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Post by watchtower on Apr 4, 2014 12:52:37 GMT -6
I have a unique opportunity to save a bunch on some UAD gear. However, even so, I'm having trouble deciding if it's worth it for me. I have always wanted UAD plugs, but IMHO, they are expensive. Plus, in my studio, I honestly don't NEED any more software plug-ins. I have everything I need to satisfy my clients and make a fantastic mix and master. However, getting new "toys" is definitely part of what makes audio fun for me, and is the reason I still buy software and equipment.
I could get an Octo since they're currently running a big special, but I am running a 2010 Macbook Pro, so I don't have room for a PCI card, and I don't have Thunderbolt. I AM planning to get an iMac this summer or Fall, so I WILL have Thunderbolt then, and I guess I could buy a PCI enclosure?
I could just get an Apollo (new interface + UAD), but I honestly don't believe it will be a sonic upgrade from my current Focusrite and M-Audio setup, so it may just be an unnecessary expense?
I could get a Twin as an entry way into UAD (I think this is my cheapest route?), but its I/O is not what I need for recording a lot of the time. I record a fair number of bands and need at least 10 inputs at a time for that. I guess I could record like normal with my Focusrite, and then use the Twin come mix time for UAD access? It seems a bit convoluted.
How did you decide to go UAD or not? Any advice?
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Post by popmann on Apr 4, 2014 13:01:35 GMT -6
IMO/E....UAD is a fine platform IF you COMMIT. Meaning--you're gonna want to invest in all the plugs you need to do your mixes. And yes, you will need Thunderbolt to take full advantage that way. If you go UAD+whatever is in you DAW--solid investment. They're expensive, but since you can use them in tracking/cueing/mixing--AND having enough horsepower to use mostly their plugs at mix time means you can mix on whatever machine. They're also good about making all their plugs compatible at once, which means they define when you upgrade or not--if you're held back, you have ONE dev to bitch to...
If you have a lot invested in native plugs....thus need to keep a fast'ish machine...and/or don't use an Apollo as interface, no they're simply expensive plugs that don't sound particularly better than native alternatives, IMO/E. I know that's not fair having not worked with them in a while--but, their new stuff has upped it's game simply because they were laid out COLD by native devs. So, are they currently the best sounding emulations....maybe...maybe they're playing catch up to not lose people. They ARE great sounding plug ins, which like I said--if you're going to commit a lot of money to the platform are well worth it. But, if you're just wanting to get a few vintage emus...or want to be able to pick the "best LA" AND the "best Pultec" etc, they're likely not a goo bet--as no one is. I've found that the person making he best LA doesn't make the best Fairchild or pultec...the best 1176 isn't the best CL1b...the best Lexi isn't any of the above, etc. You should also note that as I've said before, accurate emulation shouldn't really be much of a concern, IMO, to someone who isn't used to using the real thing--ie, would value better and more flexible over accuracy in emulation.
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 4, 2014 16:49:44 GMT -6
The current deal on the octo saves you $750 usd on plugs that you can buy up to the end of june so that could be new plugs if they are releasaed, you also get a choice of three current plugs for an additional $399 or 6/799
An owc single card chassis is about $350 and you will need a cable about $35.
so bout $2300 retail ( but you have about $1600-1700 dollars of plug value) and you have saved about $1350 off the price of plugs, ie full retail would have this total cost at about $36-3,700 ( hardware, chassis plus software), most people use the 3/399 or the 6/799 deal to buy UA's most expensive plugs so you save about $600 usd on the 3/399 deal and about $1,200 on the 6/799 deal.
So you would gain 8 processing chips, pcie-e processing speed and 5-7 of ua best plugs of your choice ? But you have still spent about $2300 with an octo which you would not use until you buy your imac ?
So the octo deal is a very good deal for new ua stuff and you get to pick exactly what you want and the octo comes with the new classics package so you end up with about 12-15 ua plugs roughly. The classics package also give you the half price upgrade to the mkii of the la2, 1175, fairchild and pultec so you would save about another $600,because you bought the octo or an apollo.
So basically ua is giving you back half your purchases price in plugs
still think ua plugs are expensive? Who else does that ?
