UAD still worth it?

[mothra]

I'm really looking forward to using the UAD versions of the some of the plugins I already have. For example, I A/B'ed UAD Pultec vs. Waves Puigtec, which I always thought was OK, and UAD blew it out of the water. The bottom-end was rounder and smoother. Top-end was similar, but still the UAD was slightly less harsh. I really like the LA-2A Gray version; seems smooth and cohesive. I already have a feeling the API 2500 is better than the Waves version. That one always seemed flat to me. And yeah, gimme that Lexicon 224 action!

'Nuff said! Thanks again!

The compressors are night and day vs Waves CLA comps and the 2500. UAD's native plugins happened to be about 98% of the Waves stuff I own, replaced all of them with not a single regret.. Now they just need to port their SSL E stuff to native and I'll be set (or SSL needs to put their new E channel on sale).

[jamcat]

Neither IK nor Arturia’s Space Echo is as good as UAD,

The UAD one sucks too. Audio Thing Outer Space for the win here. I don't use the Arturia, but I'd rate it over the UA m'self.

I think audiothing is quite a different flavour. It's cleaner and more modern sounding, to me, so it maybe is more instantly impactful or in the face.

It can't do what the UAD one does in terms of the tape grunginess. The tape tones in the UAD are really good. The UAD can do that Radiohead type grungy tape saturation echo, where the crunch of the tape is the sound. UAD is also perhaps a bit more refined and subtle.

Softube Tape Echoes is also worth a mention in this category. It has its own unique sound, which is high quality, and its pretty flexible. A good take on a tape dub delay.

The UAD one isn’t very good. Strong pass on that one. Audio Thing is better. Softube is good. Echoleffe is the one I got and kept.

What makes it not very good?
It’s the only model that was ever approved by Roland.

Do you find it somehow doesn’t sound or behave like a real RE-201? (Roland thought it did.) If so, in what way? And if not, then why are you saying otherwise?

[martinjuenke]

Neither IK nor Arturia’s Space Echo is as good as UAD,

The UAD one sucks too. Audio Thing Outer Space for the win here. I don't use the Arturia, but I'd rate it over the UA m'self.

I think audiothing is quite a different flavour. It's cleaner and more modern sounding, to me, so it maybe is more instantly impactful or in the face.

It can't do what the UAD one does in terms of the tape grunginess. The tape tones in the UAD are really good. The UAD can do that Radiohead type grungy tape saturation echo, where the crunch of the tape is the sound. UAD is also perhaps a bit more refined and subtle.

Softube Tape Echoes is also worth a mention in this category. It has its own unique sound, which is high quality, and its pretty flexible. A good take on a tape dub delay.

The UAD one isn’t very good. Strong pass on that one. Audio Thing is better. Softube is good. Echoleffe is the one I got and kept.

What makes it not very good?
It’s the only model that was ever approved by Roland.

Do you find it somehow doesn’t sound or behave like a real RE-201? (Roland thought it did.) If so, in what way? And if not, then why are you saying otherwise?

Good questions

[Agreed]

I like its behavior and have enjoyed using it. Though I do have alternatives, it seems to sit pretty well when mixing.

[kylie]

AFAICT, only one bundle can be in the cart at once, but is there a stipulation that stops me from turning around and buying another 2 plugins afterwards?

One bundle at a time, but I bought one yesterday - you can even add the brand new Sound City - and another one today. Today's bundle was even 25€ off because I was awarded a coupon for my yesterday purchase. So today I got another 2 plugins for about 42€ each.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

What makes it not very good?
It’s the only model that was ever approved by Roland.

Do you find it somehow doesn’t sound or behave like a real RE-201? (Roland thought it did.) If so, in what way? And if not, then why are you saying otherwise?

Roland has approved a ton of stuff over the years that doesn't sound very good - many of their own products. They also technically "unapproved it" when the licensing deal ended. "Approved" just means "taking a cut". It doesn't mean some engineer at Roland with discerning ears was charged with going through revision after revision with Universal Audio until they were totally happy that the model was totally accurate. It just means they came to a licensing agreement, and someone (probably in the marketing department) signed off on it.

