Most DAW controllers are DOOMED!

[@fredericbourgha-david8032]

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

[@fetusbelt6851]

yep, the old steinberg controllers work amazing.

[@memeswillneverdie]

@@fetusbelt6851 the midi remote feature in cubase gives you complete control to design your workflow in an easy to understand and accessible manner, if you haven't already watch a few videos on it, it's incredible

[@jsample7543]

Yeah, however, auto banking does not work in cubase.

[@richiefamus8778]

Hey did they ever fix that ancient and horrific touch automation behavior in Cubase, or do you still have to draw ✍️ dots to make the fader return to its original position?

[@andymoon4998]

@@richiefamus8778 They fixed it with 'Value Mode' in the Remote Mapping Assistant

[@Byron101_]

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.

[@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

[@rich1051414]

Sadly, MIDI failed to make anyone who was designing it happy. There is a whole drama filled story regarding that. We ended up with what we needed at the time, but it was not what the creators wanted, too many compromises, too many incompatibilities, too much inconsistency.

[@jonathansandusky7446]

We've got OSC. While it wasn't pretty, once it's done I've loved using a touchscreen as an OSC surface and controlling Reaper over OSC. Getting it working absolutely sucked though. Most DAWs support OSC, unless you build your own from an Arduino you've got barely any choices for OSC hardware controllers aside form a touch-screen. Reaper / Ableton / Logic / ProTools all have OSC. IIRC FLStudio maybe still doesn't.

[@philipjbenjamin]

@@jonathansandusky7446 At the time you wrote your comment I believe you were correct. There is however an OSC control surface that has just been announced (Asparion D700). Hopefully it will lead to a shift to OSC - if indeed (I am not knowledgeable enough to know) OSC is a suitable standard for the future.

[@jonathansandusky7446]

@@philipjbenjamin That's pretty neat, a bit niche in that it's basically a DAW controller only and not going to be great for general CC-like uses, but maybe they'll add more general control modules at some point. Worth keeping an eye on.

[@GoLoopAudio]

It's been 20 years and all DAWs still can't even implement the MCU protocol properly, so I wouldn't hold out on that!

[@ScottGlasgowMusic]

Did you try Softube Console 1 and Console 1 Fader? They also have SSL soft emulation with a couple color circuits built in. I have the Console 1 fader but I only use it as a monitor control over my UA Apollo Console so I don't really use it for mixing. Just curious if you tried these vs the UC1 setup.

[@edjefferson9175]

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.

[@AwarenessDJ]

If you learn your art flawlessly, you create art by any means necessary. Distraction comes only if you are uneducated.

[@xeicv]

@@AwarenessDJ Are you not aware?

[@carlbarberous]

@@AwarenessDJ Art is claimed by those who are not Artists, Artists don't claim Art, I think you mean craft.

[@Kirstin99]

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

[@Sweetflyfilm]

Love the Console 1 system!!!

[@specialistsound]

im an ssl fan boy. but returned the ssl controller and kept the console one. just works so easily and the opportunity to have a 9000k with a 4000 sustain and punch is epic. its a game changer for me.

[@shayneoneill1506]

Yeah I love my console 1. I just wish it was compatible with other plugins and none are (Other than UADs DSP (Not native) plugins). But those channel strips are very very good. That "british" strip (which I think is supposed to be a Neve style one. Its got that Neve 73 sound) is great.

[@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.

[@frankwalders]

Thanks for mentioning it, Faderport and Studio One is really great. But a broadly supported open standard would indeed be the way to go.

[@EqDior]

Honestly I think the only best of both worlds option anyone is going to be able to get is, your choice of a hardware controller and a touch screen with your DAW to control the VSTs .

[@MONTIQUEWILLIS]

Same, love console one. They are an hardware update away from having an amazing solution. They just need some touch screens and some channel OLEDs and I’m sold.

[@martinthe3rd664]

Softube nailed it with the console 1, it's just a shame their fader unit doesn't have displays to show the tracks etc. You really need that display to move away from mouse mixing

[@mikewaldron4492]

Faderport 8 now works amazingly in Reaper, due to the Reasonus software. 😊

[@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

[@gautrstafr]

My favorite combo for REAPER is a Novation Launch Control XL with the extension DrivenByMoss, which has everything superbly configured.

[@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.

