Most of the popular DAW platforms for both MAC and PC support the two plug-ins as well as the SSL 360° control software. I tested in Pro Tools 2022.4 HDX on an old Mac Pro and found the sound of the new SSL Channel Strip 2 with the Anti-Cramping algorithm to sound excellent.

My first session was for quickly mastering a song I had mixed. The left side of the UC-1 has controls for the channel strip equalizer and filters with the same colored knobs as the console; you may select between the E and G channel EQs. The right side of the UC-1 has the Dynamics section associated with that channel. SSL retains the same locations, parameter ranges, and resolution of the original console strip. After using the UC-1 for a week or so, I got to where I could just grab a control reactively while mixing without thinking too much.

In between the two halves of the channel strip is the SSL Bus Compressor 2 with an actual moving coil gain reduction meter just like the console. After making a slight EQ change on the track with the SSL Channel Strip 2, I inserted the SSL Bus Compressor 2 after the Channel Strip. On the Bus Comp 2 I liked that the In/Out bypass switch on the UC-1 is mirrored on the plug-in GUI.

It will take a learning curve to maximize using the UC-1 on my sessions but it's worth enjoying the "hands on" feeling of dialing in EQ and compressor settings conventionally. You can have a SSL Channel Strip 2 on every track and also re-configure the chain order--so the EQ and Filter can follow the compressor etc. There is also extensive side-chain programmability available that I am learning now.

The UC-1 will work along side the SSL UF-8 controller and the two makes an awesome upgrade for any studio. You have the sound of a SSL with the full tactile feeling and control like the console! The UC-1 sells for $899.99 MSRP.

www.solidstatelogic.com/products/uc1