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Softube Console 1 - Limitations... don't you miss... ?

Hey guys,

still interested in the Console 1 and haven't tested it in nature but I am curious if you folks that are already using it, don't miss some of the features the plugins have, the Console 1 are missing? Beginning with the low and high frequency band - no longer be able to set the bandwidth (in Console 1), like e.g. possible in the Summit Audio EQF 100. WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T SOFTUBE PUT TWO MORE KNOBS on the Console???

What about some of the extra features of some already UAD supported plugins?
When I first heard about the UAD plugins integration, I thought: Now I can put the Pultec EQP 1A and the MEQ-5 (back again like the legacy) into one eq and could control them together plus add some other low and high cuts e.g. of the Harrison 32c. But it doesn't look like this is possible... :-(
Just bought the Faderport 8 some time ago and am really impressed with the super easy mapping in Studio One. The premapping in the Console 1 is indeed very nice, but why not just let us also map our plugins ourselves how we want it???

Just some questions and the disappointment, that there is not one single cotroller that satisfies every feature we really need to have a nice workflow.
 

simonjewel

Established Member
To be frank with you, I for one, did miss certain aspects to start with including the UA GUI .... But, and it's a big but, the more I use C1 the less I am concerned because you adapt very quickly! If there's something you can't or don't want to work around or if it plain just bugs you, then load an instance post or pre console 1 of your plugin and do as you used to do ... the thing with Console 1 is the speed at which you work coupled with the focus being on your ears not the plugin window ... it is something I would not give up now, it's way too important to my workflow and better on my eyes and ears ... buy it, you won't regret it, notwithstanding its minor limitations....
 

Jjordan

Active Member


On my Sixth mix with Console 1.... Loving it, more and more everyday! I don't miss anything. Whatever else you may need, just insert the plugin you want and you're good.

I'm using less plugins now. Amazing!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Geoff Waddington

Established Member
Just some questions and the disappointment, that there is not one single cotroller that satisfies every feature we really need to have a nice workflow.
I too wish there was one single controller that satisfies every feature we really need to have a nice workflow.

Actually I've been working on this very issue for over 10 years.

Started way back in 2006 when I wrote the Faderport support for the good folks at Presonus.

Here's a quick vid of the software I wrote about 5 years ago(well added to what was there) for MCU/C4 Reaper support, jump to around 3:30 for the C4 mapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjJ8e4-p_y4

Also did the EuCon support for Reaper.

Just in the last couple of months, I have been experimenting with an iPad interface using the multi-touch twisting motion for the rotary knobs, just can't get a convincing feel.

None of these approaches are completely satisfying.

Nothing beats tactile knobs, I think everyone agrees on that.

The layout of a mixer is more or less standardized, faders, selection/mute/solo/rec switches, pan, etc., they all look basically the same.

A dedicated controller can do a credible job here (and several do).

The tricky bit comes when you have to map all of these dissimilar outboard gear panels (LA-2A, 1176, 33609, Pultec, Harrison, etc.), which, by the way, are layed out like they are for a reason :)

I think a very good (and expensive !!) workflow might be achieved by having an actual physical faux front panel of each device (EQ, compressor, etc.) complete with working knobs(encoders), switches, etc.

Oh yeah, and you'd have to have a separate panel for each type of plugin you have, so you'd start looking looking around for Allen Sides (Ocean Way) before long, things would get that complex :)

OK, so we have a situation where the "mixer" end of things is working out, but the "outboard" stuff sucks.

Time for a compromise, this is the brilliant part of Softubes's thinking.

They decided to do a dedicated channel strip controller, which includes input, transient design, EQ, compression, sends, and character(drive/distortion).

The brilliant tweak is that you can put what would typically be thought of as an outboard component, say an 1176, right on the strip in the compressor slot.

To me this is the best that can be achieved (some kind of mix controller + Console 1) given today's technology.

You have tactile control whilst still dealing with the myriad of interfaces in the bread and butter plugin section (EQ's, compressors) really quite well.
 
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Serenity

Hall of Fame Member
I think a very good (and expensive !!) workflow might be achieved by having an actual physical faux front panel of each device (EQ, compressor, etc.) complete with working knobs(encodes), switches, etc.
I've considered that one too. It actually wouldn't have to be super expensive. If you make, say 500-series style "dumb" panels which are connected to a central brain. You could even open it up for third parties to make modules for it. I think it could be a selling point for plugin developers to offer a hardware panel that comes with the software.
 

