Introduction
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here—the Console 1 MK3 Fader has arrived, and it’s set to revolutionize your mixing workflow. In this blog post, I’ll be walking you through all the features of this powerful new tool and showing you how it seamlessly integrates into your existing setup. Whether you’re an experienced engineer or just starting out, the Console 1 MK3 Fader offers a hands-on approach to mixing that can take your work to the next level.
Before we dive in, I want to be transparent about my experience with this product. Softube sent me the Console 1 MK3 Fader about a month ago for review purposes. However, I haven’t been paid by them, and they won’t be seeing this review before any of you do. As always, my goal is to provide you with a full, honest, and unbiased opinion, so you can make an informed decision about whether this fader is right for you.
Overview of the Console 1 MK3 Fader
The Console 1 MK3 Fader is the latest addition to Softube’s acclaimed Console 1 series, designed to enhance the tactile experience of mixing by providing physical faders for your digital audio workstation (DAW). This unit pairs perfectly with the original Console 1 MK3, creating a cohesive mixing environment that bridges the gap between hardware and software.
One of the standout features of the Console 1 MK3 Fader is its compatibility with a wide range of DAWs. Whether you’re working in Studio One, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or any other major DAW, the fader integrates smoothly, allowing you to control your mixes with precision and ease. In my setup, I’m using Studio One, and the integration has been seamless from the start. The fader matches every channel in my DAW, providing a visual and tactile representation of my mix that is both intuitive and efficient.
While Pro Tools support is still evolving, it’s definitely improved from previous versions, making the Console 1 MK3 Fader a viable option for users across different platforms. Softube has also provided plenty of resources and videos to help you get the most out of the fader, regardless of which DAW you’re using.
This fader isn’t just about adding a physical element to your mixing process; it’s about enhancing your overall workflow. With its responsive controls and intuitive layout, the Console 1 MK3 Fader is designed to help you focus more on your creative decisions and less on navigating your software. Whether you’re adjusting levels, automating effects, or just need a quick visual on your mix, the Console 1 MK3 Fader offers a streamlined solution that keeps you in the flow of your work.
Key Features
The Console 1 MK3 Fader is packed with features designed to elevate your mixing process, providing you with a hands-on approach that can significantly enhance your workflow. Here’s a detailed look at some of the key features that make this fader a must-have tool in your studio:
Display On/Off
- The Display On/Off button controls the main display, which is a separate piece of software from your DAW. This display shows everything happening in your mix, including track names, levels, EQ settings, and more. While it’s useful for visual feedback, the new LEDs on the Console 1 MK3 Fader allow you to rely less on the screen and more on the tactile feedback, making it possible to mix with your computer screen off entirely.
Modes
- The Console 1 MK3 Fader offers various modes to suit different mixing needs:
- Fader Mode: Provides a straightforward control over volume levels.
- Default Mode: Similar to Fader Mode but without the frequency analyzer, which can help you focus on listening rather than looking.
- Compact Display Mode: A smaller, more focused display that takes up less screen space, giving you a clearer view of your mix.
- These modes allow you to customize how you view and interact with your mix, giving you the flexibility to work in the way that feels most comfortable to you.
Favorites
- The Favorites feature allows you to quickly mark and access specific tracks that are important to your session. By simply pressing the Favorites button, you can tag a track with a star, making it easy to jump back to that track at any time. This is particularly useful in large sessions where navigating through dozens of tracks can become cumbersome.
Fader Modes: Pan, Sends, Volume
- The Console 1 MK3 Fader offers multiple fader modes to give you more control over your mix:
- Pan Mode: When activated, the faders control the pan position of each track. The fader even provides haptic feedback, giving a small click when you reach the center of the pan, so you can feel exactly where you are without needing to look.
- Sends Mode: This mode allows you to adjust send levels for effects and buses. You can control up to six sends per track, with haptic feedback ensuring you hit the zero point accurately.
- Volume Mode: The default mode for controlling track volume levels. This is where you’ll spend most of your time, making quick and precise adjustments to your mix.
Parameter Control
- One of the most innovative features of the Console 1 MK3 Fader is the Parameter Control. This allows you to assign any parameter—such as EQ, compression, or filters—to the faders. For instance, you can set the faders to control a high-cut filter across multiple tracks simultaneously, allowing for creative effects like a filter sweep. This feature is incredibly powerful for dynamic mixing, giving you the ability to manipulate multiple parameters in real-time with the smooth glide of the faders.
