VDB Finger Control Surface experience?

[bcopenhagen]

Has anybody laid hands on the fader controller from VDB?  The FCS 8 and FCS12 claim to be well-built, so it seems like an interesting entry into this arena.

 

Specifically, I'm wondering if anyone has hands-on experience with the "Soft" vs "Firm" faders that are available.

 

I have read all the documentation I can find, but fader feel is such a subjective tactile experience, I don't really want to place an order based on the literature.  Sometime soon, I will likely contact VDB directly (tip of the HAT).  I'll report back if I learn useful info.

 

Thanks,

Brian

[Dejan Ceko]

 

[Derek H]

Looks pretty great. Only miss I see is they forgot to put PFL LED meters on each channel. And a couple mix bus meters would be nice too but I’d say the PFL meters like the cl12 and Sonosax has are really great to have. 

[Csaba Major]

Hi!

And what about the dust? 
CL16 after 2 days in a Castle, the faders are stucked. Just like the CL12 before. Thats why I sold it. I thought they are improoved this very expensive midi controller. But no. 
so if the VDB better I will change my CL16, because this is useless. 
 

[Csaba Major]

I’ve written a letter to VDB and they sent ,me this photo. This convinced me, so I’ve ordered one. I have got it today. Next week I will test it in a dusty set.

[fieldsound]

Awesome. I had the opportunity to hold one of these units and move the faders recently. The soft faders felt great, similar to Sonosax fader resistance. The trim knobs are not infinity encoders which makes them great to work with by feel. All of the switches on the unit feel rugged and require some force to actuate. Based on my limited experience it seems quite well designed and implemented. Looking forward to hearing more long term usage feedback. 

[Neil Mc]

I've been using an 8 channel version on a scipted show for a month so far and am loving it. 

 

I've got the soft fader version which as mentioned above feels similar to the Sonosax LC8 I was using before.

 

A great little unit, so far no issues after extensive use on location. Definitely improving the mixing experience with trim pots above the faders like a proper mixer.

 

No hesitation to recommend based on the last months use. 

[Csaba Major]

I spent two weeks in really dusty set. Nothing happened with it. 

[fieldsound]

Picked up a VDB 12 last week and spent four days working with it. My model has the firm faders, which I have been enjoying quite a bit though I am admittedly not experienced enough with cart mixing to have a strong preference for fader resistance. Unit feels well built and sturdy, and I can certainly appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into the design particularly with the track arming command. 
 

One thing I noticed on both the units I have tried is that the encoder on channel 1 had a different level of resistance than the rest of the knobs. Almost feels like a detent but I have no idea why. Anyone else noticed this? 
 

Another thing is that the PFL toggles don’t bring up the fat channel on the screen of your mixer, instead they toggle a headphone preset PFL. So if you’re expecting to be able to avoid the menu diving associated with entering the fat channel you will be disappointed. This feels like a missed opportunity and I hope a future firmware update can remedy this… My IDDQD controller can do this so I have been using that to access 7-12 on my 833 more quickly. 

 

 

[Dave Pullmer]

Not related to the faders but a sound mixer in my market was having connectivity issues with this controller over a shoot day. 
 

I also heard from trew audio Toronto they were releasing a v2 of the controller, but the first round of them didn’t warrant a recall, or didn’t cause enough problems for ppl to care for a return.

 

Hoping they sort out those small issues because I love the form factor of this board and want one myself…

[fieldsound]

Did Trew give any indication what the V2 version would address? Trew Toronto is where I bought my unit! 

 

I was happy with the performance of my unit on my recent project, functionally it was solid. I think I will carry a backup USB B cable in future though. 

[Derek H]

Hopefully it will have channel LED meters!

[Dejan Ceko]

 

[Dave Pullmer]

They didn’t mention any specifics.. I’m hoping we hear from VDB on this and end up with a unit that is stable.

[Derek H]

Is V1 unstable?

[perimeter]

If this is used on the Scorpio, how do you control channels 13-32?

[Derek H]

You could probably hook up two of them. 

[Csaba Major]

[JustusWirth]

16 hours ago, Csaba Major said:

@Csaba Major Sorry for the off topic, but how are the ecoflow batteries working for you? Do you run the batterie straight into the k-Art? How about resistance against bad weather, dirt etc.? How about the integrated fan? Would love hearing your thoughts on this.

 

Back to topic: You can cascade two Surface controls via usb cable, 12 and 8 faders should be sufficient for most cases I guess. I will buy the 12 fader version but I have written VDB an email asking if the mentioned 2nd version release is gonna happen in the near future.

[JustusWirth]

So I have got an answer from VDB. They are working on a V2 that might include MixPre integration and some internal design changes, mainly for speeding up the manufacturing process, but they said it's still in early development and not to be expected before mid 2026 at the earliest. They also said anyone spreading rumors about a V2 is peddling false information. 🙃

 

@perimeterBtw you can map the assignable buttons to bank through the faders, so you can control all of your channels.

[Neil Mc]

On 9/13/2025 at 11:49 PM, Derek H said:

Is V1 unstable

 

Only speaking from personal experience but zero issues after five months of daily use with an 888. 

[Philip Perkins]

would be cool if v2 works with MP

[Derek H]

… and put some input meters on each channel

[perimeter]

On 11/13/2025 at 5:21 PM, JustusWirth said:

So I have got an answer from VDB. They are working on a V2 that might include MixPre integration and some internal design changes, mainly for speeding up the manufacturing process, but they said it's still in early development and not to be expected before mid 2026 at the earliest. They also said anyone spreading rumors about a V2 is peddling false information. 🙃

 

@perimeterBtw you can map the assignable buttons to bank through the faders, so you can control all of your channels.

Thank you that is good to hear. I don't think I'll need to actively mix with more than 12 channels at a time but I need the control surface to be able to control the other channels. Presumably that goes for busses and ouput control as well?

[JustusWirth]

6 hours ago, perimeter said:

Thank you that is good to hear. I don't think I'll need to actively mix with more than 12 channels at a time but I need the control surface to be able to control the other channels. Presumably that goes for busses and ouput control as well?

 

Yes.