Not all motorized faders are touch-sensitive. Many controllers use motion-sensitive faders that you have to grab and move to change the level, which can be a real problem if you’re trying to write automation or if the fader is already in motion.

With the StudioLive CS18AI’s 18 touch-sensitive faders (16 Channel, 1 Flex, and 1 Master fader), you can simply touch a fader to take control. They’re essential when mixing with automation because they allow the system to drop into Automation Record mode the moment you touch the fader and stop recording automation as soon as you release it. In live mixing, touch sensitivity provides valuable channel information, such as the fader value, without actually changing the value.

Audio forums have plenty of laments about some manufacturers’ moving faders “jumping their belts” or simply burning out. PreSonus uses ultra-high-duty-cycle, motorized faders that have been put through thousands of hours of rigorous testing to ensure quality performance. They won’t break, even after years at front-of-house in a smoke-filled club.