Softube Console 1 - A Year Later, how has it held up?
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- I bought a used Softube console 1 about a year ago. This video is about how my workflow has changed as a result, any problems I've had and an in-depth look at the drive character and drive functions. I did this live and unscripted and just made hard edits. I’m experimenting with a different format for review videos so bear with me!
This turned out a bit longer than what I wanted, but as always, detailed timestamps are below. For the audio examples, it’s best to have good headphones to hear the subtle differences in using the C1’s drive and drive character knobs.
Chapters:
00:00 - start!
00:52 - What’s in this video
01:13 - What’s change about my workflow?
02:48 - Default project settings
06:50 - Mixing with my ears, not my eyes
08:52 - Viewer comment: Do you get a ‘console sound’ just by adding the plugin onto a channel strip?
09:18 - Using C1’s Drive and Drive Character to simulate an ‘analog console’ on a DI guitar
13.32 - Using C1’s drive and drive character on a drum buss
17:10 - Using C1’s drive and drive character on a master buss
19:20 - Nitpicks and 1 weird problem I couldn’t replicate
20:40 - LOUD CLICKY BUTTONS!
21:33 - Jason, YOUR an idiot…the activation kafuffle
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Thanks for this video kid. Eye opening and informative. Keep 'em coming!!!
Thanks, will do!
Thanks for your reflections Jason! Just a little suggestion, drop the background music. It gets in the way of your discussion.
I bought mine used on eBay but the seller did it right and transferred the license to me at purchase time so I didn't run into these issues. I had read around some places and knew to ask the seller to be sure that was going to happen.
That said, I REALLY enjoy my Console 1 in Studio One. I have the 4000e (of course), the British Class A, and very recently, the American Class A and I have had a really good time with it and like it for some of the same reasons you have stated here: workflow, elimination of Analysis Paralysis, and the sound/feel of using it. It's definitely helped me get better sounding mixes, faster, easier, and most importantly, in a fun way. I've done a few videos on my channel as well, primarily comparing emulations to each other or to no C1. I have it paired with a FaderPort 8 and in Studio One, I don't know that the combo can be beat. Thanks for sharing your review and experience.
yeah, I really dig this thing!
Your an awesome dude. Great video.
I appreciate that!
Good video. I have been thinking about selling my console 1 and picking up the SSL UC1. I recalled your first video on the trouble you had when you first picked up your console 1. So i have not moved on selling mine and dealing with softube.
If you're selling it, it'll be fine. Just remember iLok will charge $25 USD to transfer an existing license so factor that into your cost. My frustration wasn't being able to do a license transfer so the store ended up buying a new license for me.
after many checks on the SSL UC1 or Softube console one, I picked cs1. Its more dynamic in selecting different shape, eq & compressors (including other softube plugins and even UAD). Also, the copy/paste setting from the cs1 beat the "new SSL UC1". I started with the empirical audio due to the more precise EQ. My workflow has greatly improved, the only missed opportunity is default coloured knobs on the hardware.
I'd agree with all of that! I haven't used the UC1 yet, but I think the appeal is that people lose their minds at the mention of "SSL"....oh it's legendary!!! It's used by the Pros!!! I'm sure it's a great product, but I'm sticking with the C1 for exactly what you mention, you can load so many different plugins into it giving you way more flexibily.
At $300 it’s a steal on eBay.
U can mod your console1 and put SSL knobs on it. There is a whole tread on gear space.
I like the drive in Softube but after a couple of days I must prefer SSL UC1 for EQ and ease of use. Saying that I encountered an issue with one of the buttons on the UC 1 😞 I will try to share my video of it…
I want to get my hands on one! The local place doesn't rent them and I can't stomach the $1100 CAD right now!
Thanks for the update! Your last video pretty much convinced me to skip this and I ended up with an X-Touch. But that has a ton of limitations when it comes to controlling plugins.
Does this work fully with Logic now? The one thing that turned me off was that track names don't update from Logic to the Softube plugin and visa versa. So if you change a track name in Logic, you then have to redo it in Console 1, and that just seemed like a pain. Especially if you're dealing with bigger tracks.
Did Apple get their stuff together? lol
Track names do update between the C1 and Pro X, except for dual mono tracks because the C1 will add 2 slots for 1 dual mono track. Otherwise, it's always worked since I've had it.
@@cleverdood got us! Thanks for the reply! I think I’ll move this up in my wish list now. 😂
I'm really loving the Console 1 - I kind of want Fader 1 now too - it's really nice to have most of what you need for the basics of every track right in one spot (using with Cubase) Edit: integrates fully with Cubase 1 (faders, names, track selection, etc.)
Same! Either that or get a Presonus faderport to use just for transport control.
@@cleverdood I was gonna suggest also, get a Faderport ‘Classic’ used. I have 2 of them, I’ve had well over a decade. They’re the same size as Console 1 and fit perfectly together. They’re built like tanks so wouldn’t worry about getting a used one plus they go for like $50 bucks. In DAWs with integration, whatever Channel you select on the 20- buttons across the top of C1, or bank to with the arrow keys on the FP, puts the same Level, Pan, Mute and Solo at the bottom right of C1 on the FP on a 1 to 1 basis, but also with the Record Arm and Automation features missing from C1. You also have DAW Windows, Marker Navigation, and obviously the Transport Controls. Beyond that, what many miss is the User button and the Foot Switch, which can be whatever you want. I don’t know I can work anymore without my right foot on the Start/Stop I’ve had it so long.
