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Post by mrholmes on Mar 5, 2017 15:47:07 GMT -6
Problem is, there's not anything else I want...except the Zener, but I'm not paying $299 for it. Me too. They always throw coupons at me and I'm always yawning them into expiration. I should start giving them away. I've probably let several hundred dollars in coupons expire over the last few years. I have so much UAD, I use about 20% of what I have, I'm not buying anything else for now. Me too there are two plugs I am interested in but not at 299$ each. For 600 Dollar I am not going to hire the right to use two plug ins. I more tend to do a annual subscription plan as everything bundle at amaximum of 18$ per month. But they don't offer that.
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Post by mrholmes on Mar 5, 2017 15:50:35 GMT -6
Man, I wouldn't have expected this kind of reaction. There is a reason why UAD did the big customer survey. Their business model is no longer up to date, people stop buying plug ins. There is no chance that I give them 299$ for the API Bus compressor.
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UAD
Mar 5, 2017 16:36:33 GMT -6
Guitar likes this
Post by Martin John Butler on Mar 5, 2017 16:36:33 GMT -6
I wouldn't have bought my UAD API 2500 for $299 either, but my coupons got me there. It does sound incredible, but for only a couple hundred more, you can get the Stam SSL compressor. With the quality of other company's plugs getting so good, Kush, Fab Filter, some Slate plugs, and others, UAD needs to become more creative, like I mentioned. They have the capability, but do they have the vision?
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UAD
Mar 5, 2017 17:29:26 GMT -6
Post by mrholmes on Mar 5, 2017 17:29:26 GMT -6
I wouldn't have bought my UAD API 2500 for $299 either, but my coupons got me there. It does sound incredible, but for only a couple hundred more, you can get the Stam SSL compressor. With the quality of other company's plugs getting so good, Kush, Fab Filter, some Slate plugs, and others, UAD needs to become more creative, like I mentioned. They have the capability, but do they have the vision? To me its simple: 1. Offer subscription plans based on hiring plugs, or bundles. 2. Give me access to native versions based on some copy protection. I need to be able to play the same session in a different locations. I would be glad to buy the mobile UAD dongle - not more than 40$ 3. Stop making the plugs more expensive in dealing with the original HW companies. I don't need a logo. 4. I give a shit about a fancy GUI. I think the time for DSP based platforms is over. We have powerful computers... and they get more powerful year after year.
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Post by quiethouse on Mar 5, 2017 19:24:18 GMT -6
If only for the Ocean Way Studios plug-in, having UAD's platform is completely worth it. That thing in small doses does what no other plug can do. I'm impressed with the new API 2500 too. I barely used the EMT-140 these days, but when I want what it does, it's flawless. I've never taken the ATR-102 off my 2 bus since I got it four years ago. Use either Smooth Vocal or 30ips mastering, and you get some wow on your track easily, easy does it though. I am 100% behind this. I get a ton of mixing work from pianists or folk singers who record in their homes with garage band - Ocean Way does wonders for a flat sounding piano and acoustic guitar. As long as the playing and singing is good - we're in business. Also, while the Studer 800 is still a little uninspiring to me - the Ampex does what no other tape plug out there does and its the final sound on every one of my mixes, even roughs. Aside from that, I love tracking through plugins especially drums. Guitar stuff I will usually go through external preamps into the Apollo, just out of preference but I've never balked at using then onboard pres even without Unison.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 5, 2017 21:46:17 GMT -6
Similar thing for me. I have more than I need already. Haven't used the Fatso in 2 years, etc. The API 2500 was a good deal though. I upgraded to the Apollo 8 and had a $100 coupon for buying new, a $25 coupon for a survey, a $50 coupon everyone received, and a special one time only $300 coupon for attending a special UAD event. So combined, I only had to put in $75 to get all the UAD plugs I can use now. I'd like to try the Fab Filter one day, the Waves Abbey Road verb, and now that Ragan's mentioned it, T Verb, but they can wait. The bottom line is UAD's plug-ins have been first class every time. The thing is, there's only so many more interesting "classics" to emulate. I think they better start innovating, or they'll fall behind the competition. I wish UAD well, they've been good to me and the Apollo's worked flawlessly for 5 years. Damnit, I mentioned it first !
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Post by javamad on Mar 6, 2017 2:47:12 GMT -6
I recently got a second Apollo 8 (and a free Satellite!) .. so I have 12 CPU of DSP power. I have quite a lot of the plugins (I have probably over-invested a bit :-P )
I use analog summing and being able to put the Studer 800 across each summed group, plus the API channel strip and then on the way back in to the box put the Shadow Hills and the Curve Bender on the 2-bus is very very useful. I am planning to buy some hardware for the OTB stages (a hardware Zener on the way and the Zulu pre-ordered) but meanwhile I'm very happy with the sounds I am getting.