Settings & Presets
- The Console 1 MK3 Fader also includes a variety of settings that allow you to tailor its operation to your specific workflow. You can adjust things like knob speed, analyzer mode, and other preferences to match your mixing style.
- Presets are another standout feature, enabling you to save and recall specific setups for different sessions. Whether you have go-to settings for drums, vocals, or entire mixes, you can load these presets instantly, saving you valuable time during the setup phase of a project.
Each of these features contributes to making the Console 1 MK3 Fader not just a tool, but an integral part of your mixing environment. The tactile control, combined with the flexibility to adjust and automate key parameters, transforms the way you approach mixing, offering a more intuitive and creative workflow.
Integration into Your Workflow
The Console 1 MK3 Fader isn’t just another piece of gear—it’s a tool designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing workflow, enhancing the way you mix and produce music. Here’s how it can fit into various aspects of your studio work:
Hands-On Control and Tactile Feedback
- One of the most significant advantages of the Console 1 MK3 Fader is the tactile control it offers. The haptic feedback ensures that you can make adjustments with precision, whether you’re fine-tuning a pan position, adjusting send levels, or tweaking volume. This physical interaction with your mix allows you to rely less on visual cues and more on your ears, making the mixing process more intuitive and focused on the sound.
Seamless DAW Integration
- The Console 1 MK3 Fader integrates effortlessly with all major DAWs, meaning you can incorporate it into your existing setup without any major changes. Whether you’re using Studio One, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or another platform, the fader mirrors your DAW’s channels, providing a consistent and reliable control surface. This integration is especially beneficial for those who work across multiple DAWs, as the Console 1 MK3 Fader provides a unified control system regardless of the software you’re using.
Streamlined Mixing Process
- By providing quick access to key controls like volume, pan, sends, and parameters, the Console 1 MK3 Fader streamlines your mixing process. No more hunting through menus or relying solely on your mouse and keyboard—everything you need is at your fingertips. This is particularly useful during the creative phase of mixing, where speed and ease of use can significantly impact your workflow.
Customizable Workflow
- The ability to assign parameters to the faders means you can customize the Console 1 MK3 Fader to match your specific workflow needs. For example, if you frequently automate filter sweeps or EQ adjustments, you can set these controls to the faders, allowing you to perform these tasks more fluidly than you would with a mouse or traditional control surface. This customization extends to presets and settings, enabling you to create a tailored environment that suits your unique approach to mixing.
Enhanced Focus and Creativity
- One of the most compelling reasons to incorporate the Console 1 MK3 Fader into your workflow is its ability to enhance focus and creativity. By minimizing the need to interact with your computer screen, the fader allows you to immerse yourself fully in the music. This shift from a visual to a tactile workflow can lead to more creative decisions and a more organic mixing process, where you’re guided by sound rather than visuals.
Final Thoughts
The Console 1 MK3 Fader is more than just a hardware controller—it’s a tool that redefines how you interact with your mix. By combining tactile control with seamless DAW integration, this fader brings a level of precision and creativity to your workflow that is hard to match with traditional methods. Whether you’re adjusting levels, panning instruments, or manipulating parameters, the Console 1 MK3 Fader allows you to make decisions based on what you hear, rather than what you see, resulting in a more intuitive and immersive mixing experience.
For professionals, the Console 1 MK3 Fader offers the kind of control and customization that can elevate your mixes to new heights, making it an indispensable addition to your studio. For those just starting out, it provides a hands-on approach that can accelerate your learning curve, helping you to better understand the nuances of mixing.
While it may take some time to fully integrate the Console 1 MK3 Fader into your setup, the benefits are clear—improved workflow, enhanced creativity, and a more enjoyable mixing process. If you’re serious about your craft and looking for a way to take your mixes to the next level, the Console 1 MK3 Fader is definitely worth considering.
What Do You Think?
Now that you’ve seen what the Console 1 MK3 Fader can do, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Is this a tool you’re thinking about adding to your setup? Do you have any questions or other tools you prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And as always, if you need your songs mixed or mastered, feel free to reach out at MixerMasterMySong.com. You can also check out my courses and presets there to help take your music production skills to the next level.
