Softube has announced the launch of Console 1 Mk II at the 2017 NAMM Show, January 19-22 in Anaheim, California at $499. Touted to be an upgraded version of its award-winning hardware/software mixing system, the Console 1 Mk II represents an enormous leap forward from its predecessor with support for selected UAD Powered Plug-ins from Universal Audio. Moreover, the product has been priced aggressively with a substantial and permanent price drop.
Softube Console 1 Mk II is an upgrade that addresses the most frequent user requests. Firstly, the new software – also available to owners of the first-generation Console 1 – makes it possible to use Console 1 with selected UAD Powered Plug-Ins from Universal Audio.
There are now over 60 world-class plug-ins that can be used from within the Console 1 system, including plug-ins based on units from Chandler Limited, Fairchild, Teletronix, Tube-Tech, Abbey Road Studios, and much more. The plug-ins are pre-mapped and easily selectable from the Console 1 software, so no MIDI mapping is necessary.
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Commenting on the launch, Greg Westall, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Universal Audio said that Softube and Universal Audio share a lot of core values, like the importance of sound quality, ease of use, and a love for good music. Seeing that Universal Audio and Softube are longtime partners and that Console 1 is a super intuitive control surface, it all just makes so much sense.
Meanwhile, the huge success of Console 1 has made it possible to make efficiencies in production, resulting in an MSRP drop from $849 to $499. The hardware has the same build quality as the original units, with some minor layout changes such as more visible LED markers. All of these changes come in addition to the recently released software update, which added DAW control functions for Presonus Studio One and Cakewalk SONAR.
In a statement related to the press, Oscar Oberg, President of Softube revealed that the concept of Console 1 has been extremely popular, and we haven’t been able to keep up with the demand. The entire product team is excited that they can manufacture larger quantities of a Console 1 that are not only better but also a lot more affordable.
The new Console 1 Mk II units and the software update with the UAD Powered Plug-Ins compatibility, will be available in Spring 2017. Upon release, existing Console 1 owners can download the updated software from softube.com and start using it with their Console 1-ready DAWs or plug-ins.
Originally released in 2014, Softube Console 1 quickly earned a large and dedicated following, receiving prestigious awards and rave reviews in the pro audio press. With its tightly integrated hardware and software, and the included emulation of a Solid State Logic SL 4000 E console, Console 1 offered the best of the digital and analog worlds in a compact system.
