Is UAD losing it's edge?

[makinghits]

Opinions wanted. Let me first say I've been one of the first and biggest UAD fans, promoted it with anyone who would listen, even got into a mean online pissing match with bombfactory-ass-kisser Fletcher from Mercenary way back when. But, lately I'm finding myself using the UAD less and less. The new MB that just came out, lame. Been there done that, doesn't sound special. Not buying, don't need it. For EQs I'm going to Hydratone, URS and sometimes Kjaerhus. Reverb I'm going to Wizoo W2 or use Impulses. Realverb, Dreamverb and Plate don't stand a chance anymore. Let's not even mention Nigel or Preflex, a complete loss that is best forgotten. Compressors, still using 1176 and LA2A but finding myself going to Renaissance Comp more then not, just sounds smoother. Precision Limiter, still use it sometimes. Precision EQ, sounds great but never use it, not surgical enough. Does anyone really use Sontec to master anymore? I've never seen it. Roland stuff sounds good but don't really need it. My point here: I love UAD, I think the company is great and has a good vibe. But, let's get back to making some great stuff. Stuff that blows the competition away. Give us some Manley's, SSL 2bus, AMS delay, Eventide stuff, Tubetech, Distressor, a Studer plugin. I could go on. Make it sound great. Invent something. Look at ColorTone from Tritone Digital, the thing's free and sounds incredible. Those two guys are doing something right. Maybe hire some new talent, things are getting a bit stale around here, I wanna see UAD back on top!

 

[MASSIVE Mastering]

You've got to admit, though - UAD has been under EXTREME pressure to come out with a maul-the-band compressor. I still can't figure out *why* but I guess it's not mine to figure out.

I think the one they came out with is... It's okay. Like you said - Nothing extraordinary. It has some features that are great, and it's... uh... You know, it's a MBC. I might use it once or twice a month for something.

Me? I love the PEQ... Everyone I know that still *has* a working Sontec uses it constantly. But it's gone the way of \"no parts available\" - Which is the same reason I gave up my original series GML8200. Do I really think the Ibis is a \"better\" EQ? Yes and no, but if anything ever happens to it, there's a lifetime warranty on it. Some day it's going to need service.

As far as the Manley / SSL / Studer stuff - Call me a cynic, but at this point, I don't think it's truly possible to nail that digitally yet. The more I saw myself trying to emulate the truly great pieces of hardware, the more I wound up biting the bullet and just getting the hardware.

I generally think the UAD plugs are wonderful - Amazing - Exceptional - at least as far as plugins are concerned. A few of the plugs (namely the PEQ) I wind up using as much and sometimes more than my analog EQ options.

Even though, and I'm no expert, I would think that EQ algorithms would be much easier to emulate than dynamics - \"Do this, all the time, no matter what\" as an EQ generally is a static thing. Dynamics on the other hand... Good gawd... How can *anyone* predict how a dynamics processor is going to react? To *truly* model existing hardware, you'd literally have to run every known sound and combination thereof through it at every level. Lows will react differently than highs, highs differently than mids, the \"saturation\" of the circuitry when it's hit hard with different sounds - The way the \"flavor\" changes as the input changes... It's not static - It's not \"reduce this signal by this much when it reaches this threshold\" -

I know - I'm going off-topic - But my hat is off to the UA guys for getting as close as they do. Being a hardware junkie, just getting the \"essence\" of some of that hardware impresses the hell out of me.

But I do agree with your premise - I really hope UAD comes out with a \"grand-slam home-run\" piece - and soon. Although I admittedly have no idea what it should be.

 

[baronluigi]

Use the following


Reverb - Waves IR, UAD Plate

Comps - UAD 1176, LA-2A, Fairchild, UAD PLim or Waves L2 or L3

EQ's - URS N and A, UAD Pultec or PPRO, UAD PEQ, Sonalksis EQ

Chorus - UAD CE-1, Dim D


As for the rest I bought em all, but don't use em much.

