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Time to kick this into high gear

rjjuly

Moderator
Moderator
UAD plug-ins are fantastic - but they are not as good as they could be. There is no reason why their vintage sound can't be combined with the most modern plug-in implementation. There is a growing list of improvements from this forum section that we need to lobby hard to get UAD to implement. I particularly like suggestion made by Hoenerbr in the current AES thread:

'I'd like to see 2 Modes of UI's on the plugs, 1 Classic view where the plug is exactly like the hardware and 1 where its modernized with advanced metering, Mix controls, double click to reset a control value and on, and on!'

Some ( not all ) of the others I have skimmed from the forum include:

UAD-2
- Side chaining to be implemented across all compressors, or any other devices for which it makes sense.
- 'Multi-mono' versions of plugins that can be independently controlled for placement on stereo channels.
- Midi implementation
- Selectable Not-See-Plugins-I-Haven't-Purchased
- Control Surface Support
- Notify WHICH plugins are disabled
- A/B plugin settings swap for all plugins
- See all values for all knobs for all plugins on knob focus
- Generic parameter list window mode for all plugins

APOLLO
- Pre Fader Sends in Console
- Midi implementation
- Save Channel Label Strips with Session
- The ability to import and export plugin settings between apollo console and DAW
- Individual channel recall on console

Matt, is there a way that we can have sticky thread in 'Want and Wishes' to list all the requests and possibly allow people to vote for them, so as to present UAD with some summary data about which improvements are most important to this community?

I know I'm not alone in having invested many thousands of dollars, and many thousands of hours chasing audio excellence with UAD's products. We have to make it clear that we require UAD to deliver best of breed functionality along with their authentic sonic emulations.

What say you?
 

cheerful hamster

Hamsterdamus
It's around this time of year that UA sends out surveys to customers. All of these things are seemingly high on our wish lists, but workflow is always an afterthought (or no-thought) with them. They have 50 some odd employees, it seems like they could cross-train a janitor to work on GUIs or something.
 

rjjuly

Moderator
Moderator
It would be great if we could send a clear message with the survey. Making the workflow as competitive as possible is in the medium-term best interests of UA and protects our investment. Plus, I want it!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DonkeyShot

Active Member
- Selectable Not-See-Plugins-I-Haven't-Purchased
I guess we'll never have this one, the marketing wouldn't allow.

- Notify WHICH plugins are disabled
I want this one more than any other. Combined with a better loading software so that a session i just closed could reopen normally...
 
Number 1: The lack of notification of disabled plug-ins is my number 1 concern as it impacts mixdown usually toward the final stages of a project when the clock is ticking. I completely accept that I need to freeze tracks to gain resources but I shouldn't have to plow through channels and guess which one is loaded (or not) thus taking time and impeding the creative process.

Number 2: Side chaining and a wet dry function is my number 2 consideration as I will use another plug-in (usually something by Slate) when i need the functionality.

Number 3: In my opinion UA should be encouraged to develop a preset sharing system or release some presets bundles even at a nominal price. Yes many of us are professionals and yes we should understand how to use the tools. When I am under the gun for time, I'll surf the presets as a starting point to get quickly in the zone and go from there.

Number 4: UA is pricing themselves out of the market when it come to the third party developed plug-ins. Recently I purchased a large bundle of Brainworx plug-ins in their native format during a promotion. UA didn't provide a discount and lost the business from me. Their partnership with Brainworx needs to be examined. It just doesn't make sense.

Number 5: Periodically, an update to an established plug-in would be nice. For example, if the precision EQ had the option of a graphical EQ curve, we'd dust that one off, be buzzing about how great it is and feel that UA is providing value add to their product range.

Number 6: A nice improvement to the help system would be for the help button to hyperlink to the specific plug-in guide instead of to the start of the manual. Not a game changer but I really appreciate this functionality in the Waves plug-ins which I own.


I don't expect that any of these suggestions would be easy to implement. - Scotty
 

Hoenerbr

Hall of Fame Member
I second all of this!
My Project consists of 3 Engineers and I'm tired of trying to convince one of them to stop grabbing for the Waves plugins just because they're faster and easier to use. Sure UA's plugs sound better but I can't argue that they're easier to use!