I also like their unison pre-amps to get a bit more of a meaty sound as I record, it means I have less to do at mix time ... again I have hardware on the way but meanwhile I'm rocking the Unison technology :-)
I am also intrigued with the Console 1, especially now that it can use UAD plugins. In general my experience with UAD has been better when you multiply across channels, lots of small increments makes an overall bigger difference.
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UAD
Mar 6, 2017 9:28:17 GMT -6
Post by Martin John Butler on Mar 6, 2017 9:28:17 GMT -6
Similar thing for me. I have more than I need already. Haven't used the Fatso in 2 years, etc. The API 2500 was a good deal though. I upgraded to the Apollo 8 and had a $100 coupon for buying new, a $25 coupon for a survey, a $50 coupon everyone received, and a special one time only $300 coupon for attending a special UAD event. So combined, I only had to put in $75 to get all the UAD plugs I can use now. I'd like to try the Fab Filter one day, the Waves Abbey Road verb, and now that Ragan's mentioned it, T Verb, but they can wait. The bottom line is UAD's plug-ins have been first class every time. The thing is, there's only so many more interesting "classics" to emulate. I think they better start innovating, or they'll fall behind the competition. I wish UAD well, they've been good to me and the Apollo's worked flawlessly for 5 years. Damnit, I mentioned it first ! I've been dizzy the last few days and probably missed that. I remember being underwhelmed by the thought of a plug-in designed to emulate one sound of a particular vocal, even if that was a classic sound. Frankly, I didn't want to sound like David Bowie on Heroes, great as that record is. Now that John and Ragan have mentioned it, I see it's more than a one trick pony, but more like the Ocean Way with moveable mics, which is a great feature. If I didn't already have the Ocean Way, I'd try it, but I'm feeling OK as far as plug-ins go at the moment. I plan to eventually get the Eventide H9, but need the Stam SSL first, and maybe a second EQP-1A, if I want to EQ and compress using hardware for final mixes. I wonder if the H9 would offer some of the sounds the T-Verb has.
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Post by c0rtland on Mar 6, 2017 11:04:42 GMT -6
Picked up the Lindell plugs. The 254e is blowing me away. Killed the vcomp
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Post by drumrec on Mar 6, 2017 11:16:34 GMT -6
Yepp, I picked up tverb after John had mentioned it in another thread. The best room reverb so far...love it!
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UAD
Mar 6, 2017 11:50:37 GMT -6
Post by Johnkenn on Mar 6, 2017 11:50:37 GMT -6
Picked up the Lindell plugs. The 254e is blowing me away. Killed the vcomp No kidding?
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 6, 2017 11:52:05 GMT -6
Man...no suscriptions for me. If everyone did subscriptions, I'd be screwed and it would end up costing waaaay more money
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UAD
Mar 6, 2017 13:49:44 GMT -6
Post by kcatthedog on Mar 6, 2017 13:49:44 GMT -6
Subscriptions dirty little secret
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UAD
Mar 6, 2017 13:58:28 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by c0rtland on Mar 6, 2017 13:58:28 GMT -6
Picked up the Lindell plugs. The 254e is blowing me away. Killed the vcomp No kidding? I kid you not
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 6, 2017 21:46:43 GMT -6
A wet/dry % blend knob...UAD?
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Post by mrholmes on Mar 6, 2017 21:59:18 GMT -6
A wet/dry % blend knob...UAD? Its 12 years ago .... on the other blue board many users asked UAD for such a paralell knob. Sidechain took about 8 years .... I wrote them about to do something like Slates mix rack because it makes mixing ITB more easy faster and intuitive.... no answer. They lost creativity.... to be true I dont need another simulation of something old. Give me tools which help me to get my shit done asap.
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Post by ChaseUTB on Mar 6, 2017 23:38:53 GMT -6
What pisses me off is the plugs cost a lot and don't even have key input for proper side chaining in PT ....