[@thehightenor2596]

The best thing about the Console 1 is you don't have to mix using an SSL channel strip! Their BCA Neve strip is truly fantastic, combine the Console 1 with a Faderport 16 and you have a great little faux desk not tied to being SSL. I'm not personally very keen on SSL desk EQ. Plus as already said you can control UAD plugins too.

[@romanrhymes6333]

Will the UC1 follow a mouse-selected track or do you have to turn the selector knob to the desired track every time?

[@ignacedhont9816]

For plugin control, MP MIDI Controller is hard to beat.

[@JimmyG773]

Hear hear. I have one and they just work really well! However, concerned that they’ve already improved the design by integrating a better touchscreen. I’m worried I’ll get left behind with my version1!

[@mixalis1nl]

@@JimmyG773 the updates work on all models. and now it controls native ableton/max devices too

[@tilllanglo5316]

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

[@melissabell585]

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).

[@CLdwyer]

Idk how your DAW is but I CAN fully control parameters with the UF8 for almost any plug-in I have using the rotaries and faders. I think both Ableton & ProTools have that capability.

[@dennisvandermeer8238]

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.

[@alexanderpressler5364]

than its not a standard :P ... greetings from germany (DIN ISO answer)

[@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 drummachine/sequencer/clicktracktool 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...

[@pascalmolenaar7636]

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 .

[@FurkanTopal]

0:40 what's the name of this product?

[@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!

[@WarrenPostma]

How do you set that up with an MCU or HUI controller?

[@Tephomab]

@@WarrenPostma As long as you're using a fairly popular controller, you should be able to find plenty of info on the cockos forum. You'll use CSI, and there is likely already a configuration available for your controller. Originally I used an x-touch one in mcu mode with CSI & Funkybot's scripts with some small modifications.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

It seems to be a good alternative to Console 1, which has been the only reasonably priced console like solution option with good DAW integration. I love C1, but it is a shame that they do not open it up to support third party plugins. I get it, they want to sell their strips, but I think they would sell a lot more of the hardware if they opened it up. They added support for a selection of UAD plugins, but then they stopped adding new ones, and the UAD channel strips can't be used. The only option to use it for third party plugins is to use it in MIDI mode, but then you lose the whole console functionality of it. Otherwise I still think it's a great product. But unnecessarily difficult to use with other products.

[@jonathankessler9853]

Console 1 also doesn’t have any way of letting you know which channel the fader you’re using is on without looking at the screen ala little digital scribble strip and that’s what turned me off from C1, I think in that department ICON takes the cake with their controllers and I wish more controllers had per channel rotary encoders for pan pots, the amount that have just one rotary encoder for all channel panning is a bit aggravating for me.

[@paulvincent6191]

@@jonathankessler9853 Did you mean EuCON (ala Avid controller protocol)? Just checking, b/c I have both the S1 (x2) as well as the Consol 1 (Softube) and that works out well for me.

[@jonathankessler9853]

@@paulvincent6191 I’m not referring to either controller protocol I’m talking about a small detail of there being no way to see the channel you’re on on the C1 itself like how on the person is Faderports got tiny little screens that tell you which channel you’re on, ala a digital scribbled strip. Super minute detail but one that turned me off C1

[@paulvincent6191]

@@jonathankessler9853 I see and agree, that bothers me too about the Console One

[@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

[@pvampman]

I have the old tascam us2400…still works great

[@liothomasart]

No. Tascam models still got latency issues. Unless they include DSP in it I'd rather go with RME. Sold my Tascam model 12 and not regretting it a bit.

[@StoryofToday]

Love tascam dp24

[@sub-jec-tiv]

I use a Model 16 for simple tracking onsite, as a digital recorder, and it’s great. In a mobile recording context. Not a ‘DAW front end’ context. It really wasn’t designed to be a DAW front-end. It was designed to be a mixer you can bring out to record a vocalist or other instrumentalist, a small ensemble, or bring to a live show and record the band for the basic tracks on your next single because the live version always has fantastic energy (and you always set up your mics properly, right??) 😉 I really love this blurring of mobile and studio recording. Super easy to just chuck the recorded tracks onto PT or Logic or whatever and get into a good mix. (I use Console One and Softube channel strips for the mix, personally)

[@simmermusic3894]

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!

[@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 .

[@postman9699]

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.

