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WOW!!!!! - 33609

:D

How good is this? It's unbelievable! I don't think I could use another software comp after this one. It sounds great on everything. Ac Gtr, Piano, Elec Gtr, Drums, Buss..... It's just superb. Yes, it takes up a lot of power, but you just have to put up with that if 'good sound' is what you're after. It's amazingly versatile - it can have transparent compression or can distort like hell. The SE version is good but doesn't have the thickness (for want of a better word) of compression of it's bigger brother. I think I can safely say I'll be buying this one! It makes other software comps weep! Even UAD ones. And on that note....

P.s. It's a bloody bargain at $199 (with $50 coupon)
 

O.

Member
Meh, not impressed. Doesn't do anything really special for me.
It compresses, it limits. And yes it adds a little certain something something, but for $250,= (which it will cost in 2 weeks from now) there are lots of better (colouring) options...
 
Meh, not impressed. Doesn't do anything really special for me.
It compresses, it limits. And yes it adds a little certain something something, but for $250,= (which it will cost in 2 weeks from now) there are lots of better (colouring) options...
Duh, Mr. Downer.
 

Eurocide

Active Member
O. said:
Meh, not impressed. Doesn't do anything really special for me.
It compresses, it limits. And yes it adds a little certain something something, but for $250,= (which it will cost in 2 weeks from now) there are lots of better (colouring) options...
Here too, you may call me Mr. Downer II. ;)
After spending some hours with direct comparison to the 1176 and other software compressors with *very* careful level matching (RMS & Peak & by ear) I noticed, that the 33609 keeps a lot more of the original character of the source signal, e.g. the high frequencies don't become muddy as with other compressors. The 33609 is warm & very clean.
It is definitely interesting for acoustic, detailled mic recordings, etc. but not for me. It doesn't do a lot to synths & samplers, while the 1176 gives me that character I like to roughen up and shape synthetic sources.
If there are other opinions around in the electronic music sector I'm open to listen.
 

F5D

Active Member
The 33609 sounds nice. I only checked the presets of both plugins and tweaked the knobs a little more. There isn't much difference between the SE and non SE (there is but not huge). I wouldn't use the high dsp version anyway because you cannot really use it with only one card (or imo with any amount of cards). However I will use the 70% version when mastering or just bouncing something. 15% for the SE version is still reasonable. That still doesn't mean we wouldn't need more powerful uad card. I guess I will also purchase the Waves SSL bundle soon. 8)
 

rdolmat

Member
protoculture said:
Meh, not impressed. Doesn't do anything really special for me.
It compresses, it limits. And yes it adds a little certain something something, but for $250,= (which it will cost in 2 weeks from now) there are lots of better (colouring) options...
Duh, Mr. Downer.
He's allowed his opinion too.
 

Cabbage

Active Member
Havn't been spending that much time with it, but I do like it quite a bit. Especially the different headroom modes is a really good feature! Like to see that on more plugs, maybe as a hidden parameter.

The limiter is great on drums (New York compressing) and it sounds really good on a full mix. I have no complaints, even if I havn't tried the full version, only the SE one.

Now, where is my coupon? Anyone else didn't get it yet?

Petter
 

Ashermusic

Active Member
The SE version sounds really close to the other and uses a lot less cpu and card power.

Where it really shines is as a bus compresser, which is of course what it is designed to be,
 

Janardana

Member
I've tested it through 2 hours using some other UAD comps and hardware Alan Smart C2 & Manley Vari-Mu.

When we talk about UAD plugins, for me 33609 is quite versatile comp, however not as transparent as LA2A and not as fun as 1176 (not a buss comp though).

It adds some coloration to the sound, more or less audible depending on a source material.
Bass seems like well glued together however it lacks the lowest bass sometimes, producing actually something more like \"radio-sound\".
It looks also like adding some presence to the 2-5 kHz, which is nice.

Anyways there is always the same problem with software bus compressors - TREBLES. They always seem to be a little bit destroyed after processing - expecially at higher ratio settings and short release times.

Although I like and use software comps, nothing comes even close to my hardware Smart C2.

This time I will pass and not buy 33609. The price isn't so expensive comparing to plugin's versatility but I have already too much compressors I would rather go for another EQ.
 
So whats the difference between a regular compressor and a 'bus' compressor? I noticed a few folks point out the differences... Why use a regular comp vs. a bus comp?
 

O.

Member
protoculture said:
Meh, not impressed. Doesn't do anything really special for me.
It compresses, it limits. And yes it adds a little certain something something, but for $250,= (which it will cost in 2 weeks from now) there are lots of better (colouring) options...
Duh, Mr. Downer.
Nothing to do with downing. Just my opinion, as completely the opposite from the 1st post as it is...

Well I must edit my post. I stated that I found the 1176 and the LA2 to be the last UAD plugs with character, but that is not true. I tried the Neve on the mixbus just now and it sure has character. So disregard my 'meh' post. I has a certain punch that I like. Won't buy it still though :wink:
 

bedhoe

Active Member
I have to agree with the initial poster.

This compressor is amazing. Just what i've been looking for. And i own an Alan Smart C2, and i love it, but this is by far the best software compressor i've tried.
 

Janardana

Member
protoculture said:
So whats the difference between a regular compressor and a 'bus' compressor? I noticed a few folks point out the differences... Why use a regular comp vs. a bus comp?
Bus comp in opposite to track comp is designed to process more instruments at once. Like a group of instruments or a whole mix.

It should be enough clean, transparent and distortion-free. There are many models of buss compressors. They are in most cases more expensive than track comps. Some of them work completely inaudible way so you can't hear compression and/or coloration at all (or very little) like STC-8 while others produce sound with their own audible character and/or colour (like NEVE or SSL).
 

O.

Member
You're joking right? You're actually favouring a plugin over a 3000 bucks legendary analog monster?
Hm, ok...
 

Middleman

Active Member
Geez guys, I have been playing with this thing on buss compression for an hour or so, full mixes, and it is breathtaking. Actually pumps the music vs coloring. I am very impressed.

Regarding the price, Art Pro VLA or Neve plug in, same price.... I'll take the Neve.
 

bedhoe

Active Member
:roll: Look, I don't want to start a thing with this but... Yes, i would favour this plugin for a whole lot of material over the C2. It all depends on what i'm working with. I love the C2's sidechain abilities. That makes a huge difference when i work. But total recall a month after the mix is done makes a huge difference too. I'm not putting the C2 down at all... Peace&love.
 

Plec

Venerated Member
I think UA has truly outdone themselves this time in terms of quality. A dream come true would be if they developed a new card with a lot more power and then updated all the other algorithms for the 1176 and LA2A etc.. to be just as accurate models as this one.

It's by far the best \"model\" compressor that I've ever heard.. WAY more accurate and analogue sounding than the Waves SSL. IMHO I'd say that the 1176, LA2A sounds around 50-60% accurate to the real deal but I truly feel that the new Neve compressor is somewhere in the 80-90% region.

Now, I've never used or heard a 33609 but I have the 1176 hardware, LA2A, Smart C2 etc.. and everyone who uses that kind of gear knows that the plugins doens't have the same character, glue, aggression, color... whatever... to them although they are damned close in the general compression characteristics. With the UAD 33609 I can say that I've never ever heard a software compressor work and feel this real before.
 

F5D

Active Member
I just tried the 33609 with one of my techno tracks and it works perfectly in the master bus. I couldn't really hear difference between the normal and SE versions in most cases. These plugins are the best sounding compressors I've heard so I just had to buy them. Great work UA and thanks for the coupon. Now give us more dsp power to run these things! :D
 
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