UAD PolyMAX - This thing is Sick

[Uncle E]

MIDI Learn has not been added.

[Vortifex]

Still enjoying this synth. Solid bass and crispy high end. Very clean, though that might be a turn-off for some. The only thing I really wish it had is a vintage dial for some per-voice detuning. And the voice panning could easily have been a dial instead of just a button with two presets.

[SLiC]

I am pretty new to UAD and also think this is a great synth- do UAD do many updates that add new features?

[_leras]

I am pretty new to UAD and also think this is a great synth- do UAD do many updates that add new features?

Unfortunately no. This is generally not an issue with the plug ins, but the synths could use some revisions. (As most softsynths do)

[Uncle E]

Doubtful that new features will ever be added, aside from QOL improvements that impact all UA plugins. For that reason, I could imagine midi learn being added some day if enough people request it.

[abernathy]

Just fair warning for those who may care: the UAD PolyMAX has non-editable hardwired MIDI CC assignments. There's no MIDI Learn. So depending on your DAW, you may be limited to the built in Learn system if it uses VST automation parameters, and as long as your controller still isn't sending MIDI CC's that will conflict with the hardwired mappings.

It's a bummer for me because it would make mapping this to my System-8 a huge PIA in Reaper. I had the same issue with their Minimoog plugin. I had to use a combination of Reaper's built in learn system, but I also had to use a bunch of JS FX to remap the MIDI CC's where there was a conflict. And in the case of the Minimoog, a few switches and other params are completely non-controllable as they're not even exposed as parameter automation.

It's insane to me they hardwire any MIDI assignments. No assignments would be better. It's not like UA sells a MIDI controller keyboard these are mapped to.

So this is an area where U-he, Synapse, TAL, etc. are decades ahead of UAD. I seriously can't remember when the last time I used a commercial synth instrument with hardcoded, non-editable MIDI CC assignments, but it must have been back in the dark ages of VST (early 2000s).

It's a dealbreaker for me. I won't buy any UAD virtual instruments until they enter the mid 2000's and create a MIDI Learn system or some way to reassign the mapping.

This is still such a bummer. Has anyone ever heard from UAD re: lack of MIDI learn? And even on their hardwired settings they make things like SUSTAIN non-controllable?? I was just about to really commit to UAD Minimoog - it IS my favorite minimoog emulation - but I nearly lost my mind trying to work around this in Logic (controller assignments, Smart Controls, the environment). No luck! I use my Moog Minitaur to control Softube Model 72, etc, and it is wonderful. I wish "high end" UAD plug-ins worked like high-end plugins!

[Uncle E]

I just checked their newest instrument, the Electra 88, and it appears to also lack midi learn, so I'm guessing it isn't something we'll see on PolyMAX any time soon.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

UA hates MIDI. Seriously. UA hates MIDI. It warrants repeating.

Their instruments? God awful MIDI implementation.

Their guitar hardware? No MIDI at all.

UA hates MIDI. Tell your friends.

[electro]

Why don't they just get you on the BETA to critique while they're implementing it?

UA hates MIDI. Seriously. UA hates MIDI. It warrants repeating.

Their instruments? God awful MIDI implementation.

Their guitar hardware? No MIDI at all.

UA hates MIDI. Tell your friends.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

Why don't they just get you on the BETA to critique while they're implementing it?

UA hates MIDI. Seriously. UA hates MIDI. It warrants repeating.

Their instruments? God awful MIDI implementation.

Their guitar hardware? No MIDI at all.

UA hates MIDI. Tell your friends.

1. They didn't ask me to be a tester.
2. I don't have the time to be a UA tester.
3. I'm sure they have beta testers telling them these things that they're ignoring.

I remember when the UAFX pedals came out, they were openly talking about how they didn't need MIDI in the launch videos. Many guitarists disagree. So they knew it was going to be something people asked for and didn't implement it anyway, despite the premium price tag.

But hey, if you can get on the beta and pass along that feedback, that'd be great!

[El°HYM]

Back in the Days, Tascam promoted unbalanced Patchbays over balanced ones.

[dayjob]

Back in the Days, Tascam promoted unbalanced Patchbays over balanced ones.

And mixers with RCA I/o instead of 1/4

[El°HYM]

[SLiC]

Opal Morphing synth is also excellent, not a ton of features but just a great sounds...
I honesty think UAD should update and put some marketing behind these synths, they are so good but don't seem to be on the radar much (regular updates at least get some free marketing)

[_leras]

Well UAD have eventually updated a lot of their plug ins over time.

I agree though these synths should be updated and they'd perhaps reach a larger market.