UAD API 550A and 2500 vs Waves API --> Drums

[Matt Hepworth]

EDIT: API 2500 comparison now included as well in post 14.


I just did a comparison that may be helpful for people.

Here's a basic drum mix. There's no compression or gating and it was recorded dry.

Each track has a bit of API 550A EQ on it. The settings were matched completely.

One pass is all UAD API 550A and the other pass is all Waves API 550A.


Files attached.


Tracks (all EQ'd a bit individually with the respective 550A):

Kick
Snare Top
Snare Bottom
Hat
Rack Tom
Floor Tom
Overheads
Rooms

Pretty standard.

I also used a small bit of EQ on the drum buss matching the UAD or Waves pass. Again, API 550A.

There is no other processing.

 

[RalphK]

Awesome thx matt.. cant wait to check them in my studio

 

[Matt Hepworth]

Awesome thx matt.. cant wait to check them in my studio

Definitely let me know your thoughts.

 

[zack_y]

Hi Matt,

I listened to both of the tracks... they are very much similar! I guess i have to train my ears a little more.

 

[Matt Hepworth]

I feel there's a fairly noticeable difference. The UAD is a little thicker, more tangible, and more vintage sounding, if you will. The Waves is brighter and a bit more modern/forward sounding.

 

[djstyleee]

Yeah, I shut my eyes and flicked through them several times and always picked the UAD version.

Thanks for taking the time out Matt!

 

[Matt Hepworth]

Just added 24-bit WAV versions for those wanting an even closer listen.

 

[RalphK]

I tend to agree with Matt... the waves being slightly brighter and thinner

 

[Marando]

The beauty is in the details, thanks Matt!

 

[Astronometric]

To my ears the UAD sound more natural, the Waves are more bright, not in a bad way anyway, just a little more sparkly.

I'm just a student/newbie in the audio world, so my ear are maybe not so trained, but I'm the only one who find the Waves track a little compressed? Specially the part in the middle, when the groove goes on the rimshot of the snare... but maybe is my perception related to the overall brightness.

 

[Matt Hepworth]

UAD API vs Waves API --> Drums

I think your ears are on the right track.

Waves is brighter and more "modern" sounding, while UAD is more natural, full, and "vintage".

I think in the break on the raw tracks there's more LF energy than HF, which is why the Waves seems to pull back a little there, while the UAD version keeps pushing.

 

[Jcrosby]

I think your ears are on the right track.

Waves is brighter and more "modern" sounding, while UAD is more natural, full, and "vintage".

I think in the break on the raw tracks there's more LF energy than HF, which is why the Waves seems to pull back a little there, while the UAD version keeps pushing.

What I do when I’m curious how detailed a plugin’s modeling is feed it a sine wave and checked it on an analyzer..

Part of what UAD did right was model the saturation... (Waves has hardly any comparatively.) The difference is pretty audible if you just listen to a sine wave, but it’s especially audible on the 560.
Both have rich harmonics, but the 560 has crazy harmonics.


Attached some screenshots for fun…

 

[mpayne0]

Is it just me, or does that seem to be a characteristic to a lot of the Waves emulations.

A bit more forward, slight mid-hi range tilt, subtle scoop, and hi gain distortion/saturation is on the crunchy rather than creamy or toothy side. Not a bad thing, in a lot of cases, I deliberately pull up a Waves when I do want to something to cut in that way.

 

[Matt Hepworth]

UAD API vs Waves API --> Drums

API 2500 added here!

Here are the drums with all UAD 550A EQ, plus the UAD API 2500 on kick, snare, overheads, and drum buss.
VS
The exact same with all Waves versions (including Waves API 2500).

Settings are real-world settings all the way around.

 

[Matt Hepworth]

Post with API 2500 files above is now public.

 

[Studio Saturn]

To me the difference is not night and day. Waves is a lot cleaner than the UAD. The UAD has a little bit more of the tonality like oomph. I wouldn't mind to work in any of them but I prefer the UAD one for the tone section. It is not a must have for me since I have the waves version but if budget allows why not.

 

[jr213]

Waves sounds "plasticky" - i recognized this sounds when demoing before that kept me from buying it. The UAD breathes and sounds like its supposed to! I'm very impressed.

 

[RalphK]

Would love to hear the 550 vs real hardware

 

[gearshoot]

Would love to hear the 550 vs real hardware

Hey Ralph,

Here you go.
A Shootout of UAD 550A vs the API 550A real hardware - Just click on the link
Equalizer Shootouts | Gearshoot - UAD API 550A vs Hardware API 550A

Hope that answers your questions, if you need any other shootouts set up, just add to it yourself, or let me know and I can set one up for you.