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PreSonus

PreSonus Faderport 16 DAW Controller Motorized Faders

★★★★★5.0 (3 reviews)

Mix with precision using 16 touch-sensitive motorized faders and seamless DAW integration.

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Overview

The PreSonus FaderPort 16 is a professional DAW control surface built for engineers and producers who want hands-on mixing without reaching for a mouse. Its 16 touch-sensitive, motorized faders move automatically to recall saved positions and respond instantly to your fingers, making it possible to ride multiple levels simultaneously — something that's simply impractical with on-screen faders. Beyond the faders themselves, the unit provides dedicated buttons for solo, mute, pan, transport, and channel navigation, keeping common mixing actions within arm's reach.

Connectivity is handled over USB, and the controller works with Ableton Live as well as other major DAWs via HUI and Mackie Control Universal protocols. The 12 VDC external power supply drives the motorized fader mechanisms, which require more power than USB alone can deliver. For studios handling sessions with high track counts — music production, post-production, or live broadcast mixing — the FaderPort 16 bridges the gap between software flexibility and hardware control, turning a laptop-based DAW into something that feels closer to a traditional mixing console.

Specifications

Brand
PreSonus
Model
FaderPort 16
Faders
16 touch-sensitive, motorized
Connectivity
USB
Compatible Software
Ableton Live (plus HUI/MCU support for other DAWs)
Power Supply
12 VDC, 2A External Power Supply

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 16 motorized, touch-sensitive faders provide real tactile control over large mixing sessions
  • USB connectivity keeps the setup simple with no audio interface routing required
  • Supports multiple DAWs through native integration and HUI/MCU protocols
  • Physical transport and channel controls reduce reliance on mouse-based mixing

👎 Cons

  • Requires an external power supply, adding an extra cable to your desk setup
  • Large physical footprint may be difficult to accommodate in smaller studios
  • Learning curve for mapping and configuring controls in DAWs outside of Studio One
  • Higher price point compared to single-fader or 8-fader controller alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

The FaderPort 16 is compatible with Ableton Live and also supports other major DAWs through HUI and Mackie Control Universal protocols, including Studio One, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Cubase.
Yes, all 16 faders are touch-sensitive and motorized, meaning they respond to your touch instantly and recall positions automatically when switching between sessions or channels.
It connects via USB, making setup straightforward with most computers running a compatible DAW.
Yes, it uses a 12 VDC, 2A external power supply, which is included with the unit. It is not USB-powered due to the power demands of 16 motorized faders.
Yes, in addition to channel faders, it provides controls for navigating and adjusting parameters within your DAW, including pan, solo, mute, and transport functions.

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