Solid State Logic defines the new UF8 as a scalable hardware control surface offering the essential DAW controls, with room to add USB keyboard shortcut sequences to suit each user's own workflow. As an advanced hardware control surface, the SSL UF8 features 8 high-quality, motorized touch-sensitive faders accompanied by 8 endless rotary encoders and 8 high-quality color LCD TFTs for clear visual feedback at all times. A large multi-purpose master encoder allows navigation of DAW sessions, track scrolling and mouse wheel emulation to give hands-on control of plug-ins.
The solution will work out of the box with major DAW applications, such as Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Studio One, and Ableton Live. Up to 3 different DAWs can be connected simultaneously and the user can switch between them using the Layer keys. Depending of the DAW in use, the UF8 and its software running on the workstation will translate the correct commands, depending on the function. From standard keyboard transport controls, to MIDI commands or dedicated DAW communication, using the good-old Human User Interface (HUI) protocol for Pro Tools and plug-ins, or using the more advanced Mackie Control Protocol/Mackie Control Universal (MCP/MCU) protocol for Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Studio One and Ableton Live.
Otherwise, the UF8 benefits from SSL's more than 40 years of experience building studio solutions and understanding the ergonomics and work processes. The UF8 controller delivers a user focused design in terms of displays, intelligent faders and control access and function, enhancing control layout. The high-spec 100 mm touch sensitive faders, endless rotary encoders, and high-resolution color displays, compliment the premium build quality.
As a modular solution, the UF8 is able to expand into a 32 channel control surface (4x), ideally suited to music creation, production and mixing, post production and webcasting. The completely new dedicated SSL 360° control software is able to manage multi-controller configurations, as well as customized user keys and switching between different sessions with different configurations and templates - which is essential in commercial suites. In total, the UF8 is able to support 5 banks of 8 user keys + 3 quick keys, totaling 43 assignable keys per UF8.
The surface also includes an intelligent multi-purpose CHANNEL encoder, mouse scroll emulation for software navigation, allowing users to control any plug-in parameter they hover the mouse over. The new SSL 360° software is the command centre and brains behind the UF8 and is used to manage all firmware updates. It’s a cross-platform application for Mac and Windows that once installed allows users to configure all DAW and customizations features, being able to generate and save DAW profiles that can be transferred and loaded as .xml files in other computers/studios.
Through the SSL 360° software, the UF8 communicates with any DAW using hi-speed USB MIDI communications, thanks to the dedicated MIDI driver installed as part of the SSL software. The driver is presented on the computer system as 'virtual' MIDI ports called SSL V-MIDI. The number of SSL V-MIDI Ports to configure depends upon the number of UF8s connected to a DAW and the mapping is configurable. This SSL V-MIDI driver provides the means of communication between UF8 and the DAW, while the protocol depends on the DAW's preferred method of communication with external control surfaces.
This means that the UF8 can always be used with DAW's like Reaper and others that are not officially supported, at least for the basic features. Any software running will recognize the UF8 as a mouse and keyboard, some will receive MIDI and HUI messages, while others "speak" MCP/MCU, depending on the implementation. Depending on the level of support from the DAW side, the UF8 will be able to control different features, and the top-zone of the panel's LCD displays will show labels for the functions hosted on the buttons that reside just above. The functions and labelling of the buttons change dynamically, as appropriate, depending on the currently loaded DAW profile.
The rear panel of the UF8 features a USB type-C port for connection to the host computer, two jack sockets for standard foot-switch connections and a socket for UF8's auto ranging external PSU. The USB-A port on the UF8 can be used to daisy-chain USB communication between UF8s, or, it can be used to plug in any USB dongles in uses for software authorizations.
The SSL UF8 advanced DAW controller is available at $1,299 USD plus tax, or €999 EUR plus tax. Together with the UF8, SSL is bundling full licenses of its SSL Native Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip plug-ins providing two great tools for vocal, speech or voice-over processing, and recording and mixing drums and percussion.
Note that the UF8 is a controller only and does not have a built in soundcard or audio interface like the SSL Nucleus 2, which is both a controller and four channel Dante audio interface (but the Nucleus doesn't benefit from the advanced and expandable SSL 360° software possibilities).
www.solidstatelogic.com
