UBK-1.....What Am I Missing?
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- KVRAF
- 1729 posts since 26 Feb, 2008
Honestly, I thought that this plug was the most unremarkable effect I've demo'd in a very long time. I tried tons of different source material on every possible setting and just could not get a sound that was like "wow". It was more like "hmmm" or "well that's something". I expecting so much more.
Snare drums samples: the new and improved "dither algo"
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- KVRAF
- 1821 posts since 5 Oct, 2003
I find using the UBK-1 a bit like using a Mesa Boogie. The broad range of options can feel fussy. It takes time to dial in, but when it works - when you take the time to explore - it sounds very good. In my experience, not really an instant gratification thing. The multiple gain stages makes it easy to abuse (not always in a good way).
"Time makes fools of us all. Our only comfort is that greater shall come after us." Eric Temple Bell
http://thetomorrowfile.bandcamp.com/
http://thetomorrowfile.bandcamp.com/
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- KVRian
- 1166 posts since 24 Jul, 2008 from England
I love this plugin. It' one of my favourite tools atm.
What I think UBK-1 has going for it is the quality of processing that it does, and the simplicity vs. results factor. Also, the headroom control; what an intuitive and brilliant control that is. Going back to a fixed operating level is like taking a step back when using different (otherwise brilliant) sat plugins.
UBK-1 compressor isn't the first choice for compression or dynamics (where you need control), but as part of the sat>comp chain it serves purpose, excelling over a lot of other compressors I've used for this. That's personally why I don't think it needs attack/release; the different modes are enough to achieve popularly used compression characteristics. But that doesn't make it a substitute for an 1176 or API model, etc. It just gives you that sort of vibe and movement, which is what I mainly use it for.
And there's always bypass. No plugin or chain is a magical one-stop shop that works every time. Sometimes the character of the processing doesn't suit the material, as with any audio tool on the planet. But there are more times I use the UBK-1 instance I've slaved over than times I bypass and try something else. That counts as something.
I honestly think the "overhype" has more to do with the long wait for VST. If it didn't take as long (hence be discussed for months, had the hopes and dreams of kingdoms attached, etc) maybe there wouldn't have been a heightened expectation (Slate VCC, anyone?)
What I think UBK-1 has going for it is the quality of processing that it does, and the simplicity vs. results factor. Also, the headroom control; what an intuitive and brilliant control that is. Going back to a fixed operating level is like taking a step back when using different (otherwise brilliant) sat plugins.
UBK-1 compressor isn't the first choice for compression or dynamics (where you need control), but as part of the sat>comp chain it serves purpose, excelling over a lot of other compressors I've used for this. That's personally why I don't think it needs attack/release; the different modes are enough to achieve popularly used compression characteristics. But that doesn't make it a substitute for an 1176 or API model, etc. It just gives you that sort of vibe and movement, which is what I mainly use it for.
And there's always bypass. No plugin or chain is a magical one-stop shop that works every time. Sometimes the character of the processing doesn't suit the material, as with any audio tool on the planet. But there are more times I use the UBK-1 instance I've slaved over than times I bypass and try something else. That counts as something.
I honestly think the "overhype" has more to do with the long wait for VST. If it didn't take as long (hence be discussed for months, had the hopes and dreams of kingdoms attached, etc) maybe there wouldn't have been a heightened expectation (Slate VCC, anyone?)
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- KVRAF
- 5139 posts since 27 Jun, 2004
I never really liked what I heard from UBK Fatso compression-wise and I didn't expect to like the UBK-1 plugin because I expected it to follow the same idea of squashed (and not in a way I like) sound.
As I expected, I don't have a use for it. Also, the hardware's distortion is much nicer than the plugin's, as expected. I could use a UBK Fatso for some distortion, but I wouldn't get one just for that. The plugin's distortion is not nearly as nice as what I can get from hardware I already have (preamps, etc.) and its compression is uninteresting to me, so I have no use for it.
All that said, although I just don't like it and prefer characteristics of other compressors and "saturators", I can say that it's clearly a unique and high quality processor, and I don't care about who hypes it or who disses it.
I even resent many things Greg Scott has been saying (mostly on Gearslutz) regarding unrelated things like converters ("opinions" which I find to be complete bullshit) but based on other comments by him (on mixing for example) and on his products, he's clearly enthusiastic about this stuff, so you know, whatever, judge the product based on what it is and how useful it is for you and don't bother with discussion about hype.
As I expected, I don't have a use for it. Also, the hardware's distortion is much nicer than the plugin's, as expected. I could use a UBK Fatso for some distortion, but I wouldn't get one just for that. The plugin's distortion is not nearly as nice as what I can get from hardware I already have (preamps, etc.) and its compression is uninteresting to me, so I have no use for it.
All that said, although I just don't like it and prefer characteristics of other compressors and "saturators", I can say that it's clearly a unique and high quality processor, and I don't care about who hypes it or who disses it.
I even resent many things Greg Scott has been saying (mostly on Gearslutz) regarding unrelated things like converters ("opinions" which I find to be complete bullshit) but based on other comments by him (on mixing for example) and on his products, he's clearly enthusiastic about this stuff, so you know, whatever, judge the product based on what it is and how useful it is for you and don't bother with discussion about hype.
"Music is spiritual. The music business is not." - Claudio Monteverdi
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- KVRAF
- 13140 posts since 7 May, 2006 from Southern California
UBK-1 and the UBK Fatso excel at what some might consider "artifacts" of compression. If I'm looking to use compression as a special effect, these two are my favorite tools.
They are definitely not suited for all tasks but they do their thing very well. I find that Kush Audio's tools are very well suited for the kind of music I make.
They are definitely not suited for all tasks but they do their thing very well. I find that Kush Audio's tools are very well suited for the kind of music I make.
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- KVRAF
- 2645 posts since 21 Jul, 2004