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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jul 15, 2021 9:44:39 GMT -6
Plugin Alliance installer is dangerously easy to use. Oh yeah, 100%. And the Waves-ish pricing scheme for "UAD Level" (roughly speaking) native plugins that get updated on a regular basis, no weird license BS, easy to resell if needed, good support from the company themselves when I've needed it. I did the math, and I've spent about the same as what I spent on UAD at Plugin Alliance. The thing is though I own 97 plugins from Plugin Alliance, and 51 plugins from Universal Audio. So you do that math, and the PA plugins are about $15 per plugin, and the UAD are about $30 something per plugin. Satellite Quad included in the total price. That includes free and legacy as well as bundled plugins, so those prices sound a bit low to what's actually spent, but that's the simple math for me. You could say you get twice as much for your money with PA, unless UAD is "twice better" but I don't think they are. Maybe in a few specific instances. But the inverse would also be true. I could have had one Bill and Brad's Silver Bullet and one Audioscape bus compressor. But no, I have 150 plugins instead. That's how I operate, I guess. The plugins are my dream gear. It's also a 10 minute install to put them all on a new computer. I guess I'm the drbill of plugins, haha. Yeah, PA is the only other provider I use on a regular basis. Other than stock plugins on occasion. And I am fully aware that there is better stuff out there... but I simply don't want to be thinking about what I'm using. I just want to grab a tool that I know meets a quality standard and use it. That's what I like about both PA and UAD. Only other thing I use is Softube's Curve Bender. I've never felt like I'm missing out. |
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Post by Guitar on Jul 15, 2021 10:31:21 GMT -6
gravesnumber9Yep, Softube is like the "top shelf" for me at the plugin shops, because of their prices. I have Curve Bender and also Weiss EQ MP, that I would say are top shelf, specialty plugins. Love these things, but I'm not going to go out and buy everything Softube makes. Tape and Harmonics are also first-reach for me, utility stuff. But many of the rest of their plugins are too expensive to justify compared to alternatives. Also to tie in with UAD, Softube and Brainworx (P.A.) both have plugs in the UAD store, so there's an endorsement for anyone who cares about that sort of thing.
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Post by christopher on Jul 15, 2021 11:26:30 GMT -6
Thousands $ on that Vox take: better sound good !  So true! I used to figure $10k+ to get a single channel chain like that. After that session I started pricing out the chain.. Now we can get a mic, pre, Eq, compressor, all are top quality for the MacBook + plugin bundle price range. Which is pretty incredible and GAS inducing  |
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Post by subspace on Jul 15, 2021 14:06:09 GMT -6
I own about 20 plug-ins that are available in UAD format or native/AAX DSP format, so those alternatives are obvious:
SPL Transient Designer - This legacy version comes bundled with the updated Plus version from PA, I use their IRON mastering compressor and Passeq as well
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor - I actually use the Class A version from PA
Maag EQ4 EQ - I use Maag's Magnum-K compressor from PA as well
elysia alpha compressor
Vertigo Sound VSM-3 Mix Satellite
Brainworx bx_masterdesk
A/DA STD-1 Stereo Tapped Delay
Ampeg SVT-VR Bass Amplifier
Ampeg B-15N Bass Amplifier
Gallien-Krueger 800RB Bass Amplifier
Friedman BE-100 Amplifier
Fuchs Train II Amplifier
ENGL Savage 120 Amplifier
Diezel Herbert Amplifier
Summit Audio TLA-100A Compressor - Also have the EQF-100 and Grand Channel from Softube
Tube-Tech CL 1B MKII Compressor
Tube-Tech PE 1C Program Equalizer
Tube-Tech ME 1B Mid Equalizer - Have all three Tube-Tech's, as well as the updated MKII EQ and Classic Channel from Softube
Valley People Dyna-mite - Have the updated version with the additional Dyna-mite Gate and Slam plug-ins from Softube
Eventide H910 Harmonizer - This one doesn't come in AAX DSP format like all the above, but the native one does include a dual version and I've got the H949 single and dual versions as well
While there's a lot of exclusive UAD content, there's also a lot of upgrades and additional plug-ins from the same developers not available to UAD. My main reason for going with the native/AAX DSP format though is to just be able to open a session with all plug-ins native when not connected to DSP.
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deif
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by deif on Jul 15, 2021 18:26:48 GMT -6
Thank you all. I’m knee deep in UA but this is a great reminder that I have options lol
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Post by sirthought on Jul 16, 2021 15:59:09 GMT -6
I'm not going to read this whole thread, so I don't know if conclusions were drawn. But to the OP, if you own rights to what was once their full collection, then getting a UAD Satellite is totally worth it. Folks can debate about native plugs being just as good, or better in some cases, but it's found money for you to own stuff from *one* of the top plugin makers. And getting something to run on DSP does have it's advantages.
Unless you are just happy with what you are using now——and that's fine if you are——investing in a Satellite makes good sense, because you already have rights to good stuff.
The MKII Pultec and 1176 are totally worth it. Chambers and EMT 140 totally worth it. And I think the Ampex tape plug is one of the smartest investments in modern audio. My two cents.