[@russell_szabados]

I'm a kind of old analog guy who fully embraced digital in 2014 after a few years of a hybrid, on the fence, should I or shouldn't I setup that was a pain. By 2017/2018, the pros of digital outweighed the cons by a country mile. Re: drivers and their headaches, I found a very simple solution: 1.) switch to Mac, and 2.) don't upgrade unless you have to. Stay at least two versions behind the current release. In almost every case, there's nothing earth shattering in OS, DAW or plugin updates or new versions. Let the people who camp out at the Apple Store for the new iPhone be the ones to upgrade right away. They probably could use some discipline anyway. (Just kidding.)

[@OrpazAgranov1]

There was an announcement from SSL few days ago that Harrison is now part of Audiotonix Group - I guess it could suggest that we can expect SSL 360 fully integrated on the Mixbus platform. At least I hope so :)

[@Rhythmattica]

Makes sense to me.

[@TLMuse]

Just what I was thinking as I was watching the video. I like Mixbus, and this would be very cool.

[@russell_szabados]

I bought Mixbus on sale in 2015 and forgot about it. A couple of months ago I found the invoice, got the newest version and tried it out. Very nice! I like to be proficient in at least two DAWs at any given time, and it's been Logic and Pro Tools for years. But I'm adding Mixbus to that because I'm really digging it.

[@davidspingler6337]

@White Sea Studio although the SSL controller and fader are awesome, do you feel that Softube Console 1 and Fader 1 compare favorably as an alternative if one is interested in adding controllers to their set up?

[@Whiteseastudio]

It's the same philosophy in a different form factor...

[@Auldhelm]

I am going to use your "Before and After" samples as reference when I am mixing drums - THanks!

[@jimicob9143]

I love my softube consol 1 and consol 1 fader combo. works flawless in ableton, logic and luna. you can load different softube chanelstrips switch individual softube or uad eqs, compressors and amps in your chain like you desire. another benefit is that it can control my uad console software too, whats really great to integrate my outboard gear with ease

[@royalemuzikproductionz]

I wish uad would make their own controller for Luna. I got icon m plus and it doesn’t integrate. Works well with Ableton but that’s it

[@keithlane4705]

Companies really don't care about the end user, they care about making money

[@stevepk5421]

caring about the end user would help them make more money

[@modapit]

literally doesn't work with anything tho...

[@jamesjames77777]

My SSL 8 controls all of my plugins. Are you sure you haven’t just missed the feature??

[@hopetownsound]

i'm having a similar issue. I have a UC -1 and I like it, but it isn't really working with my Analog Work flow . And like you say, I don't really have the room for it. It's too bad.

[@brianlespoir6287]

Steinberg Cubase 12 has the new MIDI Remote Integration and it could be the future if other brands adopt it. You can easily map your midi with your hardware controllers and many brands support it for their controllers. You can even map other channel strip to your SSL controller.

[@LuQuade]

Came here to say this. It's rad. I have so many controllers now that all my obsolete stuff works again :)

[@brianlespoir6287]

@@LuQuade I bought a second hand Native Instrument machine and Maschine jam and configured them to my liking to use it with Cubase. I don't even use the software for it.

[@glyndwr15]

If you use Ableton and you're on a budget but want faders, the Akai Midimix integrates with it seamlessly. It only costs around 100 bucks and works like an 8 channel mixer. You don't even have to map anything. Just plug it in and it works. When you create a new track or delete one, the controller automatically recognizes it. You get a fader, record arm and mute buttons, a knob for the balance, and two knobs for your sends on 8 channels. All you have to do is click "remote" in the setup tab and you can map the controls to other things, if you want. Seriously awesome for the money, imo. I don't even know how I got along without it for so long.

[@matthiasbode7625]

Does it work in Cubase 12-13 ? +How did Steinberg integrate the virtual ssl console ?

[@MixedByDotRob]

I got an UC1 and it's the only controller that speeds up my workflow ... simply because it's one-knob per function and the functions do not change. Had a Console 1, an Avid Artist Mix and an SSL Nucleus before - but I didn't like using them (too complex for my brain). The UC1 is the only controller that I actually love to use.

[@stingylizard]

Excellent video,great channel,too. We use a Behringer Compact w 9 motorized faders in Studio One with instant ease,but it's pure hell setting it up in Samplitude or ACID. Softube is the fave controller

[@tekis0]

Yeah, the SSL channel strip controller is great for their own plug-ins but not with anyone else's.

