British company Rocksolid Audio have launched a USB hardware controller which replicates an SSL channel strip in hardware. We have the details and a first hand account from an early adopter.

We discuss hardware controllers for DAWs a lot on Production Expert and the standard justification for these, often expensive, devices which cynics sometimes write off as little more than a “big mouse” is that access to physical faders and the ability to change more than one parameter at a time - to “mix with both hands”, makes such devices a worthwhile investment.

The thing about the Control Strip 2 is that for most DAW users it doesn’t do either of these things but it has still been warmly received by many in the industry.

What Is the Rocksolid Audio Channel Strip 2?

The Rocksolid Audio Channel Strip 2 is an inexpensive USB hardware controller which brings the feel of an SSL channel under your fingertips while using your SSL Channel Strip Plugins. What is it, how well does it work? We have the answers.

Channel Strip 2

The name gives away the fact that the Rocksolid Audio Channel Strip 2 is the second iteration of the Channel Strip. The first version was physically similar but this current version is a more refined package with additional functionality. It is a controller which offers a single SSL E Series Channel Strip as a USB controller with 22 rotary encoders, 14 of which are push-button type and there are 6 momentary push buttons. The familiar EQ section is presented side by side with the dynamics sections, filters, and input and output levels in a compact package measuring approximately 10”x7”. A single type B USB socket on the back makes this a very neat package indeed.

There are a couple of accompanying software elements. The Control Strip Setup software, which allows the setting up of the MIDI settings and to specifies which SSL plugins are being used, and switching between MIDI and Mouse Modes. The Mouse Mode application has to be open while using the controller but there is very little to set up here.

The Control Strip Setup software allows the controller to be set up in MIDI mode much like any other MIDI controller. The usefulness of this MIDI mode very much depends on the DAW you’re using. It is best suited to Reaper. For other DAW users, particularly Pro Tools is is the Mouse Mode which will be of more interest.

Mouse Mode

Mouse Mode is a clever way to get around the limited resolution of MIDI. 128 levels isn’t enough for fine control of most parameters and is hopeless for things like EQ frequency. Mouse Mode allows the controller to access the resolution available when using a mouse to control your plugins. The Mouse Mode setup process is nothing more than a global sensitivity control, much like the mouse speed parameter on your computer, and when set up, fine control is available. The compromise is that a computer only uses one mouse at a time and when using Mouse Mode only one parameter can be changed at a time.

What Is The Point If You Can’t Control More than One Parameter At A Time?

I was initially surprised when I found out how the Channel Strip 2 does what it does. Its closest equivalent is the Softube Console One, which offers the same per-channel control of EQ and Dynamics, though in a less brand-specific way than is offered here. You can change more than one parameter at a time on that, isn’t forgoing that possibility a fatal flaw here?

I’m going to say possibly not. While access to two parameters is sometimes essential, the example which comes to mind is simultaneous access to the cutoff and resonance of a synth filter, in my experience when I access two controls which aren’t faders it is as often as not access to EQs across different channels, or an EQ and a fader which is needed when working an analogue mixer. Access to the frequency and the gain at the same time is nice but I wouldn’t describe it as “game over” if it weren’t available. if it was how have we all been mixing with mouse and keyboard for all this time?

What About Dynamics?

I’m more reluctant to give up two-handed access to a compressor or expander. It’s fine but it is always refreshing to be able to grab the Threshold and Ratio at the same time. However that being said I wonder how much of the time I’m actually turning both controls at the same time…

Which SSL Plugins Does it Support?

The Setup App offers control of the following SSL channel strip plugins:

• UAD SSL Plugins

• SSL Native

• Waves SSL

• Brainworx E

• Brainworx G

• Brainworx J

What Is It Like In Use?

Production Expert Contributor John Cornfield was an early adopter of the Rock Solid Audio Channel Strip. He bought one of the originals and has since upgraded to version 2. As a very experienced mixer who has had enough time on real SSLs to have a valid opinion on whether or not the Rocksolid audio controller adds to the experience of mixing using SSL channel strip plugins, we asked him his thoughts on how this little controller is in use on a mix.

 I have been using this controller for a couple of months now and I love it, I mix mainly on an Avid C24 now and although I can control plugins with it the layout is less than ideal for quick access as it is usually spread across several pages and the default mappings never seem totally logical to me, I did remap some of the plugins on the C24 but it always seemed quicker to just do it on screen but with this Rock Solid audio controller it is so quick as the controls are just where you expect them to be and clearly laid out.

The lack of ability to move more than one control simultaneously doesn’t bother me that much as I only normally use one hand unless I am messing with filter sweeps which is not that often so I will then use the C24 for the second control.  All in all this is a very well thought out controller so I take my hat off to you Matthew Fenton (the person behind Rocksolid Audio - ed) and I look forward to other similar controllers in the future. thank you :)

Due to high demand at the time of writing the Channel Strip 2 is available for pre-ordering from the 17th May 2021, build time is approximately 6 weeks. The price is very reasonable £280. Visit the Rocksolid Audio website for more details.