Mackie Master Fader 3 vs DriveRack PA2 Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mackie Master Fader 3
This app provides wireless control for Mackie digital mixers, offering comprehensive mixing tools and powerful DSP processing. It allows for total recall of settings, detailed channel adjustments, and multi-track recording control.
- Wireless control of Mackie DL mixers
- Intuitive multi-touch interface
- Total recall of mixer settings
- Advanced DSP processing per channel
- Wireless multi-track recording control
- Support for multiple iOS devices
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***Master Fader 4 is now available. Please search the App Store and update to Master Fader 4 for the latest features and bug fixes. Master Fader 3.2.3 is no longer supported and remains available for compatibility only.*** The Mackie Master Fader™ app provides complete wireless control over your Mackie DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 wireless digital mixer. Proven at more than 5 million live mixes worldwide, the incredible intuitive Master Fader control app is packed with powerful processing and a rich set of mixing tools for any professional application. Mackie Master Fader v3.2 provides the perfect way to try out the functions of the DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 before you buy. For actual audio functionality, a Mackie DL series mixer is required. Features: • Intuitive multi-touch control over every major mix function • Grow and Glow™ clearly shows controls being adjusted • Total recall of all mixer settings using snapshots and shows • Overview delivers instant access to all inputs, outputs, groups and more • Mixer view allows fast adjustment of channel controls including solo, mute, pan and level with full metering • Channel view gives control over a choice of powerful DSP -- Inputs: Choice of Vintage or Modern 4-band PEQ + HPF, gate and compression -- Return Channels: 4-band PEQ and compression -- Outputs: 4-band PEQ + HPF/LPF, 31-band GEQ, comp/limiter and alignment delay -- Subgroups: 4-band PEQ and compression -- FX: Wide choice of reverbs and delays with dedicated channels sends and returns to each output • Recording/Playback view delivers wireless control over 32x32 direct-to-disk multi-track recording/playback* • Quick access panel delivers instant access to critical mixing functions like effects mute, clear solo and tap delay. • VCAs and mute groups provide fast control over multiple channels at once • 6 matrix busses for professional control of multiple mixes* • Full I/O routing with A/B sources per channel* • Fast navigation with view groups that provide customizable views • Quick setup with tons of factory and user-definable presets • Export presets, a complete system backup and more via Dropbox or email • Access limiting prevents unwanted adjustments from other engineers/musicians • Complete offline operation for simple pre-show setup • Support for multiple iOS devices connected wirelessly so other engineers and musicians can control any aspect of the mix • Pair with the Mackie My Fader app for pocketable wireless control or on-stage mixing by musicians from iPhone® or iPod® touch** * Only available on the Mackie DL32R ** Master Fader v3.0 is compatible with Mackie My Fader v3.0 (available soon). It is not compatible with My Fader v2.0. Do not update to Master Fader 3.0 at this time, if you still need My Fader 2.0 control. Requirements: • Requires iOS 7.1 or greater. The original iPad is no longer supported. • Wi-Fi router - For wireless control (required for DL32R), a Wi-Fi router is required. See the DL Series Reference Guide for complete information • DL32R, DL1608 or DL806 Mixer - Master Fader does not mix audio on its own. It requires the DL Series mixer to fully function • Wireless Compatibility - DL Series mixers are compatible with the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad (3rd generation), iPad 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini. • Lightning Compatibility - Master Fader allows docked operation with the DL1608 or DL806 mixers with Lightning Connector with the iPad Air (using the optional iPad Air Tray Kit), iPad (4th generation), iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini (using the optional iPad mini Tray Kit). • 30-Pin Compatibility - Master Fader allows docked operation with the DL1608 or DL806 mixers with 30-Pin Connector with the iPad (3rd generation) and iPad 2.
DriveRack PA2 Control
Control your PA2 hardware wirelessly from any location. This app optimizes and protects your loudspeakers by managing audio processing between your mixer and amplifiers.
- Wireless control via WiFi
- System setup from any location
- Loudspeaker optimization
- Loudspeaker protection
- Audio processing management
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The DriveRack® PA2 Control app is the ultimate way to control the PA2 hardware. The DriveRack® PA2 provides all the processing you need between your mixer and amplifiers to optimize and protect your loudspeakers. With the PA2 app you can control all aspects of the hardware through a network (WiFi) connection allowing you to setup system from any location. DriveRack® PA2 continues the DriveRack® legacy of great-sounding, powerful, and affordable loudspeaker management processors.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Mackie Master Fader 3 at 4.3 against DriveRack PA2 Control's 3.2. Mackie Master Fader 3 also leads on review sentiment (57% vs 34%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). DriveRack PA2 Control's advantage is ratings volume (110 vs 13) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Mackie Master Fader 3 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DriveRack PA2 Control has 110 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Mackie Master Fader 3's written reviews are positive against 34% of DriveRack PA2 Control's.
Mackie Master Fader 3 ships an update every 2 months, DriveRack PA2 Control every 8 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | Mackie Master Fader 3 | DriveRack PA2 Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (13 ratings) — better | 3.2 (110 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 57.4% of reviews — better | 34.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 110 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 8 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 7.1 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 104 MB | 67 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | Loud Technologies, Inc. | Harman Professional, Inc. |
Customer experience
Mackie Master Fader 3
DriveRack PA2 Control
In-app purchases
Mackie Master Fader 3
No in-app purchases
DriveRack PA2 Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Mackie Master Fader 3 free?
Is DriveRack PA2 Control free?
Which has better reviews, Mackie Master Fader 3 or DriveRack PA2 Control?
Do Mackie Master Fader 3 or DriveRack PA2 Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Mackie Master Fader 3 or DriveRack PA2 Control?
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