[@vicneve1169]

I control all my plugins with the UF8 faders. I never use a SSL plugin. I also work with analog gear. The UF8 and my analog gear is all in the same desk. daw: Cubase 12

[@pb3662]

If only you could sensibly map them to other plugins. For now that's probably via Eucon but I would settle for anything that let me map in a SENSIBLE setup vs just sticking each control at the top of each fader. Technically it works but practically its not usable for anything but the simplest adjustments. Real knobs are nice though. Maybe time to take another look at the MP Midi controller... Faders are easy but knobs is where the value is... control and listen vs look. Whomever enables this well as a feature is going to do very well. There is no just one plugin ecosystem.

[@mixalis1nl]

Totally agree. btw MP MIDI now can control native ableton/max devices and plugins with and without a host wrapper. I like how they stay focused on plugins and not trying to do everything like other controllers.

[@weedywet]

Ever try a Raven? The reason i like it is that there's never any disconnect between the touch and the onscreen parameter; no mapping, you just touch what you want. We've been working for decades now with all the variety of plug ins... why would I WANT to limit myself to just an SSL emulation EQ? (probably my least favourite anyway).

[@GaryBradleymusic]

You're right about connection to other non-SSL gear. I emailed them about the Big Six and 2+ interface to highlight no or limited ADAT connectivity so I looked to Audient instead. I am tempted to get the controllers though!

[@fruitproof115]

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.

[@citytonightproductions]

With Logic or X it’s easy to install controllers. I use the ICon QCon Pro X system with an SSL UC1 and works wonderfully.

[@blackcreekmusic783]

It great that Logic now has better integration for controllers. I just bought a used Icon Pro G2 and it runs great with my Console 1. I may get a UC-1 at some point but I like being able to choose different flavour channel strips. Of course Icon just announced the new generation controllers at NAMM today.

[@citytonightproductions]

@@blackcreekmusic783 I saw that they introduced the new controllers to replace the q con pro x. Looks great. I love my controllers and the uc1, use them every day and they are rock solid.

[@chibisven]

I super relate to those frustrations, I have a fair amount of live production experience using the Midas m32 which is essentially a daw/controller/plugin setup for live and it's fantastic. Quickly setting up EQ/compression/sends, etc is dead simple, and in a studio world I'd love the option of setting it to "automation record" and getting my volume automation done way faster. I've used a pretty good set up with an allen and heath mixer as a fader controller / interfact and it was great for things like fader mixing and live bus set up (ie the vocalist needs 4000db of gain on their mic but everyone else would like to hear the instruments please) but the whole thing just falls down when it comes to controlling plugins. Personally, I'd love to see waves and slate get together and agree on a protocal and release some hardware, I feel like they're the 2 biggest players in the space and could realistically move the ball forward on an industry standard.

[@witzendoz]

I keep looking at controllers, but again my work flow is like yours. I have an analog console plus a side car full of preamps. When I record (reaper) I have a template that routes input 1 to 1 and out to channel 1 on the console, the same for 2, 3 etc, so I monitor the tracks on the DAW in the same Chanel’s of the mixer. This way you can throw up a monitor mix, various headphone mixes etc on the console. Very easy way to work. I use the side car pres and even the console pres via a patchbay system. I have yet to find a controller as easy as this.

[@jonathanhooper5603]

Have you checked out Rocksolid Audio Micro controllers? Not a total solution but they look very versitile.

[@Quietcharacter]

How well does it intergrate with UAD plugins? Since they became native I feel like my dream set up is actually doable

[@Bthelick]

if you want to work like its the 90s maybe this is good for your work flow. but combos like Ableton + the push solved this problem many many years ago for me. But I no longer work with bands so that helps haha

[@TimBunch]

The Faderport series is incredibly deeply integrated into Studio One and plays very nicely with Reaper now, though it isn’t plug and play. For Reaper integration, it’s true that it has felt difficult or cumbersome in the past.

[@Tombonator3000]

could you help me out how to get the faderport16 to work with reaper? i can't seem to find a easy solution... thanks a lot!

[@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

[@TheYougig]

Digidesign 003 & Pro Tools still work together absolutely perfectly. Just like they did 20 years ago. I use them on a daily basis.

[@streetlife20]

What version of Pro Tools you running? I still have a Digi 003 just sitting around.

[@jeanyvesotema2574]

Please tell me what audio interface you’re using with that setup.

[@Whiteseastudio]

RME

[@chrisclement5184]

I think its hard to beat a mouse and keyboard but as a complement to that my Faderport single works great for me. Whenever I want to close my eyes and use a fader its always right there ready to go. Its also great for the transport controls, mute, solo, etc.

