Is the UAD plugs really THAT much better?

[craigmorris74]

I would address your problem with this question:
Do you like the sounds of the 1176, LA-2A, and Fairchild?
If you do, then the UAD is for you, because it is going to get as close to the sound of the above hardware units that you can get.
If you don't, and are just looking for the best general comprssor plugs out there, then I'd suggest trying one of the brands mentioned in the above posts. They're really good plugs.
The UAD is a good value if you consider what you're getting in the deal. However, its plugs, especially its compressors are designed for a user who wants a certain sound. If you're not sure that you want that sound, then I'd try a UAD before purchasing one.

[püRe]

yes, it is THAT better (compared to anything in the native world)...

[Lazlo Minimart]

UAD + Voxengo = best of the DSP card and native worlds

I think that both of these companies have truly unique plugins, with UAD excelling in modelling and Voxengo excelling in R&D. Not everything in either of their catalogues is must-have. I will probably never buy the UAD Fairchild plugin, for example, and Voxengo's more esoteric plugins (Transmodder and the phase thingy) aren't that interesting to me, either.

But I have what I consider to be the best of both catalogues, and it is an incredible stack of world-class processing:

UAD Precision Limiter
UAD Precision EQ
UAD LA2A
UAD 1176LN
UAD Pultec Pro
UAD Cambridge
Voxengo Polysquasher
Voxengo GlissEQ
Voxengo CurveEQ
Voxengo Soniformer 2
Voxengo Analogflux Suite
Voxengo Elephant

That I could get all this for just over $1000 is really too good to be true.

[püRe]

UAD Precision Limiter
UAD Precision EQ
UAD LA2A
UAD 1176LN
UAD Pultec Pro
UAD Cambridge
Voxengo Polysquasher
Voxengo GlissEQ
Voxengo CurveEQ
Voxengo Soniformer 2
Voxengo Analogflux Suite
Voxengo Elephant

Fantastic combo

[lex_strooder]

UAD Precision Limiter
UAD Precision EQ
UAD LA2A
UAD 1176LN
UAD Pultec Pro
UAD Cambridge
Voxengo Polysquasher
Voxengo GlissEQ
Voxengo CurveEQ
Voxengo Soniformer 2
Voxengo Analogflux Suite
Voxengo Elephant

So that is a copy of your master bus sequence

[bmanic]

[bmanic]

Btw. I'm the real fruitcake here.. I'm getting the sintefex after all. Got a great deal on it and a pretty safe 'money back guarantee' if I don't like it. I'll post some examples comparing the compressors and EQ there to native stuff that I own (voxengo and sonalksis).

Cheers!
bManic

[brianbrian]

I think SOME of the UAD-1 plugins are that much better, like the Fairchild, 1176, PultecPro, Precision EQ, Precision Limiter, and EMT 140 Plate. The upcoming Roland SpaceEcho and CE-1 should be killers too. Still, most of these plugs have a particular vintage sound to them, which may not be appropriate on every channel or song. Keep in mind that the best UAD plugins have to be purchased seperately if you get a ProjectPak.

I think UAD + Voxengo are one of the most savage combinations you can add to your DAW. Vintage vibe, great verb, and Aleksey's nice, solid/crisp sounding, innovative processors.

[lsd]

What about the powercore plugs? Are they really "better"?

[SJ_Digriz]

I will probably never buy the UAD Fairchild plugin

ROFL, the Fairchild is like THE plug as far as I'm concerned. Followed closely by the LA-2A, then the EMT and Cambridge. I almost never use the 1176.

Other than that I agree with you in general, but it would be a mistake to discount the other dsp systems. Powercore synths are kick ass and the Sony plugs are as good/better/different than Vox or UAD. I don't know about bang for the buck, but it is quality kit. The other Native EQ makers out there are doing a fine job as well.

I've never used the Creamware stuff, but people that I trust opinions from tell me that it is good stuff too.

It's a good time to be a software gear junky.

[brianbrian]

I've never used the Creamware stuff, but people that I trust opinions from tell me that it is good stuff too.

It's a good time to be a software gear junky.

Damn skippy!
Creamware has the best delay and modulation effects, and one of the best reverbs. Not to mention the Minimax...

[bmanic]

I really don't get it about the minimax.. I've tried a creamware noah, now twice, just to make sure and I've always found the minimax to rather boring. Definately does not sound like the minimoogs I've played. IMHO it's one of the most over hyped creamware synths. That doesn't mean that all the creamware synths are mediocre, they aren't, some are really nice like the big modular one!

just my 2 cents not related to the topic at all..

[kilroy]

I really don't get it about the minimax.. I've tried a creamware noah, now twice, just to make sure and I've always found the minimax to rather boring. Definately does not sound like the minimoogs I've played.

I can see that. I've owned several hardware Mini Moogs, once upon a time...none of them sounded like the Creamware model...but then, none of them sounded like each other either.

IMHO it's one of the most over hyped creamware synths.

Oh come on...if it were not for hype in this industry your plugin folder would be empty, mate.

That doesn't mean that all the creamware synths are mediocre, they aren't, some are really nice like the big modular one!

And that one could *really* use a 72" monitor to be considered "nice" to program by analog standards.

[billybk1]

Is the UAD compressors (and eq's) really THAT much better than Sonalksis, Kjaerhus and Voxengo?

Of course, it is a matter of personal preference and taste. I would not say that much better , but rather that much different . Many of the premium UAD-1 plugins faithfully model/emulate the original vintage hardware of their namesakes. Both in UI design and in the carefully designed algorithms that make them sound and act so authentic and true to the original hardware. The LA2A, 1176LN, Pultec EQ, Pultec Pro, Fairchild 670, EMT Plate 140 have been used and heard on thousands of hit records over the last 40 years and are readily available and affordable, as UAD-1 plugins. There are no native plugin equivalants, but there are plenty of good alternatives. Even though I have just about every plugin effect that you can think of available to me, on my DAW, (Sonitus, Sonic Timeworks, Waves, Kjaerhus, Voxengo, iZotope, etc..), my UAD-1 plugins are still the first ones I reach for and are primarily what I use when I mix. It is not uncommon for me to mix and match native and UAD-1 plugins, in my projects though. I have (2) UAD-1 cards myself and with the recent aquisition of the PEQ, have the entire suite, in my sonic arsenal. I simply prefer the sound of the UAD-1 plugins, on most tracks. Not saying that is right or wrong, but simply my preference. I certainly would not have invested in a 2nd card, eighteen months after I purchased my 1st card, if I did not like what I was hearing.

IMO, you do not buy a UAD-1, for the CPU savings (although that is nice), but for the quality and professional sound of the plugins.


Some of my personal favorites and ones that I have grown quite fond of, are:

1176LN
LA2A
Pultec EQ
Fairchild 670
EMT Plate 140
Cambridge EQ
Precision Mastering Limiter
Precision Mastering EQ

[tombuur]

I am only just demoing the UAD-1 I got a week ago. So having an opinion is a bit premature. However, the UAD has some plugs that are so much better than anything I have heard before. Particularly LA2A, Pultec and Precision Limiter are my favorites after this first week.

Otherwise I tend to agree completely with Lazlo. I have tried in vain to make any use of the Fairchild. It just doesn't impress me. Well, maybe I just have found it proper use yet? Only thing missing in Lazlo list would be the Plate reverb. I think it sounds great, but it wouldn't be my one and only reverb.