Solid State Logic SSL UC1 User Guide

SSL UC1

User Guide

www.solidstatelogic.com

SSL UC1

Visit SSL at:

www.solidstatelogic.com

SSL® and Solid State Logic® are registered trademarks of Solid State Logic.

SSL UC1™ is a trademark of Solid State Logic.

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.

Pro Tools

Logic Pro® and Logic® are registered trademarks of Apple

is a registered trademark of Avid®.

Inc.

Studio One® is a registered trademark of Presonus® Audio Electronics Inc.

Cubase® and Nuendo® are trademarks of Steinberg® Media Technologies GmbH.

REAPER® is a trademark of Cockos Incorporated.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, whether mechanical or electronic, without the

written permission of Solid State Logic, Begbroke, OX5 1RU, England.

As research and development is a continual process, Solid State Logic reserves the right to change the features and

specifications described herein without notice or obligation.

Solid State Logic cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any error or omission in

this manual.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, PAY SPECIAL HEED TO SAFETY WARNINGS.

E&OE

Revision 1.2 - May 2021

Table of Contents

Overview 5

What is SSL UC1? 5

Features 5

Supported DAWs - For UC1 & The Plug-in Mixer 5

5 Things About UC1 6 Get-Started 7

Unpacking 7

Fitting The Stands (Optional) 7

Additional Elevation Angles 7

Dimensions 8

Weight 8

Connecting Your UC1 Hardware 8

USB Cables 8

Downloading SSL 360° & SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 Plug-ins 9

Installing SSL 360° Software 9

Installing SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 Plug-ins 10

Screen Resolution Requirements 10

General System Requirements 10

Redeeming and Authorising Your Plug-in Licences 11

Contents

UC1 14

Front Panel 14

Smart LED Rings 15

The Virtual Notch 15

The Channel Strip and Bus Compressor IN Buttons 15

Channel Strip 2 Dynamics 15

Bus Compressor Meter 16

SOLO and CUT Buttons 16

FINE Button 16

Central Control Panel 17

Process Order Routing 18

Presets 18

Channel Strip 2 20

Filter Section 21

EQ Section 21

Dynamics Section 22

Bypass, Metering and Trims 23

Dynamics Sidechain Options 23

Plug-in Mixer Number, Track Name and Plug-in Mixer Button 23

Version Number and Misc Functions 23

Process Ordering 24

Undo/Redo and A/B 24

Presets Location 24

Bus Compressor 2 25

Bus Compressor Controls 25

SSL UC1 User Guide

Contents

Gain Reduction Meter 26

Oversampling 26

DAW Track Name and Plug-in Mixer Button 26

External S/C and Mix Lock 26

Undo/Redo and A/B 26

Version Number 26

Presets Location 27

SSL 360° Software 28

Home Page 28

Plug-in Mixer 30

Left-hand Toolbar Menu 30

Plug-in Mixer - Zoomed Out View 32

Plug-in Mixer - Zoomed In View 32

Adding/Removing Channel Strips to the Plug-in Mixer 33

Channel Strip 2 Ordering in the Plug-in Mixer 33

Logic Pro 10.6.1 and above - Aux Tracks 34

Logic Pro 10.6.0 and below - Disable Dynamic Plug-in Loading 34

Adding/Removing Bus Compressors to the Plug-in Mixer 35

Selecting a Channel Strip 35

Selecting a Bus Compressor 35

Restrictions and Important Notes 36

Multi-Mono Plug-ins in the Plug-in Mixer 36

'Save As Default' For Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 Plug-ins 36

Not Supported - Mixing VSTs and AUs 36

UC1 LCD Messages 37 SSL 360° Software Messages 38 SSL Support - FAQs, Ask a Question and Compatibility 39 Safety Notices 40

SSL UC1 User Guide

Overview

What is SSL UC1?

