Transport Buttons
Every DAW profile has them pre-assigned within User Bank 1, to the first 5 soft keys along the top of UF8. These can be assigned to other soft keys by the user.
UF8 Is Not an Interface
UF8 is a controller only and does not have a built in sound card or audio interface.
The SSL Nucleus 2 is both a controller and four channel Dante audio interface.
Plugin Control
Any plug-in in the DAW can be controlled across the V-Pots (or faders with MCU DAWs). You can also control plug-ins that support mouse scroll, using the 'CHANNEL' encoder in 'FOCUS' mode.
Using UF8 With Other DAW Controllers
UF8 can be used alongside an existing SSL controller (e.g. Nucleus 2) that uses ipMIDI to add more faders. Please note that in this example, Nucleus 2 would not be configurable from SSL 360°. The Nucleus 2 would continue to be configured as a Nucleus 2 from the Remote Application.
ipMIDI and SSL V-MIDI are separate entities and can run in parallel.
Remember that a maximum of 4 HUI controllers can be added in Pro Tools (for a 32 fader control surface).
Keyboard Setup Assistant (MacOS Only)
When plugging the UF8 in before installing the software, the user can’t press (and hold) the 360° key (which identifies the keyboard).
Keyboard Identify (Mac Only) - One of the special features of UF8 is its ability to trigger keyboard command sequences of frequently used DAW shortcuts. These are assigned using the SSL 360° software and this is covered later in this User Guide.
When plugging in the UF8, Mac OS will present the above 'Keyboard Setup Assistant' window because Mac OS wants you to identify which region (Europe, America or Japan) this, as yet unidentified, keyboard is from. If you connected UF8 to the computer before installing SSL 360° software, the setup assistant will need to be closed because SSL 360° needs to be installed on the computer in order to continue through this setup process.
To make the Keyboard Setup Assistant appear again once SSL 360° is installed, do the following: Open up Mac's 'System Preferences' > Go to 'Keyboard' > Click 'Change Keyboard Type' (please note, the UF8 must be connected to computer via a USB cable) and click 'Continue'.
• When presented with 'Identifying Your Keyboard' and the message to 'Press the key immediately to the right of the Shift Key' comes up, at this point, press and hold the 360° key on UF8 for 3 seconds until the key lights orange.
• This will move through to the final step of the process, where the appropriate option can be chosen (Europe, America or Japan) for your region and then click 'Done'.
Turning Off UF8
The UF8 does not have a power switch.
Unplugging the power supply, or using an external power strip with a switch, are two ways to turn off UF8.
Both of these methods are perfectly fine.
USB Hubs
Wherever possible, it is best to connect directly to USB on your computer.
If you must connect via a hub, choose one with sufficient specifications that will provide reliable performance; not all USB hubs are created equally.
We recommend the use of a powered USB 2.0 hub; ie a hub that has an external DC power supply and USB 2.0 ports for your devices.
Please note that you will still need to use a USB cable of suitable length (less than 5 meters long) with a powered USB hub.
SSL do not make specific recommendations on USB hubs and cables, but anecdotally one user has had success with the VAVA USB-C hub.
USB 2.0 specifies a maximum length of 5 meters (16 feet). Beyond that length you must use a powered hub or powered extender.
Please note that USB 2.0 always uses the Type-A rectangular connector. If you are unsure of your USB version, please see this guide.
Please also see Thunderbolt with SSL USB audio interfaces and OS and USB interface compatibility.