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Post by veggieryan on Mar 7, 2017 0:27:42 GMT -6
I'm truly worried for UAD... just at the time when they are falling behind the competition, it seems like they spent a year and a half writing USB drivers for the windows twin based on some bad information or perhaps poor research into the future of thunderbolt on windows... Now here we are 2 years later and they have a redundant USB twin for windows that seems like a mistake and half baked thunderbolt drivers for windows that will probably suck even more of their seemingly limited resources. Console routing is a decade behind Motu's AVB mixer and it looks like Apogee is going to blow them away with their upcoming digigrid mixer as far as DSP count, touch control and flexibility is concerned. I dunno, I think UAD needs to hire some new talent and take some chances or they going to become irrelevant. I have been saying for years they need to offer a pro Apollo line with a dsp chip or two per channel and all digital I/O for people who prefer high end conversion. Sharc chips are cheap... why do they keep shooting themselves in the foot with these anemic Apollos.... I mean they still have the gall to sell a Twin solo in 2017??? Really? How much money did they save/make by choosing to make a Solo the base model instead of a Duo? I bet they lost a ton of money since a user won't want to buy more plugins if they don't have the DSP to run them. Seems like business 101 to me, but hey, what do I know?
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UAD
Mar 7, 2017 4:48:41 GMT -6
Guitar likes this
Post by mrholmes on Mar 7, 2017 4:48:41 GMT -6
I'm truly worried for UAD... just at the time when they are falling behind the competition, it seems like they spent a year and a half writing USB drivers for the windows twin based on some bad information or perhaps poor research into the future of thunderbolt on windows... Now here we are 2 years later and they have a redundant USB twin for windows that seems like a mistake and half baked thunderbolt drivers for windows that will probably suck even more of their seemingly limited resources. Console routing is a decade behind Motu's AVB mixer and it looks like Apogee is going to blow them away with their upcoming digigrid mixer as far as DSP count, touch control and flexibility is concerned. I dunno, I think UAD needs to hire some new talent and take some chances or they going to become irrelevant. I have been saying for years they need to offer a pro Apollo line with a dsp chip or two per channel and all digital I/O for people who prefer high end conversion. Sharc chips are cheap... why do they keep shooting themselves in the foot with these anemic Apollos.... I mean they still have the gall to sell a Twin solo in 2017??? Really? How much money did they save/make by choosing to make a Solo the base model instead of a Duo? I bet they lost a ton of money since a user won't want to buy more plugins if they don't have the DSP to run them. Seems like business 101 to me, but hey, what do I know? I am running a small business since 16 years. I know how hard it is to see things from the outside perspective, special if old business models are not going to work anymore.
No Question UAD is a great company with great history. To stay there you need INNOVATION!
IMO their biggest problem is that they do not realize that they have strong native competition. I am running a mac pro from 2016 with El Capitan and because of the efficient coding of Slate and Kush I can run big sessions. Just the last Slate Update made the native story even more CPU friendly.
DSP platforms are out of date?? Special if new computers are even more powerful??
Second deal breaker is: Many kids and independent musicians cant afford a DSP system nor a single plug-in at 299$.
I bet they all land in Slate subscription plan which is too tempting not to use it for a few years. 14.99 per month you get fresh interesting plug ins and great support too. And now it seems like they do regular updates too.
For the money I gave UAD I can run 10 years the Slate subscription plan without being bound to a DSP card.
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Post by drsax on Mar 7, 2017 8:39:09 GMT -6
Wow... there's not much love here for UAD. I've used UAD since they started and have always been pleased. To date, in my opinion, UAD is still the most simple and elegant all in one system for no latency tracking out there. I have a headphone queue system in my studio, that is the cost of several UAD units. And it amazes me that my Apollo, and my laptop, can offer pretty much the same flexibility anywhere, anytime. In a single rack space. For engineers that are spending most of the time mixing, it may be a different story. But for anyone doing a significant amount of tracking, the no latency set up of Apollo is worth way more than you pay for. The investment into a UAD system is not just about plug-ins for mixing. It's about a complete solution for recording and mixing. In my opinion, No one has done it as efficiently and elegantly as universal audio. I agree that it would be nice to see side chaining and more wet dry knobs.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 7, 2017 9:24:08 GMT -6
veggieryan please tell us more about "Apogee is going to blow them away with their upcoming digigrid mixer" links ?
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UAD
Mar 7, 2017 12:34:02 GMT -6
Post by mrholmes on Mar 7, 2017 12:34:02 GMT -6
drsaxI think there is love for UAD. But maybe UAD is no longer addressing a broad group of young creators.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 7, 2017 12:37:20 GMT -6
Well somebody is buying all those Twins
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UAD
Mar 7, 2017 13:04:09 GMT -6
Guitar likes this
Post by veggieryan on Mar 7, 2017 13:04:09 GMT -6
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UAD
Mar 7, 2017 13:14:46 GMT -6
Post by kcatthedog on Mar 7, 2017 13:14:46 GMT -6
thx !
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