Project PAK - Quality

[chinjazz]

Hi,

I'm new to the Powered Plugin world. I've got a G5 1.8 Dual, running Logic Pro. My budget isn't as fluid as I'd like and I'd like to know is it really worth getting a Project PAK? Do the bundled plugs seriously pale in comparision to the others available in say the Flexi PAK? (Example: 1176LN vs SE). Is it like Project PAK plugs = amateur, & everything else above = Pro?

I admit that part of the issue is I have not really heard these plug ins in a Logic Pro system like mine, and the Plugs that come with LP are pretty nice. Most guys I've communicated with have 2 UAD-1 cards, and basically everyplug in.

Any feedback would be much appreciated!!!!

Thanks,
Adam

 

[billybk1]

Hi,
Most guys I've communicated with have 2 UAD-1 cards, and basically everyplug in.

Hmmmm......I am one of those with (2) cards and basically every plugin, as well. The Project Pak is best suited for those that need another inexpensive card, for more DSP. It can also be a good fit for someone, on a budget and wanting to get their first card. The basic Project Pak does have a nice collection of usable pluigins, out of the box. Some of the more notable one's, being the Pultec EQ, RealVerb Pro & the CS-1 modules.

My second UAD-1 card was a Project Pak. I bought it to double my DSP power. There was even a promotion going on where I got a free Pultec Pro, in the deal.

Admittedly, besides the Pultec EQ, my most used plugins are not included, in the Project Pak. The LA-2A, 1176LN, Fairchild 670, EMT Plate 140, DreamVerb, Cambridge EQ & Precision Limiter are the one's I end up using most often.

You can still get some serious professional sounding work done with just the Project Pak, but the "premimum" plugins do add a lot more colors to your sonic palette, for sure.

 

[chinjazz]

Billy,

Thanks for your confirmation. It's sort of like, If I get a Project Pak, and realize I would like a few other more up-scale plug=ins shortly after, at the end of the day I could have bought a Flexi PAK. Which will proobably be the way I go. But it'll take me longer to fund it.

Thanks, Adam

[/quote]

 

[billybk1]

Yeah, the Flexi Pak is a pretty good deal that lets you pick the extra plugins that you really would like to have. Not sure if you know it or not, but as a registered UAD-1 forum member you can get an additional 10% discount, on any UAD-1 Pak @ jjrshop:

http://www.jrrshop.com/product_info.php ... ts_id=5531

With the discount, you can pick up a Flexi Pak for around $630. With the included $500 plugin voucher, it is like getting the equivalent Project Pak for $130 bucks. The Project & Flexi Paks are basically identical, except with the Flexi you get to buy an additional $500 worth of plugins, from UA's online webshop.

It is all personal preference, of course, but if I was a first time buyer getting the Flexi, the plugins I would get first, would be the LA-2A, 1176LN & EMT Plate 140. That would leave me $53 dollars, in my account, which I would then put towards the Precision Limiter, once I got some extra money.

Best of luck nonetheless,

 

[HotRats]

The difference between paks lays in number of available plug-ins Not in the quality of them selfs.

I own 2 project pak with only one additional plug-in (LA2A, a must have ).

I preferred to buy 2 cards instead of 1 card with more plug-ins bacause for my works power is more impotrant than number of plug-ins avilable.
In the future I'll buy additional plug-ins as long as I feel I really need them (next ones will be plate reverb and pultec pro).

With a project pak + LA2A you can make good mixes. Of course you have less \"colours\" in your hands.

 

[chinjazz]

Billy, thanks for the tip on the discount at jjrshop. I'll keep them in mind when I plunk down the $. This morning I've been planning the plugs basically, and thougt getting the Plate 140, LA2A, and the Fairchild.. But it seems that 1176LN might be a better choice over the Fairchild. This I know is truly subjective

Hey HotRats, you're set up sounds interesting. How did you go about buying 2 cards and 1 plug in? What kind of CPU are you running? What kind of projects are you doing?

More than likely I'll do a single card + plugs set up and add another card sometime later on.

Cheers!

 

[Akis]

I'd buy 1176LN, LA-2A and Fairchild for starters. Actually, I'd most probably add another $26 and get the Pultec Pro, too.

 

[HotRats]

Hey HotRats, you're set up sounds interesting. How did you go about buying 2 cards and 1 plug in? What kind of CPU are you running? What kind of projects are you doing?

More than likely I'll do a single card + plugs set up and add another card sometime later on.

Cheers!

Hi man.
I've bought the first card during a promotion so I got the LA2A for free*.
After 3 months I've bought, when I've understood that 1 card is not enough, I've bought the second one.

* mine LA2A was free, but you can buy any uad-1 plug-in on the UA website whenever you want.

I run mu UADs on a PIV 3.0Ghz, 1GbRam. I sequence on ProTools LE.
I do 2 types of works:
> soundtracks for theater and short movies;
> mixes, arrangments and small band recordings. Moslty I work on rock projects with an average of 20-24 audio tracks;

Last mix I've made (delivered yesterday with a lot of satisfaction )
was made of 30 mono audio tracks + 14 stereo aux tracks + 1 Master Fader with 26 UAD plug-ins and 30 native plug-ins. UAD cpu uasge was at 76%.

As you can see you can mix quite interesting projects with two cards.
Of course, more is better

 

[chinjazz]

Sounds like you're doing a good mix of things. That's where I'm at as well.
I write/produce my own material targeting broadcast and the like. Also doing some progressive, fusion artists.

I'm just about decided on going Flexi Pak.

What are street prices on just the UAD-1 Card, once I realize that 1 card isn't enough?

Thanks!

 

[chinjazz]

The difference between paks lays in number of available plug-ins Not in the quality of them selfs.

I own 2 project pak with only one additional plug-in (LA2A, a must have ).

I preferred to buy 2 cards instead of 1 card with more plug-ins bacause for my works power is more impotrant than number of plug-ins avilable.
In the future I'll buy additional plug-ins as long as I feel I really need them (next ones will be plate reverb and pultec pro).

With a project pak + LA2A you can make good mixes. Of course you have less "colours" in your hands.

Hey HotRats,

Just a little update on your input/advice...

Looks like I sort of followed your lead. Due to other financial things I bought a used UAD-1 Project pack that the original owner bought at a time that UA was including the LA2A, so that worked out nice. Recently UA put it's plugs on sale so i bought the 1176LN (very nice!)...

My next step will be to get another UAD-1 card, and a few other plugs like the PulTec Pro and the Plate 140 verb (we'll see how it goes)

I must say that with the LA2A, and 1176LN really bring the audio "to life".

Thanks,
Adam

 

[HotRats]

Hi Adam

In these days of UA plug-in sales I've added th Plate140 and the fairchild
to my plug-in palette 8)

Don't limit yourself, buy a 2nd card

 

[demonsp]

Got 4 cards here.
I say buy, buy, buy!!

Can't go wrong with UAD-1s.