Tape Op Review: Solid State Logic UF8 Advanced DAW Controller

I vividly remember the first time I was exposed to moving fader automation. I was 12 years old, and the medium-sized recording facility was centered around two seminal Yamaha DMP7 [Tape Op #122] digital mixers. The experience blew my mind. Even though the faders were noisy, and their resolution was far from amazing, the idea that I could ride faders and effects sends/returns (with complete recall) opened my eyes to an incredibly dynamic way of mixing. Years later, while at university, I was fortunate to finally put my hands on a genuine SSL mixing console that had proper moving faders. Because of the desk’s sheer size, I felt like I was commanding the Starship Enterprise. It seemed that my mixes became more lively and exciting simply because I was doing a dance with the desk and the music responded accordingly.

I started mixing exclusively in the box around 2008, and felt the need to adopt a control surface for my DAW – mostly for writing automation. While I’ve used three different moving-fader controllers at various times in my career, I eventually settled on an Avid Artist Mix about eight years ago. Even though the unit currently sits directly in front of me every single day, I find myself using the controller less and less because I seem to get quicker results with a mouse and the knobs on my keyboard controller. Admittedly, I’ve kept it on my desk simply because it “looks cool.” When Tape Op approached me about reviewing SSL’s new control surface, I immediately said “yes” simply because of the company’s pedigree and my history with SSL consoles. Although, could another DAW controller re-ignite my console-waltzing?

Read the full review in Tape Op