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Post by Rock Kennedy on Feb 21, 2014 9:35:21 GMT -6
I have a couple of coupons with UAD that are about to expire and I would love some input.
Unfortunately, I am running a mix of UAD 1 and UAD 2 cards under 32bit so I can not try the newer UAD plugs. Would you recommend the SSL channel strip, the Neve channel strip or is it worth it to just go through the hassle of dumping the UAD 1 cards and upgrading to 64 bit so I can use the API vision. I have heard it is a very nice plug. Or would I be better off to just get the Slate VCC and use EQ and Compressor plugs I already have?
Don't know if the following info helps but in case:
- 90% of what I do is country.
- I am already pushing my UAD cards pretty hard with Studer and Ampex use.
- I use a VST hosts, not protools.
- Have UAD Neve EQ's, Fairchild, and a few others.
- Have a liquid mix that is working well after a huge hassle with Widows 8 firewire drivers.
- Money is tight so bang-for-the-buck means a lot.
Thanks for any advice.
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Post by philip on Feb 21, 2014 15:09:43 GMT -6
Hi
I own the Slate VCC and UAD 88rs channel strip and have demoed the UAD API emulations.
The VCC is very nice but no subtitute of a good eq. I would go for it after sorting out my eq/comp list. After all, you already have the Studer and Ampex plugs for warming your tracks.
Of all the software eq's I've used there are only two that made me forget that I was looking at a screen tweaking a plug. The UAD API and the Steinberg/RND EQ. They felt so analog to me. Im planninig on adding them to my collection soon.
The 88rs is very nice (as is the rest of the Neve line), kind of cleanish but not on par with UAD's latest releases (1176 v2, LA2A v2 and API) IMHO. I really hope for a v2 of the Neves.
I haven't demoed the SSL strip.
Edit: Now that I think of it, the Manley Massive Passive and the Millenia eq might fall in the "analog" category too but they are more subtle than the API/RND plugs. Bought the Massive Passive recenlty and it did great on a mastering session. Demoed the Millenia briefly and seemed to be very nice too.
Hope this helps
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Post by Rock Kennedy on Feb 22, 2014 22:40:02 GMT -6
Helpful, thanks. When you mentioned the 88rs not being on par with the API, did you mean in terms of cleanishness or just overall?
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Post by philip on Feb 23, 2014 3:46:12 GMT -6
I mean that the 88rs didn't feel as "analog". It's hard to describe in words.
With the API I can boost more than 4-6dB and be happy about it. Not so much with other eq plugs.
In general the 88rs is, by design, a cleaner eq; there is more mojo in the API, 1073 and 1081. But the UAD Neve series is lacking a bit compared to the API which uses later emulation technology IMHO.
I still use the 88rs it is a very good plug-in, remember this is an inches game.
Going 64bit for the newer UAD plugs is something only you can decide. Personally, I'm very happy I did.
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Post by keymod on Feb 23, 2014 7:01:17 GMT -6
It will be nice when UA introduces MKII versions of their Neve plugs.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 23, 2014 17:08:36 GMT -6
Hey Rock, what are you kind of aiming at doing here? Are you looking to add some saturation, an overall tape feel, or are you wanting a plugin that is cool for putting on tracks with eq/comp/etc.?
Really what is it you would like to accomplish in your setup and sound that you feel it's lacking?
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Post by Rock Kennedy on Feb 24, 2014 12:29:20 GMT -6
That's tough to answer, because the main thing I'm lacking is skill. My lack of knowledge makes it difficult to tag what the weaknesses are. I can say that I have found that better tools and time have helped my mixes a little, but I am still the weak link. My goal is to track and mix demos of my own songs. I would love to have a good generic template with plugs on each track that would serve as a good starting point for whatever I throw at it.
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