Solid State Logic unveils the UF8 Advanced Studio DAW Controller
by The Press Desk   4th February 2021

How did you delete the logs and pref files to do a clean install. Should I go to uninstall on my PC and reinstall?

I use RevoUninstaller Pro in advanced mode. Requires careful monitoring but you can get deep uninstalls done.

I’m sure you do, but always make a full system drive backup before doing anything.

I'm not sure I would be able to tell you what you should do... but to your question, log files and preferences require a bit of advanced knowledge of computer things, so if you are not familiar with what you're getting into, better don't go deleting files

Hey all. Is there anyone who uses the UF8 with Ableton Live and has properly working meters? In my case they are superslow and seem to freeze a lot. Only with a selected channel the metering is a bit faster.
In 360 plugin mixer mode the (orange) metering works great, so why not in DAW mode?
Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Is it possible to assign one of the ' soft keys ' to a Mono button ?
I don't understand how to do this. Maybe it can be assign to a plugin which as a mono function ( like VUMT Deluxe )

Just wanted to post this in here, and join the party ...

I've been a long time user of MCU control surfaces, with Logic Pro, back to the first MCU device, branded as Logic Control! I've also used a couple of ICON Digital controllers for a few years, but for the last 6 years or so, I've used a Behringer XTouch + Extender. I think I might have posted in this thread a while back when the UF8 came out, and pretty much strongly criticised it on layout and the implementation of the transport amongst a few other things.......

Well my beloved XTouch looks to have crapped out! After a some very good years service . Well at least the faders no longer reliably control Logic's faders, although most everything else seems fine. I tried a bunch of things to see it would fix the issue, but to no avail. So..

I decided to order a UF8 and see if I could work around what I saw as it's short comings... and I have to say I'm impressed! The way the UF8 provides access to so many functions is much better than I thought and it seems very intuitive (I think I can learn it pretty quickly, which was a major concern). I watched a few videos in advance of the UF8 arriving to see what others were doing and was really fretting about the multi function buttons, but fret no more, as I said it seems pretty intuitive, and can do things the XTouch cannot. Not to mention how good it looks in person, the clarity of the display, and much better faders.....

I think SSL did a great job after all. Now my only consideration is do I want another 8 faders, or can I live with 8? Anyone tried two UF8's and gone back one?

PS.. I'm also a Console 1 user, but I don't see see transitioning to the UC1 just now at least, I love Console 1.

I’m 18 months into 2X 16 faders (the sweet spot I would say), coming from a Nucleus. At the outset I did an extensive amount of programming and customization (160+ key commands in Logic), plug in mapping.

By now so many actions and macros are burned into memory. All I really expect from a controller is to « get out of the way » and make working easier which it does. On balance I am quite happy, t’s a great fit for my workflow.

The one (-)? In my opinion SSL dropped the ball on no dedicated transport and for a Logic user, a set of buttons on the left side, most of which do nothing (works for PT I suppose).

8 out of 10. More than I expected, a bit less than I hoped for. YMMV.

Cdlt

Been a 2xUF8/UC1 user for a while now and love them. I’m also a UAD Apollo user and having its console mapped to the UF8 on later 3 means it provides a great deal of functionality.

One issue, in both Cubase and Nuendo, is that the multi function buttons on the left for channel visibility selection reliably freeze the DAW and are therefore redundant. It’s actually a known issue for all ALL MCU controllers, not just the UF8. A bug Steinberg have refused, or can’t fix for several years now. Workaround is to use the programmable function buttons to use the mixer visibility options. 16 channels of UF8 and a UC1 is great bang for buck.

Yes, same here. Layer 3 as a modified Logic Layer controlling the UAD Console with Radu Varga's software has become in many ways a virtual tracking console. I seem to have exhausted all of the UAD Console shortcuts. Would love to see UAD expand the shortcuts in the console - maybe.

Cdlt

What kinda short cuts are you using? I'm also using Radu's software to control console on layer 3. It works so well!

