Waves vs. UAD-1

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I was curious what everyone's opinions were about Waves plug-ins or plug-ins for the Universal Audio UAD-1? Specifically I'm looking for some great reverb, I'm not opposed to going the hardware route but if I can get something software that sounds just as good as a dedicated hardware unit than I'd rather do that.

I've used Waves over a friend of mine's studio and to be honest I wasn't terribly impressed, the reverbs including the reverb samples sound really harsh to me. But at the same time I've heard great things and admittedly I didn't spend much time with it.

The UAD-1 I've heard a lot about but since it's an older product I'm worried that something will come along that's a lot better soon.

So what are your opinions? Also some audio samples would be great, thank you!

P.S. If somebody has some hardware recommendations I'm all ears as well.
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Make sure you don't miss this:

ArtsAcoustic Reverb.

Beats any native algorithmic reverb plugin hands down including Waves by a long shot IMO.
♫♪♫♫♪♫
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I quite liked the renverb when I used it but that was ages ago. I virtually never use the reverb on the UAD, partly because I don't use a lot of reverb anyway, but mostly because there are other *much much* better reasons to devote the UAD's DSP to other stuff (1176, LA2A, Fairchild, Pultec and Cambridge).

Dreamverb is pretty good despite having a rather odd interface. Not as good as convolution reverbs though. But it does give you a decent enough reverb with no host processor hit.
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Hmm... the Plate reverb (EMT 140) on the UAD is priceless in my opinion.
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The uad-1 uses the newest audio dsp currently in use.

unless someone knows of a newer one? i sure dont...
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Tony Ostinato wrote:The uad-1 uses the newest audio dsp currently in use.

unless someone knows of a newer one? i sure dont...
What does that mean? "New" DSP? Newer than what?
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Newer than the old DSP in your '92 Turtle Beatch card.
perception: the stuff reality is made of.
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mandolarian wrote:Newer than the old DSP in your '92 Turtle Beatch card.
But is it newer than my AWE64??
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The EMT 140 is supposed to be really nice - I don't have that though and so can only comment on Realverb and Dreamverb...
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The general consensus seems to be that the Tc Powercore has "better" reverb than the UAD who on the other hand has "better" eq and comps.That may have changed with the EMT 140. But since it is a matter of opinion the only way to find out is to try'em yourself.
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Cyprus wrote:I was curious what everyone's opinions were about Waves plug-ins or plug-ins for the Universal Audio UAD-1? Specifically I'm looking for some great reverb, I'm not opposed to going the hardware route but if I can get something software that sounds just as good as a dedicated hardware unit than I'd rather do that.
UA plate is very good (at what it does) but i still think a convolution processor or hardware is the way for great reverb.
Look at ebay or similar for an old lexicon or tc gear... they may even cost the same as an UA card... BUT the eq and comp on the UAD are just great... a plus when you want to get the reverb fitted into a mix.

cheers
lX
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bduffy wrote:
Tony Ostinato wrote:The uad-1 uses the newest audio dsp currently in use.

unless someone knows of a newer one? i sure dont...
What does that mean? "New" DSP? Newer than what?
It must have been a joke about a several years old DSP chip. :hihi:
In the end will be the word.
Check out some of my music at www.fritzmetal.de
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lex_strooder wrote:
Cyprus wrote:I was curious what everyone's opinions were about Waves plug-ins or plug-ins for the Universal Audio UAD-1? Specifically I'm looking for some great reverb, I'm not opposed to going the hardware route but if I can get something software that sounds just as good as a dedicated hardware unit than I'd rather do that.
UA plate is very good (at what it does) but i still think a convolution processor or hardware is the way for great reverb.
Look at ebay or similar for an old lexicon or tc gear... they may even cost the same as an UA card... BUT the eq and comp on the UAD are just great... a plus when you want to get the reverb fitted into a mix.

cheers
lX
I was thinking the same way when it came to Guitar Amp simulators so I went out and purchased a great hardware amp.
Then when I started working with it I decided to return it.
Why? Because I am spoiled.
Heat, Cables, microphones, room acoustics, ambient noise, 60HZ noise, cable routing, not to mention the wife kids and neighbors screaming "turn it down".
Who wants to deal with all these? Not me!

Ahh.. how about drawing down knob positions so you can "dial-in" the same preset as yesterday?
And guess what? You can never do it 100% right.

Once you start working in the digital domain you can never go back.
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fritzman wrote:
bduffy wrote:
Tony Ostinato wrote:The uad-1 uses the newest audio dsp currently in use.

unless someone knows of a newer one? i sure dont...
What does that mean? "New" DSP? Newer than what?
It must have been a joke about a several years old DSP chip. :hihi:
Yeah, I've kinda given up on unlocking that enigma.
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Theres the motorlas which are way older that are used in TDM, 15-20 years old i think they are. thats also what powercore uses. pretty much everyone uses these chips, waves, roland, line6, virus, etc etc etc.

then theres the sharcs that have also been around forever, i think 15 years.

the uad-1 mapct audio/video dsp comes in as newest, unless you guys know one i havent heard of?
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