Universal Audio releases UAD-2 Software v5.2 (incl. Pro Tools support; Harrison 32C EQ and Little Labs IBP)

Universal Audio recently announced the release of UAD Software version 5.2 for the UAD platform, which enables the UAD-2 DSP card to be used with Digidesign Pro Tools systems via FXpansion's RTAS Adapter. In addition to full Pro Tools compatibility, UAD Software v5.2 now provides UAD-2 users with automatic plug-in delay compensation for Pro Tools LE via the bundled Mellowmuse ATA plug-in. Mellowmuse ATA lines up all tracks automatically with a couple of clicks–UAD Powered Plug-Ins and other plug-ins alike–and it's free to UAD-2 users. UAD-1 users may purchase MellowMuse ATA at a discounted price as a courtesy of Mellowmuse.

UAD Software version 5.2 also includes UAD-2 support for the full library of Powered Plug-Ins,including:

• Roland RE-201
• Precision Maximizer
• Precision De-Esser
• Precision Buss Compressor
• Precision Enhancer kHz
• SPL Transient Designer
• VCA VU
• Moog Multi-Mode Filter

The update also includes two new plug-ins for the UAD-1 and UAD-2, the Harrison 32C EQ and the Little Labs IBP.

Harrison 32C EQ
Partnering with Harrison Consoles Ltd., Universal Audio recreates the Harrison four-band 32C channel EQ plug-in derived from the prestigious Harrison 32 Series console. Countless hit records have been made with Harrison consoles, for artists from Abba to Sade. Most notably, many Michael Jackson records were produced with the 32 series, including Thriller—the best-selling album of all time.

The Harrison 32C EQ is modeled directly from Bruce Swedien's own console, and is enthusiastically endorsed by the Grammy-winning Producer/Engineer. The Harrison Powered Plug-In even includes presets made of Swedien's favorite EQ settings. Swedien continues to use the 3232C console as he has for over 25 years, calling the desk "marvelous sounding" and commenting, "The addition of Harrison EQs within Pro Tools is a Godsend."

The Harrison 32C contains four overlapping parametric bands. Each of the Low (40-600 Hz), Low-Mid (200Hz to 3.1 kHz), Hi-Mid (400 Hz to 6 kHz), and High (900 Hz to 13 kHz) bands have fully sweepable Frequency and Gain Controls. Instead of traditional Q controls, the 32C has "circuitry that automatically adjusts the effective bandwidth", as described in original Harrison documentation, adding to the device's signature sound. Furthermore, the Low-end band is switchable from Peak to Shelving EQ. Finally, the Harrison 32C features 12 dB per octave parametric High and Low Pass filters witch can be switched in or out. Additional "Digital Only" features include Gain, Phase Reverse, and a global Power switch.

Little Labs IBP Phase Alignment Tool
The Little Labs IBP Phase Alignment Tool easily eliminates the undesirable hollow comb-filtered sound when combining out-of-phase and partially out-of-phase audio signals. Designed as a phase problem-solving device, the Little Labs IBP (In-Between Phase) has established itself with audio engineers as not only a 'fix it' tool, but as a creative, tonal color tool. Whether combining direct and mic'd signals, acoustic guitar and vocal mics, drum kit mics, or multiple split-guitar amps, the recorded audio signal phase can be quickly and easily controlled with the Little Labs IBP Phase Alignment Tool. Universal Audio's 'Workstation' version of this tool is optimized for the DAW environment and expands upon the original design with a continuous Delay Adjust control that provides a perfect digital phase alignment option.

Features include the all-important 0° through 180° in-between-phase continuous control, with a 0° through 90° option for finer control. Also included is the 'Phase Center' high and low position filter switch adds additional frequency-dependent control over the phase-adjusted source. A standard 0°/180° Phase Invert switch is included, as well as individual bypass switches for the Phase Adjust and Delay Adjust sections of the circuit. Lastly, a Power switch is provided to bypass the whole plug-in for comparison to the original source.