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

It's more than easy to beat mouse and keyboard with for example Korg Kronos workstation workflow, light years faster and more intuitive than computer invironment. Computers software are a joke for making music that's why quality of production is going down in last 20 years.

[@soulsweet40]

SSL just acquired Mixbus..lets see what they do with it...

[@richardaling5278]

So Harrison joined the SSL-group. I think there will be a Harrison console also available on the DAW controller in the future... I use Harrison Mixbus 32c v9 as my main DAW and the DAW-controller-feeds needs to be updated to the latest version. Or they will be UF8 only...:(

[@ADuBToR]

im just getting my feet wet with gear ... but hence you made the statement that this thing isnt working well with offbrand other stuff i wanted to mention that i recently got a digitally [midi] controlled analogue eq .. so now i plugged it inbetween and it goes like [digitone, which is my daws audio driver] [the mentioned eq, its a rane mpe14] [the analogue heat mk2] the eq is also linked to the digitone via midi aswell as the tone and the heat linked via usb midi to my daw ... haven't had time sadly to check if working on the eq through the digitone makes all to much sense ... but the thing is .. this way i can drag the eq to every mixer track now via overbridge ... i didn't even think of that while setting it up tbh .. 🤯😎

[@XanderEwald]

If I ever invest in a channel strip- and fader controller again, it will be this. But what I really wish somebody finally did is a generic channel strip controller that let's me freely combine plugins by SSL, UA, Softube and others. I think Nektar might be working on something like this?

[@ezrashanti]

Console one is very close to that.

[@VooDooTube...]

I have a Cubase CC121 for sale. It was bought for me for collage. However I never went to music collage. It is still in the box and like new. I am researching how much I should charge for this CC121 what would you offer for it ?

[@florisbackx1744]

I think there won't be any good standard until one of the competitors is about to win, forcing the competition to work together to stay relavent. Until that moment every brand dreams of being the one winning ecosystem.

[@bobchris11]

The standard is out there but Avid won't license it to others. (EUCON)

[@ezrashanti]

​@@bobchris11 It works with Steinberg.

[@Submerge1]

Please note, the Before drums sound way better than the After drums. Rounder, fuller. The after drums are thin, over compressed and over EQ'ed. The only thing the Before drums need is a little limiting, a little boost at 8k and a little bottom.

[@uwebaganz5144]

Mackie protocol is not that bad, unfortunately some manufacturers don't use it like it should be, for example lower resolution on the faders, no velocity support on the v-pots, it's of course not perfect but a mackie + another controller is still powerful in my opinion, especially with cubase it's great

[@uwebaganz5144]

@@CraigScottFrost if Steinberg gets the new integration right it could happen,. they work constantly to enhance the new midi integration thing, you only have to be able to script in that language they use

[@uwebaganz5144]

@@CraigScottFrost if i remember correctly there was even a guy doing exactly that, i have to look if i find it

[@AndreasTsachidis]

I was lacking that last pinch with this video (setup of UC1 & UF8). And yesterday saw the UF1 announcement. Saw the whole Cubase setup tutorial they made and the explanation what it can do (and what not in the context) and how it differs in some key points from UF8 (whose may change with an update for UF8). And now I'm sold.. new to-buy list entry..

[@jorykevinberger7047]

Let us also consider: The SSL Console is only good for the... SSL Console. And whatever series of console that was, it was. No option for numerous bus comps, or switching between console types. You had to slide to either end of the console to move faders or tweak an eq/comp. The UF8 can work with any 3rd party plugin. I think the gear looks awesome in your studio, but understand why it doesn't work long term for you. And in the case of your use, I agree with you. In the niche case of folks loved working on the SSL Console, this is a wonderful alternative. The 4KB for example was only sold to start via purchase of the UC1 but also to subscribers. SSL is thinking outside the box and being pretty inclusive of their base as they garner new users. Imagine if Audiotonix somehow made Slate Digital VMR accessible via the UC1. FG-S/N/A/Custom eq and FG-401etc. That'd be a cool way to use their combined companies and begin to integrate. Great video!! Cheers

[@faraitheprod]

The original Mackie Control Universal 8 was honestly perfect for levelling and automation.

[@challow90221]

Hmm i suggest the faderport8/16 that way, if your using studio one professional you can control your 1st and 3rd party vst’s from your controller. Hope this helps.

