Ultimate DAW Control Surface: the SSL UF1 and UF8

In this video, I’m breaking down how the SSL UF1 and UF8 have become two of the most important pieces of gear in my studio—and why I use them every single day inside Studio One. I like these units so much, it makes me wish I had a second UF8 to complete a trio of controllers.

I bought both of these right when they were released, and over time they’ve completely reshaped how I work. I’m not a hardcore power user or a macro wizard—but even at a mid-level, the jump from mouse-and-keyboard mixing to tactile control has been massive. Faster decisions, smoother automation, better focus, and way less friction.

In this video, I talk about:

Why I chose the UF1 and UF8
How I actually use them in real production sessions
What each unit does differently (and why they work so well together)
How tactile control speeds up editing, mixing, and automation
Why these feel like core studio tools—not accessories

If you’re working in Studio One and looking to improve speed, flow, and connection to your mixes, this setup has been a game changer for me.

Let me know if you want a deeper dive into specific workflows or Studio One integration tips—and thanks for watching.

Check out some of the gear I'm using to make these videos below. Just so you know, purchasing from these links helps support my channel.

SSL UF1: https://amzn.to/4pz78lQ
SSL UF8: https://amzn.to/3Lw3cEe
Heritage RAM System 2000: https://amzn.to/3Nagvee
Sony FX30: https://amzn.to/3XHccZX
Sony ECM-M1: https://amzn.to/44hKMNT
Viltrox 13mm f/1.4: https://amzn.to/48IjIbV
Neewer Softbox: https://amzn.to/3KL1luV
Neewer Bi-color LED Lights: https://amzn.to/48Fva8c
00:00 Introduction
02:11 SSL UF1
03:48 SSL UF8
05:58 Tips
06:37 Build Quality
07:21 Final Thoughts