Audio control surface

In the domain of digital audio, a control surface is a human interface device (HID) that allows the user to control a digital audio workstation or other digital audio application. Generally, a control surface will contain one or more controls that can be assigned to parameters in the software, allowing tactile control of the software. As digital audio software is complex and can play any number of functions in the audio chain, control surfaces can be used to control many aspects of music production, including virtual instruments, samplers, signal processors, mixers, DJ software, and music sequencers.

A control surface is a physical interface, often resembling an analog Mixing console, used to manage your DAW (Digital audio workstation), plug-ins, and other audio software. There are many configurations of control surfaces. They can contain a single fader like the Sparrow 3x100mm, to a large advanced console like the Avid S6. Control surfaces often features faders, knobs (rotary encoders), and buttons that can be assigned to parameters in the software. Other control surfaces are designed to give a musician control over the sequencer while recording, and thus provide transport controls (remote control of record, playback and song position). Control surfaces are often incorporated into MIDI controllers to give the musician more control over an instrument. Control surfaces with motorized faders can read and write mix automation.