Softube Console 1 - my day to day experience
Nov 14, 2016 14:39:23 GMT -6
jcoutu1, M57, and 1 more like this
Post by stormymondays on Nov 14, 2016 14:39:23 GMT -6
As suggested in another thread, here's a new post about my day to day experience as a new Softube Console 1 user. My goal with the Console 1 is to replace as many plugins as possible, eliminate choices, and embrace the "tactile" workflow. This means I won't be purchasing any of the other Softube console emulations, or "Console 1 ready" plugins.
Tactile operation/feedback is extremely important for me. I've come to realize that to me, hardware units sound subjectively "better" than their plugin counterparts. And I know that they sound "better" because I'm "touching" the sound, not because I could pick them in an A/B test. Just the same, beautiful hardware sounds subjectively "better" to me than ugly hardware. It also works for plugins, Logic's compressor being a fine example of that. Or didn't you didn't feel it sounded "better" when they updated the GUI to reflect the emulated hardware?
Back to Console 1, turning its knobs make me feel like I'm using a fine hardware unit. It feels good to use and it sounds really good too! I love the feature set: high pass and low pass, phase, gate, transient designer, eq, comp, drive. It's got everything you need, on every channel!
All the features sound fantastic. I hate gates, but if I was to use one gate, it would be this one. Can't be easier to use and it sounds really musical. Having a transient designer at the ready is also great for drums. You can quickly try it and decide if you need it. The drive section is the magic sauce here. It could probably be the first knob in the workflow. The EQ and comp are stellar. Do I sound like an ad already?
Plugins this has replaced, so far:
I'll still be using Slate's VTM and VBC. And of course, some assorted reverb and delays. Am I missing anything?
I still haven't done a full mix on it, but I'm really looking forward to it. Feel free to ask any questions!
Tactile operation/feedback is extremely important for me. I've come to realize that to me, hardware units sound subjectively "better" than their plugin counterparts. And I know that they sound "better" because I'm "touching" the sound, not because I could pick them in an A/B test. Just the same, beautiful hardware sounds subjectively "better" to me than ugly hardware. It also works for plugins, Logic's compressor being a fine example of that. Or didn't you didn't feel it sounded "better" when they updated the GUI to reflect the emulated hardware?
Back to Console 1, turning its knobs make me feel like I'm using a fine hardware unit. It feels good to use and it sounds really good too! I love the feature set: high pass and low pass, phase, gate, transient designer, eq, comp, drive. It's got everything you need, on every channel!
All the features sound fantastic. I hate gates, but if I was to use one gate, it would be this one. Can't be easier to use and it sounds really musical. Having a transient designer at the ready is also great for drums. You can quickly try it and decide if you need it. The drive section is the magic sauce here. It could probably be the first knob in the workflow. The EQ and comp are stellar. Do I sound like an ad already?
Plugins this has replaced, so far:
- Slate VCC, except for very special case uses
- Logic channel EQ, except for very surgical stuff
- Most of Slate Virtual Mixing Rack EQ (undecided on the Lift EQ)
- Most of Slate's comps (got to do some testing, but I also own hardware 1176 and LA3A style comps)
- Elysia nvelope, because I never got around to learning it, and I'm lazy
- Any saturation stuff that I had "just in case"
I'll still be using Slate's VTM and VBC. And of course, some assorted reverb and delays. Am I missing anything?
I still haven't done a full mix on it, but I'm really looking forward to it. Feel free to ask any questions!
