Behringer

Behringer X-TOUCH-COMPACT Universal USB/MIDI Controller

4.1 (62 reviews)

Nine motorized touch-sensitive faders, 16 LED-ringed encoders, and 39 buttons put hands-on DAW control at your fingertips.

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Overview

The Behringer X-Touch Compact is a USB/MIDI control surface designed to give music producers and engineers hands-on control over their digital audio workstations. At its core are nine 100mm touch-sensitive motorized faders that physically track your DAW's mixer state — when you switch fader banks, the faders glide to their correct positions automatically. This motor recall eliminates the guesswork of "catching" levels that plagues non-motorized controllers and makes mixing faster and more intuitive. Alongside the faders, 16 rotary encoders with illuminated LED collars provide continuous parameter control with visual position feedback, while 39 illuminated buttons handle transport, mute, solo, and record-arm functions.

The controller operates in Mackie Control emulation mode, which ensures plug-and-play compatibility with virtually every major DAW on the market. Its dual-layer mode effectively doubles the available controls by allowing you to toggle between two complete sets of assignments, which is particularly useful for managing larger sessions without constantly reaching for a mouse. The compact form factor keeps the unit manageable on a desk, yet the sheer number of physical controls — faders, encoders, and buttons — gives you enough surface area to handle serious mixing and editing tasks. For producers working in home or project studios who want real fader feedback without the footprint or price of a full-size console controller, the X-Touch Compact hits a practical sweet spot.

Key Features

Demo 9-Fader USB/MIDI Controller

Specifications

Type
Universal USB/MIDI Controller
Faders
9 Touch-Sensitive Motorized (100mm)
Rotary Encoders
16 with LED Collars
Buttons
39 Illuminated
Connectivity
USB
Compatibility
Mackie Control Emulation
Dual-Layer Mode
Yes

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Nine motorized, touch-sensitive 100mm faders provide precise, tactile mix control with automatic recall.
  • 16 rotary encoders with LED collar indicators give instant visual feedback on parameter positions.
  • Mackie Control emulation ensures broad compatibility across all major DAWs without custom drivers.
  • Dual-layer mode doubles the effective control surface, reducing the need for constant bank switching.
  • Compact footprint fits on a crowded studio desk alongside a keyboard and mouse.

👎 Cons

  • Fader resolution may feel less refined than higher-end control surfaces from brands like Avid or SSL.
  • Build quality uses primarily plastic housing, which may feel less robust under heavy daily use.
  • Only nine faders means larger sessions still require frequent bank switching despite dual-layer mode.
  • Limited documentation and preset customization can make initial setup less intuitive for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all nine 100mm faders are touch-sensitive and motorized, meaning they physically move to match your DAW's mixer positions when you switch banks or recall snapshots.
It supports Mackie Control and HUI emulation, which are recognized by virtually all major DAWs including Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase, and Studio One.
It connects via USB for both power and communication. It also functions as a standard MIDI controller if needed.
Dual-layer mode effectively doubles the number of available controls by allowing you to switch between two independent layers of fader and encoder assignments, giving you access to more channels or parameters without additional hardware.
Yes, it includes preconfigured presets for popular DAWs, so you can start working immediately without extensive manual mapping.