Serenity

Hall of Fame Member
I've only had C1 for a couple of days. And so far I like it a lot. But it works best with the bundled software. Some of the other plugin mappings work fairly well, but others doesn't feel as natural. The API 560 was pretty much unusable for me.
 

Emmett_Brown

Established Member
Yeah, some plugins translate better than others. One that is working great for me is the Trident A Range. I used to find the plugin awkward to use because of the horizontal sliders for EQ bands... (just not how my brain works). Being able to control the Trident with the knobs on C1 has given that plugin new life for me.

In fact, C1 integration was the tipping point for me to finally buy more DSP. (That, and my computer died, so going thunderbolt on the new one). I ordered an Octo satellite yesterday so I can run more UAD plugins with tactile control via C1.
 

Mr609

Active Member
To be frank with you, I for one, did miss certain aspects to start with including the UA GUI .... But, and it's a big but, the more I use C1 the less I am concerned because you adapt very quickly! If there's something you can't or don't want to work around or if it plain just bugs you, then load an instance post or pre console 1 of your plugin and do as you used to do ... the thing with Console 1 is the speed at which you work coupled with the focus being on your ears not the plugin window ... it is something I would not give up now, it's way too important to my workflow and better on my eyes and ears ... buy it, you won't regret it, notwithstanding its minor limitations....
I'm interested in it. But I already have a raven MTi. I'm thinking it would add value, but don't want it to be overkill or have my system make me choose one or the other. Raven is super dope for faders and batch commands. But I wouldn't mind knobs for eq'ing...and other "knobby" things lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Kcatthedog

Hall of Fame Member
btw the recent ST update which includes all ua 1176 and zener also gives them all parallel comp and mix!

"Oh, and they all get parallel compression in Console 1!"
 

simonjewel

Established Member
I actually tried the 1176 AE on a track yesterday via console 1 and I have to say that it didn't really sound the same to my ears ... So much so that I went back to instantiating it outside of C1. Has anyone else found anything similar with UA 1176?


btw the recent ST update which includes all ua 1176 and zener also gives them all parallel comp and mix!

"Oh, and they all get parallel compression in Console 1!"
 

quantise

Active Member
My Gobbler app is still showing 2.4.10 not 2.4.12, which is the current version that allows the new 1176 additions. I've tried logging out of Gobbler and logging in again to no avail. Lots of the Softube Volume 1 plugins have updated though.

Anyone else seeing this?

John
 

simonjewel

Established Member
If you login to your actual gobbler account via the web not the app, you can grab all the latest downloads without the app itself. I had to do the same to get the updates
 

quantise

Active Member
Hmm. Thanks for that, simonjewel,

Interestingly, even though there is a link to Console 1 2.4.12, hovering over the link indicates it's 2.4.10 but once installed it is in fact 2.4.11. That's kinda weird. I'm wondering if Softube pulled the mac version temporarily.

Either way, Gobbler aren't up to speed.

John
 

Serenity

Hall of Fame Member
I actually tried the 1176 AE on a track yesterday via console 1 and I have to say that it didn't really sound the same to my ears ... So much so that I went back to instantiating it outside of C1. Has anyone else found anything similar with UA 1176?
It sounds exactly the same for me. Could it be a gain staging issue perhaps?
 

simonjewel

Established Member
It sounds exactly the same for me. Could it be a gain staging issue perhaps?
Good question it might be or I wondered if the threshold button on the C1 didn't work quite the same as the input volume on the UA interface .... I'd be interested to know what Softube had to say about it tho
 

quantise

Active Member
Console 1 2.4.11 mac has the 1176's so I just did a quick test on a parallel bass buss where I had an instance of the 1176LN pushing 7-10dB of gain reduction and did a side by side with the 1176LN loaded into the Console 1 compressor section and set the same.

First listen sounded the same to me.

John
 

Serenity

Hall of Fame Member
Good question it might be or I wondered if the threshold button on the C1 didn't work quite the same as the input volume on the UA interface .... I'd be interested to know what Softube had to say about it tho
The threshold knob seems to control both the input and output at the same time. So the number doesn't really reflect the settings of the plugin.
 

simonjewel

Established Member
Could be a case of playing with it for a while a/b against an instance of UA and seeing if we can't find the sweet spot
 
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