Softube or UAD?

[Alexander_D]

Hello. I want to buy UAD Signature. Seems that right now it's on 50%sale... Native version... or better to go with Softube fxs? What's your thoughts?

[jamcat]

UAD

[Alexander_D]

UAD

Thanks

[careyletendre]

Both are great.

[jens]

Hello. I want to buy UAD Signature. Seems that right now it's on 50%sale... Native version... or better to go with Softube fxs? What's your thoughts?

Softube are quality-wise at least on par with UAD, but unlike them they add modern features not existant in whatever hardware they model.

But what's way more important: UAD either need a Ilok-dongle or an active internet-connection (Ilok Cloud) - and if that wasn't enough, they in addition require another app (UAD Connect) that constantly needs to run on your machine in the background. (I.e. unlike any other software vendor I know of, they rely on two different apps to run permanently and phone home - otherwise they won't load properly/won't work) - so: I only had some free plugins from them (because they don't need the Cloud) but got rid of them and won't touch them with a bargepole in the future - i.e. I won't even use them for free.

So my advice is: stay away from UAD - it's really not worth the trouble.

[seangm]

Didn't Softube code a lot of the UAD plugins? That's what I've heard anyway, but then again I am not really that smart so maybe don't listen to me.

[jamcat]

Softube made UAD-2 DSP-powered versions of a number of their native plugins. Those plugins are still Softube branded plugins, not under the Universal Audio banner. Brainworx did the same, as well.

There are some UAD-2 exclusive plugins from Softube, like the Dytronics Tri-Stereo Chorus and Cyclosonic Panner. I wish Softube would make those available as native.

[Effectsworks]

Softube. But you can't really go wrong with UAD.

[Agreed]

I have all of UAD's native plugins and I still make use of several Softube plugins regularly. I happen to really get along with Celestion Speaker Shaper, for example, I've found it very useful. Atlantis Dual Chambers is very nice also, with some textures and timbres (and, importantly, some tools to dial the reverb characteristics in more precisely and process them very conveniently) that I don't get from the reverb options I have access to with UAD. Very nice stereo reverbs possible with it. I also like Softube's amp modeling. I got their Engl pack pretty recently. Very ENGLish. Um, Swedish. You know what I mean.

[t.o.t.s.]

I have a lot from both companies. They're both solid and sound great. I think Softube is a little more progressive with updates and features. Both companies have installers. The Softube one is more flexible. The UAD one is active all the time as someone previously mentioned but you can bypass that behavior by renaming the executable file. The plugins 100% work fine that way as they're ilok based. I'm not a fan of UAD's approach to multiple versions of a single plugin to have subtle changes in character. Maybe it's more exact but I prefer a slightly denser interface and less clutter in my plugin folders. Like I have 4 LA2A plugins from UAD. I'd have just preferred a switch on the single plugin... like Waves approach or something. A minor complaint though. They all sound great. On the flipside I find Softube stuff to have longer load times than my UAD stuff.

[Harry_HH]

Softube. But you can't really go wrong with UAD.

Yes you can - with the mandatory UAC (with native plugins).

[Alexander_D]

Softube. But you can't really go wrong with UAD.

Yes you can - with the mandatory UAC (with native plugins).

What does this mean?

[Alexander_D]

Thanks everyone! It's really helpful! I was sold my Arturia Fxs btw... for me they are no sounds so much good. And I don't like the politic of Arturia updates....
It's the reason that I am looking some great analog emulations... Don't want to buy waves also....Hmmm...

[Alexander_D]

And what about T-Racks maybe? Sometimes they have a crazy sales...

[Harry_HH]

Double