio One integration

FaderPort 8’s streamlined workflow and support for the Mackie Control and HUI protocols make it fast and easy to control virtually any DAW. It offers customized Mackie Control modes for Logic, Cubase, and Sonar, with native support for popular applications being added all the time. No driver installation is necessary; just plug the control surface into a USB port and take command of your mix and plug-ins. When it comes to PreSonus Studio One, the FaderPort 8 appears downright magical.

With the FaderPort 8 and Studio One, you can:

• Bypass all the plug-ins on any given track with the push of a button
• Open the Channel Editor and enable your faders to control each channel’s custom macro
• With the Link Parameter, the Pan/Param encoder can follow your mouse, providing instant hands-on control of any parameter – or lock the encoder to the current parameter
• Use the Session Navigator to quickly scroll through the different sections in the Arranger track

If a fast, efficient, and highly creative workflow has been eluding you, take a PreSonus FaderPort 8 out for a spin and see what it can do for you. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today.

 Specifications

Input/Output

• 1 USB 2.0 port
• 1 Footswitch jack for hands-free stop/start
  

Faders

• 8x 100 mm long-throw, touch-sensitive, motorized faders
• Dual-servo motorized drive belt system for fast and quiet operation
• Ultra-smooth feel and lightning fast
• Heavy-duty construction
• Resolution: 10-bit, 1,024 steps

Buttons and Knobs

• General Controls: Undo/Redo, Arm All, Solo/Mute Clear, Timecode, Track Management, Click On/Off, 4 programmable User buttons, 8 Function buttons, Macro, Parameter Link, Bypass Plug-ins
• Channel Controls: Level, Pan, Solo, Mute, Select, Rec Arm
• Automation Controls: Touch, Latch, Trim, Write, Read, Off
• Optional Fader Functionality: Plug-in Edit, Bus Sends, Pan
• Window View Mix, Project, Transport, Undo
• Transport: Play, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Record, Loop, Return to Zero (Functionality varies slightly, depending on the DAW.)
• Navigation: Track Scroll, Channel Banking, Timeline Scroll, Horizontal Zoom, Vertical Zoom, Drop Marker, Next/Prev Marker, Next/Prev Event, Scrub, Nudge
• Console Management: Show/Hide: Audio Tracks, Inputs, MIDI Tracks, Buses, Outputs, VCAs, FX; Show All
• Displays: 8 digital scribble strip displays, time code display, channel meters

Power

• 12 VDC, 2A external power supply

Physical (approx.)

• Height: 2-1/4″ (57.2 mm)
• Depth: 11-27/32″ (301 mm)
• Width: 13-5/32″ (334 mm)
• Weight: 5 lb. (2.3 kg)

 

 

System Requirements

Mac

• Mac® OS X 10.8.5 64-bit or later
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)

Windows

• Windows® 7 x64/x86 SP1 + platform update, Windows 8.1 x64/x86, Windows 10 x64/x86
• Intel Core 2 Duo (Intel Core i3 or faster recommended)
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)

Mac and Windows Systems

• USB 2.0 port
• Internet connection required for driver and bundled software installation
• 30 GB hard disk space*
• Monitor with 1366 x 768 resolution (high-dpi monitor recommended)*

* Required for Studio One

Note: The minimum system requirements may differ for DAWs other than Studio One. Please check the requirements for your DAW of choice with its manufacturer.

PreSonus FaderPort 8 has been tested and approved to work with the following software:

• Native Mode
• PreSonus Studio One 3.5.3
• HUI Emulation
• Supported by Pro Tools 12
• Mackie Control Emulation*
• Supported by Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, and Ableton

*Users of third-party DAWs not listed that support the Mackie Control protocol, such as Reason, Bitwig Studio, and Reaper, should contact their DAW vendor for support.