For anyone who's thinking about getting this, I seriously recommend it. I grew up using hardware mixers and consoles and this really feels like hardware. I use a StudioLive32 so it has no channel strip - this is my channel strip. Whatever channel I'm monitoring, this is the channel strip. I *hate* "mousing around" when I load a new channel. This is hands on, two hands at a time. Once you know your way around it you can reach for it and do it without even looking, just like hardware. If you have the budget for it, you won't regret it.
I put an iPad behind the C1 and run Studio One remote on it. That way I have quick access to the channels with naming and meters and everything. Rarely need to look at the main screen when mixing that way. That would be an option for Softube to look at. Making a tablet app to go with C1.
I'm a fan of digital LCD screens when it comes to controllers. Maybe every knob could've had a small lcd screen with text that changes depending which plugin is in use. I don't know if it would've made the controller more complex / expensive to construct (since you'd have to have 20-40 small lcd's) but I think it could've totally been worth it, for future proofing the controls to work with different plugins. Either multiple small screens (just large enough for 10-12 letter words), or do something similar to what NI has been doing with Kontrol NKS and Maschines. Have 2-3 screens with layout guides, so even if a knob is not right below the screen, you will be able to tell what parameter it's adjusting from looking at some of the 2-3 screens, because you'll be able to see that the knobs are grouped, and you know it's the 3th knob from that group you can see it adjusts the Tube Drive etc.
Just bought one second-hand to see what all the fuss is about. I already own most Softube plug-ins so it seemed logical. I really like the idea, but I'm a bit skeptical how useful it is in the long-term and practically. Will see if I can adapt my workflow to use it or not. Otherwise I'll just sell it and keep my old workflow. Great review btw!
I keep nearly buying this, but I am besotted with the Brainworx console N. It is the first channel strip I have used that doesn’t sound like a plugin. The UAD Neve 88rs sounds flat and boxy in comparison. Keen for the demo video.
I'm a Live(Studio) Sound Engineer from the analog world. I believe that's one Reason I prefer Reason as my primary DAW. I love that now I can afford the equipment I would never be able to afford in digital form. I do miss touching and turning the knobs and faders though and am always looking for a controller that'll let me continue to enjoy doing so. There always missing something. Or cost a fortune. Peace
It's great to hear a review with some negatives and some well thought out improvements. Most review just say the Console 1 is perfect, you have dug deeper which is great.
I’ve been thinking to get this. I’m on UA and the selling point for me, is that the UA plugins are pre mapped with Console 1. I agree that the Q should be adjustable. That’s quite important. Hopefully they can add this soon. Thanks fir the review!
Try the 2 reverb plugin/controllers from TC Electronics, DVR 250-DT, TC8210-DT. they are good also the TC2290 -DT & TC 1210-DT. They all make using plugins easier
Softube? If you listen. Let him keep it :). Nice review and if I ever buy a new DAW controller, I really consider that one. What I'd prefer, if it would with any plugin, or if it would offer a wrapper for other plugins.
ill still watch! i like your vids are its crash course on how to use what you review but was asking. i never seen a video where you didn't like it or thought it was Snake Oil
Thanks for the video! Looking forward to the practical demo. I am currently choosing a control surface for Reaper and with options such as this, the decision is difficult.
Hello and thank you for the review..very in-depth! You mentioned it not being heavy on the computer, but what are your computer specs? I want to run it on a laptop and I am worried it would run too heavy...THANKS!
Interesting concept.Spending $500+ on knobs?If it would really be a time saver in workflow I could see using it.To me it is another box interfering with my DAW workflow.Just my opinion.Nice concept however.Like to see some actual work with this.
Agree.. mouse is far quicker and you can assign some plugins to external controlers anyway like Avid Artist/Mix. I also use iPad for some Logic remote functions.. be interesting to see an assignable controler app for that.
Place it very close to the PC keyboard. It’s more than just “knobs”. You can touch lots of controls, close your eyes, listen and react. That’s worth a lot.
yes but they are "knobs" that are mapped to the most important part of shaping your tracks.. something you will be doing over and over and over again on the mix down. why only be able to click on one thing at a time, one track at a time, when you have a board in front of you with instant access to everything at once? its a huge time saver. you could sculpt the eq, grip down the compressor, spin back around and re-eq and hit the gate in about 10 seconds. it would take you at least a few minutes with the mouse. how can you not see the difference? if you only adjust the volume on your mix down then yes, its a waste.