UAD losing there edge? I doubt it, they have great hardware too all at decent prices. I use the M610, LA-610, and will probably buy a solo110 when they start shipping. Also like vintech, focusrite red, and chandler for mic pre's in the $1400 and under range, although the focusrite red stuff is going up up up in price......

I wish UAD would do more compressors of the classic/vintage type. That is where they are truley unequaled, that's what they do best, IMHO.

As far as the new PMB, just not sure how to use it, the Fairchild also confused me until somebody wrote a post on how to use it about a week or so after it was released. I now (year(s) later am very comfortable with it).

Hopefully that will happen with the PMB too.

 

[baronluigi]

Forgot to mention

The PCI express thing seems a potential issue. I am running a Carillon PC about 2 years old now (PIV 2.6 G, 1G ram) works for me, but will probably buy another PC this year, as soon as it hits 5G CPU speeds.


Will the UAD still work in newer systems? I hope so, hope they would have come out with a UAD-2 buy now, maybe a rackmount firewire version, or something. Sure would be pissed off though to have to chuck the cards into the trash because the hardware has expired in a short life span.

But losing their edge? They seem to be selling like \"hot cakes\", so I don't think they are losing anything. When's the last time you bought a PoCo or a PoCo plugin? I personally sold mine on ebay about a year ago to make room for another UAD card.

 

[Tony Ostinato]

joined yesterday, 2 posts, could be a troll.


i wouldnt be suprised if the bitter competition snuck in here to post, theres nothing else they can do to compete it seems.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Hopefully they'll do an LA-3A next, I've been waiting for an announcement about it ever since it was featured in the Analog Obsession column. Actually, going back through the archives, any of the other pieces mentioned but not yet released - the UA 175, 176, & 550A, Urei LA-4, LA-5, & 565, & Roland SDE-1000 & SDE-3000 - would be cool.

makinghits, much like you, I wasn't all that enthusiastic about several of the new plugs. In my case this came months ago with the announcements of the CE-1 & PLim. However, since they were released, these two plugs have gotten used on just about every mix I've done (PLim for test mixes only but that's still valuable, IMO). Totally unexpected home runs there. btw, I think a simple poll will reveal that a lot of people are excited about the Space Echo's release.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

joined yesterday, 2 posts, could be a troll.

Could be but it's probably better to just let it go. This kind of discussion always comes out a big love fest in the end, anyway.

 

[makinghits]

Points taken. I'm not talking hardware though, I use the 610 as well and it's fantastic. But as far as the software, I do feel that UAD is still riding high on the big splash we made with 1176 and LA2A and it's been downhill from there. Reverbs: failure (140 is good but impulse Plates sound so much better too), EQs: semi-failure. GuitarAmp Simulation: failure. Mastering series: it's good, just not as broadly usable, obviously. Now Roland FX. Roland is good and UAD translates the hardware great, but there are so many better units to be modeld. I guess partly I've been floored by the stuff Tritone makes, those plugs sound incredible. So does the W2. I wish stuff like that would run on a card. Don't get me wrong, I love UAD but there have been so many mis-fireings it's worriesome. Gimme some simple but great stuff that I can use every day and put on every single track and make stuff sound great, not some ok sounding MBC that I may pull out once a week or DimensionD that's good for some pop mixes once in a while. You know what I mean? If you're listening UAudio, you know I love you guys, just pick it up already!

 

[makinghits]

thanks Tony No troll here, just read my first post. I rambled about the UAD in interviews in the very early days without getting anything out of it. Just a concerned citizen

 

[h4nc0]

joined yesterday, 2 posts, could be a troll.


i wouldnt be suprised if the bitter competition snuck in here to post, theres nothing else they can do to compete it seems.

Geez. Take it easy.

 

[baronluigi]

I wouldn't call any of them failure....especially the plate, and pultec....


I don't have a million dollar room that I record in, and therefore tend to close mic things and need some spacial effects that sound realistic and suble. The Plate, is awsome, and on the final bus a little bit-0-pulec or a little bit-o-PEQ followed by a little bit-0-Plim is it.