UAD plug-ins are fantastic - but they are not as good as they could be. There is no reason why their vintage sound can't be combined with the most modern plug-in implementation. There is a growing list of improvements from this forum section that we need to lobby hard to get UAD to implement. I particularly like suggestion made by Hoenerbr in the current AES thread:

'I'd like to see 2 Modes of UI's on the plugs, 1 Classic view where the plug is exactly like the hardware and 1 where its modernized with advanced metering, Mix controls, double click to reset a control value and on, and on!'

Some ( not all ) of the others I have skimmed from the forum include:

UAD-2
- Side chaining to be implemented across all compressors, or any other devices for which it makes sense.
- 'Multi-mono' versions of plugins that can be independently controlled for placement on stereo channels.
- Midi implementation
- Selectable Not-See-Plugins-I-Haven't-Purchased
- Control Surface Support
- Notify WHICH plugins are disabled
- A/B plugin settings swap for all plugins
- See all values for all knobs for all plugins on knob focus
- Generic parameter list window mode for all plugins

APOLLO
- Pre Fader Sends in Console
- Midi implementation
- Save Channel Label Strips with Session
- The ability to import and export plugin settings between apollo console and DAW
- Individual channel recall on console

Matt, is there a way that we can have sticky thread in 'Want and Wishes' to list all the requests and possibly allow people to vote for them, so as to present UAD with some summary data about which improvements are most important to this community?

I know I'm not alone in having invested many thousands of dollars, and many thousands of hours chasing audio excellence with UAD's products. We have to make it clear that we require UAD to deliver best of breed functionality along with their authentic sonic emulations.

What say you?
 

Hoenerbr

Hall of Fame Member
All Great ideas Scotty! I second all of these also!
and thanks for the mention!

Number 1: The lack of notification of disabled plug-ins is my number 1 concern as it impacts mixdown usually toward the final stages of a project when the clock is ticking. I completely accept that I need to freeze tracks to gain resources but I shouldn't have to plow through channels and guess which one is loaded (or not) thus taking time and impeding the creative process.

Number 2: Side chaining and a wet dry function is my number 2 consideration as I will use another plug-in (usually something by Slate) when i need the functionality.

Number 3: In my opinion UA should be encouraged to develop a preset sharing system or release some presets bundles even at a nominal price. Yes many of us are professionals and yes we should understand how to use the tools. When I am under the gun for time, I'll surf the presets as a starting point to get quickly in the zone and go from there.

Number 4: UA is pricing themselves out of the market when it come to the third party developed plug-ins. Recently I purchased a large bundle of Brainworx plug-ins in their native format during a promotion. UA didn't provide a discount and lost the business from me. Their partnership with Brainworx needs to be examined. It just doesn't make sense.

Number 5: Periodically, an update to an established plug-in would be nice. For example, if the precision EQ had the option of a graphical EQ curve, we'd dust that one off, be buzzing about how great it is and feel that UA is providing value add to their product range.

Number 6: A nice improvement to the help system would be for the help button to hyperlink to the specific plug-in guide instead of to the start of the manual. Not a game changer but I really appreciate this functionality in the Waves plug-ins which I own.


I don't expect that any of these suggestions would be easy to implement. - Scotty
 

n1kk666

Established Member
For me there are only 2 major features that are missing:

1) midi mapping of parameters in Console

2) more sophisticated DSP prioritizing/management/notifications when using Apollo devices in conjunction with cards/satellites (i.e making sure plugins in your DAW use up the DSP on your sattelite/card instead of the onboard Apollo DSP)

All the other stuff would be great, but is easy enough to work around without them... For now.
 

Don Schenk

Administrator
Forum Admin
Moderator
Originally Posted by rjjuly...
- Selectable Not-See-Plugins-I-Haven't-Purchased
I guess we'll never have this one, the marketing wouldn't allow.

I want this one more than any other. Combined with a better loading software so that a session i just closed could reopen normally...
Make the names of the plugins we have purchased change to a different color. It's a simple solution that would also keep the plugins we have not yet purchase still be seen whenever we choose a plugin we have purchased.

:- Don
 

Hoenerbr

Hall of Fame Member
Excellent and simple solution! Great idea!


Make the names of the plugins we have purchased change to a different color. It's a simple solution that would also keep the plugins we have not yet purchase still be seen whenever we choose a plugin we have purchased.