Melgueil,

I've seen Radu's YT demo with a Beh controller.
But how does the UF8 work regarding AUX SENDS with Radu's software in Console?

In the YT video, he selects a ch, and then controls the aux sends with the rotary knobs (presumably also with faders if you flip), from THAT precise selected channel.

But if you select SENDS (rather than OVERVIEW, on the top left column) can you then adjust send levels (2 auxes plus 4 cues) from any 8 displayed channel's simultaneusly with the UF8 faders in flip mode, to build headphones mixes?



I mean , like on the pic above, to select for instance CUE 1, and be able to set levels 8 chs at a time, with the 8 UF8 faders (and move left-right with the cursors/bank buttons, to select other chs)

thx

Hi,

I just checked and there does not seem to be a way to do that. I was able to bring up that screen with the sends - but then all it seems to do is present that "scene". Selecting Aux simply presents me with two faders - one each to control the Master Aux sends, not individual channels. If y want physical control you can select "Focus" mode and the little wheel will control the individual Aux sends for the channel - but then you are still using a mouse to select the channel - so minimal advantage.

I really wish UAD would expand the key command selections as the bottlenecks do not at all seem to be the UF8 nor Radu's software. It's always possible I amassing something but I checked and that's where it seems to land.

Cdlt

Ok, thx very much, for your time and reply!

It's a shame that the fader-to-sends control is not possible. Looks like the only way to gain direct tactile control for send/cues is trough and iPad, used as a second screen from a Mac. Equally as powerful but lacks the tactile refinement of a real fader.
thx again!!

Stupid question perhaps but:

The faders are automated. Are the pan knobs also automated? If not, how does pan recall work?

round knobs don't need to be automated because their physical position always looks the same

Thanks! I'm not sure I understand though. Take the following two scenarios:

1. Switching between projects. When a new project is opened, the volume faders move to their assigned positions. Wouldn't the pan knob need to do this too?

2. A pan sweep on a track during a song. Not used a lot these days, but still.

Oh perhaps I used the wrong term. I meant the physical implementation of the automation, so the proper word would be motorized. The faders are motorized. Are the pan knobs not motorized?

As @ simonharris pointed out, there is no need for the rotary controllers to be motorised. Your automation will be recalled and the setting will be indicated by the controllers LED position indicator. You're good to go.

I am posting this for reference in case anyone using Reaper is searching for setup information.

Setup Guide

I have set up a separate mixing/mastering station in my studio using SSL equipment. I purchased a UC1, UF8, UF1, SSL12, Fusion, Bus+ and Big Six.

I have been using Reaper for about ten years but am not a power user. My goal was to get all of the SSL pieces working together with Reaper. Unfortunately SSL does not fully support Reaper in setting up the UC1, UF1 and UF8. So I had to wade in (over my head) into getting Reaper and all of the SSL equipment to play nice together

SSL's technical support was responsive but they did not have knowledge of Reaper. I could not find any YouTube videos or other information on how to configure all the this equipment together. So I decided I would offer a few comments on what eventually worked for me.

The SSL User Manuals are very good in explaining the functions of the equipment. The Fusion and Bus+ and SSL12 provide no particular connection or configuration issues. They are easy to set up and operate.

The SSL User manuals and YouTube videos for the Big Six, UC1 and UF8 explain how to physically connect each piece to a computer (in my case a Windows 11PC). They also do a good job of explaining how to download the software – 360 plug in mixer, Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Bus Compressor 2. The biggest difficulties I encountered in this were due to my total inexperience with using iLok software manager. But the process eventually worked fine.

So I suggest that one follow the SSL videos and User Guides. Just one comment. The Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Compressor 2 are VST's and it is best to allow the SSL downloader to put these in the default folder – which is the Steinberg VST Plugins folder. Pay attention to Reaper's warning that VST plugins should not be placed in the Reaper plugin/FX folder along with the standard Reaper plugins. It is important to recognize SSL's caution to not mix VST's and VST3 versions of the SSL plugins. The VST downloader will download VST and VST3 versions of the plugins. I just load the VST versions of the SSL plugins in my tracks in Reaper.