[@rasmighty]

does SSL controller works well with Reason 12 and M1 ? thanks

[@JanneAirDotCom]

I for one don't really miss having these glorified mice around my studio. All the "necessary" controls are usually in all the midi keyboards. This is just from a producer's perspective. Maybe if I did mixes for people all day long maybe I'd have a different opinion. Lots of hassle with close to no benefits and yet another thing occupying my desk space.

[@feggyo]

analog guys like him do not think outside the analog box

[@leirumanuel]

Behringer X-Touch works flawesly with Reaper + DrivenByMoss extension. You have gone to the pretty-usless option. Plus I do not mess with analog. I preffer to work harder in the digital path to get the same results.

[@braedenjanes947]

I’ve had really great experiences working with Avid EUCON control surfaces like the S3 and S6! Especially if you’re working in Pro Tools. They can be really great for mixing, especially if you’re working with big track counts like film sessions, and mixing in 5.1, 7.1, atmos, etc! Loved the video!

[@QMusicUK]

How noisy are these faders?

[@budgetkeyboardist]

Lotta good points here. I use a X-Touch and, honestly, for a semi-pro user, it works pretty well for not very much money. But it's far, far from perfect.

[@improvf]

Was my question about CLAP removed and if so why?

[@BengtSkogvall]

Have you tried ReaLearn for Reaper? i find it much easier to use than CSI.

[@truthministry.]

I have an AKAI APC 40 MKII and connect it to Ableton. It's hands-down the best investment for a tactile and fast work flow experience. I come from a background of analogue mixers and reel to reel tape machines, and this device gives me so many of those benefits.

[@TheDilligan]

I think probably the best way of doing it is for a DAW company to make a controller that works seamlessly with the DAW and stock plugins. That is certainly a design challenge. But to me it makes a lot more sense since the DAW and stock plugins are the common denominator between every project you ever touch. Otherwise, to me, what makes the most sense is simply to have a knob, motorized fader and pan knob. Whatever plugin parameter you click on with the mouse, I want that knob to control. And whatever track that plugin is on, I want the fader and pan knob to sync with. That way I can use my existing keyboard and mouse to select the parameter on any plugin and use the same knob and fader on everything. And I haven’t tried it but I think Presonus makes something that does exactly this. I dojt know how easy it is to configure it though.

[@ShinyShinyBlack]

Thank you for what you said at 4:44. I’ve been an ITB guy since 2003, and I despise how the industry approaches control surfaces. It’s almost as if the entire DAW industry still believes that “if you’re really serious” you’re going to end up with a “real” console. Do I love real consoles? Kind of. I love the workflow… until you have to do a recall. I don’t like the expense, or the portability, or all of the other expenses that come with a mixing console (d-sub cables, air conditioning, maintenance), and frankly, I don’t think it’s a real option for the majority of audio professionals, which means… control surfaces… which suck. So, we are all left in the desert, with horrible options like AVID, or a bunch of cross platform surfaces which don’t integrate well.

[@andymoon4998]

Generic MIDI controllers provide SO many more options than SSL because they are 100% programmable. I use a DJ TechTools Midi Fighter Twister to control every aspect of mixing, including all plugins and channel settings. 4 band parametric EQ, Hi/Lo filters, Pan, Solo, Volume, Gain, Inserts, Sends, plus global and plugin specific quick controls. Novation Launch Control and Korg MicroController can provide similar functionality for a cheaper price. I chose the Fighter Twister as it has large infinite encoders rather than 360 pots but is still only 7x7 inches in size.

[@LMCRecords]

I have the full set ,and I've gone over to in the box ,the quality of the plug ins is some of the best out there ,I only use the buss comp the 4k channel and the standard channel ,even though I have huge amount of plugs this has really done me a big favour its stopped me from going through loads of plugins looking for oneI like ,the 360 software works flawless and is really cool ,ive been told that some other plugs will be ported over soon from SSL ,and ive asked is there going to be access to control my UAD plugs ,if that happens these become the only controlers you'll ever need, the quality is amazing but that's SSL

[@charliesilverman1132]

Are you using reaper?, I can't get the track name to appear on the screen on the UC-1.

[@marioserrano4073]

SSL now owns Harrison Mixbus32C. I think this si gonna be the future for this integration

[@brianred8]

I totally agree with you in the sense of the ecosystem with stuff like this… If I want 500,000 plugin controllers, I am just gonna use outboard gear…. I really like those TC ones, but I am not painting myself into a corner with that….

