UAD still worth it?

[jamcat]

Which UAD-2 plugins do you want to see ported to native the most?

Here's my top ten:

Ampex® ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder
Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection
Trident® A-Range Classic Console EQ
UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection
AMS RMX16 Expanded Digital Reverb
EMT® 250 Classic Electronic Reverb
Dytronics® Tri-Stereo Chorus
MXR® Flanger/Doubler
V76 Preamplifier
EP-34 Tape Echo

Trident® A-Range Classic Console EQ
Is it the one was developed and available from Softube?

No.

Here is Universal Audio's:




And here is Softube's:



The Softube A-Range is only $59 right now, and it models the console saturation.
I'm actually not sure now if the UAD does, as it's merely advertised as an EQ. Anyone know?

[Uncle E]

UAD Trident does not. That’s an ooooold plugin, prior to their MK2 level of emulations. Recommend avoid.

[LoveEnigma18]

Traditionally, UA has done one big sale in summer and one in winter.

I rather suspect that they've changed their paradigm now - they're making a big push for the hobbyist UADx market. We've had ever-wilder sales every month for 2 or 3 months, and Black Friday is round the corner.

Agreed - and as someone new to UAD since they went native with enticing sales, I've already experienced a few pitfalls. For example I purchased a bunch of those $39 "UAD Tuesday" plugins (sometimes $19 if Thank You code received) every week over several months, and then they put a lot of them together, plus more, in a single Essentials bundle for a $50 upgrade from the free LA-2A giveaway. I could have saved money and just waited for that Essentials bundle offer, but you honestly never know. I'm not as out-of-pocket as some people who for example paid full price for PolyMAX before it was given away for free.

It does look like UAD are "playing the game" now so to speak, ie Plugin Alliance / Waves sale tactics with fluctuating prices, freebie loss leaders and upgrades etc. I'll be more careful with UAD sales from now on, especially with Black Friday coming.

Can't complain much though as I'm enjoying what they have to offer and hey, no one is forcing me to reach for the credit card

True, but I think as long as we have paid about $30 for a plugin that we wanted/needed, we should not be disappointed. Of course, not saying you are and hence posted the above comment.

For a perspective, I just calculated that I have spent about $400 with UA over last 4 months (so about $100/month) and got a total of 17 plugins so far (2 instruments + 15 effects). So, the cost per plugin averages to about $25, which is better than the Waves usual $29.99 sale! So, you see, it's not bad at all. Maybe it is a little higher for you, but probably not too high.

We will just need to make sure we don't pay more than this per plugin. The thank you coupons have helped a lot to make this happen though, so I hope they continue them.

[Uncle E]

Do you need that many? I have been using UAD plugins for 20 years, own pretty much all of them, and now only use around 10.

[Mind Riot]

I think I'm going to pick up the Essentials bundle, almost entirely for the Pultecs. But hey, $49 for eleven plugs, that means each plug is less than $5, hard to complain for a bunch of UAD stuff.

The LA2A's are great, I'm demoing them already. I've heard good things about the plate reverb that comes with it. Ditto for the channel strip, and the tape machine.

So hey, if I have to do the math a little different to feel good about it, I can think about it like I'm paying $29 for the Pultecs and $20 for the LA2As, reverb, channel strip, and tape machine.

It's pretty much a great deal any way I slice it.

[beely]

When I transferred the license for the Studer to physical iLok I discovered they had also sent me a license for the Ampex the day I bought it, even though there is no native plugin (yet). So I expect it to be released at some point, though.

This is the iLok licence for the Luna-native Ampex extension, which you also get if you own the Ampex DSP plugin.

I'm sure a native version will come (I'm looking forward to it too.)

[chagzuki]

Do you need that many? I have been using UAD plugins for 20 years, own pretty much all of them, and now only use around 10.

Which ones do you continue to use?

[Uncle E]

Pultec, Lexicon, 175/176, Fairchild, Brigade, LA2A, API Vision, VoxBox, and Minimoog.

[4damind]

I had bought UAD plugins for over $2000 but really used very few (LA2A, Pultec, Fairchild, Space Echo, Neve 33609, Precision Maximizer)
Is the Minimoog directly from UA or from another developer?

[Uncle E]

Directly from UA. Make sure to try it against Model 72 and The Legend before you buy.

[4damind]

I liked Softube Model 72 so much when it was released that I bought it right away I guess the UAD version is not necessarily better?

[Uncle E]

Wouldn’t recommend if you already own Model 72. They’re interchangeable.

[zvenx]

I wouldnt count them as interchangeable.
The uad has better workflow but the model 72 a better sound.
My two cents.
rsp

[aMUSEd]

I prefer the UAD by far even though it's only monophonic (and the Moog one even more, and that is Poly but only au3)

[vitocorleone123]

I prefer the UAD by far even though it's only monophonic (and the Moog one even more, and that is Poly but only au3)

I prefer Model72 by far. Best sounding software Minimoog without a doubt.