Roland Plug fantastic.. but need more power!

[mightymike]

I love all my plugins and have 4 cards. The space echo is great but a power eater considering I have to also use the other plugs as well!!

Does anyone know if a bigger card is coming out OR why can't we use say 8 cards in one system? My magma can take it....

UA we need more power!

mm

 

[cane creek]

If 4 UAD-1 cards aint enough for you i'd suggest you buy a hardware space echo.

 

[Tony Ostinato]

640k of memory is all anyone should ever need.

 

[polygen]

lol
4 cards really is not enough, i'd love to fill my magma too.

 

[Doublehelix]

I have 3 cards, and you are right, not enough power.

I am hesitant to buy the fourth card thinking that they might be coming out with something new and BIGGER!

 

[sj_digriz]

I have 3 cards, and you are right, not enough power.

I am hesitant to buy the fourth card thinking that they might be coming out with something new and BIGGER!

I have two and although I love the plugs dearly, I won't be getting any more cards of any kind until the slot architecture wars calm down.

 

[mightymike]

I actually used to own a space echo about 6 years ago but it became terminally ill...!

The problem is that UA keep bringing out great plugs and so we need a new cards or ability to double our power. I suspect that with the Neve plugs this will become even more of a factor.

UA should bring out their own \"magma\" with say the power if 8 cards (or more) in a handy little 1U rack unit. Now that wouldn't be too difficult would it?

mm

 

[F5D]

The power is not a problem. UA could make a very powerful dsp-card but they have to think about the customers. The cheaper their product can be the more they have customers who can buy the product and UA also want to sell many of those cards and that's why they are not so powerful so you have to buy many cards if you really want the power. If UA brings a card which is 4 or 8 times faster than the existing one, it will cost alot, not to make but to customer. So, UA would become Digi. The same goes with TC. If they want to have customers, they must do affordable products which are not too powerful. Take a look at digi's hd accelerators. They are like 4-8 times the powercore and also cost alot. So it can be done but is it good for the company? TC Powercore PCI mk2 is only 1.5 times as fast as the old powercore. So if UA introduces a new uad2, don't expect too powerful cards. :?

 

[Sixela]

The power is not a problem.

With only two and a half Space Echo plugs per card it is a problem, and a crucial one!
To make accept my third card by the system I had to try countless PCI slot dispositions before finding a fragile status quo, so obviously, in the actual conditions, I won't even try to impose on the fourth one. Other guys say they're waiting an ergonomic solution to purchase more gear too. Quite a contradictory situation appealing a diligent issue :!:

 

[F5D]

The power is not a problem.

With only two and a half Space Echo plugs per card it is a problem, and a crucial one!
To make accept my third card by the system I had to try countless PCI slot dispositions before finding a fragile status quo, so obviously, in the actual conditions, I won't even try to impose on the fourth one. Other guys say they're waiting an ergonomic solution to purchase more gear too. Quite a contradictory situation appealing a diligent issue :!:

I agree that uad1 should have more power. However, I meant that it wouldn't be a problem to make a very powerful card but the marketing and sales would be another story if the company wants to make enough profit. They must be very careful to avoid building too powerful card for too little money. Neither could they put too high price for the new super powerful card if they want to sell the cards. And if the new card was super powerful and reasonably priced, customers would buy only one card. It's not a very easy decision, especially when the company isn't very big.

 

[Steve Oxford]

UA should bring out their own "magma" with say the power if 8 cards (or more) in a handy little 1U rack unit. Now that wouldn't be too difficult would it?

mm

Good idea.. Or maybe an external unit with up to 8 PCI slots.. If you want to spend the $$ for up to 8 cards, have at it.. No new card versions to manufacture.. No new price points.. and could gain potential new customers using laptops or those with precious few PCI slots.. Just a thought..

 

[contramark]

BOUCE YOUR TRACKS!!!!!! STOP COMPLAINING!!!!!!!!!!! SPACE ECHO RULES!!!!! JUST USED IT TODAY ON VOCALS AND GUITARS!!!

 

[Sixela]

UA should bring out their own "magma" with say the power if 8 cards (or more) in a handy little 1U rack unit. Now that wouldn't be too difficult would it?

mm

Good idea.. Or maybe an external unit with up to 8 PCI slots.. If you want to spend the $$ for up to 8 cards, have at it.. No new card versions to manufacture.. No new price points.. and could gain potential new customers using laptops or those with precious few PCI slots.. Just a thought..

The weak point here is that a company would make profit out of its own aberration. :wink: It could be a solution only along with a judicious price policy, tended to help their own users. A really proprietary unit, accepting exclusively UAD cards with no possible utilization by any other manufacturer. Why not?

 

[mightymike]

I don't see a marketing problem at all... UA could still keep releasing the UAD1 for their lower market and release a \"mega unit\" for their pro base. Fact is UA is a serious pro kit which features itself in many top flight situations and studios and as such UA should cater for that market.

IMO there is a difference between UAD and TC users. I know lots of 4 card UAD users but not alot of TC users with more than 2 cards. TC make great pugs don;t get me wrong (I have a mkII) but they haven't succeeded like UA have on making lots of 1st choice plugs. Eg many people's 1st choice compressors are the LA2A and 1176LN. I max out about 2-3 cards on compression alone (Fairchild of course included).

On this basis it makes complete sense for UAD to go the step further which I'm sure they will. With the Neve and possible tape sat plugs coming out power will be serious issue and 4 cards is already a limit to low!

The HD accel have been great for Digi btw!

mm

 

[S4410]

I'm also hesitating buying a 3rd card (Flexipak).
Space Echo is superb, i would buy the Roland Classic Series FX Bundle now
if i knew what is the future of our precious UAD cards...

 

[TheEastGateMS]

I am hesitant to buy the fourth card thinking that they might be coming out with something new and BIGGER!

when has UA failed to take care of their loyal customers? in the end, they always give us more than what is fair. i would assume that in the case of a new card or firewire device, they will make it worth everyone's time and money to upgrade. even those who buy a card the day before any new product is released. then again, this is only speculation based on their past actions as a responsible company.

 

[stonefree]

I'm also hesitating buying a 3rd card (Flexipak).
Space Echo is superb, i would buy the Roland Classic Series FX Bundle now
if i knew what is the future of our precious UAD cards...

My advice is to wait for the MusicMesse at the end of March. If no announcement is made and , then go for the FlexiPak. You're essentially only paying $200 for the card, so it's not a big investment. A more powerful PCIe card is an inevitability, but it will be more expensive and would make more sense for someone who didin't already own 2 cards. It will really come down to the price/performance ratio. A $600 card (with stock plug ins) that is 4 times as powerful as a single UAD-1 would be a no brainer. But that's probably wishful thinking.

The deciding factor is your motherboard. Do you plan on upgrading soon? Most new Dual Core supporting MoBos have very limited PCI slots. A rare exception the Ausu A8V which has 5 slots. It's discontinued but can be found cheaply on eBay.

I also have 2 cards (in addition to 2 PCI soundcards) and plan on upgrading my MoBo soon. I'll wait til MusicMesse and unless an affordable PCIe version is announced, I plan on buying a FlexiPak.