Yes to the desk rearrangement video! I don’t know much about 3d printing but going over that and how to custom make needed items for the desk would be helpful.

Why tie yourself to a specific controller though? You’re using Reaper so you can just use Realearn to map any controller you want to any plugin you want, with far more flexibility and conditional functionality. I’m also wary of any scheme which involves loading plugins into a third party wrapper. What happens in 15 years when SSL stops pushing updates and all of your sessions which utilize the wrapper are unusable? Realearn has a bit of a learning curve but once you get it you realize how powerful it is. For instance that button inversion you wanted, super easy to do in Realearn with any controller

Appreciate the video! Totally agree - the UC1 flow is addictive. Fortunately, I work mostly within the box, so having the console on my desk isn't a major hassle. The channel-strip across all channels is also a game-changer, eliminating the need to decide on EQs/dynamics going forward - these SSL plugs sound amazing.

This ecosystem is really well designed. One thing to know: presonus faderport 8 and 16 both have full, studio one style support now in Reaper. It's fantastic!

I just gave it a go, it works better than expected. So easy to map. Impressed.

I LOVE the SSL 360 world and controllers so much that I am building my new studio 100% around them. Buso Audio makes a desk called "The Producer Control" which is designed to fit the SSL controllers and I'm getting one of those. It's been a dream of mine to have an SSL based studio and I'm so happy that I can afford one now that they have created these new things. Great video as always my friend, I hope you're doing well!

Using the old BCR2000 with Reaper for nearly 10 years now for the exact same purpose, works like a charm for nearly all plugins. As you say, muscle memory. With the BCR's 32 rotary knobs and many many buttons I just mimick the rough layout of the plugins and boom, I don't even have to think about it anymore. It's not as shiny as the SSL, but it just works.

I told you a while ago to keep the UC1 and the UF1... I'm so glad you kept them...

The whole running out of knobs thing is why I still love my 20 year old Mackie Control and Control C4.

This is awesome, but sadly SSL already forgotten to support their long term customers with who purchased SSL Nucleus

This work amazingly with a touch screen monitor. No need for the hardware you've got direct hands on interaction with the 360 layer. Not one for throwing the term game changer around but for me this is it

"but it doesn't fit on my desk" and I cracked my backbone laughing out loud ❤

Does it write automation with no latency like a mouse does? Or is it similar to other midi fader’s (faderport) where automation is unusable in a mix session because it doesn’t write the fader moves at the correct time with playhead? Would love to know this if you’ve tested it. Thanks

Agree! Love my SSL 11:38 UC1 and 360 software! Next for me is the UF1 then UF8. I love how all these controllers are made to fit together and work so similar to the analog console with the addition of all the new and improved plugins working mapped with these controllers. You're right that these are very addictive and I'm trying hard to be rid of mouse and keyboard and SSL is making it very close! Thanks for your review! You're spot on!

the compressor section not being available for mapping is a massive fail.

SSL Link is definitely makes UC1 more useful. For Logic Pro users though I would say the Nektar CS12 is a better control surface for plug ins

Softube is working toward 3rd party integration with the Console 1 platform.... So it'll be interesting to see how The SSL and Softube integration compares once the dust has settled.

Yep, my biggest frustration is the UC1 & UF1 won't fit in a 19 inch rack.. I don't have the guts to rip my desk apart, just of find SSL release and update in the future that either joins the functionality together or they come out we with separate dedicated plugin controller that will allow you to do it all in one box.. that would be amazing..

In 2024 Im not even thinking about hardware controllers anymore. Touch screen monitors are very usable for the hands-on experience, it almost feels like Im back in the early 90s again, turning actual knobs, and I love it! On a touch screen you can controll every function that is visible on your screen, no need for assigning anything, no lack of hardware knobs and switches, every plugin is imediatelly usable, without any customisation at all.

This is making me feel so grateful for Ableton's hardware integration (& NKS).

I love my UC1, UF1 and UF8 and SSL360 Link makes them indispensable.