:- Don
 

DonkeyShot

Active Member
Make the names of the plugins we have purchased change to a different color. It's a simple solution that would also keep the plugins we have not yet purchase still be seen whenever we choose a plugin we have purchased.

:- Don
Maybe they could do that for the Apollo mixer but i doubt they can for every DAW out there.

A two folder system could be good to.
I don't know about other DAW but in PT plug ins can be see by manufacturer so all they would have to do is create a "UAD not purchased" name and change that once you buy a plug in.

Whatever it would be great if they propose something to solve this. It's a nightmare sometimes especially when working on mono tracks as every plug ins appears twice (mono->mono + mono->stereo).
 

rjjuly

Moderator
Moderator
I tried to start a poll for most wanted updates, but wasn't able to fill in all the options within 2 minutes, so it timed out. I will post my lists here to kick around first, and then do two polls, one each for UAD-2 and Apollo. The lists:

UAD-2:
Side Chaining
Modernized functionality options - meters, data entry,
Multi mono plugins
Wet/Dry knob
Linked gain and output knobs or auto level compensation button.
Import/export plugin settings
See values for knobs on mouse focus
Control surface support
Midi implementation
Generic parameter list
A/B settings swap
Selectable-not-see or color code non purchased plugins
Notify which plugins are disabled
Periodic free updates to existing plugins
Hyperlink to specific manual section
Hi resolution/resized GUI graphics
More MkII updated plugins
bundled basic utility plugins - meters, phase-meter , simple gate etc.
Modifier key for fine adjustments
Improved plugin organization/categories
Linked functions for all instances of a plugin (like A800)
Plugin chainer


Apollo:
Individual channel recall in console
Modifier key for fine adjustments
Control Surface support for Console! Especially Eucon!
Console remote app for iPad!
Improved plugin organization/categories
Save Channel Labels (scribble strips) with session
Gapless/silent switching
PRE Fader Aux Sends in Console Ap!
Cycle through presets in the Console
Level compensated mono button in the console
Apollo Console Master Output Inserts
Routable/insertable master fader
More virtual Channels
 

Hoenerbr

Hall of Fame Member
WOW! What a great list of changes! If we ever see half of this I'd be blown away! But this list is pretty complete.
Nice Job!



I tried to start a poll for most wanted updates, but wasn't able to fill in all the options within 2 minutes, so it timed out. I will post my lists here to kick around first, and then do two polls, one each for UAD-2 and Apollo. The lists:

UAD-2:
Side Chaining
Modernized functionality options - meters, data entry,
Multi mono plugins
Wet/Dry knob
Linked gain and output knobs or auto level compensation button.
Import/export plugin settings
See values for knobs on mouse focus
Control surface support
Midi implementation
Generic parameter list
A/B settings swap
Selectable-not-see or color code non purchased plugins
Notify which plugins are disabled
Periodic free updates to existing plugins
Hyperlink to specific manual section
Hi resolution/resized GUI graphics
More MkII updated plugins
bundled basic utility plugins - meters, phase-meter , simple gate etc.
Modifier key for fine adjustments
Improved plugin organization/categories
Linked functions for all instances of a plugin (like A800)
Plugin chainer


Apollo:
Individual channel recall in console
Modifier key for fine adjustments
Control Surface support for Console! Especially Eucon!
Console remote app for iPad!
Improved plugin organization/categories
Save Channel Labels (scribble strips) with session
Gapless/silent switching
PRE Fader Aux Sends in Console Ap!
Cycle through presets in the Console
Level compensated mono button in the console
Apollo Console Master Output Inserts
Routable/insertable master fader
More virtual Channels
 
APOLLO
- Pre Fader Sends in Console
- The ability to import and export plugin settings between apollo console and DAW
Maybe you're thinking of a more elaborate implementation of each, but both of these are possible today: 1) There is a Pre Fader button on the Aux Returns in the console. Setting this to PRE makes all the sends associated with that return to Pre Fader. 2) If you use the Plug-In Settings menu in the lower left hand corner of a plug-in window to save a preset it can be re-loaded in the DAW using the same menu.
 

mpayne0

Venerated Member
UAD-2:

bundled basic utility plugins - meters, phase-meter , simple gate etc.
I would like to see this but only instantiated in a revamped Precision series, the above tools being fit in where they're most useful.

