Softube Console 1

Active

Country: Sweden (SE)
Founded: 2003
Developer: Softube
Pricing: Paid (hardware + software)
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS, Windows

Indexes

Audio/Music Production

Overview

Softube Console 1 is a hardware and software mixing system designed for digital audio workstations. It combines a physical control surface with plugin software to provide tactile mixing capabilities alongside a DAW. The system consists of three components: the Console 1 hardware (available as Channel or Fader units), the Console 1 plugin that processes audio, and the On-Screen Display application that manages communication between hardware and software. Console 1 is strictly designed for mixing rather than recording, offering per-channel access to equalization, compression, distortion, gating, filters, and transient shaping with pre-mapped control over 70+ plugins.

Key Features

Hardware Control Surface - Physical knobs and buttons for hands-on mixing control instead of mouse-based interaction
Four-Band Parametric Equalizer - Detailed frequency content control with four parametric EQ bands per channel
Integrated Effects Processing - Built-in compressor, distortion, gate, high/low cut filters, and transient shaper per channel
Multi-Plugin Support - Pre-mapped access to Softube, UAD, and Fab Filter plugins with MIDI CC control capability
Low Latency Operation - 4-sample latency at 44/48 kHz enabling real-time tracking and MIDI recording
DAW Integration - Supports VST2, VST3, AAX, and Audio Units formats with automatic track selection sync between hardware and DAW
Compact Footprint - Single-channel-at-a-time operation reduces hardware size while maintaining extensive per-channel functionality
Channel vs. Fader Modes - Channel unit controls sound processing; Fader unit controls basic level across multiple channels

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Console 1 Channel Mk III	Contact for pricing	Hardware channel unit with full processing (EQ, compressor, distortion, gate, filters, transient shaper) plus software plugin and On-Screen Display
Console 1 Fader Mk III	Contact for pricing	Hardware fader unit for level control across multiple channels plus software plugin and On-Screen Display
Console 1 Bundle	Contact for pricing	Both Channel and Fader hardware units with full software suite

Platforms & Requirements

Console 1 runs on macOS and Windows computers via USB connection. The system requires a DAW supporting VST2, VST3, AAX, or Audio Units plugin formats. Hardware firmware automatically updates when connected to the On-Screen Display application. Multiple units can be daisy-chained or connected via USB hubs after initial individual setup.

Integrations & Ecosystem

VST2 plugin format
VST3 plugin format
AAX plugin format
Audio Units (AU) plugin format
Softube plugin ecosystem
Universal Audio (UAD) plugins
Fab Filter plugins
MIDI CC control mapping

Alternatives

App	Difference
SSL UF8	Dedicated SSL console emulation control surface with different workflow and SSL-specific processing
Avid S1	Avid's control surface with tighter Pro Tools integration and different mixing paradigm
Behringer X-Touch	General-purpose DAW controller without dedicated mixing processing or Softube-specific features
Faderport	PreSonus control surface with simpler feature set and different plugin ecosystem integration

Reputation

Softube Console 1 is recognized for its high-quality sound processing and tactile mixing workflow that reduces reliance on mouse-based DAW mixing. Users appreciate the low-latency performance suitable for tracking and the intuitive hardware interface. The system is noted for its compact design that provides extensive per-channel control despite single-channel-at-a-time operation. Some users note the learning curve for hardware-software synchronization and that pricing is premium compared to general-purpose control surfaces.

Sources (6)