Controller configuration in MESS

I have been using emulators like Project64 and Kega Fusion for a few years and I have decided to give MESS a try. So far I am liking it, but I'm struggling with configuring MESS to use controllers. Does MESS let you set up controllers like the other emulators? I prefer to use the "proper" controllers for each console. I have a few cheap generic USB controllers, such as NES & SNES that I bought off eBay, and another 2 that I connect via a USB adapter.

I can't see anything on Google to suggest that this is possible.