uad 2 : is it worth the money ?
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- KVRAF
- 2118 posts since 1 Apr, 2004 from Athens, Greece
Buying the solo flexi and then one tape simulator and the compressor would cost you around 800 euros, right? That seems a lot of money to me for 2 plugins. I have a UAD card but none of these plugins. I prefer cheaper and native.
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- KVRAF
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
Not with those plug combos. The 33609 and the tape machines take a lot of dsp. For example you can only run 4 stereo 33609's, or 6 A800's, or 3 ATR-102's. So, if you run a single 33609 + ATR-102 on your 2-buss (probably the most common use) you can only have 1 additional A800 for tracks.
A Solo IMO is for someone who wants to use the FX stuff that has more instance count and can be bounced easily. Obviously, there are maneuvers you can do to utilize that scenario, but it defeats a lot of the ease of use.
A Solo IMO is for someone who wants to use the FX stuff that has more instance count and can be bounced easily. Obviously, there are maneuvers you can do to utilize that scenario, but it defeats a lot of the ease of use.
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
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- KVRAF
- 1735 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
do you need a new interface? If so the UA Apollo is quite a good deal which includes either a DUO or QUAD.
SOLO is good for the older plugins - I had one. But for yours as said - not much.
You might be better off waiting on the Slate Tape Emulator...but there are plenty of other tape options. CD Soundmaster having what I think are the most realistic and varied.
The 33609 is a very nice compressor. If you 'have' to have that Neve flava its very nice. Good on bass and bus - but not that versatile. There are a lot of other high end native plugs that could take its place...
As said - it is rather expensive.
If budget is a concern - I would not suggest UAD. But if you have a large budget and need a Pro solution - UAD is nice to have around. If anything - it streamlines the plugin selection process (excellent plugins under one roof), ownership and also DSP.
SOLO is good for the older plugins - I had one. But for yours as said - not much.
You might be better off waiting on the Slate Tape Emulator...but there are plenty of other tape options. CD Soundmaster having what I think are the most realistic and varied.
The 33609 is a very nice compressor. If you 'have' to have that Neve flava its very nice. Good on bass and bus - but not that versatile. There are a lot of other high end native plugs that could take its place...
As said - it is rather expensive.
If budget is a concern - I would not suggest UAD. But if you have a large budget and need a Pro solution - UAD is nice to have around. If anything - it streamlines the plugin selection process (excellent plugins under one roof), ownership and also DSP.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1160 posts since 14 Oct, 2006 from france
Thank you for responding, guys. The appolo looks really great but is a little pricey to me for now. Another possibility is the waves cla classic comp bundle & kramer tape, tube & transistor wich i recently demoed and sounds really great (the cla bundle is just awsome). But someone told me the neve 33609 waz the hidden child of a LA2A & a 1176, and nothing but the best comp ever. I'm just really curious about it (and will demo before buying, of course). I'm also really interested in the slate virtual tape, but i have to say i recently bought the rc-tube (mainly for the ilok 2), wich i absolutely dislike (it does virtally nothing to a mix, imo).
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- KVRAF
- 5200 posts since 17 Aug, 2004
If you really want that UAD-2 i can sell you one of my UAD 2 Duo with 1800$ plugins for cheap. PM me if interested. If you'll feel more calm about it i can create thread in Marketplacebudweiser wrote:Thank you for responding, guys. The appolo looks really great but is a little pricey to me for now. Another possibility is the waves cla classic comp bundle & kramer tape, tube & transistor wich i recently demoed and sounds really great (the cla bundle is just awsome). But someone told me the neve 33609 waz the hidden child of a LA2A & a 1176, and nothing but the best comp ever. I'm just really curious about it (and will demo before buying, of course). I'm also really interested in the slate virtual tape, but i have to say i recently bought the rc-tube (mainly for the ilok 2), wich i absolutely dislike (it does virtally nothing to a mix, imo).
p.s. i never liked UAD 33609 - just matter of taste i think..LA2A and 1176 are another story, i also have dbx and Fatso in my offer
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- KVRAF
- 6097 posts since 5 Jul, 2001 from Just about .... there
Not unless you borrow someones UAD card.budweiser wrote:(and will demo before buying, of course)
If you have to ask, you can't afford the answer
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- KVRist
- 431 posts since 3 Oct, 2009
budweiser wrote:@kmonkey : i'm afraid it will be out of price, intended i plane buying the card in a first time, then, in a few months, the plugs...
Simply buy a better computer for more instances of plugins. The power of uad-2 sharcs is simply non-existent. - I'm sorry to say so
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 12443 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
1. As already discussed, for the plugins you're looking at, a UAD-2 Solo is woefully underpowered.
2. The price should definitely be an issue (whole lot of money, and for very little return IMO).
3. The ATR plugin is truly amazing. I regret demoing it.
4. The 33609 has a great sound, but isn't the most versatile compressor by any stretch of the imagination. So, if you think it's going to be some amazing problem-solving compressor, you'd likely be disappointed after a few months where you realize, there's almost always a better option.