Get a demo for the Brit desk, and the 9000k, if you can they sound quite different. Would be good to know what you think of the other desks as well as the 4000 - or if you think the difference is snake oil ! So far I'm liking the 9000.
My motivation is pretty simple and straight forward. It would be an unimaginable Joy and Delight to Win this product simply because, as the world becomes more and more digital and less tactile, I have ALWAYS yearned to go back and use Vintage gear just like, but the only problem is that the desire to go back is undeniably expensive, and there aren't too many accessible studios in South Africa where one can freelance at and get a feel of pushing those faders up and turning those knobs. Having said all of this, winning this product would be as close as I will get to a real console. This could tire in quite seamlessly to My already simple workflow. *Thumbs Crossed* and all the very best to every subscriber. Keep on writing these amazing sonic Love letters in Your dungeons.
Thanks for this review we are waiting for. Would you make a snake oil of BX_ Console SSL4000E with the "TMT technology" which simulate many of different channel of the real console?
had one of these for a few weeks I love it, think it sounds amazing! not visually distracting like most eq plugins it makes you use your ears more, but I agree about the limited Q factor I still use fab filter in the channel strip, nice review !!!
i'm trying to decide what route to go with a mixdown set up.. would the softube work well with electronic music? I'm guessing maybe not as there is no Q on the lower band?
Nice idea to make some money as a company. But let's say I've got Ableton Live and a midicontroller with a bunch of knobs, why not create your own rack, save it and save a lot of money to spend on usefull stuff :)
Will you do more reaper tutorials in the future? Maybe something relevant to your workflow? Mixing, mastering, workflow tips, etc.? I know you have some older ones now though.
The good old Novation Remote x SL could do all this and for every DAW and nearly every Plug-in on the market and often it’s AUTOMATICALLY! I don’t know why the Remote SL line with its fabulous Automap software disappeared? A new Remote SL MK 4 with motor faders would be killer. It’s still supported even on Windows 11, but I use 10….
What I was thinking about is that this fixes a lot of controllers. We all know that using plugins on like Mackie controllers or even the Avid S3 sucks huge P's. Especially when you are tracking digitally it's just a huge hassle. Adding this thing into your chain basically makes it like a digital live console.
Wait, it fits in a Neumann console (Danner A1 format rack slots)?!! That's a big selling point for me, haha. Please confirm, I'm considering getting one, and a few murky Neumann faders are taking up valuable real-estate on my desk, unused.
Can someone help me determine why in my console one settings I am missing a few checkboxes, the one I need is "Use DAW Track Selection", but it is missing from my settings. Anyone know why?
Does the Console 1 require Universal Audio plugins? I'm interested in the Console 1, but it's a pretty expensive bit of kit by itself, let alone having to jump into UAD plugins...
i bought it for logic and its really nice. plus you can buy the extender and attach it for 16 tracks, less than a grand. solid quiet faders and full mackie support. dont get color scribble strips though. but i love it now and cant live without it. mixing one fader at a time with a mouse feels like im mixing with a club in my hand. i recommend it. just get it off amazon, and return it within 30 days if you dont like it
6:29 - "controlling it is just amazing." What a weird thing to say. Has WSS ever used a generic midi controller? I.E. Mackie C4, Novation SL controller, etc? They should do the same job as the Console 1 hardware controller. Remember, the Console 1 hardware is just a midi controller, nothing more. You can test this out by removing the Softube software at startup (or simply closing it) and using it as a generic controller for other plugins via midi learning! Btw, I'm a Console 1 owner :P It's a handy controller to go along with the plugin, sure. I don't think it's amazing, but I still enjoy using it alongside other plugins :)
@@chaddonal4331 Unfortuinately, I don't think so. If you keep the C1 software running, it will be completely linked to the C1 plugin. Also, there's another step to setting up the C1 hardware as a controller, but, that's not really important here. Just know that, you can't run both C1 AND third-party stuff at the same time. Anyway, there are plenty of cheap midi controllers available for controlling software plugins. And they're simple enough to set-up , when dealing with mapping midi messages (per plugin).
Did you have a chance to work with UAD plugins with the console 1? I think if you have UAD reverbs you can control them with the console 1. I think it would be smart for them to work with fabfilter for their stuff. Fabfilter is just so damn good! Looking forward to the mix video!
@@Whiteseastudio Right on! I still would love to see FabF integration with the console 1. Keep up the videos! love when you release new content! Side note - are you able to tell about the artist that you did the mix videos for? I specifically remember a video where you mixed acoustic guitars, bass and electrics on your proper console for one video and it just sounded fantastic.