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 4, 2014 17:21:09 GMT -6
I know I'm extremely happy with UAD.... the plugins are simply better than any other I've used. I am a total believer in UAD and when I went to PT 11 I basically went exclusive to UAD with a few other plugs that I can't live without. Your mixes will run much smoother and you can back off the buffer which is really great if you want to do a quick overdub on a mix that's been set up, no need to disable a bunch of stuff and back the buffer, I run a full mix at 128 in PT 11 Native and it's smooth as anything. Love UAD.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2014 17:22:31 GMT -6
I don't suggest it and never will go UAD as it is like the "old" Protools trap with hardware/software.
There are plenty of awesome plugs that sound great great without a massive hardware dongle. There are great interfaces that aren't priced to cover te cost of software too.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Apr 4, 2014 19:10:28 GMT -6
Meh, the waves stuff is good. PSP is good. I use some other stuff besides UAD. I think the new MK2 UAD's are a cut above but probably nothing I couldn't live without if I had to. I use them on every mix though. To be quite honest, I could do very well using just the stock Cubase stuff.
Forgot to mention Fab Filter stuff. For me, a must have. Simply stellar tools.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 4, 2014 20:07:31 GMT -6
I can just get where I want to go faster with the UAD stuff...but, definitely not the only thing out there.
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Post by jeromemason on Apr 4, 2014 21:19:23 GMT -6
Meh, the waves stuff is good. PSP is good. I use some other stuff besides UAD. I think the new MK2 UAD's are a cut above but probably nothing I couldn't live without if I had to. I use them on every mix though. To be quite honest, I could do very well using just the stock Cubase stuff. Forgot to mention Fab Filter stuff. For me, a must have. Simply stellar tools. Pro-q is a must. I also love the Metric Halo Channel Strip..... I use that a lot with the UAD stuff in PT11 |
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Post by watchtower on Apr 7, 2014 8:14:44 GMT -6
Thanks guys. It sounds like I just need to decide if getting some new toys is worth the price of hardware + software.
What is the cheapest way into UAD currently do you think? Is it the Twin?
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 7, 2014 8:50:47 GMT -6
Probably. The twin duo then get the 6 for $799 deal...so a total of $1698 for the plugs that come with and 6 or your choosing. Or you could do a Quad or Duo satellite and do the same deal. So duo + 6 plugs = $1500 or quad + 6 plugs = $1799.
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Post by watchtower on Apr 7, 2014 9:43:50 GMT -6
Sorry, what is the 6 for $799 deal? Is that something they automatically offer when you register anything UAD? Is it a limited time thing, or do they always do it?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Apr 7, 2014 9:50:31 GMT -6
Sorry, what is the 6 for $799 deal? Is that something they automatically offer when you register anything UAD? Is it a limited time thing, or do they always do it? I inquired about this a couple weeks ago. From UA support... So it looks like anyone who registers new UAD hardware gets a free Helios plugin and gets the 3 plugs for $399 or 6 plugs for $799 offer. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 7, 2014 10:14:19 GMT -6
Yep...that's a killer deal...they had the Pultec, la2a and 1176 collections for $99 last month, so I picked out 5 expensive ones added one of the $99 ones to make 6 and then I just bought the other two for $198. Plus the free Helios. So, 9 new plugs for $997.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2014 10:20:11 GMT -6
If you buy an Octo Card, you get a coupon for $750. Combine that with the April coupon for $50, and the 6/799 bundle, and you can scoop up 11 plugins for $800. the $800 in coupons covers the EMT140, Fairchild, LA2A, Pultec, and 1176. the 6/799 gets you everything else. If you get an octo custom, you'll get 3 more plugs on top of it all. 14 plugins for the price of an Octo Custom + $799!
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Post by watchtower on Apr 8, 2014 7:02:02 GMT -6
If you buy an Octo Card, you get a coupon for $750. Combine that with the April coupon for $50, and the 6/799 bundle, and you can scoop up 11 plugins for $800. the $800 in coupons covers the EMT140, Fairchild, LA2A, Pultec, and 1176. the 6/799 gets you everything else. If you get an octo custom, you'll get 3 more plugs on top of it all. 14 plugins for the price of an Octo Custom + $799! It's a great deal, but I'm on a Macbook Pro right now, so no PCI unless I get an enclosure. I also have no Thunderbolt. I will when I get an iMac whenever they come out in the summer or fall |
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