I have been using the Softube Console 1 controller for many years, super happy with it and I didn't expect anything to come along that would interest me in replacing it.

Enter the SSL UC1. Anyone Console 1'ers jump ship?

Nope, not even close.

Went from C1 & C1F to S1&Dock. Not because I don't like the C1 ecosystem. Mostly because I wanted to be able to control 3rd party plugins with my controllers and have more flexibility in which faders are on the controller and which aren't.


Herwig

I use console 1 for 5 or 6 years and wouldn't ever go to something else...

I use both together. For me it's not a case of one or the other, as they both offer very different things. UC1 is strictly (for the present) for the SSL channel strip. Console 1 offers a very good range gear flavours.

I didn’t abandon the Console 1; it’s an amazing controller with brilliant functionality and flexibility. I augmented my setup with the UC1 and it didn’t disappoint. SSL states they are planning to add new ‘flavours’ of Channel Strips plug-ins in the future to expand the range, however, no additional details were provided.

I myself am impatiently awaiting an update from SSL on the additional channelstrip front. Would love something a little grittier to complement the smooth/clean extant strip. Anyone have a guess as to what's forthcoming?

Here we are over a year later and SSL has still not released any additions to the UC1 as promised. I find this extremely disturbing. I won't trust them again until i see it should they release another product with a promise of future expansions.

Agreed. UC1 has become a flagship hard/soft ware product, the least they could do is confirm that something is in the works.

I also found it quite humorous that they repackaged the same old Duende code in a new skin and everyone went apeshit that it was the "real" SSL channel plugin. In fact, this latest iteration of the Duende strip is less punchy in terms of transients than the V5 and earlier versions. I know this because I just downloaded the legacy installers (still available on SSL's site) and did a lengthy comparison between new and old (I owned the hardware Duende DSP from 2007-2009). Whatever they are doing with their 'anticramping' code is also hindering the punch factor in my opinion, and over-smoothing transients generally.

Yes, I agree; they could at least tell us what to expect. I have a suspicion that nothing at all is in the works to augment the original offering. That's interesting news on the comparison between this newer version and others. I'll have to try that, as I still have older version & hardware (x-rack). I hadn't thought to compare the two.

Im on the fence right now.. should I get the UC1 or console 1 MKIII .. (to go with my S1 and protools)… I can’t decide… anyone else in the same boat?

I had the old version and the new version. New version is improved over the old one. When SSL saw Brainworx, Waves, UAD, and others come out with good SSL emulations, they had to step it up and improve their older SSL software. It is so close to the hardware that I got rid of my X Rack and just use the UC1 with the software.

I went for the Softube mk3, as I have been very pleased with the mk2 and now have gained control over spatial panning, a second eq slot, tape, a second compressor and more in the system I know and love. I did think about the UF-series but I fear they might not be as immediate as console 1. Still, while I wait on specs for the new Softube fader I’ll research the ssl uf1 as a candidate to replace my faderport as console 1 mk3’s companion. Wonderful times that offer such choices. We’re spoiled.

How does the feel of the knobs compare between the UC1 and Console 1? (either mkii or mkiii)

I owned a console 1 MKI when it first came out, the knobs felt ok but I remember it being slower than using a mouse if I wanted to really precicely adjust a setting, like boosting 1dB precisely for example.
That bugged me after a while and the protools integration sucked, I now use other DAWs so that wouldn't be as much of a problem.

I did switch from C1 MK2 to UC1 (plus the UF8 and recently the UF1). Very happy with the change. I never imagined ditching C1, I used it for 3 years or so, but I just found the knobs on the C1 too inaccurate, and when I tried the UC1 it was so much better.

Also, SSL has added 2 more strips since this thread started, so there’s more options now, although C1 is still miles ahead there.

I still prefer the C1 OSD to the SSL plugin or 360, it’s much more immediate, but I find I can trust the UC1 knobs to do what I’m trying to do more and depend less on the plugin GUI. I’m guessing the knobs on the C1 MK3 are much better, but I’m married to the whole SSL Uxx workflow and ergonomics now.