Nektar Panorama CS12 vs SSL UF1/UC1 for Logic Pro X

Nektar Panorama CS12: sweetwater.sjv.io/zNEqWm
SSL UC1: ssweetwater.sjv.io/y20LJy
SSL UF1: sweetwater.sjv.io/752xRO
Heddphone Two: sweetwater.sjv.io/daQZNy
RME Babyface Pro FS: sweetwater.sjv.io/vNBbGN
MOTU Ultralite-mk5 18x22 USB Interface: sweetwater.sjv.io/MmJj0Y
Neumann NDH 20 CLosed Back Studio Headphones: sweetwater.sjv.io/WqnKZn
SSL UF8: sweetwater.sjv.io/q4JN5O
SSL 12 USB Audio Interface: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQZbkB
Sire Marcus Miller V6 Bas Guitar: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0ebDv
Vox amPlug 2 Bass Headphone Guitar Amp: sweetwater.sjv.io/XYbZ0M
Above are products I own and personally use. By purchasing through this link, I get a small percentage to support channel content.
This video: Quick look at the all new CS12 controller, and in comparison with SSL UF1 and UC1, and how it affects my music production
Panorama CS12 does what no other controller can do: Give full control of all Logic Pro channel strip parameters including plugins. There is nothing vanilla about Panorama CS12. The entire workflow is designed from the ground up, which enables astonishing features, with a workflow never seen on a control surface before.
Highlights:
Long-throw 100mm motorized fader with up to 14 bit control resolution.
Set volume and insert automation point at the current play position, by touching the fader
Dedicated pan control with channel color illumination, arm, mute and solo.
Option to use fader or pan control to click and adjust any parameter in the current channel, including plugins.
Advanced direct insert plugin control of both AU and Logic Pros included insert effects.
Control up to 12 sends per channel.
Instrument control via Selected parameter, SmartControl or Logic Pro learn user pages.
11 color illuminated buttons for selection of plugin slots, sends and channel menus.
Fine control at up to 10 (14 bit) times normal resolution.
Zoom and tempo controls
Access to 26 transport, navigation and Logic Pro functions.

[@massivebeatzz]

Nektar Panorama CS12: sweetwater.sjv.io/zNEqWm

[@dstarling61]

Before you start messing with the color schemes, they put a lot of thought into the color schemes. The blue knobs are always related to EQ, the red is always for dynamics etc. It makes it easier to find the right knob, instead of 12 knobs to sort through, you might have 6 blue ones to look at.

[@massivebeatzz]

well - I code them according to the plugins I use..in and out - blue - saturation red, compression blue... so I see right away what my colors are, no matter what plugin. I don't use logic plugins anymore - so the whole layout needs to make sense with SSL, Softube, UAD, Plugin Alliance and other plugins... it's not super important, but the more I apply consistent colors for functions, the more it becomes intuitive for me...I will make an updated video soon.

[@Kredomax]

I agree very much with your thoughts. So I decided fo the CS12. The buttons really feel too rubbery. But the Logic Integration is very good. I wish there would be more user definable buttons/knobs. I only tested it and fiddled around for one or two hours. But I had multiple Logic crashes during the test. That worries me a lot. I could't figure out the reason yet. Maybe I may not switch between plugins so fast.

[@massivebeatzz]

agree - needs more knobs, and maybe a version without transport, so they can be stacked. Maybe with the crashes, it's a specific plugin that causes it that you are pulling up? Also check if you have Rosetta activated or not in case you are on Silicon, in case there's an incompatible plugin that still needs Rosetta.

[@Kredomax]

@@massivebeatzz I am not on Silicon, but I will check if it happens with certain plugins....

[@a.greenwood8762]

Wondering if anyone is using this with a NI S61 type keyboard? It seems there is a duplication of abilities especially if using NI software. Not sure if it makes sense to have both? Especially if you have the keyboard first.

[@massivebeatzz]

That’s always a good question, and it really depends on your workflow. You’ve got two hands, and they often work differently (at least for me). For instance, I need my jog wheel on my right hand but prefer fine-tuning EQ parameters with my left. My advice is to test it intensively for two weeks with both hands and then evaluate how it feels for you. Make sure you can return it without extra cost, just in case. It usually takes at least two weeks to get truly comfortable and see if you’ll “really” use it. Everything feels cool in the first five days!

[@xlilxillx]

Unfortunately a good ultralight mouse is just much faster & more versatile than any daw controller. I wish it weren’t so but i’ve tried them all and they always end up collecting dust

[@massivebeatzz]

yeap - that is one of the points I am trying to make in the video - totally possible to work quick with a mouse / trackpad- comes down to preference / feel.

[@dougleydorite]

I think the next presonus faderport and ssl is getting close. It’s only a matter of time they get it figured out because eventually VR headsets will have control of DAW’s

[@xlilxillx]

@@dougleydorite i think the console 1 & cs12 are the closest to ideal so far. Presonus could do so much more if they actually cared about their daw controllers. They haven’t released anything new or innovative in ages. Something like push 3 would go so hard.

[@dstarling61]

Fender bought Prosonus a little bit ago. So, I’m sure the previous owners didn’t put much effort in new products while they were selling it. We’ll see what Fender has planned for it.

[@dougleydorite]

@@dstarling61 that a good point. They were checked out.

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

I got motion sickness by the 4'30" mark, from the handheld camera waving about in all 3 dimensions...! Why do people DO that? The content was OK to that point, but I had to stop watching. I also have the SSL stuff (UF8, UF1, UC1) as well as the CS-12. Still getting used to the CS-12, but it really comes into its own when I want to control 3rd party plugins. It excels at that, and that's what I mainly use it for.

[@massivebeatzz]

In handheld we trust :) Sorry if I flew a bit too close to the target this time .

[@levondarratt787]

Great video - thanks for posting your overview - I need a new DAW controller - and have been looking at Softube Console 1 Channel Mk III and the SSL UF8.