midi control surface

[kip4]

guys and gals
Please advise me on entry level midi control surfaces (or usb)
windows xp and cubase sx or cakewalk sonar
i want to try the old fashioned pushing a fader for writing automation and am aiming at an entry level surface as im not sure hands on approach is going to be for me as i currantly use the daw facilitys
hands on may be better and quicker longterm
please help

[stainless]

The Presonus Fader Port may be to your liking...  unless you're looking for  digital mixer with motorized faders... which can get pricey

Presonus has one, as does (I think) Mackie

having the motorized fader will be important for automation... not sure if non- motorized units would write the automation, but they definitely wouldn't return to the different levels on their own

[kip4]

thanks mate i'll take a gander at that one
and you presume right im not after motorised faders at this stage

[stainless]

then don't look at the FaderPort, as it has a motorized fader...

though... I believe (and I may be wrong)  you will need a motorized fader if your goal is automation...as a manual fader will remain wherever you last left it... so as you scroll thru the tracks... the fader will not change position (if manual) regardless of what the level is in the mix
that was my main reason for getting a motorized console so I could automate multiple tracks, rather than one at a time with the mouse...

The Faderport will limit you to one track at a time, but you'll be able to change tracks quickly