With regard to the USB connections, I offer the following advice. Use either the USB cables that SSL provides or very high quality cables. Do no use any USB cables longer than 1 ½ meters. Do not use a hub for any connection. Connect the UC1 USB cable from the UC1 to the UF8 “thru” USB input (which is a USB type A input). I run a USB cable from the UF8 USB output (which is a USB type C connector) to my UF1. I then run a USB cable from my UF1 to my PC computer. I connect the Big Six USB output or the SSL12 output to a separate USB connection on my computer.

There are essentially two aspects of connecting the SSL equipment to Reaper 1) Midi / MCU connections and 2) audio connections.

After all the SSL software is installed, go to Reaper's Options > Preferences > Audio > Midi Devices. A table will pop up. There will be a table listing twelve SSL V MIDI Ports for Input and under that there is a table listing twelve SSL V MIDI Ports for Output. Under the Mode column of each table I enable all twelve ports. Do this by right clicking each port under Mode column. A window will pop up. Click enable. Do this for all input and output ports. Twelve MIDI inputs / ports and twelve MIDI outputs / ports are therefore enabled. It is not necessary to enable all twelve outputs and inputs but that is what I did and it works for me. Technically it is sufficient to only enable the first port for input and first port for output. (If you are daisy chaining more than one UF8, you do have to enable more than port 1 but I have not done that since I only have one UF8).

Right click again on the SSL V-MIDI Port 1 line in the input table. The small window will again pop up. Click on “Enable input for control messages.” You do not have to do this (and cannot do it) for the SSL V-MIDI Port 1 line in the output table.

Go to Options > Preferences > Control/OSC/web. Under the blank window, click Add. Another blank window will pop up. There will be a line titled “Control surface mode.” Click on the small down arrow to open up another window with a list of options. Select Mackie Control Universal (MCU). (If you are using more than one UF8, I think you also need to select Mackie Control Extender, but since I only have one UF8 I do not know for sure). Click OK at the bottom of the window. MCU is a protocol that allows the SSL equipment to communicate with and control the various Reaper functions.

In Reaper, go to Options > Preferences > Audio Device and set up the parameters for you audio interface. This is no different that how you set up your audio interface normally. (You probably have already done this).

I suggest at this point that you restart your computer.

Then turn off everything – the computer, the Big Six, UF8, UC1, UF1, SSL12, Bus+ and Fusion.

Then I do the following: The order is important.

Turn on the UF8 and UC1.
Turn on your computer.
Start Reaper.
Open the SSL 360.
Check that the Options setting described above are sill there.
Open a new track and ensure that you can find and open the Bus Compressor 2, Channel Strip 2 and Channel Strip 4k b.
Turn on the Big Six if you are using it as your audio interface, or the SSL12 or other audio interface that you are using.
Ensure that the USB connection light in the upper right of the Big Six is on.
(I have found that if one turns on the audio interface before turning on Reaper, the UC8, UC1 and UF1 will not be happy and will pout. It will essentially refuse to talk with you or do much of anything at all except sit there with a blank stare on its face).

In the SSL 360 software, choose Logic Pro for Layer 1. There is no option to choose Reaper. Reaper is not fully supported in this manner – er, not supported at all. (I have seen that someone chose to use Studio One instead of Logic Pro, and this might work. However, SSL technical support recommends using Logic Pro).

Most of the soft keys of the UF1 and UF8 are already programmed with commands that correspond to Logic Pro commands. Some of these work with Reaper and some do not. I chose to reprogram all of the UF1 and UF8 soft keys. It is very easy to do. Moreover, I did not really like most of the commands that were per-programmed anyway. The SSL 360 video and the SSL User Guide for the 360 are very good at showing how to program the soft keys. I found it actually fun.

