KVR Audio

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:32 pm

Hi, I'm looking at the UAD-1 project pack because it seems like a pretty good deal with the included card. I seem to run out of plugin CPU power pretty quickly so this would be like getting a serious chunk of extra computer in addition to a slew of plugs. For that price ($400), it's pretty attractive.

My questions are:

Are the bundled plugs pretty good, i.e. is the extra processing worth buying for the sake of running just these plugs? I've been pretty happy with stuff I have from Tritone, Kjaerhus, Voxengo, TbT, and various freeware. How does this pack stack up in general against similar products from the above companies?

Does this DSP card only become active when the UAD plugs are used, or does it help do any processing for other plugins you might use in your DAW?

Thanks much,
Dave

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:34 pm

BTW, here's what you get with it:

CS-1 Channel Strip

DM-1/L Delay Modulator

RS-1 Reflection Engine

EX-1 EQ & Compressor

Nigel

Realverb Pro

Pultec EQP-1A

1176 SE Limiting Amplifier

Preflex - Amp/Cab Simulator

Gate/Comp

Phasor

Mod Filter

Trem/Fade

Mod Delay

Echo

Ocean Zen · Post by **Ocean Zen** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:01 am

According to the UAD web site you only get 5 plugs with the project pack,

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:27 am

Ocean Zen wrote:According to the UAD web site you only get 5 plugs with the project pack,

You get the five shown there, plus the others I listed.

skrasms · Post by **skrasms** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:35 am

The list Frippertronix posted includes the multi-part plugins broken down... ie the modules of Nigel listed separately also as Gate/Comp, Preflex, etc.

The card is only active for UAD plugs, by the way, since they have to be coded especially for it.

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:43 am

skrasms wrote:The list Frippertronix posted includes the multi-part plugins broken down... ie the modules of Nigel listed separately also as Gate/Comp, Preflex, etc.

The card is only active for UAD plugs, by the way, since they have to be coded especially for it.

That's fine with me, but are they good?

Obviously I can't test any demos.

sangha · Post by **sangha** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:25 am

I've got a UAD card with all but one (PEQ) UAD plug. It's the best purchase I've made so far. Of the plugs you get with the studio pak, the best are the reverb (the dreamverb is a "better" 'verb but I often prefer the dreamverb), the Pultec and the 1176.

Nigel can also be wonderful, but I find it takes some fiddling to get a really good sound operating it as a amp/cab sim. Though I'm not thrilled with it, some of the modules are excellent, like the Trem/fade and the ModFilter.

The other plugs are OK. I do use them, but if it only those plugs, I'd say it's not worth the money.

Where the UAD really shines are when the plugs you're getting are combined with some of the other "extra" plugs, particularly Cambridge EQ (can't rave enough about it), the LA2A (great sound), the Precision Limiter (completely transparent), and Plate140. Many also rave about the sound of the Fairchild comp, but to be honest, I haven't gotten a handle on it yet, so I won't comment on it.

on edit: I have to say that where the UAD shines is with its EQ and compressors. If you do purchase it, I seriously recommend you consider at least two additional plugs, the Cambridge and the LA2A.

zimba · Post by **zimba** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:36 am

Until end of June the LA2A comes with the Project Pak. I just got it after years of hearing people rave about it. I like it lots. The limited versions of Pultec and 1176 that come with the project pak are excellent. The fact that it doesnt eat into cpu is great as well. The problem is that Im finding more uses for it and can see needing a second card in the not to distant future. Plus I want the plate 140 and Cambridge.

The downside is that there a glitches with certain mobos, and certain sequencers. I would research on the UAD website and UAD forum for any problems you might run into with your setup. I hacve Sonar 3 and cant use looping because it disables the UAD plugs after the first pass. Not a big deal but there you go.

skrasms · Post by **skrasms** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 3:51 am

Frippertronix wrote: That's fine with me, but are they good?

Obviously I can't test any demos.

I've had mine 2 weeks now. I got the Project Pack figuring I could buy a new plugin every once in a while instead of throwing down a bunch of money at once. I really only want the compressors anyway. Here's my cursory rundown of what I've spent the most time with.

The LA2A (which is free right now because of some promotion) is really smooth and great.

The 1176SE is pretty good, definitely usable often. It even has the "all buttons in" emulation of the real 1176 if you shift-click.

Of the demos I tried...

The Fairchild was really my favorite of the compressors. Not only was the sound amazing, but having the M/S controls in addition to the regular L/R stereo made for some really great stereo imaging effects. Making a stereo buss sound wider by applying different amounts of compression to the mid vs. side bands. I really, really liked it on drums.

The Plate reverb was tasty. Pretty much a one-trick pony (or I guess 3 tricks since it has 3 plate models), but the sound quality is definitely there. And it's so simple to use because of the sparse controls. You can't really make it sound bad, just out of place.

The 1176LN was a step up from the 1176SE. All the same features, just a lot more detail in the actual compression character. I'd consider buying it if the project pack didn't come with the SE version and I wasn't building a hardware clone.

Those are the plugins I've actually been able to get a feel for so far. I spent more time with the demos since they only last 2 weeks and I wanted to make the most of that. As far as how they compare to the real hardware, I honestly have no idea. I know they sound great to me, but I've never had my hands on a real 1176LN, LA2A, or etc with which to compare. Sorry I didn't comment on the EQ's, but I don't think I really have the experience with EQ's in general give a very strong opinion on them.

I'm definitely happy with the purchase (I paid $360). It's definitely the first place I'll go to for compression (after my hardware, of course). It's a little disappointing trying the demos of the plugins that come with the Studio and Ultrapaks and seeing just how much you miss out on getting the Project Pack. At least buying new plugins isn't horrendously expensive (which will probably hold me back from ever getting a Powercore).

Frippertronix · Post by **Frippertronix** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:07 am

Thanks for the replies. I can't afford it this month so unless they extend it, I won't get the LA-2A.

That would have clinched it right there.

Not sure what I'll do, since I want to buy and use pretty much everything from Tritone as it comes out. To me, the main thing I like about UAD is the dedicated board. Decisions, decisions...

Lawnmower Of The Damned · Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:20 am

I believe UA runs a different special every 3 months. Last time around you got a free LA2A plus a $50 coupon for a future plugin purchase. I plan on picking one up soon, but I'm holding out to see if the deal is better next quarter.

AndrewSimon · Post by **AndrewSimon** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:01 am

UAD-1 is great.
There is always a promotion.
So maybe you won't get the LA-2A but you will get something else.

I use the Plate reverb and the Realverb the most.
RS-1 is great, especially on piano.
Pultec is like a dream.
It's all good... no, no ... it's all great

Nigel is the only one that I don't like.

Lesha · Post by **Lesha** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:10 am

is it better to buy a project pak and buy plugins you want later, or to buy studio pak right away ?

soulata · Post by **soulata** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:37 pm

I think it's cheaper to buy a studio pak right away.

Funkybot · Post by **Funkybot** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:44 pm

Yeah, I've been investigating doing that myself Lesha and it's definately just cheaper to hold out for the Studio Pack and buy that. IMO the Project Pack is damn near useless as the plug-ins I want the most aren't included, and by the time I do get the few plug-ins that I actually really want I would have already spent Studio Pack money. In fact, I was gonna pick up the Studio Pack two weeks ago, but walked out of Guitar Center with a Fender Rhodes instead. Funny how that happens...

UAD-1 Project Pack opinions?