Brainworx & SPL plugins on UAD2 - Huh?

[Whitten]

Regarding the cost of the UAD system versus using a more powerful computer capable of more instances of a native plug........
My main studio computer is an Intel imac. It's basically working out great. I'm producing professional quality mixes, but it creaks at the margins. For example, with a few compressor and eq plug-ins on my mix, a few delays, a couple of instances of Space Designer and an instance of Synthix my mix in Logic grinds to a halt. If I recorded my Synthix part to audio and deselected the synth plug I can complete my mix.
As far as I'm concerned, the next step up is a Mac-Pro. The entry level Mac-Pro is going to cost me over $3000 (Australian), then there's the extra RAM and a screen (the screen is at least $900). So my investment will realistically top well over $4000.
I just priced a UAD Satellite Duo with free EMT reverb and Massive Passive for under $1000 (Australian).

So I can free up more processing power, use more reverbs including the EMT which is great, for $3000 LESS than upgrading my studio computer.
No brainer.

[sauli]

I really don't agree with Whittens cost calculations unless you have strong urge to use Mac, then again there might be same kind of semi-religous UAD-following

Anyway - I really don't get how people take it like an insult if some company is supporting ALSO UAD. Discontinuing native and going only UAD I'd understand, but some people here seem to get angry because Bx and SPL are looking for new potential customers.

UAD isn't and it'll never be as cost effective as normal cpu's, but it can help if you want to stick with low end computer or have maxed out your high end one (which in my opinion should be upgraded to even more high end one, if processing power is your only issue).

First of all UAD is a copy protection mechanism for companies and way to get some UAD only plugins for customers and if some company supports both native and UAD the UAD versions are tempting for UAD card owners. There might even be potential customers who are UAD only and reaching them could be very beneficial for high end, high cost developers like Brainworx.

[Whitten]

I really don't agree with Whittens cost calculations unless you have strong urge to use Mac

I'm using Mac because I've always used Mac.
My DAW is also Logic.
All the musicians I know and collaborate with use Mac.
So it really is a cert for me that I'll be staying Mac.
As for not agreeing with any other aspect of my situation, the figures are plain and simple..... upgrade to a more powerful Mac capable of many more plug-in instances = $4000+
Buy a UAD system = under $1000

I mention all this, because from my discussions with friends and contacts, a lot of people seem to be coming to the same conclusion...... it's cheaper to free up computing power by adding DSP plug-ins via the UAD system, than upgrading your Mac (don't know about PC).
If you are starting a studio from scratch with no computer, then yes it may be cheaper to buy a PC and load it with native plugs. But I'm basically very happy with my set up and would just like to use some quality fx while freeing up some computing power.

[Freaqpeak]

I did a null test between the native and UAD version of SPL Vitalizer. They are NOT the same.
To me, and other people I tried the blindtest on, The UAD version sounds alot better!

I have also read that this is true for all UAD versions vs Native.
I don't know why this is, pretty bad that I invested in some native versions in the first place. :/

[pingaton]

I did a null test between the native and UAD version of SPL Vitalizer. They are NOT the same.
To me, and other people I tried the blindtest on, The UAD version sounds alot better!

I have also read that this is true for all UAD versions vs Native.
I don't know why this is, pretty bad that I invested in some native versions in the first place. :/

I am a UAD user for years and a proud of owner of Quad Omni.
They have some plugins that have no competition, like: Massive Passive, ATR-102, Fatso - to name some
But there are also soome good, but with native competitors offering more, e.g. I stopped using UAD SSL channel when I discovered Duende native.
Unfortunately I have to agree that the power given by UAD cards is less and less important as I am upgrading my workstation regularly.
Personally I wish they would have started to port their plugins to native formats, or at least add more performance to cards (better chips, or more chips inside).

[chokehold]

The entry level Mac-Pro is going to cost me over $3000 (Australian), then there's the extra RAM and a screen (the screen is at least $900). So my investment will realistically top well over $4000.

Not really.
You can use any screen you like, plus any RAM (with fitting specifications) you like.
So your investment will realistically top well over $3000.

I just upgraded my regular '11 Mac Mini with 2x Crucial SSDs, 8GB of super fast RAM and it's connected to 2x 26" ASUS screens via HDMI and Thunderbolt-to-HDMI adapter.

It's possible, it's cheaper and it works faster and better than ever.

But then, if something goes wrong I know how to fix it, and I don't need to rely on some guarantee or overpriced Apple Care support package.