UAD still worth it?

[SLiC]

Looks like a closing down sale to me, that said- 70-80% off seems to be the new norm for a lot of developers, saturated market...way too much the same type of stuff.

[zvenx]

When they were DSP only, they could sell themselves as the greatest since slice bread (and indeed I still think many of their compressors are the top of the food chain), but once they opened to native most of the hype and markets speak and myths had to come down to reality and they are good, even really good, some even great, but not miles ahead of the competition as they would have had you believe when most people didn't have access to them.

Now they have to price with the market...

(UAD customer since 2005).

Even though I have spent literally thousands over the years, I am less concerned with these new bundles that are 'ridiculous' in comparison to what I paid for UAD plugins over the years, but though grateful they finally have dsp as vst3, I am pretty upset that still their dsp plugins can't be resized but more so, way more so, that the ik style of installing everything (even though clearly from ua connect you know they have the technology to just install what you have license for) continues, and according to Drew on UAD forum will continue for awhile.
Why?, just why?

rsp

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

...that the ik style of installing everything (even though clearly from ua connect you know they have the technology to just install what you have license for) continues, and according to Drew on UAD forum will continue for awhile.
Why?, just why?

rsp

If I'm not mistaken, IK came out and said they'd offer the option to install only the T-Racks you want in version 6. UA is doubling down.

Right now, UA is all about finding new ways to repackage their existing intellectual property and sell it to customers again and again in new ways.

[SLiC]

Personally I think UAD, Waves, even Softube stuff just looks 'dated' with the Skeuomorphism based GUI's (that then never resize well or at all!). Skeuomorphism isn't practical, can be fiddley to operate and rarely gives the sort of useful visual feedback or control as modern software with a practical GUI (such as Fabfilter or Kilohearts)

[jens]

When they were DSP only, they could sell themselves as the greatest since slice bread (and indeed I still think many of their compressors are the top of the food chain), but once they opened to native most of the hype and markets speak and myths had to come down to reality and they are good, even really good, some even great, but not miles ahead of the competition as they would have had you believe when most people didn't have access to them.

I think they "opened to native" exactly because their marketing scheming wasn't effective anymore.

[Jac459]

When they were DSP only, they could sell themselves as the greatest since slice bread (and indeed I still think many of their compressors are the top of the food chain), but once they opened to native most of the hype and markets speak and myths had to come down to reality and they are good, even really good, some even great, but not miles ahead of the competition as they would have had you believe when most people didn't have access to them.

Now they have to price with the market...

(UAD customer since 2005).

Even though I have spent literally thousands over the years, I am less concerned with these new bundles that are 'ridiculous' in comparison to what I paid for UAD plugins over the years, but though grateful they finally have dsp as vst3, I am pretty upset that still their dsp plugins can't be resized but more so, way more so, that the ik style of installing everything (even though clearly from ua connect you know they have the technology to just install what you have license for) continues, and according to Drew on UAD forum will continue for awhile.
Why?, just why?

rsp

Actually I have never been very much interested by this brand.
They specialize only in hardware/vintage emulation isn't it ?

What is their flagship product ?

[zvenx]

Personally I think UAD, Waves, even Softube stuff just looks 'dated' with the Skeuomorphism based GUI's (that then never resize well or at all!). Skeuomorphism isn't practical, can be fiddley to operate and rarely gives the sort of useful visual feedback or control as modern software with a practical GUI (such as Fabfilter or Kilohearts)

Their looks dont' bother me.. ftr..
rsp

[zvenx]

When they were DSP only, they could sell themselves as the greatest since slice bread (and indeed I still think many of their compressors are the top of the food chain), but once they opened to native most of the hype and markets speak and myths had to come down to reality and they are good, even really good, some even great, but not miles ahead of the competition as they would have had you believe when most people didn't have access to them.

I think they "opened to native" exactly because their marketing scheming wasn't effective anymore.

well that and the, native cpu can't handle our plugins argument no longer held any water, and once softube and pa did plugins for both it became obvious.
rsp

[zvenx]

...

What is their flagship product ?

I don't know if they have a flagship product.
Does wave of softube?
rsp

[DaniZzz79]

I love both UAD native and softube. If you are into (or need) classic analog emulations they are on top.
Best tubetech, best farchild, best distressor, best germanium, best tapes.
ofc if you want some modern stuff you may wanna look at sonible, baby audio, soundtoys, fabfilter etc.
if you want fancy stuff: audiothing, sonic charge..

I love that now I can have UAD stuff without owning their damn DSPs.
YET, I spent about 300 bucks in previous offers (single plugins discounted in October and the Leveler crossgrade), and now for the money I spent they are throwing in 44 plugins including the much wanted Distressor and other stuff .
Ok, I've learnt a lot in the last 2 months, but if only I had waited a couple of months now I would have all for the same price :""""(

[jens]

and once softube and pa did plugins for both it became obvious.

Exactly that - I think PA put the first nail in their coffin.

I still remember when I noticed that I was quite easily able to load more than 140 instances of the ADA Flanger on my mid-prized notebook. One would need 24 UAD-DSPs for that.

[Jac459]

Personally I think UAD, Waves, even Softube stuff just looks 'dated' with the Skeuomorphism based GUI's (that then never resize well or at all!). Skeuomorphism isn't practical, can be fiddley to operate and rarely gives the sort of useful visual feedback or control as modern software with a practical GUI (such as Fabfilter or Kilohearts)

I still love the reason rack which is the incarnation of Skeuomorphism. It is Skeuomorphism to the max because you got the look AND the back with the capacity to play with cables as much as you want.
It is perfect with a modern DAW like bitwig to give a different flavour.

But for standalone plugins, I agree with you, it is dated compared to the efficiency of a Kilohearts or fabfilter UI.

[Jac459]

...

What is their flagship product ?

I don't know if they have a flagship product.
Does wave of softube?
rsp

Thanks mate, I think this answer my question. UAD is similar to Wave and Softube....
So definitely not for me.

[uraniumbilly]

I got no skin in here, but the signature 44 plugins is my first foray into UAD plugs and it was a $300 package for both native and non.

Look forward to posting complaints. Future looks bright.

[zvenx]

and once softube and pa did plugins for both it became obvious.

Exactly that - I think PA put the first nail in their coffin.

I still remember when I noticed that I was quite easily able to load more than 140 instances of the ADA Flanger on my mid-prized notebook. One would need 24 UAD-DSPs for that.

lol.. yep...
that was the end of that myth.

But for sure if vintage gear is not your thing (in terms of sound, in terms of limited feature list, in terms of looks) then uad is not for you..
rsp