So, for me everything is happy working together. I find it remarkable that the 360 mixer, UC1, UF8, UF1, SSL12, Big Six, Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Bus Compressor 2 plugins all correspond to each. When a control is moved in one, it immediately shows in all the others. Pretty cool I think.

I also like that the transport controls in SSL 360 work. I duplicate these controls in the first group of soft keys on the UF8. However, this is unnecessary since the dedicated transport controls of the UF1 are excellent work flawlessly (for me anyway). I have also programmed the soft keys to do such things as save, open new project, metronome, undo and redo, snap and unsnap, etc. I like using these instead of resorting to my mouse. But everyone will have a different approach to all of this.

Note that the third party plugin controls on the UF8 do not work with Reaper but SSL has been very clear about this, and to me it is not a big deal.

Thinking 2 uf8s and a UC1. Is more useful than UF8 UF1 UC1. Just seems like it’s way too much overlap with the UF8 and 1. Should’ve been a uf12 with master fader and transport for 2000.
Anyone using pro tools that can give experience with all three units. Can you share your experiences with the redundancy effects or work around.
Thanks.

I've unpacked and registered my two UF8s (and my UC1 and UF1). I'm about to install it. Was surprised to see I need Ilok. Any advice on how to proceed?

If I've understood correctly, I should install in the following order:

1. Get an Ilok account
2. Download an install the 360 software
3. Download and install the plugins (are there plugins for the UF8?)
4. Plug in the UF8 and hope that it works

I guess I need to do something in Ableton Live somewhere there too, perhaps after these steps. Or between 3 and 4? I mean to get the plugins and the controller up and running in Ableton Live.

I just want to to this in the optimal order. Especially since my plan is to daisy chain my UC1 with my UF8's (I have two), which despite the advertising doesn't seem very likely to work, so I want to make sure I do what I can to make it all work.

On Sweetwaters page about it is says it's important to register and install the software before even pluggin it in, as there might be problems otherwise. Seems weird to me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ng1GQYK4Q

I've got some issues here regarding storing & recalling custom settings on my new UF8.

MacOS 11.7.6
Latest version (I presume) of SSL360

When I first took delivery of my UF8, I programmed a few soft keys and stored the settings as a custom layout, just to get started.

Then when I powered down the system and rebooted, the UF8 reverted to factory default, and when I tried to load my first custom layout, my settings did not get applied; the unit remained at factory default.

So I've re-programmed a few of my soft keys and attempted to store these in a new custom layout file, but when I do a Save or Save As in SSL360, no file gets written (target directory is User >> Documents >> SSL >> SSL360 >> UF8).

Anybody encountered this problem? Any solutions? I'm getting tired of starting every work day reprogramming Soft Keys.

I know that with Reaper and a UF1, UF8, UC1, Fusion, Bus+ and Big Six or SSL12, the order seems to be important. Here is a guide I wrote that includes order information.

Setup Guide

I have set up a separate mixing/mastering station in my studio using SSL equipment. I purchased a UC1, UF8, UF1, SSL12, Fusion, Bus+ and Big Six.

I have been using Reaper for about ten years but am not a power user. My goal was to get all of the SSL pieces working together with Reaper. Unfortunately SSL does not fully support Reaper in setting up the UC1, UF1 and UF8. So I had to wade in (over my head) into getting Reaper and all of the SSL equipment to play nice together

SSL's technical support was responsive but they did not have knowledge of Reaper. I could not find any YouTube videos or other information on how to configure all the this equipment together. So I decided I would offer a few comments on what eventually worked for me.

The SSL User Manuals are very good in explaining the functions of the equipment. The Fusion and Bus+ and SSL12 provide no particular connection or configuration issues. They are easy to set up and operate.

The SSL User manuals and YouTube videos for the Big Six, UC1 and UF8 explain how to physically connect each piece to a computer (in my case a Windows 11PC). They also do a good job of explaining how to download the software – 360 plug in mixer, Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Bus Compressor 2. The biggest difficulties I encountered in this were due to my total inexperience with using iLok software manager. But the process eventually worked fine.