Yeah, I've been positively surprised with how much SSL cares in terms of optimizing and as a fellow Reaper User that started out on analog consoles and as such is used to knobs this pushed me towards

Yep, eating up a lot of desk space, especially having the UC1 + UF8 next to each other. The one thing I'm missing in the 360 Link is (drumroll please): Loading presets. Some plugins work have loading/saving presets built in, others rely on the DAW. BX_consoles as example. Also, I wish we could open "just" the hosted plugin without the Link window. But - overall - very happy, I've been waiting for this solution for a while. NOW - as a next step - let us allow to completely control / program every button on the UF8 freely, pretty please SSL ;)

Totally changes how you use your plugins, and opens a world of possibilities for controlling effects and non-SSL channel strips. By consistently mapping controls like Low and High Frequency EQ, Threshold, and Ratio to the same controls, you can start using motor memory to access all of these aspects of your various plugins. Otherwise, just map your controls more or less visually and rely on the labels instead. Control over input and output gain and metering via the two pots on UC-1 is also the fastest way to manage and monitor your input and makeup gain stages and ensure that you are balanced in and out. Not to mention the addition of a Stereo Width and Pan control to every plugin you now own, for free. Power the plugin on and off with the press of a button. Overall a smooth experience setting up and using. The only main downsides I see so far is that all your inserts will say "SSL 360 Link" instead of their actual names, so you'll have to remember what is where and an inability to rename the grouping labels - but these are minor. This will also turbo-charge your plugin automation.

Softube Console 1 mk 3 takes the win for me - works eith Softube and UAD plugs which are my most used. I rarely use other plugins now because the workflow is so tight. Also it is VESA mountable so lots of options for desk integration when space is tight - I have mine on a monitor arm.

Yeah I did the same thing I tried it and now I can't go back to the way it was before. It works wonderful. I map it to the noiseash need 84 console vst plugin (neve 84 console emulation) and it just works perfectly. SSL really has done this particular product right. I hope they release a generic piece of hardware that just has knobs that does the same thing with the 360 link software that then can map to those weird plugins that don't really fit the you see one. It just expand your SSL ecosystem with the bank of knobs across multiple rows.. that would be wonderful icing on the cake

No linux support in 2024 is sad to see. Honestly OSC can already do everything, so any new protocols are kind of for the sake of closed ecosystems. With Logic or Bitwig, any controller will be fully mapable to everything through OSC or midi bridge, no 'bidge plugin' needed.

Yessssssssss we wanna see how you integrate them to your workflow 😊

I think you should know, but the MCU and OSC protocols you mentioned, combined with CSI in Reaper and a little scripting allow you to turn the heat in your Pink Suzuki from an expression pedal under your console if you want to. Maybe a little harder to setup, but you can handle multiple different control devices all working in harmony with Reaper. The latest versions make it easier to start from scratch with a standard configuration and then you can go get your hands dirty when you want a button to do something crazy but useful to you.

ssl 360 (and channel strip2) not fully compatible with fl studio. solo/mute, faders - all broken. i expected SSL will add support to fl. just stupid, bc ssl ecosystem looks like perfect partner to fl studio - to make its mixer more like 'classic DAW'.

Yes please to seeing you integrate the SSL kit. An extra yes to please showing how best to connect and set up the UF1, UC1 (and UF8 if you have one!) controllers with Reaper, from connections to software, and what to put on each layer and transport / midi cc options, operation in Reaper, when to use The plug in mixer layer vs the Reaper layer, what layer to set each controller to, etc (and maybe what kind of template you might set up so new projects are ready to go! Where are various things out there telling us how to connect them all separately, to different DAWs - but not really anything showing all three working in unison, particularly with Reaper - plus a lot lot of what is there predates 360 Link - and more importantly, the 360 profile for Reaper (is it still just basically MCU, or can it be more integrated now? Am guessing you’ll be doing all this anyway when you give these a permanent home on your desk, so why not make it a piece of content! Plus, a high profile user giving it airtime might encourage deeper support from SSL! I had them all working in Live and Luna - but am new to Reaper (my aging Mac seems to glitch out far less in the lighter weight Reaper, and I can tell it to dedicate max resources to itself!), and am less familiar with what should work and what shouldn’t should track colours work, etc?) - and I’d like to think I’m not the only one (or at least I won’t be, as more people realise how the power and flexibility afforded by Link and other updates that surely must be coming! (am loving that I can control my UAD SSL Channel strip with it, and save CPU over the SSL Channel Strip 2 - can’t wait to be able to to the same with my UAD SSL bus compressor - A new mac won’t be on the cards for me for a while, and running all those native instances of the SSL Channel and Bus comps were slowing my machine heavily before I even started to do much else in terms of tracks!). Hope this is a helpful content idea that could help some of us out, too! Thank you, either way, great to see some great coverage of these devices in the context of Reaper in this vid already!