-PBC needs some signal path routing options, sweepable ratio, freely routable auto make up gain would be a neat thing. Maybe throw a gate in here.

-PMax could use 1 or 2 extra algos, auto make up, mono/side processing, a LF and HF sidechain.

-PLim just needs to be more flexible, maybe graphic metering options, filter and sidechain, maybe an attack, some modern features

-K-stereo, I don't want to keep forgetting I have it, not sure what to do. A listen feature would be cool. Metering would be useful here.

Honestly I would love the P Series to be one plugin, similar in function to ozone, where we can power on/off what we need, even if it's just for the metering. I would just hate to see the series fade off. I do doubt it would be popular enough to invest development into.
 

Farm0

Active Member
I called UA and let them know that I would be a whole lot more inclined to buy more plugins if they would allow midi control of the console. It would be very nice for writing and performance. I also agree about side-chaining.
 

masque

Venerated Member
many really great suggestions........out of what I have heard the two that would be most useful to my workflow would be the notification of which plugins have been disabled and the I LOVE the different color scheme to indicate which plug ins you have purchased vs. which ones you haven't.
 

spicemix

Active Member
Some suggestions I've come up with so far in my few days with Apollo 16...

1) Console Sync plugin automatically syncs Console System Tempo to current DAW tempo (Gah what a simple oversight...yes the plugin is told the tempo and song position by the plugin API...and yes they could add automation to Console this way, but at LEAST sync the tempo thank you...and follow the tempo changes too)

2) More Aux channels available in Console (how else to do mono-to-stereo effects? I want plenty of Auxes, 64 sounds nice, but at least more than two!)

3) Mono-to-stereo inserts in Console (cleaner to use than having to use Auxes, and we're used to these in DAWs)

4) Rid us of these silly arbitrary limits on routings. (Yes I know I can use Cue channels for this. Nonsense. No this really isn't a DSP limitation. And yes go ahead and mix the signals when multiple channels are routed to a given output other than Monitor.)

5) Preset handling on UAD plugins is a joke. Have to target the little folder icon, and load each one individually? Lol.

6) Speaking of which, give us a controllable default folder for presets. (I put my presets in Dropbox of course. UAD keeps fighting this preference. I can symlink to it I guess but why make me? And install new presets to this setting thanks.)

7) A "Stereo Tools" plugin to solve various issues wherever needed in the insert list like panning, level and polarity of individual channels. (Right now I have to use the mono button in the MXR flanger to move things to the center! Lol)

8) I keep impulsively closing Console as if it were a plugin, and when I switch back to it it's gone. Have it always come back when we switch back to the Console app context (I'm on the Mac). What use is there looking at a Menu bar that just says "Console" with no window? How awful would it be to re-open the window when we switch back in?

9) Give us gain on the Console channels. 12dB is nice thanks. Why make us open a plugin?

10) Re-clicking on the plugin insert in Console toggles visibility of the plugin. Why make us re-mouse all the way over to the plugin to close it when we were just checking in?

11) Moving plugins around should be easier than having to menu dive into Copy and Paste!

12) Rather than global Pre/Post on the auxes I want individual pre/post control per send. There is room on those send displays. Add FMP too and I will salute you.

13) The old UAD-1 had a global effect defeat, I would like that for Console, a simple toggle to see what "Dry" sounds like.

14) Also, a global mute would be nice, as a panic button/debugging aid. Muting everything takes a long time right now with lots of routings and "Pre" sends.

15) I would consider your "Unison" liquid channel-style preamp modeling stuff but you don't really offer any way to integrate that with my Apollo 16. An eight or sixteen channel pre would be nice. (Please oh please do NOT use Neutrik Combi jacks where the TRS is a line in and you have to crawl behind the unit and repatch to switch from Mic to Line. Give us line inputs on DB25 and Mic inputs on XLRs or even DB25s too, with software switching.)

Essentially, bring Console in line with the expectations we've become used to in modern DAWs. This isn't all that hard really, there are lots of examples at least in native code. I like most of the earlier requests too.
 

spicemix

Active Member
OK so how many of these did we get in Console 2.0/UAD8? Seems mostly a superficial UI refresh other than the multi-unit integration capability.

(Yes I know my own requests came far too late for this product cycle so I'm not complaining they ignored me.)
 
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