UC1 is a hardware control surface that provides knob-per-function access to SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2

plug-ins. UC1 is designed to put the fun back into mixing, with a workflow that promotes muscle-memory operation and ultimate

operator confidence. The updated Channel Strip plug-in sees a graphical layout change to make it vertical, as well as a DSP refresh

to include SSL’s proprietary ‘anti-cramping’ algorithms (first included in X-EQ 2). Channel Strip 2 also allows an external sidechain

to the dynamics section, whilst Bus Compressor 2 receives additional Attack, Release and Ratio options, oversampling and an

external sidechain input. SSL 360° v1.1 introduces the truly innovative Plug-in Mixer; a place to view and control your Channel

Strips and Bus Compressors side by side - it’s like having a virtual SSL console inside your computer.

Channel Strip 2 & Bus

UC1 Hardware

Compressor 2 plug-ins

All communication is synchronised across UC1, the plug-ins and the 360° Plug-in Mixer

360° Plug-in Mixer

Features

• SSL workflow and console ergonomics meets the power of SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins.

• Includes SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins.

• Knob per-function control of SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins.

• Authentic moving-coil Bus Compressor gain reduction meter, driven from the SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 plug-in.

• SSL Plug-in Mixer (hosted in SSL 360°) provides a place to view and control your Channel Strips and Bus Compressors, all

from one window.

• Muscle-memory operation and constant visual feedback via the smart LED rings.

• On-board display tells you which Channel Strip and Bus Compressor plug-in UC1 is currently focused on.

• Load plug-in Presets and change Channel Strip routing directly from UC1.

• Switch between 3 different DAWs that are connected to the Plug-in Mixer.

• Hi-Speed USB connection to computer.

• Powered by SSL 360° Mac and PC software.

Supported DAWs - For UC1 & The Plug-in Mixer

• Pro Tools (AAX Native)

• Logic Pro (AU)

• Cubase (VST3)

• Live (VST3)

• Studio One (VST3)

• REAPER (VST3)

Other DAWs are not tested in the UC1/Plug-in Mixer system at this time but Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins will

work 'standalone' with any AU/VST/VST3 DAW.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Overview

5 Things About UC1

UC1 follows you around – like a loyal dog or trusty sidekick

Opening a Channel Strip 2 or Bus Compressor 2 plug-in GUI in the DAW automatically causes UC1 to focus on that plug-in.

You don’t have to look at the computer screen to use it.

You can scroll through and select the Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-in you want to control and see the DAW track

name that the plug-in is inserted on, directly from UC1.

You can operate multiple controls at once

Some plug-in controllers are restrictive because they limit you to turning one knob at a time, which isn’t very helpful when EQ'ing

a source. Thankfully, this is not the case with UC1 - grab two controls at once, no problem.

The Bus Compressor Meter

The Bus Compressor meter brings a new dimension to mixing with plug-ins by providing a truly analogue experience. The meter

is driven from the Bus Compressor 2 plug-in and allows you to allows keep an eye on your compression levels.

The SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer

All of your Channel Strips and Bus Compressors arranged side by side - get that big console feeling.

Pictured above - SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer and Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins

Safety Notices

Please read the Important Safety Notices at the end of this User Guide before use.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Get-Started

Unpacking

The unit has been carefully packed and inside the box you will find the following items in addition to your UC1 control surface:

2 x Stands

12 volts, 5 A Power Supply

and IEC Cable

1 x Hex Key

4 x Screws

1.5 m C to C USB Cable 1.5 m C to A USB Cable

Fitting The Stands (Optional)

UC1 has been designed to be used with

or without the included screw-in stands,

depending on your preference. Attaching

the included screw-in stands has the added

benefit of angling the unit towards you.

Three different fixing positions (the holes

are arranged in pairs) allow you to choose

an angle that is best for your setup. Use 2

screws per stand. Please be careful not to

over-tighten to avoid stripping the screw

threads. For those with a torque measuring

device, tighten to 0.5 Nm.

Additional Elevation Angles

If you need a steeper angle of elevation, you can rotate the stands and fix them to the chassis using the shorter side. This gives

you three additional angle options to choose from.