Hi, i am thinking of purchasing the UC1 controller and UF1. Is there any good reason to purchase the UF8 instead of the UF1 or as well as the UF1. I’m running Cubase 13 on MacBook M3 Max. This is just hobby duff as I have fulltime job outside of music. Thanks

Looks nice. I have some SSL units but haven't gotten around to using them yet. I use my console 99% of the time. Appreciate the tutorial.

That is an insane desk!

I love my uc1, uf1, uf8 combo, installed 360 link tonight but haven't had time to do the painful bit......pro tools....uses AAX. When I install a plugin I never install the vst installers as I don't need them, so now I do 🙈 arrgghhh

I also have the SSL UC1 + UF1 and UF8 and I have to say that the 360 link has been such a cool addition! I already configured some of my go-to UAD plugins like the LA-2A, 176, Pulteq, Fairchild and some more! It would definitely be great if they could open up the G Bus compressor knobs on the UC1 as well, especially having the attack button available would be perfect!

Hi !.. Please tell me ! don't mind that the "UC1 - 360° Link" only scans "VST 3" plugins... How can I scan and use plugins in "AAX and AU FORMATS" ? 🤔🤔🤔Thanks !!! ✌

I'm interested seeing how softube's version of 360 link will behave. I prefer the layout and foot print over the UC1

this is huge, because you can now control other SSL emulations with the original controller

So even with the SSL Native plugins - they don't have an automapping? ... and now all of us are just doing the same redundant task of mapping everything - can these mappings be saved by you and given to me so I don't have to do the same semi painful thing?

Only HUGE downside is that your future projects will never be able to load correct on systems without SSL Link plugin, or when it's not supported anymore. That's the major drawback of having one plugin hosting all your other plugins. For me that's the big 'no'. PS: Love the UF1 as Studio One transport controller & small dedicated metering screen.

Not a chance of using SSL. At least the Softube let's me use my UAD plugs.

Really appreciate your reviews. And especially your first look at these controllers awhile back. I agree it would be nice to be able to also use the bus comp encoders. As a nucleus user for the last 11 years these boxes have been on my radar for awhile. You may have just convinced me!

I can already see 9:03 becoming a meme.

Does the UC-1 output MIDI when you turn the knobs, or is it just their own protocol? Because if so, then to solve your addiction, simply use Bome Midi Translator Pro with the UC-1 to implement it into the other things you'd normally use a mouse/keyboard for (that you mentioned felt archaic). Because then you could send MIDI to keyboard commands via Bome.

I tried it yesterday and it was an absolute total disaster! So many dumb problems with it. They didnt bother to make their own firmware and are using some ancient firmware design that has a million limitations, rendering the thing practically unusable. here's a short list of all the problems: 1. There's no way to click on a track and have it automatically switch the UF1 to the track you just clicked on... you have to use the scroll buttons on the UF1 to scroll to the track that you just clicked on! 2. There's no way to assign the faders in the fader bank to tracks that arent right next to each other... for example you cant assign the first fader to track 1 and the 2nd fader to track 27... 3. the SSL 4k B (an incredible plugin and by far the best plugin ever made by SSL) crashes Reaper and Cubase when you try to put it on every track, and you have to have an SSL plugin on every track to be able to use the 360 controllers. 4. The fader bank suddenly one minute started writing random volume automation on the tracks it was assigned to when I was working on different tracks in my session.

SSL does listen to its Customers. The UC1 and 360 Link app are Game Changers.I'm so stoked with this update and my workflow is fast.

