Controller range gains single-fader/transport unit
SSL have today announced the launch of the UF1, a single-fader DAW control surface that aims to provide music creators with comprehensive control over their DAW environment, as well as boasting advanced integration with the company’s plug-in line-up.
The Elf wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 8:04 pm
I see this in my future. I've come to adore the UC1...
I thought the same… but it is rather expensive!
When you consider that something like the Behringer X-Touch (I know, it has nine faders, but the idea is broadly similar) is three quarters of the price of a UF1 the SSL is well under the price I would have guessed. Had it been double I would have dismissed it for myself, but it wouldn't have surprised me.
You get the SSL plug-ins, too, and the clever (though not to my taste) 360 software.
Having seen how deep the facilities of the UF1 are with Cubase I think this is the Frontier Alphatrak replacement I've been awaiting.
Arpangel wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 11:25 am
But what does it sound like?
It doesn't sound like anything - it's a control surface. But the SSL plug-ins it comes with... lovely - at least if you like the sound of SSL generally.
It does look nice but I’m not sure (yet) what I’d get out of it.
The things I spend most time editing (in Cubase) are the piano roll and automation lanes. I never write automation using faders. Using dot, 1, 2, p and the space bar I can control navigation and looping using the QWERTY keyboard pretty well.
I’ll look at the review to see if it can help with those tasks.
As an Alphatrack user I would say don't underestimate how useful a fader can be. I rarely edit automation with the fader but I find it extremely useful for setting track levels.
It certainly looks very interesting. I can see it being really appealing to add to a UF8 or UC1 (or both!).
I've been using an Avid Dock for a few years now and I have to say a single-fader surface is much more useful than I imagined it would be.
I don't tend to do much automation with the fader, but selecting tracks via the Control app and having them appear on the surface to change levels/parameters is really handy and quite a lot quicker than scrolling around on the screen, especially on larger sessions.
Hardware transport controls are nice to have as well, and I use the jog wheel far more than I thought I would too.
Luke W wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 12:53 pm...a single-fader surface is much more useful than I imagined it would be.
That's my experience too; I was sceptical until I tried it for myself. Now I feel that having multiple faders is the clunkier option and actually *less* useful.
The Elf wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 8:04 pm
I see this in my future. I've come to adore the UC1...
I thought the same… but it is rather expensive!
When you consider that something like the Behringer X-Touch (I know, it has nine faders, but the idea is broadly similar) is three quarters of the price of a UF1 the SSL is well under the price I would have guessed. Had it been double I would have dismissed it for myself, but it wouldn't have surprised me.
Behringer X-touch One would be a better functional comparison at £170.
You get the SSL plug-ins, too, and the clever (though not to my taste) 360 software.
I think this will be a big attraction for some folks.
The Elf wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 8:04 pm
I see this in my future. I've come to adore the UC1...
I thought the same… but it is rather expensive!
When you consider that something like the Behringer X-Touch (I know, it has nine faders, but the idea is broadly similar) is three quarters of the price of a UF1 the SSL is well under the price I would have guessed. Had it been double I would have dismissed it for myself, but it wouldn't have surprised me.
Behringer X-touch One would be a better functional comparison at £170.
You get the SSL plug-ins, too, and the clever (though not to my taste) 360 software.
I think this will be a big attraction for some folks.
The only plugin you get is the meter. 360, I agree: it’s of no use for me.
I’m like you in cubase. I use an Avid Dock currently and it’s great, but it’s got a few caveats for me (the 1st one being that the sync with the iPad is not always perfect). I want something with knobs (for sends 99% of the times) and buttons and I dont mind the fader (I use 2 avid S1’s). I like the display and having the meter on it.
A Streamdeck with knobs would be ideal for me, I think. I know there’s one but it’s too small!
ore_terra wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 5:33 pm
Good news is that with this update of 360 and the plugins, UC1 now syncs with cubase track selection and solo
ore_terra wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 5:31 pm
I’m like you in cubase. I use an Avid Dock currently and it’s great, but it’s got a few caveats for me (the 1st one being that the sync with the iPad is not always perfect). I want something with knobs (for sends 99% of the times) and buttons and I dont mind the fader (I use 2 avid S1’s). I like the display and having the meter on it.
A Streamdeck with knobs would be ideal for me, I think. I know there’s one but it’s too small!
(Full disclosure, I have one of these that I use for Reaper and that I got a discount from the developer on to work with in configuring it for Reaper.)
The Elf wrote: ↑Wed May 31, 2023 5:43 pm
Today just gets better and better!
It's nice to see Cubase users finally discovering just how good Logic 5 + Mackie Control was at the time, and how not much since has been made that's open and unencumbered to give better experience in DAW control...
The SSL's are nice looking units, and I much prefer the form factor to the MCU (which are way too big). I do use an X-Touch One for transport and fader, then I have a generic controller that's running a combination of HUI and MCU C4 so it's both a little 8-channel mixer controller, and a plugin editor, that's really the most useful thing of all, and is small and so can live right by my keyboard.
I don't really like the whole SSL 360 mixer thing though
Slightly intrigued by this. I have a Softube Console 1 + Fader, but I don’t really use them to their full potential.
I love my Alphatrack (with a custom script for Reaper) and would like something more along those lines really, but really the Alphatrack still seems to offer me things that other surfaces can’t. Will need to look closer at this new SSL.
It has to be said that this is one of those devices where the ideal would be to live with it for a couple of weeks to see if it works out. Once upon a time our local music shops made this an option.
(Full disclosure, I have one of these that I use for Reaper and that I got a discount from the developer on to work with in configuring it for Reaper.)
mmm… no… I’d have kept the CC121 if I would want something like that. Looks neat though