You can't say EQ semi failure when you're talking PEQ or Pultec..

The Boss/Roland CE-1 and D-Dimension are great too. I own a real CE-1 and like the UAD CE-1 very much..
....................................................................
You should retitle to topic to Not BLOWN AWAY as much by UAD anymore..because the others are catching up (URS in particular)

 

[Akis]

joined yesterday, 2 posts, could be a troll.


i wouldnt be suprised if the bitter competition snuck in here to post, theres nothing else they can do to compete it seems.

:roll:

 

[makinghits]

I agree with you baronluigi, Pultec is great, thus 'semi'. but again, use 5 of them and you're done for the day. Look my point is, I have 2 UADs in my computer and I'd hate to see them become obsolete. We are the people who own/keep buying this stuff so I see nothing wrong with telling UAudio what we like and what we don't. I for one started noticing how I'm using UAD less and less. I am looking forward to the SpaceEcho though.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

Pultec is great, thus 'semi'. but again, use 5 of them and you're done for the day.

http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2005/july/index5.html

Besides, if you're using the plug-ins less & less, that leaves you more horsepower to run Pultecs with.

 

[electro77]

Space Echo, Then API 550 (while they quietly finish up the holy grail, Tape Emu)

How are those URS API models. Did they really nail it?

 

[Giles117 DP]

Losing their edge. NAH!!!!!!!!

I never used their EQ's I bought UAD for the COmps and Realverb. The Plate 140 upped the ante and of course ye olde Pultec.

I use Hydratone (although it is a Gui headache with V 1.2, URS EQ's, and WaveArts Goodies....

Altiverb, Wizoo Verb, MasterVerb, RVerb, Powercore MegaReverb, VSS3, NonLin Verb. and lately My Outboard Units. Thanks MOTU for DSP.

I cant do a mix without my UAD although I can easily survive without my Powercore.

R Comp is cool. Cant say smoother, just a different flavor. it has it's place depending upon the material.

Waves IR Bites doo doo. LOL HAte it.

Precision Limiter and FinalPlug for that out the door CD that is loud so the client is smiling..... with the real un limited Data file on a sep CD for mastering....

L3 sucks, makes mixes sound brittle although it is way better than L2 and L1.....Still dont like what it does to the Low end....

 

[baronluigi]

Giles surprised you don't like Waves IR.... wish Altiverb was for PC too, here lots of good stuff from mac users.


electro77 I own a new reissue API 550 and the URS A plugin, URS nails the essence of it, but the hardware is better,

 

[Doublehelix]

Giles surprised you don't like Waves IR.... wish Altiverb was for PC too, here lots of good stuff from mac users.

Yeah, I am surprised too, I love the IR-1, although it takes up way to much CPU power.

 

[boody]

some of us are always looking out for new toys to inspire us. Find that new thing that will bring us to a higher level. But it's just tools. You won't be a better carpenter if you buy yourself a new hammer. It may make your work easier. Same with plugs. I think UA offers great tools. Others do too. Pick the ones you need and the ones that inspire you.

Ah; you want a distressor? Well, go on and buy one.. or two.. What? You don't want to pay the price? Ah; you want a plugin that costs a fraction of the original, sounds like the best there ever was and can open 50 instances without a blink of your pc?

Wake up :wink: Use the tools you have; you have a lot and some nice ones too

Cheers
Budy

 

[JeffSanders]

I agree. Sort of. Got no interest in a maul-the-band comp - or choruses for that matter. So I've spent the last three releases just waiting for the Space Echo in vain like many others.

UA plugs are superb. Lately I've opted for the Voxengo Marquis, HarmoniEQ and GlissEQ more than my UAD stuff. I also prefer the Wizooverb W2 and Arts Acoustic verb over the UAD verbs lately. Maybe just a phase? Seems like my mixes sound clearer.

Send in the Space Echo. I'm stoked for that one - and more classic compressors and eq's would rock. Blow URS's iLock offerings out of the water already. A nice Lexicon verb would rule supreme. End of rant.