1. Unscrew the rubber feet and move to the other end 2. Rotate the stands so that the short side fixes to the chassis

Short

Side

SSL UC1 User Guide

Short

Side

Long

Side

Long

Side

Get-Started

UC1 Physical Specification

Dimensions

11.8 x 10.5 x 2.4 ” / 300 x 266 x 61 mm (Width x Depth X Height)

Weight

Unboxed - 2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs

Boxed - 4.5 kg / 9.9 lbs

Connecting Your UC1 Hardware

1. Connect the included power supply to the DC socket on the connector panel.

2. Connect one of the included USB cables from your computer to the USB socket.

C to C / C to A

Power Supply

UC1 Connector Panel

USB Cable

USB Cables

Please use one of the provided USB cables ('C' to 'C' or 'C' to 'A') to connect UC1 to your computer. The type of USB port you

have available on your computer will determine which of the two included cables you should use. Newer computers may have 'C'

ports, whereas older computers may have 'A'. Please ensure that you are connecting to the port labelled USB on UC1, which is

a 'C' type connection.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Get-Started

Downloading SSL 360° & SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 Plug-ins

UC1 requires the SSL 360° software to be installed on your computer in order to function. SSL 360° is the brains behind your UC1

control surface and it is also the place to access the 360° Plug-in Mixer. Once you have connected the UC1 hardware to your

computer as described on the previous page, please download SSL 360° from the SSL website. Whilst you're on the Downloads

page, also download SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins.

1. Go to www.solidstatelogic.com/support/downloads

3. Download the SSL 360° software for your Mac or PC.

4. Download SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins for you Mac or PC.

Installing SSL 360° Software

2. Select UC1 from Products drop-down list.

Mac

1. Locate the downloaded SSL 360.dmg on your

computer.

2. Double-click to open the .dmg.

3. Double-click to run the SSL 360.pkg.

4. Proceed with the installation, following the on-screen

instructions.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Windows

1. Locate the downloaded SSL 360.exe on

your computer.

2. Double-click to run the SSL 360.exe.

3. Proceed with the installation, following the

on-screen instructions.

Get-Started

Installing SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 Plug-ins

Next, you'll need to install SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 plug-ins. Simply locate the downloaded Installers

(.dmg for Mac, or .exe for Windows) and double-click to launch the installers. Follow the instructions.

On Mac, you can choose which of the available plug-in formats to install (AAX Native, Audio Units, VST and VST3)

If you are using Logic with a Mackie Control

Surface (such as UF8), then install the Logic

Essentials .dmg which contains the MCU

mappings for the plug-ins.

Screen Resolution Requirements

In most cases a minimum vertical height of 900px is

adequate to display the entirety of Channel Strip 2 but

on Logic, 960px is required due to the size of the Plug-in

header bar. Macbook Retina users may need to adjust the

resolution scaling in System Preferences > Display.

Non-Retina Macbooks are not supported.

PC Users can adjusted display Scale and Layout %

under Display Settings.

General System Requirements

Computer operating systems and hardware are

constantly changing. Please search for 'UC1

Compatibility' in our online FAQs to check if your

system is currently supported.

Mac users can adjust scaling in System Preferences > Display

SSL UC1 User Guide

Get-Started

Redeeming and Authorising Your Plug-in Licences

You'll need to register your UC1 hardware in the SSL user portal to claim your SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2

plug-in licences that are included with UC1.

To register your UC1, head to www.solidstatelogic.com/get-started and follow the on-screen instructions to create an account

or log into your existing one.

Once logged into your account, click on REGISTER PRODUCT on the Dashboard page.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Choose SSL UC1 and complete the form.

Get-Started

You will need to input the serial number of your UC1. This can be found on the label on the base of your UC1 unit (it is not the

number on the packaging box).

For example, XX-000115-C1D45DCYQ3L4. The serial number is 20 characters long, containing a mixture of letters and digits.

Once you have succesfully registered your UC1, it will appear in your Dashboard. Click Get Your Additional Software.

On this page, enter your iLok User ID into the box, wait for your iLok account to be validated and then click DEPOSIT LICENCES.

SSL UC1 User Guide

Get-Started

Finally, open iLok License Manager, locate the UC1 Channel Strip 2 and Bus Compressor 2 licences and right-click Activate onto

your computer or physical iLok.

SSL UC1 User Guide

+ 30 hidden pages