For years I’ve been mousing around on my DAW and the other day got fed and started thing about a DAW control surface. I’m on a PC using Sonar X1. I don’t need an audio interface as I have a MOTU 828 MK3. The Mackie UC seems like the ideal choice but I’m open to any suggestions.
What functionality do you need? If you’re “mousing around” refers to fader automation, then what you really need is a fader. I have a Frontier AlphaTrack (now discontinued), but PreSonus also makes FaderPort.
If you want to control plugin parameters, you might want to try something like the Novation Launch Control. Each of these run around $100 each, so check them out and see if they’ve got what you need.