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SSL UC1 builds on the success of the UF8 USB DAW controller published by Solid State Logic and again offers you a dedicated hardware controller for plug-ins. In this case, these are the in-house Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2. Both plug-ins are included in the scope of delivery.
How much the manufacturer pays attention to the details of the mixer layout is quite remarkable. LED level, LED rings around the encoder, a VU meter for displaying the gain reduction of the compressor. That looks nice and SSL assures that the buttons, potentiometers, and switches are also processed at the console level. The case is made of metal and has a brushed look.
There is a “button” for each function so that your muscle memory can switch to a lightning-fast workflow. An additional built-in display always gives you information about which plug-in is currently taking care of which track and what the parameters look like. You can also manage the plug-in presets directly with the controller. You can also switch quickly between up to three different DAWs. The new SSL 360° plug-in mixer software for Windows and macOS lets you control and configure everything from the screen.
Incidentally, you connect the controller to the computer via USB. Cables for USB CC and USB CA are included. In addition to the power supply unit, the scope of delivery also includes supports for changing the installation angle.
The Channel Strip 2 plug-in represents digital modeling of the EQs and dynamics department of the XL 9000 K SuperAnalogue console. The V2 version enables features such as sidechaining. Bus Compressor 2 expands the functions with additional options for ratio, attack, and release, also offers sidechaining and up to fourfold oversampling.
Price and availability
You should get started with the SSL UC1 hardware controller as early as June 2021. You can also see it has been listed on Bhphotovideo.com without any pricing and availability details. The price is should be around $950. As already mentioned, this also includes the Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins with an approximate value of almost $490.
