Softube Console 1 Mk 2

Softube's Console 1 MKII is a hardware controller that controls a virtual plug-in channel strip. Softube's mission: To bring the manual workflow of large studio mixing consoles to the keyboard and mouse world of a computer-based studio. Every studio used to at least have a hands-on mixing console of sorts, but the grand six-figure SSL consoles were the preserve of lucky few! Softube's Console 1 MKII digitally emulates the channel strip of, for example, an SSL 4000 E, while still providing the user real knobs and pots, giving them that analogue feeling even when they're interacting with a wholly digital environment.

Softube's Console 1 MKII is a USB controller that provides direct, intuitive access to the emulation of a mixer channel strip via its suite of controls. The Console 1 MKII runs on macOS and Windows and can be integrated into all major DAWs. The channel strip of an SSL 4000E console comes installed as standard with the Console 1 MKII, but Softube offers additional channel strips and is constantly expanding its range of plug-ins: This all starts getting really interesting as soon as it becomes clear that selected Universal Audio plug-ins can be integrated into absolutely any existing console setup: an SSL channel strip with a Pultec EQ? No problem!

The Softube Console 1 MKII is a dream come true for any sound designer who's ever wished that their DAW was just a little bit more intuitive. Softube's approach is not, however, exactly open-source; in addition to a decent selection of their own Softube plug-ins, the Console 1 only supports a handful of Universal Audio plug-ins. However, this proprietary design guarantees operational reliability and stability, and to be perfectly honest the Softube emulations sound so good that no-one is going to feel short changed anyway. Simply put, the Console 1 means a return to analogue mixing: Eyes closed, volume up, and turn those knobs!

The Softube Console 1 MKII brings a genuinely analogue workflow to every DAW studio. Anyone who produces, records, mixes and masters music stands to benefit not only from the great sound of the plug-ins: Operating a mixing desk with with buttons and knobs is quite simply faster than with a keyboard and mouse. When recording and mixing, as many high-quality channel strips are available as the CPU allows. Admittedly, there's a certain learning curve to overcome, but after that it'll all start to feel like second nature.