Why the MP Controller Is the Ultimate Logic Pro Control Surface
The MP Controller was designed from the ground up to provide deep integration with Apple Logic Pro. Upon connecting it to Logic, it operates as a native Logic Pro control surface, giving you tactile command over transport controls, the channel strip, mixer, plug-ins, and even custom key commands – all in one unit.
With its wealth of high-resolution encoders and touch display, the MP Controller delivers a workflow never before seen on a Logic control surface.
Let's break down the features that make the MP Controller the best in class.
Full Logic Pro Integration: Transport, Channel Strip, and Mixer Control
The MP Controller offers immediate access to essential channel strip functions. You can adjust track volume, pan, and sends, and toggle arm/solo/mute for the selected track without touching your mouse. The device's layout includes dedicated encoders and buttons mapped to these functions, ensuring that the Logic channel strip is always at your fingertips.
Need to navigate your project? The MP Controller lets you control Logic's transport (play, stop, record, etc.) and even move the timeline playhead or set zoom levels directly from the hardware. This means you can handle recording and navigation from the controller itself, staying in the creative flow.
Mixer Control with Multiple Channels
Unlike controllers that focus on one channel at a time (for example, the Panorama CS12's single motorized fader), the MP Controller can manage multiple channels concurrently. In Mixer view, you get an overview of 8 tracks per page, with the ability to adjust volume and pan for each track using the top and bottom encoder rows.
The on-screen mixer interface follows your track selection in Logic automatically – if you select a different track in Logic Pro, the MP Controller's display updates to show the relevant track (and its neighbors) in the mixer. This bi-directional sync means the hardware and software are always on the same page, literally.
With the MP Controller, you essentially have an 8-channel Logic Pro mixer controller on your desk, allowing hands-on mixing of multiple tracks at once. This is a significant advantage over the Nektar Panorama CS12, which limits you to adjusting one channel strip at a time with its single fader.
Advanced Plug-in & Instrument Control for AU/VSTs
The MP Controller excels at controlling plug-ins – whether they are Logic's built-in AU plugins or third-party VST instruments and effects. It introduces a dedicated Channel Strip view for plug-ins, where you can select any instrument or effect on your track (Logic native or third-party) and instantly tweak its parameters.
Thanks to dynamic parameter mapping, all of Logic's own instruments and audio effects are meticulously pre-mapped to the controller's knobs. This provides a true plug-and-play experience: load up a Logic Pro Channel EQ or a software synthesizer, and its key parameters automatically spread across the MP Controller's encoders for immediate hands-on control, with no manual mapping needed.
Beyond Logic's native devices, the MP Controller is also a powerful VST instrument controller. Using the intuitive 15.6-inch touch display, you can link plugin parameters on the fly – for example, touch a filter cutoff knob on a synth plugin's GUI and turn a hardware encoder to assign it.
It also features automatic mapping of parameters where it can link parameters to encoders and group them by color when you simply load the plugin.
Large Integrated Touchscreen for Plugins
A standout feature of the MP Controller is its built-in 15.6-inch touchscreen display.
This high-resolution screen can display your plugin interfaces (or a custom controller UI) right on the hardware. You get visual feedback and context for every parameter you adjust, effectively bringing your Logic Pro plugins out of the computer and into your hands.
For instance, you can view a full EQ curve or synth panel on the MP Controller's screen while turning the knobs, an experience far superior to small LCD scribble strips on typical controllers. (The Panorama CS12, by comparison, has only a 3.5-inch display, which can only show simplistic parameter text or values.)
The MP Controller's large display not only makes it easier to see what you're controlling at a glance, but also enables touch interactions. This combination of touch and tactile control gives a hardware-like feel to all your software instruments and effects, blurring the line between software and hardware control.
High-Quality Encoders for Precision Mixing & Automation
At the heart of the MP Controller are its 32 endless rotary encoders, each offering high-precision control over your parameters. The controller supports 14-bit MIDI resolution in it's software (depending on the parameter being controlled), translating to extremely fine adjustments when needed.
This level of precision is a huge boon for tasks like mixing and automation. You can smoothly ride a vocal fader or finely adjust an EQ frequency.
Whether you're writing volume automation or tweaking a synth filter, the MP Controller's knobs respond with smooth precision.
Assignable Touchscreen Buttons for Custom Shortcuts
Beyond knobs and faders, the MP Controller significantly enhances your workflow with its array of assignable touchscreen buttons. In the dedicated Key Command view, you have access to over 70 touch-sensitive buttons (in the button's view page) that you can configure to send any keyboard shortcut to Logic Pro.
This effectively turns the MP Controller into a control hub for not just mixing and plugins, but also for triggering actions in Logic that normally require menu navigation or memorizing key commands.
For example, you could set up buttons for common tasks like opening the mixer, toggling the metronome, setting locators, undo/redo, switching screensets, or even complex macros – all at a single tap.
Each button can be labeled with custom text or even an icon, so you'll have a visual palette of Logic Pro shortcuts tailored to your workflow.
