Softube - New console Hardware - Modelled on 4k console

Looks very intresting!!
 
http://www.softube.com/index.php?id=console1
 
world-class model of an analog mixer channel paired with a hardware controller. Console 1 is that, and more.
The software
Inserting the software on any or all mixer channels of your DAW gives you a full-featured channel strip per channel. Included in the purchase is UK 4k, a new model by Softube of an analog console. UK 4k perfectly mimics the sound of a well-known British large format console, used on countless records from its introduction in the late 1970's and onwards.
The channel strip is divided into sections, and not only does it include the world famous four-band equalizer and compressor from the modeled console, but there's also the Drive section which models analog console saturation. And then there's Dynamic Shape, a unique processor that combines expander/gate and transient shaper functions. Plus a few more useful functions to help you make great mixes.
For further sonic variation, you can customize each channel separately by adding in any Softube equalizer or compressor. This works, because one unique aspect of the Console 1 software is that it's a plug-in that can contain plug-ins!
The on-screen display gives you perfect and detailed visual feedback and metering of all effects settings and channel levels. But if you prefer an analog-like workflow, the hardware gives you all the visual feedback you need.
The hardware
With Console 1, it's entirely possible to mix a song from beginning to end and not even look at the computer screen. Intuitively laid out, the sturdy Console 1 hardware puts you in direct control of every aspect of the Console 1 software. True to the analog workflow, most knobs and buttons are dedicated to a single function and very few functions require combining several controls. The LED meters give you immediate visual feedback of your gain structure and the processing performed by the dynamic effects. And the LED circles around each knob let you see that knob's current position. Still, if you prefer the more detailed feedback the on-screen display gives you, you can toggle it on and off with a dedicated button on the hardware. Or use the Auto mode, and have it pop up every time you change a setting on the hardware and then fade away after a few seconds.
The hardware offers some useful extra functions, such as the ability of grouping any or all channels to tweak the settings simultaneously across the group, and changing the order of the effect sections. The hardware is USB powered, so no extra power supply is necessary.
In Short
- Integrated hardware/software music mixing solution
- World-class analog channel simulation
- Softube's new modeled analog mixer is included, UK 4k for Console 1
- Hands-on control and intuitive workflow
- Use with any DAW
- Four-band equalizer, compressor, emulated analog console saturation and unique Dynamic Shaper
- Built-in sidechain and parallel compression with all Softube compressors
- Customize the channel by adding any Softube plug-in

can you get the software without the hardware?

I don't think I can cram anything else on my desk at the moment.

Official release date for Console 1: February 12, 2014

Solid State Logic is officially endorsing the channel strip model included in the purchase, this will be called: Solid State Logic SL4000E.

Today, Softube does not only announce an official release date for the much anticipated next generation mixer Console 1, which will be in stores February 12. But it is also our great pleasure to announce that Console 1 will include Softube's new model of one of the world's most classic mixing consoles—Solid State Logic SL4000E.

Softube's Console 1 was first announced at Frankfurt Musikmesse in April 2013, where the unique new approach to music mixing on a computer immediately aroused a lot of interest, and was on many "best in show" lists in pro audio media outlets. The system has since been perfected, and now it is time for all those who have been waiting to finally get their unit.

Official release
Console 1 will be in stores worldwide from February 12. US list price is $1099, with a probable street price of $999. In Europe, the list price will be €849, probable street price €799 (including 19% sales tax).

Officially endorsed by Solid State Logic
Furthermore, we at Softube are honored to announce that Solid State Logic will officially endorse our model of their classic console SL4000E. The model is included in the purchasing price of Console 1, and consists of the coveted black knob E242 equalizer, the classic channel compressor, the musical expander/gate and the sweet high and low cut filters from that channel. We have also included a model of the harmonics, distortion and non-linearities obtained from overdriving the SL4000E console, which can be used to add analog distortion across the entire mix for that coherent "glue" sound. Adding to that is Softube's own Transient Shaper, which is not a part of the SL4000E console or any other analog unit for that matter.