Nice video, although I would never crank up a DI guitar with the Drive knob. There’s really not much to saturate there
Fair enough!
Hi, so are you using NLS and the C1(drive) at the mix bus? and are u using the C1 Drive in individual tracks as well as the drive in the busses?
I generally add NLS and the console 1 plugin to every track, and "track stacks" (or summing tracks as they're sometimes called). Sometimes I'll use the Softube saturator knob. Then I mix and match settings between them until I get the sound I want because they all do something a little different.
@@cleverdood ok, so mainly you use one or the other but you mainly prefer NLS on tracks
I seriously consider buying a Console 1. Could I ask you, wich version of Login Pro X you are using. And I run High Sierra. Is that a problem?
I am using the most recent version of Logic on Catalina. Check Softube's support site, I know they just added M1 and support for the latest MacOS but older versions should still work.
thanks -@@cleverdood
Great video once again. I hope I wasn’t one of the negative comments about the used Console 1.
I have a bunch of thoughts about your setup, but a couple quick ones regarding Console 1 Fader, and Logic (or any DAW without full C1 implementation).
1) Possibly my favorite features of Console 1, beyond obviously the sound, is the workflow and speed of flying through a hundred track mix using the 20-channel bank buttons across the top. Don’t you also lose that in Logic, the one-to-one track naming and numbering and following at the speed of click? The current crop of DAW options, including Folders and Spill, Timeline Markers, Scenes, and Channel Banking make massive sessions infinitely more manageable.
2) I recall you had a video about the Logic Remote App, but on your phone. A friend of mine got rid of his Artist Mixes because he was so happy with Logic Remote on his iPad. He’s a fellow Console 1 user, and Upgraded his iPad to a Pro and swears it’s the best system he’s had since Analog Consoles. Maybe before you drop the coin on the Fader 1, you should borrow somebody’s iPad and see how that works for you with C1.
3) Along the same lines, I’m guessing that you have a MIDI controller floating around that Studio of yours. Do you have like a 25-key near your workstation? If so, Logic is super easy to Map all the transport controls to, eliminating the need for a dedicated controller just for transport. C1 Fader only has those 3 buttons.
4) I’m pretty sure the C1 faders in Logic, will only work as Plug-in Output levels, like you’re already doing. That said, you could Zero out the DAW faders to Unity and actually Mix in Console 1 exclusively. You’d have to run it in the Last Plug-in slot, but I’ve seen people do that in ProTools. But honestly, I’m not sure that you’d get the bang for buck out of it, if you’re staying in Logic.
5) For hundreds less than Console 1 Fader, I bought a Behringer X-Touch (and an Extender with 2 more on the way once they’re available). That’s essentially a Mackie Control Universal, for less money, and works with pretty much everything. Plus it has Way more functionality. You may not have the desk real estate, at which point there’s the Icon controllers which can be tiny. So...
6) I absolutely LOVE my Console 1. My unit is a Mark 1 built in Sweden when they were $1000, and only did SSL.
Ive constantly flirted with the idea of getting Two of the Fader units, one to each Side of the Main Unit. I made them set it up at NAMM last year, and having 20 Faders that follow the 20 buttons is a DREAM workflow for me, in both the DAWs with full integration for Mixing, and in Apollo Central mode controlling UAD Console with Unison Preamps and Channel Strip emulations for Tracking. (An Apollo Twin X & X8p makes 10 Unison Pres + 16 more via ADAT)
But for $650, $1300 for two, which gets me 20-faders dedicated to the Console 1 ecosystem, and at the mercy of DAW integration (which ProTools my necessary evil old ball and chain likely will never have), for a couple hundred more I could have 32-Faders, Encoders, Scribble Strips, along with a comprehensive Transport and Center Section and Tons of customization. Plus fairly Universal support for just about anything out there or still to come.
Those were my two final contestants, and you can see which way I went.
So far, no regrets.
If I were in Logic primarily, no contest.
not at all! those negative comments were mostly people who didn't actually watch the video to hear what the problem was...
I do use the Logic remote app, but I don't like it as much as a hardware device for controlling transport. I have a GNX 4 foot controller under my desk that I might setup as a midi controller for transport and other quick actions I use a lot. I think the Presonus Faderport (the single one) is a good bet to combine with the C1. It's half the price of the Fader 1 too.
@@cleverdood The FP "classic" is the one I have that fits together with C1.
But the new FP or 8 or 16 have far more integration with the functionality of Studio One.
I'm also considering the Atom SQ.
The way it Automaps all of your 3rd party Plugin parameters, and let's you manually map 8 banks of 8 knobs, plus 8 banks of 6 buttons WITH display, seems pretty useful
Would be nice to share your presets^^
I will! My day job has me going insane, but I do have a partial web app with presets from a bunch of plugins almost done!
What do you mean by 26 are "compatible"??? Compatible with what? Are you saying that all of Softube's plugins are not compatible with Console 1?
at the time 26 of their plugins were compatible...now 34 of them are. Not all their plugins can be loaded into the C1
@@cleverdood That's REALLY GREAT to know!!! Thank You.
I LITERALLY just got a console 1 and now know to be on the look out... not to be complacent about what I purchase to accompany it.
@@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios if you go to their site and filter by 'console 1 mixing system' you'll see all the ones that are compatible.
@@cleverdood That's awesome! I'll look again today! Thank you.