KVR Audio

telebunke · Post by **telebunke** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:32 pm

Hi all you knowledgable audio engeneers.

Powercore Elements vs. UAD-1 Project Pack
Which of these 2 DSP cards has the better
EQ
Dynamics
Reverb

What would you say? O, and please compare these 2, at the low end of the budget, not the studio (bigger) versions.

Greetings
tele

püRe · Post by **püRe** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 6:45 pm

UAD-1 has the best EQ and Dynamics
PowerCore has better reverb

SOLA · Post by **SOLA** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:28 am

I have already seen a similar thread about this on kvr here. http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... =powercore

akisd28 · Post by **akisd28** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:20 am

In their cheapest versions, UAD has good comp (currently FREE LA-2A), nice warm EQ (Pultec) and OK reverb (Realverb), while PoCo has good surgical EQ (TC EqSat) and great reverb (ClassicVerb, MegaReverb). PoCo's comps are also better than most native ones, but not as good as UAD's.

SOLA · Post by **SOLA** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:48 am

@akisd28
The Realverb Pro is one of the best DSP reverbs in the world.

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:08 pm

http://www.uaudio.com/products/digital/ ... index.html

Doesn't have a LA-2A.* Nor does it have an 1176LN, which I'd have thought was the whole point. If you're look at that price bracket, I'd go for the Powercore. And consider a Studio PAK at a later (LA2A?) date.

* Unless there's some deal I don't know about.

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:46 pm

Phaedo wrote: Nor does it have an 1176LN

Well,it does have the 1176SE,but I'm not sure of the difference.Although the PoCo Element is on sale at GC for around $310.00(US)right now making it a better buy than the Project pack as far as what's included in both basic packages,I still feel the UAD is a better investment as far as ugrade choices go and the prices that go with them.Eventually your going to want to upgrade either card,so checking out what's availible and respective prices should play a role here.

Phaedo · Post by **Phaedo** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:50 pm

I'm not sure you will want to upgrade an element, that's the thing. Basically, the SE is a DSP-lite version of the LN. Reviews I've read pretty much all say "moving right along to the LN".

As I see it, the UAD has two killer features: the LA2A and the 1176LN (some people like Nigel). So if I were to buy it, I'd go for the Studio pack.

As I say, personally I think the best upgrade for a powercore is a uad, and vice versa. Why have the best of only the one world?

akisd28 · Post by **akisd28** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:06 pm

SOLA wrote:@akisd28
The Realverb Pro is one of the best DSP reverbs in the world.

I like Realverb, but most people like the TC reverbs more - including me.

VanLichten · Post by **VanLichten** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:27 pm

Dont know about the Powercore, but i have the small UAD.
Extremly good are IMO:

1.) Pultec - just makes everything sound better, especially drums

2.) The Channel Strip EQ - i AB-ed the EQ with Golden EQ, Lampthruster etc and only the later could compare - and you can run a hell of a lot of these on one UAD.

3.) Realverb Pro - many presets, Native Plugs stand no chance IMO save some Impulse files with SIR which sound equally good

4.) Delay and Modulators are also very good, even if you can run many Delays (çard lacks RAM)

I really don't care much about the Compressors, they sound good but lack features, Crunchessor and Kjaerhus Audio GPP / GCO are better.

All in all, the UAD is damm fine for me, especially for the Channel Strip and the possibility of adding other plugs later rather cheaply.

Best, Richard

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:39 pm

Phaedo wrote:As I see it, the UAD has two killer features: the LA2A and the 1176LN (some people like Nigel). So if I were to buy it, I'd go for the Studio pack.

I wouldn't leave out the Pultec EQP-1A by any means,but I agree the LA2A is the gold here.You also have to consider that some boards might prove problematic with 2 cards depending on the setup which is something I personally want to avoid.My dillemma is this,is it worth $310.00 for some nice reverb and possible conflicts with UAD and PCi bandwidth in general(not to mention host buffer settings),or just get the UAD Project pak(what I really prefer)and go with the new Plate 140 for $150.00 and LA2A for another $150.00 totaling $700.00,same price as getting both entry cards.If money were no object,I'd get the UAD and PoCo FirWire box and all the extras,but since money and Pci bandwidth is an object,a balance has to be thought out.

VanLichten · Post by **VanLichten** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:48 pm

A_Gruesome_Discovery · Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:15 pm

Phaedo wrote:http://www.uaudio.com/products/digital/ ... index.html

Doesn't have a LA-2A.* Nor does it have an 1176LN, which I'd have thought was the whole point. If you're look at that price bracket, I'd go for the Powercore. And consider a Studio PAK at a later (LA2A?) date.

* Unless there's some deal I don't know about.

There is a deal; free LA-2A with a project pack activation. Plus a $50 credit towards any other plugin. Details here

billybk1 · Post by **billybk1** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:18 pm

You guys are aware of the new UA, UAD-1 promotions going on, until March 31st, right?

http://www.uaudio.com/promo/index.html

FYI, if you buy a Project Pak, before March 31st, you get a FREE LA2A, plus a $50.00 redeemable coupon towards the purchase of another premium plugin. So you are saving $199.00 on plugins, right off the bat.

billybk1 · Post by **billybk1** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:32 pm

Hey A_Gruesome_Discovery,
You beat me too it, by 3 minutes.

I think UA is in a coupon giving mood, these days,

they included a $50.00 coupon code, in a nice "thank you for your support" email, for just being a multi-card registered user (I have 2 cards). I promptly bought the last UAD-1 plugin I did not have, the fabulous new Precision Mastering EQ