[@KnapfordMaster98]

We just need Behringer to release a 24 track SSL 4000 clone with usb and everything will be fine.

[@audiomaximo]

FADERPORT 16 WORK PERFECT with studio one protools cubase, console 1 and Console 1 fader works perfectly in studio one nuendo cubase but in protools, (protools sucks after 20 years) always behind always the same but more expensive. so

[@TheHealingGrid]

I had a FP16, but found it to be of average build quality and it just didn’t work smoothly with Ableton or Logic - that’s the HUI issue though. I sold it quite quickly.

[@philipread1005]

"I really hope that there will be open standards coming soon and adoption and integration will also happen across a wide variety of DAWs. I really hope that." I mean... it could be you. Why not? Someone with your passion, independence and knowledge. Push for it. Start conversations. Bring people together. What an achievement that would be!

[@Whiteseastudio]

I have a lot more ideas that could make life a lot easier for audio engineers... But I've only been running into big corporate walls with those... The problem is that they don't' want the standards to be open...

[@philipread1005]

@@Whiteseastudio But like you say, users do. Look at the change that happened at Waves: that was driven by users. It just needs someone to own it and run with it. (PS: terribly excited to get a comment from you. Have watched and enjoyed loads of your videos and enjoyed your journey. Best wishes!)

[@Whiteseastudio]

Here's another comment from me 🙃

[@philipread1005]

@@Whiteseastudio haha stop it. I'll have to go and have a lie down! Seriously, thanks for all the excellent videos. Love your work.

[@uwebaganz5144]

Like the good old mackie but just a bit more - would technically easy to build up on that but every manufacturer want to do its own thing unfortunately

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Have you tried Console One? It’s smaller and works great, feels really effortless

[@MrFelonyLoc]

I use the qcon icon pro g2 for mix control and a uc1 for channel strip control inside reason11 ,flawless!

[@dominicbout]

I have the Icon QCon Pro and am indeed mainly stuck with MCU mode. Although customization of mappings is very dependent on the DAW you use (I use Reason, which has some LUA files you can edit) but most of all I just enjoy having quick access to gain, pan, mute, solo etc. Love the analog needle on the SSL though :D

[@rhinoskin7550]

The real question.. Will SSL support it in 10 years, the app.. HUI and SysEx are old but stable and open source, from what I understand.

[@jcmusic5150]

Yes, exactly the question. That's my concern with a lot of these controllers. They're paperweights as soon as software support is dropped.

[@jesusvargas3044]

Have you tried the raven stuff?

[@nj1255]

I tried getting into DAW controllers and had a Behringer X-touch + Xtender, then later on the Presonus Faderport 16 (and also tried an Icon Qcon G2 at a friends studio), but I always found them clumsy and I mostly used my mouse and keyboard anyways. The only one I've found to be positive to my workflow is the Softube Console 1. Since it's a controller for the "channel strip" I use on most of my tracks and busses, and not the DAW itself, it's something I only reach for when I'm actually mixing and not just doing some trivial DAW task like editing or setting up my routing. I always thought that I wanted it the other way around - with a controller for the DAW, while I worked with the mouse and keyboard in the plug-ins - but it's much better working with the mouse and keyboard for most DAW tasks and having a controller for the plug-ins. A great thing about Console 1 is that it the volume, pan, solo and mute are connected to the DAW, so when you pan or solo a track it actually uses the DAW's pan and solo functions. I hope we one day get to see a perfect controller that works with most regular EQ, dynamics and harmonics plug-ins (maybe something that could become a reality with the new CLAP format?).

[@tommy9951]

What DAW do you use? I use logic and had an X-touch for a while, it was seamless. I mean, seamless! All of the channel functions (ie: solo, mute, record) scrubbing, nudging, zoom, scroll wheel and a whole host of other editing tools were already a labelled button, as well as a heap of programmable ones. It did okay at working within third party plugins using the dials at the top of the faders - it obviously had limitations integrating the myriad codes of different plugin developers and I didn’t persist with that. Like, you could walk through proq3 with the dials and buttons but the led screen was small and an shallow viewing angle, and would select like ‘eqband1’ or something like that. It was just quicker to use a mouse for navigating plugs. But to get around a session was insanely quick and easy, with very little learning curve. I let it go because I wanted the bench space but replaced it with the x touch one just for the editing capabilities. I researched a lot before buying it, they all seemed to be tuned to specific daws, and x touch is best paired with logic. The faders worked well enough for balancing and adjustments, pan knobs were great, but created a mess when trying to draw automation with them. It was more the fault of the daw I think, that it would try to keep up frame by frame and use insane cpu to do so. So for me it’s just easier to draw it in and bend the curves with a mouse - also a function easily enabled by programming a free button on the x touch. If you go with one recommended for your daw, I don’t think you’ll go wrong :)

