Softube Console 1 Mk 2

This is a sensational product. If you can't mix "in the box" with this then you're in the wrong game. This controller gives you precision control for mixing - packaged with the best SSL 4000 emulation I've heard. The sounds and processing all come from the computer through your DSP, but the Console 1 makes the sound crystal clear and warm and you can change the character completely by swapping out the software expander, EQ or compressor sections with other kit. I use Universal Audio plugins already and now Console 1 gives me immediate, real-time hands on control of all the faders and knobs for most of my UAD favourites.

Even if you don't have acces to UA stuff, Softube has a whole bunch of other software processors and other channel strips available. But, as packaged, this gives awesome control and makes huge difference to any mix. It's so quick to use. I loaded it onto a 31-track song (and I'm only using a Mac Mini) and the processors ran fine.

I always wondered about the Console 1 - what is it really for? But when the price came down for the launch of the Mk 2 I thought, what the heck. I've been running a home studio for a couple of decades and I used to work in a music store, here in Edinburgh and so I thought I knew all there was to mixing on proper analogue desks. But I am blown away by this controller. I can't bring myself to tell you how much I've spent on other kit recently which this controller just replaces the need for!

The "Pros" are that: it speeds up workflow immensely cos all the controls for all your tracks are right there - no more squinting at the screen and trying to move the G/E knob with a mouse; everything you're doing is shown on screen right in front of you - you can see the compression shape and EQ cuts happen; it can be used to control UA plug ins; the SSL mixer emulation it comes with is a brilliant emulation of probably the best desk ever built; it males good mixes easy to get to, store and copy. It's really well built but does not take up too much desk space.

The only "Con" I've heard is that some people would have preferred to have a couple of faders on there two - but I got used to the knob straight away (especially with the fine-adjust function) so I don't miss a fader.

All DAWs will come loaded with EQ and compression plug-ins and maybe even an expander/gate. Some DAWs even have really good presets for individual drums, instruments and mixes. But getting hands-on control of all these things across all my tracks and the busses and Mix tracks has just shortened the time it takes to record, mix and pre-master my stuff by half. Plus - the controller gives me unbelievable sound sculpting opportunities. None of my DAWs have put all this together like this - the Console 1 lay-out even makes me think about using "drive" and "character" and "sustain" controls on everything!

I guess it's just a lot of fun to use. I should probably get back to it.

Softube Console 1 made the process of mixing very fun and exciting, you build muscle memory with it and feel more physically connected to the music if that makes sense. I'm very happy with this purchase when it comes to the meat and potatoes of the mix.

Pros:
- Compact form factor.
- Console 1 software works pretty smooth, always there when you need it and non-intrusive when you don't need it.
- Low CPU load.
Cons:
- Integration with UAD console is a disaster, don't fall in that marketing trap.
- Some UAD plugins loaded into console seem to use more DSP as opposed to running outside of console.
- It's easy to overprocess tracks by having console loaded into your whole session.

I nearly sent this back, but after some help over at Gearslutz i got the unit working with Logic X. Yes Logic X supports track numbers & names with Console 1, which is important for workflow reasons. The key is to get all your tracks and Aux's in the right order (a multi output plugin needs to have all the aux's on the arrange page and in the correct order, as an example). If not tracks and Console 1 get out of sync. It would be so much easier if Softube detailed these setup steps for each DAW. Presets are missing (depite the SSL having them), and they are refusing to comment on the full Apple integration. Maybe they have given up on it ? Anyway once working its a great sounding product, with quality hardware. Shame Softube support is so layed back.

It’s taken me some time to get used to this unit. I had some issues getting it set up and working correctly software wise. However the support people at softube were spot on and got me going properly in the end.

Fort thing to do after getting it working is to make yourself a daw template with this inserted in all you channels. I just have a very simple template with 1 mono, 1 stereo channel and I copy them as I need.

Then… you’re really working like your on a big format console. Reaching for high pass, introducing a bit of compression and eq tweaking is all at your finger tips. Plus much more. It really sounds good too. It adds a fat punch to your mixes with little effort. Dare
I say warmth? That overused term… I dare… cos it does!

Overall I just love this way of working. I really get that softube have not tried to make a general daw controller, they’ve made a controller for a virtual console inside your Daw, and therefore it works perfectly.

So seriously considering adding the fader unit as well now.

I have been producing and mixing everything ITB with my good old mouse and keyboard for a long time. It is handy but it is limited to one action at a time.

With Console1, it enables me to to free myself from the mouse&keyboard combos and happily mix, with both hands, doing multiple actions and most importantly, no more choose this or that EQs, Comps scenearios. Just add in the stems, and console1. And work right away! The build quality is good, it is all metal chassis and look really solid and knob does not give me that plastic feel. It gives a little bit resistance when twisted and it is really cool for me.

Not even a single second wasted on tweaking knobs with mouse! It brings me joy that I never ever had with mouse and keybaord.

Not to mention the ssl4000 sound is really good with that magic saturation knob!

The product is wel thought out and the plugin sounds really good. It gives you tons of instant and tactile processing abilities. Only major downside is that for some DAWs including Ableton Live, there is no support for track name, number and follow. Meaning that you manually have to name every track in Live AND in Console 1. You also have to add the plugin in order of channel 1, 2, 3, 4, ... and if you later want to add tracks in between you have to repeat this process from scratch. No follow support means that you can select different tracks in Ableton and in Console 1 which can be very confusing. This is all very clumsy and frustrating. I have been submitting feature requests to Softube and Ableton support for more than a year now, but still no progress. A real disappointment.