Console 1 Channel Mk III

Name: Console 1 Channel Mk III
Price: 882.33 USD
Author: Softube

by Softube · Channel Strip · Hardware-controlled channel strip system

Not rated yet

A mixing system made of a hardware controller and the Console 1 plugin, which loads on every DAW track and hosts a channel strip whose controls map to fixed knobs on the controller.

The included Core Mixing Suite covers tape/preamp drive, filters, two EQs, three compressors and a shape/gate section; other Softube, UAD and Console 1-ready plugins can be swapped in.

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: mixing, tape, bass, bus processing, downward expansion, drums, FET, inspired by, metering, modern, opto, simple, vintage, vocals.

What it does

Console 1 is Softube's hardware-plus-software mixing system. The Console 1 plugin sits on each DAW track and the Channel Mk III controller gives every channel-strip parameter its own knob, so you mix by ear rather than with the mouse.

Core Mixing Suite (included): tape/preamp drive, six filter slopes, a dual EQ (modern precise and vintage passive), a choice of three compressors (FET Mk II, Opto and Bus Compressor) and a Shape section with dynamic shaper and panner.
Swappable modules: Console 1-ready plugins from Softube, Universal Audio and others can replace each section, and an Apollo mode controls the UA Console mixer.
Controller: 27 touch-sensitive high-resolution knobs, two screens showing EQ curves, compressor settings and meters, and RGB track LEDs.
Expansion: USB-C daisy-chaining of up to four Console 1 Fader units for a full console layout.

The controller is bus-powered over USB-C.

Source: Softube product page

When to use it

Console 1 is different from every other rated strip: its point is the hands-on workflow, not one specific console sound. The Core Mixing Suite is a capable general strip, and you can load Softube's SSL 4000 E, Neve or other Console 1 models into it for console colour.

Best for: mixers who want a console-like, knob-per-function way of working across a whole session, and UAD Apollo users.
Genres: any; the character comes from the modules you load.
Look elsewhere if: you only want software. Scheps Omni Channel, Native Channel Strip 2 or 4K E give comparable processing for a fraction of the cost.

What producers say

Reviews praise the build and workflow and criticise the price, which more than doubled over the previous generation.

MusicTech (8/10) said it delivers on recreating the immediacy of a console, but noted the big price rise and that no mic preamp models are included.
MusicRadar (2024) praised the hardware, simple setup and UAD integration; gripes were the small screens, no transport controls and limited third-party plugin support.
Sound On Sound also reviewed the companion Console 1 Fader Mk III.

Where to buy

Sweetwater: $882.33
Softube: see store (Sold through retailers; no price on Softube's page)

Tutorials and reviews

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