[@basehead617]

Avid S6 is an unbelievable controller.. but yes, super expensive, and works much better with Pro Tools than the other things it supports (Logic works pretty well as EUCON, the MCU support is basically broken for other DAWs unless you have a smaller EuControl version like S1/S3)

[@Chalisque]

The other protocol thing, the opposite direction to SSL, but one I'm keen to explore in, is that things like MIDI controllers are largely music only. The thing is, an endless rotary, for example, just generates +/- events, which could potentially be used to control anything, such as the brush size in a paint program. Buttons and keys on a midi controller, if you're not using a music app, do essentially nothing, but could function as a kind of macro controller/script trigger when using other software (take a look at e.g. the TourBox series). I wonder if the problem with protocols is that they're in a no-mans land by being too general to so something like the SSL you show, on the one hand, and too music-focussed to be standardised by the computer industry at large.

[@akalvarez]

Thank you for that video, any chance you could compare this with the softube console 1 which integrated different console eq models? Thanx 🎉

[@SirFreak]

As someone who's trying to develop a better MCU integration for the Behringer X-Touch with FL Studio, I can confirm everything you're saying here. The MCU protocol is not only poorly documented, but it's also quite limited as well. Every DAW also seems to have different integrations that work different from eachother and some are working really poorly as well (buggy, missing features ...). But even if a new standard will be developed, it might very well be that it is going to be adopted very slowly, and that the same issues are going to pop up with the new standard. Because DAW integration is where it usually goes wrong.

[@brentgreeff1115]

Someone like yourself - with the help of the KZbin community - need to lobby the companies - start an open foundation and get prominent musicians to join.- then petition the companies.

[@SirFreak]

​@@brentgreeff1115 Well.. I don't even have enough time to get around to doing the things I'd like to do :') let alone to start a foundation. Just to be clear, I'm not part of the FL Studio team. I'm just a guy doing this in in the little free time I have left.

[@brentgreeff1115]

- I am not assigning you a task - I am just explaining how the problem is solved - Software development has these problems every day - and we solve them every day. - "someone" needs to make it happen.

[@andreievkalupniek5717]

Besides Pro Tools, Avid Eucon integrates with Logic and Cubase/Nuendo and it is a much better protocol than HUI. I wish SSL had licensed Eucon or Eucon was an open standard. We need something Ethernet-Based. OSC could be a great solution but not many DAWs really support it for controlling the DAW itself.

[@saxmanash]

It'll be like on the PC where you have about 10 different mini stores like Steam, Origin, Epic Games, GOG etc

[@StevenAnnaWood]

It's no different than having a console. Ya just have to think of workarounds. It may require mix prep from a host of other plug0,s then the main mix from within the eco of the SSL. Just a thought.

[@DS-wn4dx]

MP Midi is the best plugin controller I've ever come across and it's so easy to program and it controls any plugin from any company'

[@mixalis1nl]

Oh yeah! and it does work with all SSL plugins 😁

[@johnneiberger]

I've never used an outboard controller with a DAW. Probably because I don't use my DAW very often. lol But it seems to me that we only need three controls on a controller to integrate with any plugin: a knob to select the the control in the plugin we want to manipulate, another knob for adjusting continuous controls, and a button for controls that are clickable. This seems doable and intuitive. You turn one knob on your controller and the UI rapidly hops from one plugin control to the next. When you land on the one you want to manipulate, you use the other knob to adjust continuous controllers or you press the button for clickable controls. How hard would that be? Seems like it would be super fast, intuitive, and would require zero mapping of plugin controls to physical controller knobs. Sure, you won't get the ability to manipulate multiple controls at once, but if you want to do that, just automate your moves. Am I nuts or does this make sense?

[@jorykevinberger7047]

I guess that's what my kensington trackball does. Essentially a mouse. The idea of the UC1 and UF8 is for mixers used to the console workflow can move seamlessly from the physical console to the controllers and plugins in their home studio set up at a fraction of the price. For the rest of us it's the allure of "SSL" and workflow after that, as anyone not familiar with the console format will have a learning curve. Love your last name. :)