UAD now charging users for native licenses (even if you own the DSP version)

[SoftSynthLover99]

Apparently UA are now charging users upgrade fees for the native ports of the plugins, which they claimed DSP owners would get for free when released.

As a UA user I’m not sure how I feel about this. UA have said in the past if you own the DSP version you’ll get the native for free, now they seem to be backtracking and trying to make users pay for the native ports? Here’s what the uaudio FAQ says:

Native vs UAD-2 DSP/Apollo Questions
If I purchase a UAD plug-in, do I get a license for native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions?
Yes – for every UAD plug-in that supports both native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions, you get a license for both. To browse the collection of native UAD plug-ins, visit this page.

https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articl ... D-Plug-Ins

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

They'll say something like, "we enhanced the plugins with side chain inputs" and in the past, they've charged for MK II versions of plugins. I get why people would be peeved though.

[SoftSynthLover99]

They'll say something like, "we enhanced the plugins with side chain inputs" and in the past, they've charged for MK II versions of plugins. I get why people would be peeved though.

Yeah I’ve had UAD plugins since forever ago. The MKII stuff had sound differences/enhancements though right? Are the new SSL native ports enhanced sound wise from the DSP versions? Only new mention I see is side chaining.

I remember when API vision went native, that received side chaining, but was free as they said it would be to owners of the DSP version.

[zvenx]

The $9.99 fee is minimal tbh.. I am glad that I get a license for Native which I use more and more in new projects, but it is the principle... and to now say, it is because they added a new feature (which they added in API already and didn't charge extra) is just lying to people and insulting their intelligence at the same time, which is my #1 peeve.
I suppose they will consider extra GUI sizes as additional features worth charging for but 'keeping their word'..
rsp

[mothra]

That $10 may very well be SSL requiring money to let that go native as its now competing with their own products. As that was an 'officially licensed' product, I'd imagine the deal was very specific and did not include the native plugins which didn't exist at the time the DSP versions were done. I honestly never expected those to go native since SSL has their own rather expensive channel strips for sale too..

It's $200 for me, be happy its only $10! As soon as those go on sale (or I get another coupon) I can finally kiss the last of my old outdated Waves plugins goodbye!

[RobGee]

[jamcat]

It's $200 for me, be happy its only $10! As soon as those go on sale (or I get another coupon) I can finally kiss the last of my old outdated Waves plugins goodbye!

The Waves SSL EV2 is quite good. Perhaps better than UAD's 4000 E Channel. I'd take UAD's G Bus Compressor over Waves, though.

I'd recommend waiting for a big sale on Signature 2 or something to get the UADx SSLs. You'll be able to turn your $200 into a lot more than just 2 plugins. It's been proven time after time that buying UAD plugins individually isn't the best way to go about it.

[Kretch]

The $9.99 is actually a pretty good deal as it snags you a $25 coupon. If you have Ultimate 12, you can get Ultimate 13 for a discounted $199. That coupon brings it down to $174. This gets you the Topline Vocal chain, all 3 guitar amps and the Verve suite as well. It’s a pretty good deal right.

[koalaboy]

I have a UAD Quad PCIe since a while back, and then a Twin that I bought a few years back, as my latest PC supported Thunderbolt. I have a fair chunk of their native plugins, and I really like some of them.

However, it's become clear that the focus is more on moving away from the DSP line, as well as reducing Windows compatibility further. I was always astonished that the USB variants (which are fewer) don't work on Macs either, so you can't buy one and then hope to switch computer in the future.

Yes, I know some people have Thunderbolt, but class-compliant USB is easily good enough for the majority of people, and can work on any platform as well.

To that end, I'm 'done' with UAD. I wanted a modelling mic, but went with Slate instead - maybe not quite as good, but platform agnostic. I've also finally upgraded my interface. I went with RME (I had a babyface from a long time ago that demonstrated to me how good they are).

UAD could have made things much better for the consumer, offering USB drivers on both platforms (too much work apparently, even though every other manufacturer does it) and letting Windows be an 'equal' citizen... but no. A shame.
I'd still buy their analog hardware, but I'm done with anything they do tied to a computer.

[theviirus]

i had ssl bus comp.
got the ssl native bundle for 10 with discount.

if people want something juicier to complain about, how about the 25$ thank you codes now requiring a 99$ minimum spend.

[zvenx]

Well you can complain about both..

But why i wouldn't complain about the $99 minimum spend was promises from UAD were never ever made afaik that thank you codes will never have minimum spend requirements.

They did however about Native ports of previous DSP products...

Then some people come with this imaginary, without facts that it may be SSL who is the bad guy in all of this with licensing fee.. then fine.. just say so ua... 9.99 cause of licensing... don't pretend that it is because of the extra one feature.

rsp

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

On the other hand, I got the Signature Bundle crazy cheap less than a year ago. They released a bunch of new amp sims and additional plugins, and made a "Signature Bundle v2" and they had a decent upgrade price.

Except...me being an idiot and thinking the Signature bundle upgrade was $499, I did a custom bundle for the 3 amp sims up for $249. Find out a few hours later, there's a Signature v2 upgrade price of only $199. Oh crap, I just made a huge mistake. I could've gotten those 3 amps plus the SSL's and a few other plugins for less than what I paid for the 3 amps alone. I contacted UA and they refunded me the $249 on the Custom Bundle so I could buy the $199 upgrade, no hassle at all, no further questions asked.

So they're not THAT bad in my book! I'd go so far as to say I'm quite happy with UA.

[jamcat]

That's great to hear Funkybot. And honestly, I wouldn't have expected anything different from them.

I've found UA's support to be totally accommodating and absolutely top notch.

[9headshydra]

Frankly,

I paid 10 usd for the uad ssl native, they gave me 25 usd voucher, i used it with a 199 usd ultimate 13 bundle with the last 22 UAD plugins i didn’t had,

The deal was just great no more no less

[SatioSenapi]

Damn that sounds sketchy