✮ Find out more about Console 1 (discounted until the end of the year) – https://softu.be/Console1 ✮ In the field of rock music there are a few undisputed heroes – names that rise above the field of talented, successful bands and individuals to become true legends; particularly original, influential, or prolific. Pete Townshend, guitar player and leading composer in The Who, is all these things, and few would argue that his legacy is anything short of special. From the mod-tastic vivacity of sixties hits like My Generation, through epic rock opera films Tommy and Quadrophenia in the seventies, and on to a successful solo career, live albums, and re-unions with The Who, Townshend has done it all, and done it thoroughly. So when he invited us to his studio for a chat, and said he uses Console 1 on pretty much everything he does, we were, to say the least, delighted to hear it! Console 1 is discounted by $100/€100 until the end of the year, so whatever your style now’s a great time to upgrade your sound, your workflow, and your entire music-making experience. Find a dealer near you today – https://www.softube.com/index.php?id=dealer Say hi in the comments, or: Twitter – http://twitter.com/SoftubeStudios Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SoftubeStudios Instagram – http://instagram.com/SoftubeStudios ✮ Subscribe to this channel – http://www.youtube.com/SoftubeStudios?sub_confirmation=1 ✮ …and click the notification bell to keep informed ;)

The Console 1 Stories – Pete Townshend: Why I Use Console 1 – Softube video was embedded from Youtube channel “SoftubeStudios”. Video source

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FAQ Softube

These are the maximum number of instances per card. In most cases, the Pro Tools Mixer will take one chip and thereby lowering the number of actual instances. In other cases we might have made mistakes calculating these numbers, so if you find any errors please let us know!

AAX DSP Instance Chart.png

Softube supports the following native plug-in formats:

VST/VST3, AU, and AAX Native.

Many plug-ins also run on AAX DSP hardware (HDX systems). For more information please see Which Softube plug-ins support AAX DSP?

TDM/Venue and RTAS is no longer supported, but if you do own a license, please see the Softube Legacy installers.

Also see the Softube System requirements.

Modular significantly raises the bar for realistic modeling of analog circuits. It represents an entirely new level of detail when it comes to modeling individual oscillators, filters, and other circuits.

Some competing products offer a low-quality mode to preserve CPU. We do not do that, as such a mode would neither live up to Softube’s quality standards nor to the quality standards of our partnering companies, such as Doepfer and Intellijel. Softube’s reputation for being heads and shoulders above the competition is what convinced our partners to work with us in the first place.

So Modular is as demanding on the CPU as it needs to be. With that said, Softube is constantly looking into optimizations and other means of preserving CPU power for all our plug-ins. But Softube can of course not promise any substantial future CPU savings at this point.

Console 1 and Console 1 Fader is available for both Windows and Mac OS X:

  • Screen resolution 1280×800 or larger.
  • 8 GB RAM or more is recommended.
  • 1 powered USB 2.0 compatible port.
  • Softube account.
  • iLok account.
  • Internet access for downloading software and managing licenses.
  • iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
  • In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work

However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs – and the Softube rigorous testing standards – Softube only officially test the Softube plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plug-ins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. Softube cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems though.

Please Note: Softube plug-ins support 64-bit hosts only, and a 64-bit OS is required. Therefore, for example, Pro Tools 10.x is no longer supported (contact support for latest 32-bit compatible installers).

Mac OS X specific

  • Mac OS X 10.12 or newer (older OS versions may work but are not tested).

Windows specific

  • 64-bit Windows 7 or newer.
  • Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer.
  • Screen resolution 1280×800 or larger
  • 8 GB RAM or more is recommended
  • 1 powered USB 2.0 compatible port
  • Softube account
  • iLok account
  • Internet access for downloading software and managing licenses
  • iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement

In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.

However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs – and the Softube rigorous testing standards – Softube only officially test the Softube plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. Softube cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.

Please note: Softube plug-ins support 64-bit hosts only, and a 64-bit OS is required. Therefore, for example, Pro Tools 10.x is no longer supported (contact support for the latest 32-bit compatible installers).

Specific requirements for macOS:

  • Mac OS X 10.12 or newer (older OS versions may work but are not tested)

Specific requirements for Windows:

  • 64-bit Windows 7 or newer
  • Intel Core Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer

These DAWs support synchronized track selection, solo/mute, DAW send, pan and volume:

  • Ableton Live 10.1.9 (VST3)
  • Presonus Studio One 3.3 (VST3)
  • Sonar (latest version) (VST3)
  • Cockos REAPER 5.50 (VST3)
  • Cubase 9.5.10 (VST3)

These DAWs support automatic transfer of the DAW’s track name and number to Console 1:

  • Presonus Studio One 2.6 (VST3)
  • Sonar (VST3)
  • Cubase 8.0.5 (VST3)
  • Nuendo 6.5 (VST3)
  • Logic Pro 10.2 (AU)
  • Ableton Live 8.4.1 (AU only, requires that all track names begin with a “# “, note the blank space)
  • Digital Performer (AU only)
  • ​Cockos REAPER 5.50 (VST3)

These DAWs support automatic transfer of the DAW’s track name (but not number) to Console 1:

  • Pro Tools 11.2.1 (AAX)

 

Tthe following sample rates are supported: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz.