So I suggest that one follow the SSL videos and User Guides. Just one comment. The Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Compressor 2 are VST's and it is best to allow the SSL downloader to put these in the default folder – which is the Steinberg VST Plugins folder. Pay attention to Reaper's warning that VST plugins should not be placed in the Reaper plugin/FX folder along with the standard Reaper plugins. It is important to recognize SSL's caution to not mix VST's and VST3 versions of the SSL plugins. The VST downloader will download VST and VST3 versions of the plugins. I just load the VST versions of the SSL plugins in my tracks in Reaper.

With regard to the USB connections, I offer the following advice. Use either the USB cables that SSL provides or very high quality cables. Do no use any USB cables longer than 1 ½ meters. Do not use a hub for any connection. Connect the UC1 USB cable from the UC1 to the UF8 “thru” USB input (which is a USB type A input). I run a USB cable from the UF8 USB output (which is a USB type C connector) to my UF1. I then run a USB cable from my UF1 to my PC computer. I connect the Big Six USB output or the SSL12 output to a separate USB connection on my computer.

There are essentially two aspects of connecting the SSL equipment to Reaper 1) Midi / MCU connections and 2) audio connections.

After all the SSL software is installed, go to Reaper's Options > Preferences > Audio > Midi Devices. A table will pop up. There will be a table listing twelve SSL V MIDI Ports for Input and under that there is a table listing twelve SSL V MIDI Ports for Output. Under the Mode column of each table I enable all twelve ports. Do this by right clicking each port under Mode column. A window will pop up. Click enable. Do this for all input and output ports. Twelve MIDI inputs / ports and twelve MIDI outputs / ports are therefore enabled. It is not necessary to enable all twelve outputs and inputs but that is what I did and it works for me. Technically it is sufficient to only enable the first port for input and first port for output. (If you are daisy chaining more than one UF8, you do have to enable more than port 1 but I have not done that since I only have one UF8).

Right click again on the SSL V-MIDI Port 1 line in the input table. The small window will again pop up. Click on “Enable input for control messages.” You do not have to do this (and cannot do it) for the SSL V-MIDI Port 1 line in the output table.

Go to Options > Preferences > Control/OSC/web. Under the blank window, click Add. Another blank window will pop up. There will be a line titled “Control surface mode.” Click on the small down arrow to open up another window with a list of options. Select Mackie Control Universal (MCU). (If you are using more than one UF8, I think you also need to select Mackie Control Extender, but since I only have one UF8 I do not know for sure). Click OK at the bottom of the window. MCU is a protocol that allows the SSL equipment to communicate with and control the various Reaper functions.

In Reaper, go to Options > Preferences > Audio Device and set up the parameters for you audio interface. This is no different that how you set up your audio interface normally. (You probably have already done this).

I suggest at this point that you restart your computer.

Then turn off everything – the computer, the Big Six, UF8, UC1, UF1, SSL12, Bus+ and Fusion.

Then I do the following: The order is important.

Turn on the UF8 and UC1.
Turn on your computer.
Start Reaper.
Open the SSL 360.
Check that the Options setting described above are sill there.
Open a new track and ensure that you can find and open the Bus Compressor 2, Channel Strip 2 and Channel Strip 4k b.
Turn on the Big Six if you are using it as your audio interface, or the SSL12 or other audio interface that you are using.
Ensure that the USB connection light in the upper right of the Big Six is on.
(I have found that if one turns on the audio interface before turning on Reaper, the UC8, UC1 and UF1 will not be happy and will pout. It will essentially refuse to talk with you or do much of anything at all except sit there with a blank stare on its face).

In the SSL 360 software, choose Logic Pro for Layer 1. There is no option to choose Reaper. Reaper is not fully supported in this manner – er, not supported at all. (I have seen that someone chose to use Studio One instead of Logic Pro, and this might work. However, SSL technical support recommends using Logic Pro).