Would be a game changer if the compressor knobs and meters were integrated as well but without that idk how it’s different to other controllers that auto map with visual feedback (Push, Xtouch). Muscle memory is great until you stop using a said plugin for few weeks then get completely lost as you reload it. I think the MP Midi still reigns, but the price….

GREAT! I have the UC1 and also a motorized fader from iCon. I was reluctant to get the UF1 but this changes everything. Ordering mine right now 🤓

So the selling point is you have default mappings for plugins? Am I getting that right? I just don't see the appeal but maybe my daw makes this kind of thing easier, I'm sure I could configure a typewriter to be a more versatile controller in FL.

im really struggling about ... getting an x rack for the summing mixdown and g buss on the master with line inserts linked on bison 602 or stay digital and get an u uf8, any thoughts? does really the luna console signal flow can be compared with...real hardware? thanks mate

Using Reaper 7 I've found that for specifically UAD plugins, recall is not working with 360 Link. You close Reaper and on loading the project again, the UAD plugin hosted in 360 Link has reset to default values. Other plugins seem to recall fine, and UAD recalls fine in Cubase and ProTools. The values in Link are not resetting, just the actual hosted UAD plugin itself. I was really looking forward to using this with API Vision Strip but it's not working for me in Reaper so that sucks.

SSL + Fabfilter are a killer combination. I'll be getting SSL hardware later this year. Tx for the insights!

SSL really need to make the hosted plugin name viewable in the DAW plugin slots. Each one just says “SSL 360 Link”. I have to open each plugin until I get the correct instance. Deal breaker for me until they sort this out.

always great videos !! in depth reviews are awesome

You should review the Softube Console 1 MK III when the fader unit comes out

I have two questions about the SSL Link plugin, as well as the hardware: - Is there a limit to how many SSL Link instances you can run? (For the SSL hardware, not the computer) - Different SSL Link instances get loaded onto separate channels in SSL 360. Will they get track names from the DAW? I use the same plugins across many channels in each session, so I'd rather not change the settings of the wrong instance of Pro-Q3, for example. Having each plugin show up as a separate channel in SSL 360 can be a bit confusing, but as long as track names from the DAW are clearly included, it'll be easy to deal with.

I think the problem is that the hardware design is based on the SSL channel strip. I need something more neutral. I want to have 20 knobs and 8 faders on the controller. I want to map all my plugins so that every knob has one function. So knob 1 is always a Treshold knob 2 is always attack and 3 is always release no matter the plugin. Like I want to build a workflow where most plugins have the same mapping, and I want to use my faders as controllers for my sends as well. So I want a design that actually is a bit less gimmicky and but more neutral. I have worked on UF8 but so far the S3 has been my favorite, unfortunately AVID will no longer support it. But I like the idea of the S1 and an iPad, especially in my work on film post prod it is really comfy. Cheers, love your videos.

Very nice review. I'd be interested to see how you create the 3-d print brackets. When I got my units I got in touch with SSL to ask about rack mounting options, but it doesn't seem to be something they are planning to do. I do like the controllers a lot. There are a few additional limitations when using them with Pro Tools (e.g. track names are only a few characters and track colours don't replicate to the SSL virtual console...) but I still much prefer working with the controllers than the computer keyboard/mouse.

what about ssl if they can make charts to be in front of the controller to map each plugin & rename the knobs according to each specific plugin...This chart will have holes in it to fit the knobs of the controller bt renamed to specific plugin...For example this will be like front of cover of a speaker you just put it front you r free to go

It also could be cool to do a shift function to map a 2nd layer

SSL is the best in market with quality and consistency

Well I must say that my expectations for your ‘frustration’ was 100% incorrect. It was based on your previous videos covering the UF-8 and UC-1. I expected your review to be negative. I am pleasantly surprised. Very good review and I applaud your decision wrt the integration of the UF-1 and UC-1 into your studio workflow. I, too am planning on the same two controllers in my project studio.

Yes, show us the desk rework 😊. Btw, do you remember MP Midi Controller? Did you use it more after the video you made about it? I can't find anybody using this thing anymore and I wonder why?