Didn't UA themselves even say that their Galaxy 74 Tape Echo pedal uses a new model of the Space Echo compared to the plugin? I thought I recall reading that. Which would make sense to me. But it would also mean, even they think they could do better today compared to when the original plugin came out like 13 years ago or more.

[jamcat]

Well Outer Space came out almost 7 years ago, so is it also on its way to being too old?

Did delay modeling really advance that much during the first 7 years after the UAD RE-201 was developed, but not in the 7 years since Outer Space was developed?

I know that I can recreate Dave Fielding’s Space Echo slapback from The Chameleons’ Script of the Bridge with the UAD RE-201 exactly, which I couldn’t do with either the IK or Arturia models.

I wasn’t satisfied with either the IK or Arturia models, and was going to decide between getting either GSi GS-201 or AudioThing, but I don’t see a point now that I have the UAD.

[kevinsparks]

Now they're offering a free Volt 2 interface if you sign up for annual sub to Spark. That's kinda crazy

[mgw38]

Now they're offering a free Volt 2 interface if you sign up for annual sub to Spark. That's kinda crazy

Less crazy than you think. It’s more like a “buy a Volt 2 and get one year Spark for free” promotion. “Get a free Volt 2” just sounds better.

[jamcat]

This is interesting. I noticed this in the fine print of a recent UAD email:

Universal Audio, the Universal Audio “diamond” logo, Apollo, Apollo Twin, Arrow, UAD, UAD Powered Plug-Ins, Powered Plug‑Ins, UAD‑2 Live Rack, LUNA Recording System, Unison Preamps, Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, Helios, Oxide, Century Tube Channel Strip, Teletronix, Ravel, Shape, EQP‑1A, 1176, 1176LN, LA‑2A, LA‑3A, 175B, 176, OX Amp Top Box, and “Setting the Tone Since 1958” are among the trademarks, trade names, and service marks owned by UA

So Universal Audio acquired Helios at some point?
On a related note, I wonder when we’ll see the Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection ported to native.

[dionenoid]

For all you guitarists : https://www.audiodeluxe.com/products/au ... -fx-bundle

[Fornicras]

After asking for a discount from UAD for Signature Bundle 10 days ago saying I have many of the plugins inside of the bundle already, they said:

"Thanks for contacting UA Customer Care. There is no systematic discount but I went ahead and put a $50 coupon in your account, I hope it helps! Have a good weekend!"

I don't think I will ever buy something from UAD again, too bad.

[Uncle E]

Didn't UA themselves even say that their Galaxy 74 Tape Echo pedal uses a new model of the Space Echo compared to the plugin? I thought I recall reading that.

Yes, that is correct. Galaxy 74 is an improved version. IMO, UA also beat it with their EP-34, which is a wonderful delay if you're looking for lush ambience.

[jamcat]

Echoplex and Space Echo behave and sound very different, though.

[PAK]

After asking for a discount from UAD for Signature Bundle 10 days ago saying I have many of the plugins inside of the bundle already, they said:

"Thanks for contacting UA Customer Care. There is no systematic discount but I went ahead and put a $50 coupon in your account, I hope it helps! Have a good weekend!"

I don't think I will ever buy something from UAD again, too bad.

The $150 Signature voucher offer appears aimed at those who already own one of their native bundles (at least Mix or Diamond, not sure about the others). It's probably rare someone will manage to get the voucher outside of that. At least it goes some way towards fixing the situation with newer bundle users, though even some of those (EG who recently bought Diamond) will likely still feel a bit hard done by.

My best guess is they're trying to create a similar situation to Native Instruments. IE One where users might buy individual items, if they want something immediately, but otherwise wait for the yearly bundle updates if they want more value for money. It's just been handled poorly thus far - to the point where it kinda looked like a company about to go under or be bought out.

If the "NI direction" is the intent then they'll want as many users as possible on board the native bundle train, which makes it likely you'll eventually get a better offer. It's not in their interests to disgruntle too many customers, and they haven't even done an official offer for previous bundle owners yet (outside of CS voucher requests). So it's likely something will be in the pipeline, and those offers will likely include others like you.

Just like NI, though, so far it seems the message is don't plan on individual purchases counting towards any bundle discounts.