[jim_k]

The debate of native vs DSP has been going on for years now…. and the point/counterpoint all makes sense thus giving the debate life. But, the interesting thing about this is RARELY do I hear those in the UAD2 arena support the native viewpoint.

The one area where the UAD2 stuff falls a bit short is in ultra low latency because of the data needing to be sent down the pipe to the DSP, processed and then sent back up the pipe to the DAW. But, by simply turning the UAD stuff off during tracking solves this issue.

But, for me, the offloaded CPU is still a benefit because I use tons of plugins (both native and UAD) and only use SAMPLE libraries to trigger instruments in real time which puts a strain on the CPU. But, you still can’t beat the sound of the UAD plugs, MAGIC.

I have come to realize that those NOT using UAD are the folks to support the NATIVE is better argument (because it has some logic) but sound is about MAGIC and LOGIC is about computers.

Just try and find users of UAD2 that have regretted their purchase, they are really hard to find.

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

If you are using a comp on the kick, make sure the attack had enough time to let the transient of the beater through before it gets compressed. I know, obvious, but just in case you didn’t check.

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

Don’t know how the UAD2 mastering stuff compares to dedicated hardware but will say that they have a mastering suite that WORKS and some extra goodies if you need them… the STUDER is a GAME CHANGER…. I put one on every track and then on the master buss during mastering and it creates magic….

The master suite includes the usual suspects…. compressor, EQ, de-ess, frequency enhancers, limiter, maximizer and the all important Multi Band compressor/expansion/gate that can be tuned to five separate bands.

Again, I don’t work for UAD and have been a user for only a couple of years but I haven’t heard any plugins that sound as smooth as theirs.. they just work better. I do have a few WAVES plugs and they are OK but seem to be missing that magic. I also use ECHOBOY for my delay busses (which I do like as well) but can’t wait for UAD to come out with a STUDER/REVOX 2 track delay plug (I think Echoboy will start collecting dust if they do).

Someone mentioned their EMT Plate Plug… it is probably my favorite reverb (hardware or software)… but the good thing is, you can have multiple instances of the plate in the same project whereas having 3 or 4 real EMT Plate 140’s would cost a fortune and take a pretty large room to host.

OK.. so I like the UAD stuff but for a reason.

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

Maybe Chris misunderstood your question or perhaps I misunderstand your question… if you are tracking LIVE drums, you almost always need to use a bit of compression (as a limiter) unless the drummer can consistently control the loudness of each hit (I have never seen a drummer able to do this not to say someone could).

In this case, the compressor is not an effect rather than a tracking tool used for limiting that allows the drummer’s adrenalin to run wild without worrying about peaking out the meters during printing. So, you might say that this is limiting but most hardware compressors can be great limiters (some of the vintage hardware models had a compressor and limiter mode just for this reason).

As far as EQ or compression effects, yes, that is best done at the mixing stage.

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

Metal… rest assured that SD samples can be mixed to sound good. Are you familiar with mixing drums?

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

If you want VINTAGE sound, you can’t beat the UAD2 stuff… simply amazing. I call it High Definition TV for AUDIO… their plugs are THAT amazing and they pretty much specialize in vintage stuff.

I did try the WAVES stuff and purchased the HELIOS channel strip from WAVES… let me tell you this, compared to the UAD Helios EQ, the WAVES plug is a HOOVER. I am very familar with HELIOS and UAD comes a lot closer than the Waves version.

I can’t speak of WAVES other plugs but based on the HELIOS comparison, I have made up my mind and at this point, have all of the UAD2 plugs (actually they come out with some new ear candy every couple of months and I truly can’t wait for each release). Their newest release is a ECHOPLEX and check out the demos on their site.. it does sound that good.

And don’t listen to the nay sayers about the DSP being an expensive DONGLE… I use over 100 plugins on my tracks and my quad core still SMOKES with less than 20% CPU (and I use 100% virtual instruments). I played around using the native plugs that came with my DAW and after about 10 instances of the channel strip, my CPU was over 50% and the audio stuttering.

I have two UAD2 cards… a QUAD and a DUO because the QUAD wasn’t quite enough DSP for my projects but the extra DUO now has me set. I can’t recommend the UAD2 stuff enough but don’t take my word for it… check out the forums… the UAD2 actual users swear by the platform (and for good reason).

Jim

PS – Not that I am pushing one vendor or any other but UAD2 has a special going on right now where you can pick up a QUAD OMNI (almost every plugin included) for $1000 off for $2999… then on top of that JRR MUSIC will honor the coupon FORUM at checkout for another 10% off ($300 bucks) with free shipping… unheard of right now to get an QUAD OMNI for less than $2700…. if one was just to purchase the PLUGINS one at a time, the plugins alone would cost over $5000.

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

[jim_k]

Well, this doesn’t sound too promising. I have both NY and METAL coming from Santa!

Jim

Keeper of the Shrine The Lamb Laid Down on MIDI www.lldom.blogspot.com

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