Most DAW controllers are DOOMED!

Check the SSL UC1 here (affiliate links):

Check the SSL UF8 here (affiliate links):

INDEX:
00:00 Intro
00:34 The protocol issue
01:39 SSL's solution
02:24 How efficient is a console workflow?
03:02 Which plugins are supported?
04:05 Is it the best?
04:25 However...
05:41 Am I going to keep them?
06:45 Support me!

[musicstuff]

Basically need the same to happen as what happened with MIDI. All of the major players got together and agreed a route forward. Basically what needs to happen again

[fredericbourgha-david]

Sorry to say something different but with Cubase it's very easy to integrate a controller.

[Kirstin]

I think the SSL controller looks nice, but the Console 1 is the actually the better solution. The reason is: you can choose in between SSL, API, NEVE, etc. console emulations. You can control Softube and UAD EQs and Compressor right away. Cheers André

[Horbone]

Console 1 works flawlessly in Reaper and Studio One, haven't tested other DAW's. Faderport's integration with Studio 1 is seamless, I even went back to S1 because of it. I can mix 98% mouse free with that combo. Heavily invested in Softube and haven't tried SSL, but it looks great.

[simmermusic]

Great review! I got my SSL UC1 and UF8 around February, I absolutely love how fast I can navigate through the tracks in Logic and balance, EQ and compress them without even having to look at my screen. Going in all by ears greatly improves the mix. The faders really feel as smooth as on an analog console and the fact that it's motorised and remembers every setting on a session speeds up the workflow a lot. I agree on the plugins part. Even though it is possible to control third party plugins through the UF8, I'm a lot faster doing this on the screen still. A cool feature is that you can create shortcuts on the controller where you can perform a certain action within your session with the push of a button. All in all for me, someone who mixes entirely inside the box its a keeper!

[edjefferson]

I could live with that setup. The “Pre DAW” era was limited to what you had to work with in your studio. And the best sounding records were made. I think the endless choices of plugins are a distraction. I would happily settle for an SSL in a box.

[Byron_]

In the last 20 years I had so much controllers. Mackie, Presonus, Avid etc. There is no perfect controller.
But: with mouse and own keycommands and macros I´m wayyy faster in my daw...
finally I sold my SSL UF8 and my SSL UF1.

[melissabell]

I use a UF-8 in my analog workflow - it controls WesAudio ngLeveler automation interfaces via MCU, which lets me use the UF-8 as an analog fader surface (with recall!). It's great for riding mics and setting levels to tape when tracking, and even better when mixing (I have a few summing mixers of various flavors I use).

[squeezenor]

Sticking with the console 1/fader combo. Not only does it come preloaded with an officially licensed SSL 4000, but it largely addresses most of the concerns with daw integration and plug in options. Being able to make custom channel strips for various tasks is totally worth the price of admission and reduces the need for more plug ins/hardware.

And the support is great, the options and features keep expanding, and it's been completely trouble free in the many years I've owned it. Zero regrets.

[fruitproof]

Great news: SSL has now announced that it will be soon possible to control third party plugins as well (as a free update). This is in my opinion a big step forward for these controllers.

[pascalmolenaar]

working with 3 UF8 and 1 UC1 and I will never be going back :) they for sure work flawless and it improves every mix I make just because you can use the touch of real faders .

[Tephomab]

I just set up a single fader to control the last used parameter in reaper. Quickly click the thing I want to edit, then move the full size fader that lives next to my mouse. Absolutely love it!

[YoMyNamesJakeG]

I think the tascam model 12, 16, 24s are the way to go. I want to see them put out an updated version with a few extra features - inputs on each channel, polarity flips per channel (or at least some) additional groups and either individual channel outs or extra group outs. I think the multi track factor to SD and DAW integration is SUPER cool and gives users a lot of options. I’d gladly pay more for those few extra features though

[Tychomusic]

Reaper + Realearn allows very deep and customized controller integration. The only limit is the amount of time you want to spend designing and programming workflows but it’s well worth it, a few cheap midi controllers I already had laying around plus relearn have revolutionized my workflow

[dennisvandermeer]

The one thing I always think of when hearing about standards is: they are like toothbrushes. Everybody has one and nobody wants to use someone else's.

[tilllanglo]

Console 1 Mixing System with Logic Pro X is just great.

[postman]

I always appreciate your reviews. You have voiced my biggest problem with computer based audio as an old analog guy. Analog communicates with simple audio cables that don't need driver updates. That's why I never let go of a bunch of it.

[JerryCrow]

I understood excactly what you said. I use ableton for metal, and am invested in push. It has 8 knobs, but every stock plugin is perfect to control with said knobs. Sure sliders would help the volume mixing, Have the standalone tapping into a vx50 preamp, and has a send for the krakens return so i can drive an amp, whilst keeping the stereo. And i can add 8 more ins and outs with an interface... The standalone demands stock plugins, but one can fix up fx racks that have then 8 knobs assigned to whatever parameter on the fx chain, and those can be conglomerated with max. The actual standalone has a neutered software, that it fs up the workflow not having it plugged to a computer but the point in this is and how i'm understanding you is;

It's all about the session view, can't even arrange full pieces one has to perform chases manually... A common complaint, but as this isn't a standard. Only ableton can make the product at this stage. Where if this'd be open source atleast not even standardized which would be the next step; pure code.

So the question is obvious, do you want in that standard rotary or slider encoders...? how about that 64 pad pad; Standard? So it's open source. But how i use this thingymajig is by having two environments. If i can drive all sound from the standalone, it'll take snippets of recordings into that session view quite nicely; then i can have the mics on the cabs that push drives sent to my recording pc environment. don't need do bloat the audiointerfaces with the send/return cable hell... Like that channelstrip you presented. Has so much useless crap * 5000 or how many of them are side by side on a real console. Because EQ is a remedy, but you can eq by re-placing the mic on the cab, and ofc the sound generating tube amp has eq...

[Harrysound]

I have both and use them with Cubase. It’s been fantastic to mix with. Cubase does allow comprehensive mapping and I use 3 layers. Cubase for layer one, ssl 360 for layer 2 and the 3rd layer is set to ableton but then I map it as it’s on own separate controller in Cubase .

[pewburrito]

I had this idea 20 years ago; and when I kept asking why no one had it< n one really understood what I was hoping for. Looking back it was because computers weren't fast enough and reached the level of tech where we are now