Console 1  and Console 1 Fader is not available for AAX DSP.

All native versions

  • Mac OS X 10.12 or newer
  • Windows 64-bit, versions 7, 8 or 10
  • Please Note: Softube plug-ins support 64-bit hosts only, and a 64-bit OS is required. Therefore, for example, Pro Tools 10.x is no longer supported. 32-bit legacy installers are available here.
  • Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer
  • Screen resolution larger than 1280×800
  • 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space. Specific information available on each instrument’s page).
  • Softube account
  • iLok account
  • Internet access for downloading the plug-in (s) and managing the license(s)
  • iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement)
  • In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs – and our own rigorous testing standards – we only officially test our plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. We cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
  • Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.

    The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.

*Please Note: Pro Tools 10 is not officially qualified by Avid higher than OS X 10.8

AAX DSP version

  • For AAX DSP you need to meet the above requirements for the Native versions. You also need to have an Avid HDX processing card. For plug-ins available for AAX DSP, see Which Softube plug-ins support AAX DSP?

If you’ve already had a Softube demo license for a plug-in, it is not possible to request another demo license.

However, if you catch the Softube support team in a good mood, you might be able to get an extended demo (asking politely generally helps…).

No, the demo versions are exactly the same as the full versions. The only thing that sets them apart from a full version is that they expire after 20 days of use.

Console 1 is a product that integrates both hardware and software, so the absolute best way to test Console 1 is to try and find a local dealer that has a unit in stock.

The reason there is no demo license for the Console 1 software available at softube.com is that using the software only wouldn’t give the full user experience one would get from running the complete Console 1 system with the hardware/software combo.

If you’re really eager to find out how the Console 1 software (i.e. the included SSL SL4000E channel strip) sounds, and you’re unable to find a Console 1 dealer nearby, please contact the Softube support team. They can deposit a 20-day demo license to your account.

Please note that it is not possible to switch the channel strip when running the software demo license of Console 1. This means that the demo licenses for the SSL 9000K and British Class A channel strips require the Console 1 hardware to run (as opposed to the American Class A and Summit Audio Grand Channel, which are also available as regular plug-ins). Also, please note that won’t be able to access the Console 1 On-Screen Display in the demo version.

The first thing you need to do is to create a Softube account.

Then, head over to the Softube web store and click the product(s) you want to demo. At the top of each product page, there’s a ‘Try Now’ button. Clicking it will deposit a 20-day demo license straight to your account and make the plug-in ready for download via Softube Central.

Yes, there is a whole bunch of software upgrade paths available for Softube products!

For instance, if you have a full license for any of the plug-ins included in Softube Volume 4, you will be able to purchase the Volume 4 license at a discounted rate.

Upgrade paths that are available to you will be indicated in the web store by a purple ‘Upgrade available’ symbol.

Softube does do not offer any discounts for students/teachers at softube.com at this point. However, Gobbler offers a Volume 4 Student Bundle for all users with a verified educational email address: https://www.gobbler.com/softube-volume-4-edu-bundle/

It might also be a good idea to check with your institution to see if they have any specific deals on Softube plug-ins.

Go to the “Account settings” tab in the “My account” page. Make sure to select the correct country and enter your VAT number there.

/my-account#/account-settings

The VAT number will be checked against the VIES database. Also, make sure that you have selected the correct country and that the number is written in the correct form.

For Swedish customers, remember that we are located in Sweden, and thus VAT is handled as any other purchase in a Swedish store. You deduct the VAT when you do your VAT report.

Softube does receive a large number of endorsement inquiries from producers, engineers, and artists around the world.

Since all our Softube customers are awesome artists of one kind or another, they sadly can’t offer special ‘artist’ prices simply on the basis of professional status, or even merit.

That said, however, they do selectively partner with highly prominent or strategically relevant professionals when the opportunity arises, and there’s a clear and substantial marketing objective and benefit for Softube.

Please contact Andreas Mood (andreas softube com), if you have something special Softube could connect with you on!

Products purchased through the Softube web store are download only, so all products are delivered electronically to your Softube account and its linked iLok account. No physical boxes are shipped.

Orders are usually processed within 15 minutes after the purchase.

If you buy from a dealer, the delivery methods vary, but you will always get a 16-digit license code which you can use to register your product in the ‘Register License’ page at My account.

You can get most other products directly from the Softube web store, or from the Softube dealers. The Volume 4 subscriptionConsole 1, and Console 1 Fader are dealer exclusive.

