Softube Console One MK3: Is It Worth the Double Price Tag?
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2023
- Discover the latest in audio production with the Console One MK3! In this in-depth review, we explore the impressive updates, including brighter LEDs, multi-plugin capabilities, and more. Join us as we discuss whether the premium price is justified and whether Softube's Console One MK3 is the ultimate mixing controller. Plus, we address the crucial question: Will third-party plugin support be added? Don't miss this comprehensive look at the future of audio mixing
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Are you planning to upgrade? 🤔
Wait for fader
I have been using MK1 since they introduced so I am exited about the new upgrade.
i think i am switching to uf8
Dont think so
Console 1 is fantastic, the best thing I’ve purchased in my workflow since 2018.. I’ve just received the new one and it’s again outstanding, there is no perfect product or controller but the beautiful thing is that it works perfectly
I have always said, I would love a higher quality version on console One. This is answering my personal prayers. Comparing the price to the UC1 from SSL - this offers a lot more functionality and is still way cheaper. I will definitely be upgrading
I agree, honnest review. What alternative can you recommand? What do you think about à Berhinger X-Touch or a SSL UF8, they both support plugin control for instance.
GREAT head's up. THANK YOU!
You bet!
Excellent argument and I couldn't agree more. Open up the platform. I made this argument about three years ago when they asked me to beta test for the previous version. I like the MkII, and the MkIII solves a lot of problems for me (seemingly...need to get my hands on one), but the BIGGEST issues was that I want this to be my controller for ALL of my plugins so I can mix with my ears and hands instead of having to look at a screen. I was shocked at how unreceptive to this idea they were. As you say, they would likely stand to profit much more if this worked with the broader market. The physical interface and build quality seem to be great. I want to use it for everything, and I would be far more wiling to evangelize the product if it did that. It's an argument I have been making to controller manufacturers at AES and other trade show conventions for nearly 15 years. It would be such a huge win for anyone who developed a solid physical product with an open platform.
I guess we have two options here: We wait until someone else builds it or we build it ourselves :) I don’t get the logic behind it, but hey, I guess the have to have a solid reason not to do it. At the end of the day they are halfway through it. The only would need to develop the software because the hardware is already there. Maybe they will open up the platform at some point. Only time will tell. Thank you for sharing your experience here!
Just get an MP Controller bro. You will be able to control all your third party plugins without limiting your self to only one brand of plugins. It even controls Ableton Live devices & Max4Live devices and I think they are developing for even more DAW's
@@carlackers438 didn't know about this controller format. Thanks!
Where did you describe the update? What was added? Did I miss a memo? Did you have a unit in your hands?
I want one, but being locked into Softube's ecosystem is a deal breaker. Two screens is also a wtf moment - I thought the goal was *not* to look at a screen? We seem to be going backwards.
My Mk2 works flawlessly with studio one. I love it.
I’m glad it works for you! Do you plan to upgrade it?
I will stick with the Mk II for now. Softube have just updated the software so MK II users can also have 2 comps, 2 eqs and so on but they will need to be handled through the plugin with a mouse. No problem though.
I'm no expert, but I believe Fabfilter plugins are also supported now. Makes it a bit more interesting?
Have to agree with the bit about the lack of support for 3rd party plugins.
Seems we are getting support for 3rd party plugins 🙌🙌
The only way to say goodbye to a mouse in digital domain is a touchscreen.
Console 1 is a channel strip controller designed for their integrated plugins and some UAD-2 plugins that can fit its specific layout. So, do not expect it to work with any plugins; it doesn't make sense. On the other hand, we could expect UAD native plugins to work with it.
We are indeed getting 3rd party support soon!🙌🙌
While you have some points, I mostly disagree.
First, I’ve been a console 1 user from the beginning and have my original Mk I and two Mk IIs.
Originally I think it was $1199 only had the SSL 4K, and it was a Game Changer and a steal then.
(Then they made the price to $1000, then the Mk II cut the price in HALF to $499. It crept up, but I noticed that the Mk II is back to $499, which also means the the Mk III at $899 is NOT “more than double” , nor does it even approach the original price of the Mk I, made in Sweden.)
The thing about Console 1 is, people who started out on Consoles love it, people who started out as mouse-clickers don’t intuitively get it.
As much as it’s about the Sound Quality of the emulations, when compared with all the other analog emulation companies out there (and I own most), it’s mostly about the workflow.
If you’re not about spreading your whole mix out across the board, and Flying through the mix channel ny channel, like on a console, then it might not be for you.
If you prefer working plugin-by-plugin, one mouse-click at a time, well nobody is taking your mouse away.
But if you Do come from a Console workflow, there’s really nothing out there that even comes close, unless you spend 5-6 figures on an Avid S6 system and work exclusively in ProTools, or…. You build your own ultimate system with Reaper CSI.
As to ALL of the other features that you wish it had, those aren’t limitations or problems with Console 1, you’re just describing a different product.
If it existed I’d be the first one to buy it, but it wouldn’t necessarily replace Console 1 at all.