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Post by gwlee7 on Jul 16, 2021 20:29:58 GMT -6
I decided that I need to keep all the plugs and the USB satellite. I have a lot of good ones so you just know the moment I finally sell them I will decide that “this track really needs some _____ on it” and I”ll be pissed.
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Post by livemusicny on Mar 5, 2022 14:05:15 GMT -6
Some thoughts. I’m looking at selling all 90 or so UA plugins soon. I will miss a few. The 1176 mkii, ssl buss comp, Fairchild, some verbs but I think I will survive pretty easily. Already enjoying the Purple mc77 and it’s mix knob. Doesn’t sound as good but gets the job done. The PA bundles are great and you get the voucher to buy plugins on sale and can sell them later if you want. Slate tape is amazing. Valhalla reverbs cover almost everything. Kush plugins also are awesome. Fabfilter. Some waves just work so well. So many out there with amazing features.
Pros:
UA makes killer plugins with internal oversampling that are some of the best emulations out there.
UA support is great when things don’t work, but UA is not customer friendly when it comes to ownership.
UA software just works which is super valuable!
Cons:
- Cannot sell plugins easily.
- Cannot move plugins from different systems under 1 account.
- Have to use their hardware $$$ and it takes up a port on your computer.
- Opening a session without hardware makes you click through many notifications (per UA plug-in in the session) PITA.
- Other companies have very close and equal but diff quality plugins that will not make or break a mix. Often for cheaper and you can resell them if you don’t need them!!
- not honest when advertising (for instance Apollo x ads touted a certain dynamic range for conversion which were ONLY on the monitor outs). Not clear at all unless you look in the manual. (https://www.uaudio.com/press/releases/2018/apollo-x/)
- once denied honoring a plug-in promo.
- extremely expensive. Can buy a decent analog chain used for $1k which will prob make a bigger difference overall sound wise. A good front end after the mic and performer is most important.
- computers can handle way more native plugins now.
- even X converters are not close to neutral or transparent. I’ve compared many times for summing and capturing. They add something in their converters that give things a cool sound, forward and punchy in a way, but not neutral at all.
- companies like AA, even w their software issues ( they’re getting better) offer way way more bang for buck conversion wise and can track w plugs. Audient, apogee and others also make some great interfaces.
- a lot of comps don’t have mix knobs.
- no flexible digital routing like AA and Lynx and other companies at this point. I’m not an AA fanboy btw just appreciate that they do provide a lot of value and I haven’t had many issues at all. I also had Lynx aurora (n) and Mytek and RME.
I think UA perhaps ‘had’ to pivot to LUNA w native computer power increasing and so many competitive plug-in companies these days. LUNA is amazing in ways but is another way to lock one into their hardware and entice buying exp plugins. The summing stuff is cool too but will never compete w real analog summing. Even in all there shootouts analog vs UAD it’s quite obvious the depth and fullness of analog vs digital. At least to me.
For some UA is a great choice and the workflow is great. I just think they could be making a ton selling plugs natively and letting go of the control they are trying to keep over their empire. I could def be wrong!
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Post by tkaitkai on Mar 5, 2022 18:06:02 GMT -6
Great post. I agree with most of what you’ve written here. I finally got out of UAD land a month ago and apart from the 1176 collection, I really don’t miss it. Like, at all. Initially, I was a little sad about losing Console, but after playing around with Apogee Control, I’ve actually really come to love it and it makes a whole lot more sense to me. Between Fuse and Black Rooster, I feel totally satisfied on the analog emulation side of things. Low CPU and every bit as good as UAD sonically without the DSP concerns. When I need something special for a vocal or stereo mix, I can grab a CPU hog from Acustica and again, it sounds just as good as (if not better than) the UAD stuff. Even the 1176 was mostly a convenience thing for me — the MKIs were so DSP-lite that I threw them on pretty much everything, so it was mostly a matter of finding an equally good workhorse compressor, which for me, is Jon V FirComp. The more I rely on this one, the more I realize not everything needs 1176 coloration, and most often, I’m just looking for dynamic control with a small CPU footprint. As for the Apollo, it’s cool for what it is, but not my thing. Some people do great work with them. Personally, I find a high end hardware channel almost always sounds better and is more inspiring to work with. If I ever want to get into UAD again, it will definitely just be a Satellite for the plugins. |
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Post by Bat Lanyard on Mar 5, 2022 20:41:08 GMT -6