Accepted forms of payment in the Softube web store are VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or through PayPal. For some countries, a PayPal account may be required. The payment is secure and protected through PayPal.

Upgrades are activated via the iLok License Manager app (which can be downloaded for free from ilok.com).n Run the iLok License Manager app, log in to your iLok account, nright-click your newly purchased upgrade license, and select “Activate”.nnThis will prompt you to complete the activation by surrendering nthe license(s) required for the upgrade. Please remember that all nactivations for that license need to be available, which means either ndeactivated or used on the machine where you are doing the surrender.nnPlease note: if your iLok account has been created for you nautomatically when signing up for your Softube account, you will need ton set up a password for your iLok account in order to complete the nlicense activation described above.nnPlease go to ilok.com,n select “Sign in” followed by “Forgot your User ID or password?”. nFinally, click the “Reset your password” button, enter your iLok user IDn (which will be the same as your Softube user ID), and follow the ninstructions to set a password. 

You can install and activate the Softube plug-ins to two locations (three for Console 1 and its add-on channels).nnMac: To install on a new/second machine it is easiest to use Softube Centraln on the new machine. This should allow for installation and activation. nPlease note that you don’t need to register your license code again, nactually you can’t as it has already been used.nnWindows: To install on a new/second machine, follow the process on the Welcome to our new web page.nnYou will need to have a free activation, or will need to use an iLok ndongle that you can move between machines to activate the new location.nnMac: To deactivate a license, use Softube Central.nnWindows: To deactivate a license, use iLok License Manager.

If you bought your product from a dealer, you will need to register your license in the Register License section of your My account page.n Please enter the 16-digit license code (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX) that you nhave received from your dealer and confirm by clicking the ‘Register nLicense’ button. This will deposit the license directly to your Softube naccount. nnIf you bought your product fromthe web store at softube.com,n no license registration is required. Your license will be directly ndeposited to your Softube account and its corresponding iLok account.

All installation is handled through the new Softube Central application, which can be downloaded from the ‘My products’ section of your My Account page.  nnPlease note: the Softube Central app is still in beta. You nsometimes need to go to the Settings page and click Restart (if backend nstatus is disconnected). Sometimes, you might also need to log out, nclose the app, wait for 30 seconds, then re-start it, log in again, and nwait a little while, for it to work as expected. nn nnSeparate installersnnIf you go to the ‘My products’ section of your My Account page, you can click the ‘Mac’ or ‘Win’ buttons to reach a page with separate installers. nnPlease note: When you use the separate installers, any license activation must be done via the iLok License Manager app. 

A side effect of Console 1 promotional campaigns is that you will not see Console 1 listed under “My Account” until the end of the promotion. You will still be able to install the Console 1 software using Softube Central.

Make sure you have activated your account, activate by following this link.nnYou should then get an email that allows you to activate the account.n Please check the spam folder if you don’t seem to receive the email. nWhen that has been done you should be able to log in to your account.

To create an account; please click Login, enter your details under Create an account, and confirm by clicking Sign up.nnWhen your account has been created, you’ll be asked to link your Softube account to an iLok account. 

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About Softube

The Softube story started in 2003 with Oscar Öberg, then an engineering student at the University of Linköping, Sweden, and some of his colleagues and professors. A passionate musician, Oscar used his thesis work to document his findings on how to model a guitar amp in software in a better way than the leading technology at the time. Taking vacuum tubes and turning them into software was where Softube began – always with sound quality in mind. The product roster ranges from modeled guitar amplifiers to professional audio mixing and mastering plug-ins, from virtual instruments to a hybrid hardware/software mixing system, Console 1. Partnerships with an assortment of highly-regarded audio companies around the globe; including Solid State Logic, Abbey Road Studios, Marshall Amplification, Fender, Universal Audio, Tube-Tech, TC Electronic, Mutronics, Summit Audio, Tonelux Designs, Drawmer, Doepfer, Buchla, Intellijel, 4ms, Mutable Instruments, Weiss, and Trident Audio Developments; attest to Softube’s unerring commitment to quality. The company has received several awards and award nominations in recognition of its innovative products. Ever since, Softube has sought to answer the question “what’s the best way to make music with a computer?” for musicians, engineers, and producers alike. Initially developing for big brands in the industry, such as Marshall, and later branching out into our own products and plug-ins, both original and in partnership with such legendary hardware manufacturers as Solid State Logic, Softube has always taken pride in being ahead of the curve on quality of sound. We never settle for keeping up with the competition. We lead the way. Now, with that industry-leading range of products, both hardware, and software, we are growing fast past 30 people, but are still headquartered in Linköping. It’s a terrific university town, and Sweden is the third biggest exporter of music worldwide for a reason. Engineering and art collide here and produce exquisite results.