Most of the soft keys of the UF1 and UF8 are already programmed with commands that correspond to Logic Pro commands. Some of these work with Reaper and some do not. I chose to reprogram all of the UF1 and UF8 soft keys. It is very easy to do. Moreover, I did not really like most of the commands that were per-programmed anyway. The SSL 360 video and the SSL User Guide for the 360 are very good at showing how to program the soft keys. I found it actually fun.

So, for me everything is happy working together. I find it remarkable that the 360 mixer, UC1, UF8, UF1, SSL12, Big Six, Channel Strip 2, Channel Strip 4k b and Bus Compressor 2 plugins all correspond to each. When a control is moved in one, it immediately shows in all the others. Pretty cool I think.

I also like that the transport controls in SSL 360 work. I duplicate these controls in the first group of soft keys on the UF8. However, this is unnecessary since the dedicated transport controls of the UF1 are excellent work flawlessly (for me anyway). I have also programmed the soft keys to do such things as save, open new project, metronome, undo and redo, snap and unsnap, etc. I like using these instead of resorting to my mouse. But everyone will have a different approach to all of this.

Can someone please tell me why the uf8 doesn't auto bank when more than 16 tracks, when clicking a track in the box with a mouse it should prompt the controller to that bank and track. i.e. 100 tracks, I click on track 1 I see it on controller, now I click on track 100 and controller jumps to correct bank and its'selected.
I think it could be a OS issue?

Can anyone confirm that it correctly banks in protools and studio one and cubase/nuendo?

(forget reaper because it seems toward ok for auto-banking todawclickedtrack in reaper.

My OS is Mac Silicon M1 Monterey.

That functionality doesn't exist yet in the DAW (MCU) layer. You can fully bank if working in the 360 plugin layer.

thanks that's great to know it works in 360. I will set my UF8 up again then.

All I know is I had a nucleus 1 and also a Nucleus 2 in the past on earlier os, high Sierra and Yosemite and the auto banking thing was fine. Even had a Matrix 1 for a while and that also no problem auto banking even on Monterey m1.

For me, that's the whole point of a controller besides volume and panning, is it navigates whatever track you click in the daw. Good too know it works inside the 360 ecosystem which I never tried. Going to set it up and try it.

I have a UF8, and UC1 working together. When in the 360 layer all sync, making navigation very smooth. Any audio track selected in the DAW mixer or project window with a 360 plugin on it, will also sync with the UF8/UC1.

Freezerman, please what operating system are you running? Mac or pc, and what's the os? For me I still need to manually press 'bank' on the controller to jump to eg. track 200 from track , when mouse-clicking inside the daw from track to track.. Im confused over what you are saying:

- are you saying that it 'auto banks' (my phrase) only with the 360 software

- or are you saying if mouse clicking-a-track-in-the-daw also prompts the controller to bank to correct bank and selects uf8/uc1 track?

The way I like to work is with a mouse, so I click on track/s eg. 50 - 58 (backing vocals for eg.) and immediately I need to see those on the UF8 so I can use the controller for faders and panners.

Im on apple silicon M1 Mac mini, running Ventura.

I run both Mac and PC systems both using UF8 and UC1's. PC is Win10 latest OS updates. Mac is M1 Ventura latest.

Maybe my description was poor so I'll try again.

All my audio, instrument, FX and group tracks have either a CS2 or 4KB plugin on them. This way I can fully utilise the SSL360 layer on my UF8/UC1 combo's.

In Nuendo, I'm using the SSL360 layer (layer 2) on the UF8, any track I select in the DAW with my mouse is automatically banked to on the UF8 and UC1. I.e. If I currenty have track 100 selected and then sleect track 1 with my mouse, in the SSL360 layer the UF8 will bank to that track as well as the UC1. This does not work in the DAW layer (layer 1).

You need to be using the latest SSL360 software v1.5.17 and up, and the latest channel strip and bus plugins for this to work as the functionalty was added in the update. Hope this helps.

Thanks Freezerman, I understand it ok. Thanks