Editing MIDI controller (section)

==Auxiliary controllers==
Software synthesizers offer great power and versatility, but some players feel that division of attention between a MIDI keyboard and a computer keyboard and mouse robs some of the immediacy from the playing experience.<ref>Preve, Francis. "Dave Smith", in "The 1st Annual ''Keyboard'' Hall of Fame". ''Keyboard'' (US). NewBay Media, LLC. Sep 2012. Print. p.18</ref> Devices dedicated to real-time MIDI control provide an ergonomic benefit and can provide a greater sense of connection with the instrument than can an interface that is accessed through a mouse and computer keyboard. 

Controllers may be general-purpose devices that are designed to work with a variety of equipment, or they may be designed to work with a specific piece of software. Examples of the latter include Akai's APC40 controller or Nakedboards MC-8 for [[Ableton Live]], and Korg's MS-20ic controller which is a reproduction of their [[MS-20]] analog synthesizer. The MS-20ic controller includes [[patch cables]] that can be used to control signal routing in their virtual reproduction of the MS-20 synthesizer and can also control third-party devices.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/korg/legacy.php |title=Korg Legacy Collection |website=Vintage Synth Explorer |access-date=21 August 2012}}</ref>

===Control surfaces===
Control surfaces are hardware devices that provide a variety of controls that transmit real-time controller messages. These enable software instruments to be programmed without the discomfort of excessive mouse movements,<ref name="WalkerControl">Walker, Martin. "[http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct01/articles/pcmusician1001.asp Controlling Influence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110112533/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct01/articles/pcmusician1001.asp |date=2012-01-10 }}". ''Sound On Sound''. SOS Publications. Oct 2001. Print.</ref> or adjustment of hardware devices without the need to step through layered menus. Buttons, sliders, and knobs are the most common controllers provided, but [[rotary encoder]]s, [[transport controls]], joysticks, [[ribbon controller]]s, vector touchpads in the style of Korg's [[Kaoss pad]], and optical controllers such as Roland's [[D-Beam]] may also be present. Control surfaces may be used for mixing, sequencer automation, turntablism, and lighting control.<ref name="WalkerControl" />

===Specialized real-time controllers===
[[Audio control surface]]s often resemble [[mixing console]]s in appearance, and enable a level of hands-on control for changing parameters such as sound levels and effects applied to individual tracks of a [[multitrack recording]] or channels supporting a live performance.

MIDI footswitches are commonly used to send MIDI program change commands to effects devices but may be combined with a pedalboard for more detailed adjustment of effects units. Pedals are available in the form of on/off switches, either momentary or latching or as [[expression pedal]]s whose position determines the value of a MIDI continuous controller.

[[Drawbars|Drawbar]] controllers are for use with MIDI and virtual organs. Along with a set of drawbars for timbre control, they may provide controls for standard organ effects such as [[Leslie speaker]] speed, vibrato and chorus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voceinc.com/manuals/Dbman_r3.htm#What |title="Drawbar Manual v. 1.2". Voce, Inc. n.d. Web. 10 Aug 2012 |publisher=Voceinc.com |access-date=2012-11-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405033832/http://www.voceinc.com/manuals/Dbman_r3.htm#What |archive-date=2013-04-05 }}</ref>