In Summary

SSL’s UC1 hardware was created to control the company’s audio plugin channels strips. Answering many users’ requests, now hands-on control awaits any third party VST3 audio plugin. We get up-close to see how 360 Link can supercharge the UC1 in more ways than one.

Going Deeper

As control devices go, for many the mouse is still all-conquering. Our nifty desk-dwellers are just about the most efficient way to get what we want in the DAW. But the DAW control surface provides a different way to interact that many engineers cannot live without. This is especially true of those who grew up with signals literally at their fingertips, but newer generations of engineers also understand the power of real faders, knobs and buttons.

Early surfaces’ rows of faders were often outnumbered by banks of flat, clicky buttons and miniature displays on each channel, but the many modern control surfaces increasingly bear a strong resemblance to the software it controls. Some even look like the hardware that inspired the software. One such unit is SSL’s UC1.

Ask any engineer to think of a large studio console, and many will think of SSL’s battleship-sized, room-filling consoles from the 80s, 90’s, and beyond. The company have also since worked hard to ‘module-ize’ its hardware, often recreating their technologies virtually including the 4K B, 4K E, and Channel Strip 2 range of channel strip audio plugins.

These strip plugins broadly follow the layout of consoles’ input channels. SSL’s UC1 has until now been a channel-specific audio plugin controller that takes the EQ and dynamics section controls from the real thing to command SSL’s virtual channel strips. This allows users to drive their processing on a dedicated control surface using the one-control-per-function MO that many mix engineers love.

The UC1 also has dedicated controls for Bus Compressor 2 front and centre. If you’ve never been in front of a real SSL console, look no further; a good chunk of its controls are right there on UC1.

SSL 360 Link For UC1

Previously restricted to controlling SSL’s own plugins, the newly available 360 Link plugin now allows engineers to control any VST3 audio plugin from UC1. These run inside 360 Link; the plugin itself is available in all formats to slot into any DAW’s inserts.

360 Link lands with a number of factory maps for third party channel strip plugins, including familiar takes on SSL channel strips from the likes of Slate Digital, Harrison Audio, Universal Audio, Waves, and Brainworx. However its power goes further, so that users can make their own custom mappings as well. This means that an entire universe of effects, processors, and instruments can be controlled from UC1 as well.

In the video we show how easy it is to use any third party VST3 audio plugin running inside 360 Link. We show the tight integration of the existing SSL channel flavours, before showing how easy it is to use others’ channels with UC1 thanks to 360 Link. We then show how custom mapping allows engineers to think inside the box for a whole range of virtual control.

UC1 And SSL 360 - Part Of The Virtual SSL Console

In tandem with the arrival of the 360 Link plugin, the wider ecosystem sees the arrival of version 1.7 of the SSL 360 app for Mac and Windows. Powering SSL control surface hardware, this software now has new features to enhance engineers’ workflow when UC1, UF8, and UF1 controllers are used together to form what their creators call the Virtual SSL Console.

SSL 360 v1.7

• SSL 360 v1.7 features numerous improvements and updates across the U-series controllers and SSL 12 audio interface.

• Official Bitwig and Digital Performer integration has been added for UC1, UF8 and UF1.

• Greater customisation of DAW profile buttons on UF8.

• Customisable jog wheel behaviour on UF1 and a momentary talkback feature added to the SSL 12 audio interface.

SSL 360 Link - Final Thoughts

It could be said that UC1’s uncanny resemblance to SSL console processors suggests its use could be limited to those. Despite this, if you like to get hands-on, anything with knobs on it is crying out be used with a whole multitude of effects, processors, and more. That way things like reverbs, delays, amp sims, virtual instruments, and even utility plugins stand to benefit from a bit of twist-and-go. 360 Link recognises this, and really does open up the potential of UC1.

If you’re an existing UC1 owner, 360 Link is a no-brainer. If you’re considering getting a UC1, 360 Link takes away the need to swear allegiance to one brand, instead allowing any type of audio plugin to be controlled, and different channel strips to be mixed and matched at will.

It’s true that mapping really complex audio plugins might mean engineers need to keep a close eye on the screen, but the point is 360 Link gives you the option. Tabbing into the 360 app, or just pressing the 360 button on the hardware quickly takes you into the 360 view of what is mapped where as well. Plus, let’s not forget, it adds extra functionality for free and who doesn’t like that?

I’m a big fan of controller hardware, but I also know that if you’re looking to make the leap into a devoted mixing surface, deciding which system to buy into isn’t always straightforward. That said SSL’s latest reason to go channel-shaped could be the missing Link to help you decide.

SSL 360 Link is available now to download free of charge via the SSL Download Manager.