MP Controller vs. Nektar Panorama CS12: Key Advantages
The Nektar Panorama CS12 is often referenced as a strong dedicated controller for Logic Pro, but the MP Controller goes even further, offering a more expansive feature set and user experience. Here's a detailed comparison highlighting why the MP Controller is the superior choice for Logic Pro power-users:
| Feature | MP Controller | Nektar Panorama CS12 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Controls | 32 endless encoders and 21 touchscreen buttons per page (16 pages per audio effect device or instrument) plus 70+ touchscreen buttons in the button's view for sending key commands. |
13 encoders (12 + pan knob) + fixed buttons |
| Mixer Control | 8-channel mixer view with simultaneous control | Single channel focus with one motorized fader |
| Display | 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen showing plugin GUIs | 3.5-inch screen showing basic text/values |
| Plugin Mapping | Pre-mapped Logic plugins + on-the-fly mapping via touch | Pre-mapped plugins + Nektarine software required for some VSTs |
| Customization | 70+ assignable buttons for any Logic command | Fixed set of function buttons |
| DAW Support | Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Bitwig, more | Logic Pro, Cubase |
More Hands-On Controls
The MP Controller provides an abundance of controls with 32 endless encoders, 21 buttons per page, 16 pages per plugin and 70+ buttons available per session (via multiple pages), whereas the Panorama CS12 offers 13 encoders and a limited number of buttons.
More encoders and buttons mean more parameters accessible simultaneously without banking or switching – you can control entire channel strips and plugins with minimal context switching on the MP Controller.
Multiple Channels at Once
With the MP Controller's 8-channel mixer view, you can mix several tracks together – balancing levels and pans in tandem. The CS12, in contrast, is a Logic channel strip controller focused on one channel at a time (it has a single motor fader for the selected channel).
If you want to adjust two faders at once on the CS12, you simply can't. The MP Controller's ability to tweak multiple channels simultaneously is a major advantage for mixing workflows.
Superior Display and Feedback
The MP Controller features a large 15.6-inch IPS touchscreen that displays plugin GUIs and detailed visuals. Panorama CS12's tiny 3.5-inch screen can only show basic text/values.
The richer visual feedback on the MP Controller means you spend less time looking at your computer monitor and more time focusing on the music, with all the info you need right on the device.
Seamless Plugin Mapping
Both controllers can map to Logic's plug-ins and third-party AU/VSTs, but the MP Controller offers a more seamless experience. It comes with pre-mapped Logic Pro instruments/effects for instant use, and allows on-the-fly mapping of any plugin via touch-and-turn.
The CS12 also maps plugins, but complex plugin control on the CS12 may require using the separate Nektarine software for optimal results. With MP, no external software or setup is needed to get full plugin control – it's truly plug-and-play.
What Logic Pro Users Are Saying
"After using the Nektar Panorama CS12 for a year, I switched to the MP Controller and haven't looked back. The ability to see and control multiple tracks at once alone makes it worth the upgrade, but the large touchscreen and plugin integration are game-changers for my workflow."
"As a mixing engineer working primarily in Logic Pro, I needed a controller that could handle both mixing and detailed plugin adjustments. The MP Controller's combination of 32 high-resolution encoders and the large touchscreen makes it the perfect Logic Pro mixer controller for professional work."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MP Controller compare to the Nektar Panorama CS12 for Logic Pro?
The MP Controller offers significant advantages over the Nektar Panorama CS12, including 32 encoders vs. 13, an 8-channel mixer view vs. single channel control, a 15.6-inch touchscreen vs. 3.5-inch display, and fully customizable shortcuts with 70+ assignable buttons. The MP Controller provides a more comprehensive Logic Pro experience with greater flexibility and visual feedback.
Is the MP Controller only for Logic Pro or can it work with other DAWs?
While the MP Controller shines as a dedicated controller for Logic Pro, it also supports other major DAWs including Ableton Live, Cubase, and Bitwig Studio. This multi-DAW capability makes it a more versatile and future-proof investment compared to controllers that are limited to just one or two DAWs.
How does plugin control work on the MP Controller?
The MP Controller offers two approaches to plugin control: 1) Pre-mapped parameters for Logic's native plugins that automatically map to the controller's encoders, and 2) On-the-fly mapping for third-party VSTs where you can touch a parameter on screen and turn an encoder to assign it. This makes the MP Controller an exceptional VST instrument controller without requiring external mapping software.
Can I control multiple channels simultaneously with the MP Controller?
Yes! Unlike the Nektar Panorama CS12 which is limited to controlling one channel at a time, the MP Controller functions as a true Logic Pro mixer controller with an 8-channel view. You can adjust volume, pan, and other parameters across multiple tracks simultaneously, making it ideal for mixing sessions.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Logic Pro Workflow with MP Controller
When it comes to finding the best control surface for Logic Pro, the MP Controller stands out as the most comprehensive and innovative solution on the market. It combines the functionalities of a dedicated mixer controller, plugin controller, and shortcut controller into one cohesive device.
With full Logic Pro integration, a plethora of high-resolution controls, and a user-focused design, the MP Controller truly allows you to "reclaim your creativity" by minimizing technical hurdles. You'll spend less time clicking and mapping, and more time creating music in a hands-on, inspiring way.
Ready to take your Logic production experience to the next level? The MP Controller (Model 2A) is available now, with limited inventory in Q2 2025. Don't miss the opportunity to transform how you produce music in Logic Pro.
Order Your MP Controller Now