I know it isn't the most inexpensive option, but I can warmly recommend Fairlight's own controllers. They are exceptionally built (metal, solid, precise), extremely well integrated with the software (and adding functionality regularly) and offer workflow enhancements that can hard to recognize until you sit down with them and start running sessions.
The workflow and layout is all designed to be as efficient and fast as possible, so the time savings are considerable. It's so much nicer, easier and faster to "play" a mix on faders and reach for a knob to tweak an EQ than mouse over to somewhere, bring up a GUI or pull down a menu, move something around on the screen (and only one fader at a time with a mouse), etc. Really breaks the flow of a session imho and doesn't lead to a creative or intuitive way of working.
There are still a few legacy Fairlight features that haven't yet made it over as I'm told by some of the guys who've been using Fairlight forever, but I haven't missed much personally and do most of my work in it.
I started testing it out around version 15, when 16 came out it was a major improvement, and v17 is pretty solid when it comes to audio production. If you're composing, Fairlight might not be the most suitable tool, but for mixing, post production, even mastering I would say it has what you need. Plus, it sounds great.
If you compare the Fairlight controllers to something similar like the Avid S3 or S6, or the Yamaha Nuage, it's actually a better deal - more functionality for lower overall price.
Ok, fanboi out
Cheers,
Thor
Desktop: 2019 Mac Pro 16 Core CPU 192GB RAM | AMD Radeon W5700X 16GB | OS X Monterey 12.7
Fairlight Audio Accelerator CC-2 | Audio Interface SX-36 | Audio Editor (FAE) | Studio Console
Mobile: 2023 16" M3 Max MacBook Pro 64GB RAM | OS X Sonoma 14.3