DAW Controllers; SSL UF8 or Softube Console 1 Fader or something completely generic?

I need a fader controller. I had a Novation ZeroSL years ago, and sold it to fund something better, but never got round to actually buying one because I ended up switching to more of a production sound recording role, and away from the path of mix engineer/producer/music maker.

I've since restarted some amount of mixing, although predominantly for film post production, and my workflow could really be aided by a fader controller. I'm already well invested in both the SSL Native and Softube plugin libraries, and already own the regular Console 1 controller for the channel strips. But, I'm wondering if Console 1 Fader is the best way to go? It seems to only open up one basic function of the Console 1 infrastructure (being able to switch out the drive/saturation element on it's own without having to change channel strips).

The SSL UF8 seems to be overall a much more highly spec'd controller, with the scribble strips and lots of more generic control options as well as programmable macro buttons. Not to mention the SSL 360 integration and quick access to all of the functions of the SSL Native channel strips if I choose to use them.

The third option and final piece of consideration is something like an Icon Platform M+ & D2 controller. Smaller footprint. Just the faders and also a works as generic midi/mcu controller. As I'm about to also buy a Sound Devices 8 series sound recorder/mixer for location work, this comes in as a compatible controller for that too...

It's a conundrum... If it's any help, I typically use any of Reaper or Pro Tools for film sound post, or Ableton Live for music creation and some mixing.

If anyone has any significant experience with any of these as heavy use tools then I'd love to hear any opinions on them.

If you're just concerned with a good mix seriously consider a desk, a 24+ out highly specced DA converter solution and a rack if well chosen outboard. My .02

I’ve thought about the desk route before, but in all honestly I don’t think getting back out of the box into an analogue domain is really going to add anything significant to my work, especially in the sub £1k price bracket I’m looking at.

Although if anyone has an SSL XL desk going… maybe…

especially in the sub £1k price bracket I’m looking at.

Yeah, you really gave to know what you're looking at in the cheap seats and be ready to rebuild a PSU and maybe swap some coupling caps...

I've personally used console1 at a small studio and its well integrated enough with its plugin gui but as far as sound goes stacking up brainworx channels and busses is a lot more euphonic to my ear. The bx and lindell stuff from plugin alliance is pretty cool when you use it right but you lose the physical aspect that sofube offers. You also get a whole big variety of strips and summing busses to choose from.... but I don't know how well integrated any control surface will get with these plugins.

On the SSL surfaces, the guy I bought my 32:8 soundtracs inline console from replaced it with their Nucleus control surface and interface. It cost as much as a well serviced mid range british desk but is a heckuva lot smaller and since he doesn'thave as much high end outboard as I do it made sense for him to ditch the behemoth that's now in my mix room. Last we spoke he was very happy with Nucleus but apart from his seal of approval I can't give you anymore info. Im sure it integrates with their software well and thats all I know. I haven't used a lot of modern ssl gear. If they're not just trading on their name I'm sure the nucleus is a quality product. I have spent a lot of time behing E, G and Js and frankly, apart from the inherentpunch, you don'tgo SSL for sound quality, they sound fine but it's the feature set and amazingly well thought out routing options that have made them iconic... and they had the best damned OEM automation in the buz way back when although its getting rarer and rarer to find one hooked up to the computer. I digress.

There's also faderport 16, my experience with this is that it integrates best with presonus studio 1 but it has really nice feeling 100mm motorized faders which map pretty well in most DAWs over HUI. Ymmv fir othe features and 3rd party plugin mapping. If like me you have a number of popular DAWs so you can open client project files without hassle then this may add a level of hair pulling you just don't have time for.

But if you already like the softube sound the console1 hardware is a no brainer at its price point. I don't know you're going to do better. All the best stuff is very DAW specific and with your goal to get an analog studio sound? The best integrated stuff from avid and Yamaha is out.

Thanks for some insightful replies. I have heard that about the SSL desks before. Technically excellent in terms of options, routing and such, but fairly just a fairly clean and uninteresting sound, which is fine for lots of projects. Definitely not the vibe you might get from lots of other maybe less expensive options. The brand power is strong though!

Maybe what I really need is to actually just try some options out for workflow on an actual project.

There have been a few hybrid mixers that have interested me over the years, but just never quite sold it for me. I used to really enjoy the look of the Audient/Focusrite 2802. But I think getting the control side of that to work on modern operating systems is pretty tough going. Likewise with the Allen & Heath R16; although I have read recently if you can find an R16 that still works then using it across the ADAT AD/DA is a fun workflow…

I do own an Allen & Heath QU16, which offers both control surface and digital summing with a decent set of effects. It was my default setup for a while and I liked the workflow but it took up a bit too much desk space for basically just using it as a control surface…

I think the main thing that the Console 1 Fader is missing is a proper scribble strip to help work out where you are. That information does appear on the OSD, but kind of defeats the point of trying to get away from relying on main screen based information.