People really seem to think things are Either/Or, when you can and probably should use both or all. When you get another mic do you throw away the old one? So if you have a computer and DAW, a mouse and keyboard, and you’ve bought some plugins that work for you, why would Adding Console 1 force you to abandon what you already have? You just integrate it into your workflow.
However, where I DO agree with you is this stupid new advertisement claiming that you DO get rid of your mouse. That’s total bullshit, and just sets themselves up for the inevitable criticism of people calling them out. Whatever advertising bump they think they get from that campaign can’t be worth the risk. “If you’re lying to me about this, what else are you lying about?”
Now, somewhere you talked about these issues you have being a “Deal Breaker” for you.
Really!?
Do you even know how to use the thing?
What did you even buy it for?
I understand your wishes and feature requests, I have a list of my own, which ironically Softube seem to have JUST made significant improvements to with this Mk III. But I don’t at all understand the complaining, so much so that you’d record a RUclips video to whine about a product doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, but not doing what You think it Should do.
In the 30+ years I’ve been in this game and multiple studios, honestly Nothing I’ve purchased has been more value for money, AND increased in its functionality and value with every software update, more than Console 1, other than DAWs themselves.
Hey, Thanks a lot for watching and for sharing your thoughts! first of all: Console 1 Mk2 is right now at Thomann at 449€. Console 1 Mk3 is coming at 995€. So it is more than double the price (at least in Europe). I wouldn't have written that in the tittle without having done my homework beforehand.
Everyone has different experiences with different pieces of gear and this is just my experience. And I am pretty sure my experience its going to help others decide for themselves if they want to get into console 1 or not. Maybe they don't care about using other plugins and also the price, or maybe they do.
I used console one for a couple of years before realising that not having the option to use it with other plugins is a deal breaker for me because I find the other channel emulation better.
Quite honestly I don't get Softube's reasoning behind this decision. Just let other developers ADD more value to the controller, more people are going to buy the thing. If Softube plugins are great, then people who have bought the controller are also going to buy Softube's plugins.
I'm really glad to hear you found a lot of value using console 1. For me it's not going to be at 100% of what it could be until they decide to open to other developers. But again, that is just my opinion.
@ThatProMix Okay...
So that was more or less reasoned response, too bad the video wasn't as reasonable.
As to price: I do see those at Thomann, what's strange is the prices on Softube's site and Sweetwater (basically the US Thomann) are all different. Their own site is $499 Mk II & $899/EU995 Mk III. And Sweetwater is $599 Mk II & $899 Mk III, which isn't even 50% more. It is bizarre that the prices are so varied and so much More in the EU give that Softube is from Sweden.
As to the other stuff: I still get the feeling that you're calling it a "Problem" that you can't use plugins from Softube's competitors, within thier own plugin. And you describe it as though you can't place plugins before and after the Console 1 plugin, just as you do with every other plugin you own.
Console 1 is what it is.
It's not what you think it should be.
But what it Is, is better than everything else out there, IMHO.
That said, on my list of requests has been this: on all of my actual Analog Consoles, I have insert points on my Patchbay that I can insert Any other processing into. So they have emulated a Console workflow, minus Inserts.
I also use BlueCat Patchwork on every channel, and all additional plugins go inside of that "Digital Patchbay ". Patchwork is a plugin host for those that don't know, a plugin that can host other plugins.
Waves recently added Insert functionality into a couple of thier channel strip plugins, that at first allowed you to insert other Waves plugins, but with the latest Scheps Omni, can host Any VST in a routable insert point within the channel strip.
Much like you're requesting here.
The difference here is that, while I've actually been requesting the Exact feature that you are for years, I don't consider the lack of a convertable top to be something wrong with the car. The car is incredibly, I just wish I could take the top down.
Exactly the reason Im skipping this and SSL UC-1. I need to use it with other plugins as well. Looking into MP Midi Controller at the moment.
You are able to use UC1 with all the third party plugins like Brainworx, UAD etc… Am I missing something?
Planning yes, don’t know when though because $900 is a good chunk of change for me. They do need to get a API though, and allow other people to jump on the platform and at the very least work with UAD at this point to get their native plug-ins to be compatible with it.
E X A C T L Y ! ! 🙌🙌
I don’t understand why people insist on console 1 working with native UAD plugins. They are a BUSINESS that also competes with UA, it would make zero sense to allow that. I get it from a user point of view but it’s really not necessary, pick your poison.
@@favourhenshaw197 Native Instruments did exactly that with the kontrol keyboards and maschine. They allow integration with other plugin companies with the NKS format. Softube should do the same. A lot of people are going to buy the controller!
Never quite managed to pull the trigger so far. But I feel like I'd just use it in Midi mode and not use the soft tube software. Instead map it to chosen plugins to create a custom console. But honestly just hovering over a knob and using the mouse scroll wheel is serving me fine I think.
I was working like this until I started to have pain in my hand. So I bought a Nob controller, which is basically a mouse in form of a knob. I’ve been loving the workflow with it🙂
@@ThatProMix Funny you say that. I was looking at a Nob. I'm currently building something similar using an old Griffin Powermate and the guts of a wireless mouse.
