NAMM 2026: Fender has announced Motion 16 and 32, two new polyphonic aftertouch MIDI controllers compatible with Studio Pro and other DAWs.
On Tuesday, the next version of the Studio One DAW was released. Not under the PreSonus branding, but under the Fender Studio Pro 8 name. At the same time, the audio interfaces and MIDI controllers were updated and renamed.
This includes two new Fender MIDI controllers called Motion 16 and Motion 32. These replace the PreSonus Atom controllers.
Fender Motion 16 and 32
The new Motion 16 and Motion 32 are Fender’s first MIDI controllers. These are primarily designed for the Studio Pro DAW, offering deep integration and seamless workflow that keeps your creative ideas flowing without interruption.
However, they are compatible with any other DAW and function as a traditional generic MIDI controller.
Fender Motion 16
Motion 16 is a new MIDI pad controller featuring 16 RGB polyphonic aftertouch FATAR pads for programming drums, chords, melodies, and scales.
The nine illuminated touch encoders above provide tactile control and feedback for the parameters. They give you hands-on control over playback, editing, and mixing in Studio Pro 8. Alternatively, you can map them to other MIDI controls.
It features a built-in smart scale and chord functionality for experimenting with melodies and harmonies. You can work with 30+ iconic chord progressions and improvise with them like on a true instrument.
Alongside transport controls and buttons, it also features an expressive touch strip on the left side for intuitively controlling modulation, pitch, and effects. There is also a color display that provides instant visual feedback.
The Fender Studio Pro integration offers exclusive features available only in this DAW. You can easily navigate tracks and sessions without losing focus. The same applies to the add button that instantly adds new virtual instruments, audio tracks, or effects.
Fender Motion 32
The Motion 32 has almost identical features to the Motion 16, but it’s a keyboard pad controller like the previous PreSonus Axon SQ. It offers 32 RGB polyphonic aftertouch FATAR pads for programming drums, chords, and more.
Like the Motion 16, the Fender Motion 32 features touch-illuminated encoders that are freely mappable to hardware and software controls. In the Studio Pro mode, they also have pre-mappings on sound-shaping parameters.
Also onboard are the smart scale and smart chords features, with 30+ iconic chord progressions included.
Motion 32 also includes the same Fender Studio Pro integration with its dedicated buttons, including the add function. It also features touch pitch and mod wheels on the left side of the controller.
Fender also promises that both MIDI controllers can be integrated with hardware instruments such as synths, drum machines, or hybrid setups. They haven’t revealed whether there’s a dedicated mode for this.
Similarly, they haven’t yet shown the back panel with the connectivity options.
First Impression
Two solid new DAW controllers. From what we know so far, they appear to be a promising further development of their previous Atom lineup.
Fender Motion 16 will cost 279€, and Motion 32 349€. Availability is TBA.
More information here: Fender
Seeing the Fender brand on non-guitar stuff seems strange to me. Ignoring that, these seem like nice controllers for a good price.
true.
But it’s a famous Brand.
i Had the Eris 3.5bt speakers.
they will Leave the Presonus Name with the Eris.