My advice: get some good native plugins. You can get Slate's VCC for mojo, and a few good compressors (Cytomic, IK or Waves, etc.) for less money than a UAD card. From what I've heard of Waves MPX plugin, I'd stay away from that for a tape solution, but I'd definitely recommend holding off and seeing what Slate's Virtual Tape Machine plugin is going to sound like. From what I've read, it should be ready in a few months. Based on how impressed I ended up becoming with VCC (I was totally a doubter at first), I'm eagerly awaiting the Slate tape plugin.
2. The price should definitely be an issue (whole lot of money, and for very little return IMO).
3. The ATR plugin is truly amazing. I regret demoing it.
4. The 33609 has a great sound, but isn't the most versatile compressor by any stretch of the imagination. So, if you think it's going to be some amazing problem-solving compressor, you'd likely be disappointed after a few months where you realize, there's almost always a better option.
My advice: get some good native plugins. You can get Slate's VCC for mojo, and a few good compressors (Cytomic, IK or Waves, etc.) for less money than a UAD card. From what I've heard of Waves MPX plugin, I'd stay away from that for a tape solution, but I'd definitely recommend holding off and seeing what Slate's Virtual Tape Machine plugin is going to sound like. From what I've read, it should be ready in a few months. Based on how impressed I ended up becoming with VCC (I was totally a doubter at first), I'm eagerly awaiting the Slate tape plugin.
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- KVRAF
- 5913 posts since 17 Aug, 2004 from Berlin, Germany
For the tape, 33609.. Hmmm... I would not recommend the Solo. You will eventually regret this in a short time. The Duo is highly recommended.
IMO it makes more sense to buy some of the quality native plug-ins and eventually in the future think about the UAD for some plug-ins without native competitors.
For the tape, Waves Kramer Master tape or eventually the upcoming tape from Slate Digital is IMO a better investment.
For bus compressors many preferring more SSL or API style. So this is more a "The Glue" or Waves API thing. For mastering stuff there are also IMO better compressors like from Elysia...
I would test this native stuff (all have demo versions) and than think again if you need a UAD.
IMO it makes more sense to buy some of the quality native plug-ins and eventually in the future think about the UAD for some plug-ins without native competitors.
For the tape, Waves Kramer Master tape or eventually the upcoming tape from Slate Digital is IMO a better investment.
For bus compressors many preferring more SSL or API style. So this is more a "The Glue" or Waves API thing. For mastering stuff there are also IMO better compressors like from Elysia...
I would test this native stuff (all have demo versions) and than think again if you need a UAD.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1160 posts since 14 Oct, 2006 from france
Hmm... listening to what you're saying, i start to believe i'd better go with something i already know, like the waves... And what about the Uad LA2A & 1176 compares to the waves (that are truly amazing, imo)
@bishop666 : i absolutely agree, but they're managing to sell their stuff...
@4damind : the duo is really overpriced, intended the total lack of power of the sharc dsps... (imo)
@bishop666 : i absolutely agree, but they're managing to sell their stuff...
@4damind : the duo is really overpriced, intended the total lack of power of the sharc dsps... (imo)
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- KVRAF
- 1735 posts since 28 Dec, 2007
Take a Look at the IK Multimedia LA2A and 1176 emulations - they are pretty good. The Waves are also very good. I prefer both over the UAD versions. The Waves 1176 is a bit more punchy than the IK.budweiser wrote:Hmm... listening to what you're saying, i start to believe i'd better go with something i already know, like the waves... And what about the Uad LA2A & 1176 compares to the waves (that are truly amazing, imo)
@bishop666 : i absolutely agree, but they're managing to sell their stuff...
@4damind : the duo is really overpriced, intended the total lack of power of the sharc dsps... (imo)
Both are excellent.
Check out PSP Oltimer also - one of the best software comps IMO! Check out Sknote Stripbus. You get a very good SSL and 1176 style compressor as well as console emulation for $29...you could do very well with Oldtimer and Stripbus...
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- KVRAF
- 5524 posts since 5 May, 2007 from Mars Colony
Agreed. It is brilliant on piano and strings, though. Hardly a track compressor, though, as it takes up 90% of my UAD-1. I guess if you have a UAD-2 Quad then you are in a better position in that area.Funkybot's Evil Twin wrote: 4. The 33609 has a great sound, but isn't the most versatile compressor by any stretch of the imagination.
Ditto that UAD needs to get its hardware out of the next to the last decade if they are going to keep going with the big/rackmount dongle approach. This nagging fact is a real shame because their plug-ins are often excellent.
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- KVRAF
- 5913 posts since 17 Aug, 2004 from Berlin, Germany
Yes, but the Duo can handle a fair amount of plug-ins for a typical mixing environment. There is enough power to use some Neve EQs, a 33609, tape and stuff.budweiser wrote:@4damind : the duo is really overpriced, intended the total lack of power of the sharc dsps... (imo)
I used it more as a bus compressor for program material. Can also work in a parallel compression setup on drums, can also work as a mastering compressor if people like this Neve flavour. But it's of course a resource hog and in my opinion people often like the SSL style more.A.M. Gold wrote: Agreed. It is brilliant on piano and strings, though. Hardly a track compressor, though, as it takes up 90% of my UAD-1. I guess if you have a UAD-2 Quad then you are in a better position in that area.
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