Awesome! If you’re on mac have a look at what you can do with better touch tool and keyboard maestro. For example I can change the functionality of the knob depending on which window I hover with the cursor. You can do super powerful stuff with it. Curious about how your experiment works when it’s ready
@@ThatProMix I'm PC, but I'll update you when it's finished.
I am definitely upgrading, I get your issues with but honestly I feel like your asking for too much. Softube is a company who's sole purpose is to make a profit. it would be counter intuitive for them to support other manufactures like Wave & Plugin Alliance. Look it it like the Apple ecosystem their, product is built for you to buyer their other products. like it or not there is not a single digital mixing console better than it on the market. we've tried the other stuff and it doesn't compare.
Hey There! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I get your point but Apple actually did exactly what I’m asking Softube to do: Open their hardware and software platform to other developers. if you think about it apple opened the Iphone and ios platform for other developers to make apps for it. I’m not asking for the console 1 to work along with other controllers, or that the console one software can be used with the SSL controller.
I think they are loosing a lot of people (like me) just by locking themselves in their own plugins. Native instruments understood this a long time ago, hopefully Softube will add third party plugins at some point, let’s see.
And true, is the best controller out there, but the fact that I can only use Softube or UAD2 plugins is unfortunately a deal breaker for me.
@@ThatProMix We are using it alongside an SSL Nucleus so we are able to control other plugins with the Nucleus. at first we were doing a lot of processing using it but lately we've gotten into the console one and will usually use the Nucleus just for third party reverb or delay & some dynamic processors. We are even considering selling our big SSL as the Console one complete changed the way we work, it's tedious having to recall everything in analog. So in many ways it's made our lives easier, I don't mind dealing with it's shortcomings
Softube needs to give users what they want... open the platform to 3rd party plugins. But this release is fail unfortunately. Add generic controller or go out of business.
@@snoopywalker1881 that's wishful thinking on your end. it will still be very successful and have preordered one
Same I pre ordered
Midi 1 and Midi 2 slots are probably usable for third party plugins.
What do you mean with midi slots?
@@ThatProMix As far as I know, you can use Midi 1 and 2 instead of a softube plugin, and map the knobs however you want.
That’s something I’ll have to check! Thank you ☺️
For the controller to work with midi mapping and third party plugins you need to reset the controller. You can’t use the Softube software when in midi mode. It’s either one or the other, hence the name console one 😂
@@Studio22mix That’s not what I’m talking about, but I love the smug laugh emoji as a celebration of the joy of ignorance.
When you open the menu to choose an eq or compressor, you can choose “MIDI 1” or “MIDI 2”. Those let you map the knobs of that section onto a plugin- Without putting the whole thing in “midi mode.”
I think generation one was the same price, then they moved production and halved the price. So we’re back to normal with more expensive features like displays…
YES !!! you said it right !!!! This is why I will not buy there new controller and why my old Console One is gone :(
Maybe they’ll add support for third party plugins at some point. I will be the first in line to buy it🙂
When the Console 1 first was introduced, it was at the same price point as now. It later dropped in price with a second version (less rigid components).
Yea I’m
Good to hear that it works for you mate!
SSL Firmware 1.6 is the the best
Price is too much
Yeah you can get 2 lin76 compressors for that money 😅
I bought a MPMIDI, problem solved…..
Did you? How is that working out? What's your setup / workflow?
@@G_handle works great, speeds things up way faster, software is being continually updated and just gets better and better
After reading your comment i wrote them if they could lend me one to make a review and they said they don’t do that 🙃
@@ThatProMixdon’t think they need to, those that have them and use them know what they have, they are regularly out of stock, another „secret“ I use is Gig Performer, light years ahead of most plugin platforms, any format on any DAW, extremely powerful but also very CPU efficient
Thanks I’m going to check it out!
Pricing is crazy, no thanks.
I’m sorry. But I guess you read what the hardware did and it’s features. You asking it to be something that controls anything you want is unrealistic. Even keeping up with what 3 party developers would be a nightmare. I doubt you’ll see this work well with any product anywhere
of course, usa market is preferred. $899 is 855 euros, but 995 euros is $1024 so Europeans overpay against common sense and exchange rate, it is deception
Yeah and the fact that softube is based in Europe seems strange to me 🧐
@@ThatProMix uad does the same, what a pain to get an email in $ and open uad account with prices in euros, exchange rate is 100 dollars to 95 euros, pure rip off
Not worth it.
HONESTLY THIS VIDEO IS POINTLESS AS ARE SO MANY THAT LOVE CONSOLE 1, I get what you are saying, but Console 1 is a system, for what you want are few other options........ so you are already out to the target group, why do u care to make a video like this?
Console 1 is fantastic, the best thing I’ve purchased in my workflow since 2018.. I’ve just received the new one and it’s again outstanding, there is no perfect product or controller but the beautiful thing is that it works perfectly