Some thoughts. I’m looking at selling all 90 or so UA plugins soon. I will miss a few. The 1176 mkii, ssl buss comp, Fairchild, some verbs but I think I will survive pretty easily. Already enjoying the Purple mc77 and it’s mix knob. Doesn’t sound as good but gets the job done. The PA bundles are great and you get the voucher to buy plugins on sale and can sell them later if you want. Slate tape is amazing. Valhalla reverbs cover almost everything. Kush plugins also are awesome. Fabfilter. Some waves just work so well. So many out there with amazing features. Pros: UA makes killer plugins with internal oversampling that are some of the best emulations out there. UA support is great when things don’t work, but UA is not customer friendly when it comes to ownership. UA software just works which is super valuable! Cons: - Cannot sell plugins easily. - Cannot move plugins from different systems under 1 account. - Have to use their hardware $$$ and it takes up a port on your computer. - Opening a session without hardware makes you click through many notifications (per UA plug-in in the session) PITA. - Other companies have very close and equal but diff quality plugins that will not make or break a mix. Often for cheaper and you can resell them if you don’t need them!! - not honest when advertising (for instance Apollo x ads touted a certain dynamic range for conversion which were ONLY on the monitor outs). Not clear at all unless you look in the manual. (https://www.uaudio.com/press/releases/2018/apollo-x/) - once denied honoring a plug-in promo. - extremely expensive. Can buy a decent analog chain used for $1k which will prob make a bigger difference overall sound wise. A good front end after the mic and performer is most important. - computers can handle way more native plugins now. - even X converters are not close to neutral or transparent. I’ve compared many times for summing and capturing. They add something in their converters that give things a cool sound, forward and punchy in a way, but not neutral at all. - companies like AA, even w their software issues ( they’re getting better) offer way way more bang for buck conversion wise and can track w plugs. Audient, apogee and others also make some great interfaces. - a lot of comps don’t have mix knobs. - no flexible digital routing like AA and Lynx and other companies at this point. I’m not an AA fanboy btw just appreciate that they do provide a lot of value and I haven’t had many issues at all. I also had Lynx aurora (n) and Mytek and RME. I think UA perhaps ‘had’ to pivot to LUNA w native computer power increasing and so many competitive plug-in companies these days. LUNA is amazing in ways but is another way to lock one into their hardware and entice buying exp plugins. The summing stuff is cool too but will never compete w real analog summing. Even in all there shootouts analog vs UAD it’s quite obvious the depth and fullness of analog vs digital. At least to me. For some UA is a great choice and the workflow is great. I just think they could be making a ton selling plugs natively and letting go of the control they are trying to keep over their empire. I could def be wrong! Well though out, for sure. I'd add in no sidechain input. Satellites are a good way to transition out from the interface and still keep the things you like to use. For A/D/D/A conversion there's certainly many better options out there to consider. |
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Post by phantom on Mar 6, 2022 6:58:29 GMT -6
The summing stuff is cool too but will never compete w real analog summing. Even in all there shootouts analog vs UAD it’s quite obvious the depth and fullness of analog vs digital. At least to me. For some UA is a great choice and the workflow is great. I just think they could be making a ton selling plugs natively and letting go of the control they are trying to keep over their empire. I could def be wrong! Their summing thingy is just as distant to real summing as any other plugin that does that. I don't buy the "this is not just a plugin, it's doing many things under the hood". |
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Post by bossanova on Oct 19, 2022 22:32:29 GMT -6
Does anyone have personal favorites for the same kind of tone (or lack thereof) that the 1176 collection imparts on the signal? I’m on my first month of Spark and I’ve noticed how the UAD 1176 keeps the fast transients of a source in check in a very nice way without adding anything nasty or randomly missing/distorting peaks.
For the rest, I was wowed at first but I found that after the “wow” factor dissipated I was as much or more impressed with plugs I already own for:
- LA2A - BX Opto or Fuse LA-4
- Pure Plate - Soundtoys Little Plate
- Lexicon 224 - Valhalla Vintage in 80s mode (I know the 70s mode is technically closer to the limited bandwidth of the 224)
I mentioned in another thread that I had been using the PA MC77, but I really don’t like what it does to the signal, even if it is accurate to the hardware.
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Post by kcatthedog on Oct 20, 2022 3:42:11 GMT -6
Have you demoed the Pulsar 1178?
I posted here in another thread a link to it being on sale
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2022 7:23:00 GMT -6
Molot GE on insane
Faraday Limiter on HQ
Pulsar 1178 on maximum oversampling.
Oxford Dynamics Limiter at minimum 88.2 khz for vocals
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Post by bossanova on Oct 20, 2022 9:05:40 GMT -6
Have you demoed the Pulsar 1178? I posted here in another thread a link to it being on sale I have not…I’ll have to check it out. I just ran a head to head on a vocal between the UAD Blue Stripe and Tim P’s U76, both 12:1, 6, 7, and I have the dynamic action pretty close, but the UAD is doing something magic to soothe the harshness out of the vocal. I know Tim’s is based on a Rev D so it could just be that. Update: surprise replacement found! With Kotelnikov GE set to Insane at 7:1 (the highest ratio it can give), and both it and the UAD going into the LA-2A plug with identical, level matched amounts of GR, I can’t reliably differentiate between the two in blind testing. For something like drums the difference might be more apparent, but on vocals the TDR nails that same, smooth control, possibly more so on some passages. Update 2: the UAD 1176 has some additional shaping going on in the low mids that I am hearing better now. It’s keeping everything tight, where the TDR is leaving in a bit of excess body/flab. Hmm. |
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