I love DAW controllers. What about the SSL controller is better than the Softube One MKIII in your opinion?

Software UPDATES is the ONLY way to earn our money , hehe! The hit and run approach , grab the money and then go hiding, doesn't work for us :)! Shout out to SSL! Keep going guys!

Dont you find it creates a new channel in console each time so it fills up the screen really fast ;-)

I feel bad for anyone who cannot experience this update. I’ve never had anything work this flawless from top to bottom.

Have you used the new 360 link software to map MIDI CC for software synths? The mixing and audio plugins look like they work great but I’d love to have real hardware control for some of my software synths without mouse diving. Thx!

Nothing beats the MP Controller for controlling plugins...and Ableton Max for live native devices. The rest is just compromise.

DJ Tech Tools MIDI Fighter Twister. Best and most adaptable controller ever. Tragically under appreciated.

Yeah, SSL is really jumping ahead with this now

is the unit just a controller? or will it make obvious changes to my sound quality? like like a hybrid analog strip unit that adds true ssl analog flavor and color to theyre new digital plug ins or is it jus controller to better control the new plug ins (which are good on theyre own so fffin good! I think I might leave my wife for that x phase Plugin. dont sleep!) as if you were in a console domain?

What about the MP-Midi controller that you had in a video, would love to see a follow up of that one, it looked so promising and I’m curious how they progressed during all this time 😊

You should check out the nektar panorama cs12!

How does the ssl 360 environment compare to the softube console 1 mk3 core mixing suite environment

I use Console 1 with Reaper. Works great. I love it

I’d wait for new upcoming panorama cs12 controller. Which will have their own protocol and look promising so far. Smaller too…

As a protocol EUCON is superior to HUI but unfortunately not open so it is limited to Avid and PT/Cubase/Logic

my problem with it, it sounds thin as hell no bass in there eq. no weight are realness to it. like a thin 2d plain of b.s. the graphics look good though.

SSL says bus compressor controls will be mapable in the future

i would loove a video to the Shadowhills 500 Series Compressor! In generell i would love more 500 Series Content

Would be fun to open Slate’s VMR in the SSL link! Then you’d be able to open more “plugins” in the one instance. Actually, creating your own channel strip. Groetjesss!

I've been looking into SSL controllers for a while and since the 360 come out I was leaning that way. Now since to you I am buying them. LOL

I'm controling all my plugins with the faders of my UF8 for years now. In Cubase that's easy.

SSL should really think about a complete new controller with a different layout in order to work with 360 Link. It's fun with the UC1, but I think from the layout point of view there will hopefully a better controller in the future.

Yes to change a running system. I love your channel 🤩

To be honest, I don't understand how this product is better than any other midi controller mapped to one's preferred plugins :/

I thought you gave the SSL controller back?

When you make the 3-d print file for your rack, can you share the obj or stl file? Or, will it be on thingiverse?

Great video as usual.:) Can't you do a review of the Franklin Audio SS-6? :D

The new Softube controller seemed fairly good, though.

yes please do show the rearrangement video with the ssl

Does delay compensation still work properly for hosted plugins?

I'm not sure about these midi controllers. They are not cheap and no one guarantees that they will continue to work even in the medium term.

Why Don’t You just BUILD a pull out shelf for Your Keyboard For Typing????? So you have more table space. And if the Pull out shelf is wide enough you can have your mouse on it too ect. Cut a new Board the Length of the Desk with Drawer Roller Brackets from Home Depot mounted on the Sides. Or if want shorter Cut Two three to four inch vertical pieces of Wood a mount the Shelf with brackets to that. Or without Drawers Brackets works as well. It is What I would do instead of loosing Rack Space 😉😉😉 Another idea Just Screw a Shelf Extension to the Bottom front of the Desk Table for your keyboard. Easy Fix.

those terrible shadows on the GUIs are freaking me out.

ONE MORE THING TO FIX... the leds in comp and gate dont show in uc1 with others ssl channel strip emulation

Kom maar op met die 'inbouwvideo'. Ben heel benieuwd!

Me and you are SSL bros 😎 👊