Waves CLA Compressors still need if you have UAD version?

[Tube World]

I have the UAD 1176, LA2-A, and LA3-A, however the 1176 I know is not as analog sounding as the Waves version which seems to have more snap. The Waves LA2-A seems to not soften the signal as much as the UAD version, and actually sounds more like the hardware.

My question is for people who have tried out both; it is worth getting the Waves version if you already have the UAD version? I hate duplicating plug ins though I know they sound different since they were molded on different units. UAD also modeled the units over 10 years agog before they got so good on duplicating hardware pieces like the UAD Studer, and Massive Passive. So would not get the Waves versions if you already have the UAD?

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

the obvious reason for duplication in your example would be to insure that you could use those effects no matter what you were doing. Maybe you want to load up on enough plugs to choke either the UAD card, or the native system. So you'd use the comps from the -other- system, freeing up some power for the -other- system. whichever way you needed to go.

[tobymusic]

Definitely worth getting. The Waves CLA comps are real workhorses in everyday studio life.

[VWYF11]

I have the UAD versions and have only demoed the Waves plugins. The Waves 1176 definitely had a really nice crunchy sound when it was pushed hard on bass that I found really appealing for heavy bass tones. I kind of wish I picked them up when the bundle was only $250. I feel like the 1176 had more snap on the UAD version though, so YMMV.

[Killah_Trakz]

Well no two hardware sound alike right?

I have the IK versions of both and the waves version and both are used religiously

Sent from my PC36100 using Gearslutz.com

[mirrorboy]

I have both.

I'm an unashamed self-professed UAD fanboy, too.

I use the WAVES CLA comps much more often. In fact, pretty much always. UAD's 1176, LA2, LA3 are a few of their first of plugs for the platform and are therefore very old. Nowhere near the advancements in plugin modeling technology that exists with the Ampex, Studer, Massive Passive, etc.

I spoke with a UAD rep about this (actually we were talking about something else but I brought this up at the last minute 'cause I was curious). Anyways, unsurprisingly, he said he couldn't release any info as to whether or not they were going to a MK II (or V.2) of these plugs but he did say, "We read what's out there on the internet, listen to our customers and know what the general opinion is...." -something like that.

So he didn't say anything one way or the other....just said that UAD knows that people tend to prefer the WAVES versions (of their own hardware, nonetheless).

So, I guess my answer would be yes, get both....esp if you can find a good deal (ebay). They really are two different animals. Strangely, a GS user messaged me this exact same question a couple weeks ago.

Hope this helps,

Scott

P.S. Of the three on the UAD2 platform, I find the 1176 to be most useful. I always use the CLA2A over the UAD2 version.

[Smokey510]

I say slap both versions on the track with the same settings! BANG!

[djanthonyw]

I like Softube's FET better than either of these.

[kgdrum_nyc]

The way I went was a bit different, I have the UA compressors & they are great! I do love UAD
I also have Waves Gold Native and the Renn Pack with the included compressors....
I recently got Komplete8 Ultimate and they have their VC series compressors(the 3 can be bought as a bundle, you don't need to get K8U)
This includes the:
VC 160, VC 2A, VC 76
If I remember correctly, Softube modeled and developed these for NI
I'm a drummer not an engineer but a truly great engineer that posts on another forum I post on: Stephan Taylor(Kate Bush etc...) was raving about them & as I was getting K8U anyway, I decided to try these before I went for the CLA's from Waves, that I had intended to buy(I even had a coupon so it would have been very inexpensive)
They did turn out to be are way better than I expected, I haven't given the Waves another thought, for me the VC series compressors and the UAD's are a great combination!
I rarely even look at the Waves choices I have now and really don't think the CLA's can improve on what I have.
imo The NI VC series are an amazing hidden gem in the market that rarely gets mentioned.

[DoctorG]

I have both. UAD can be great for cleaner compression and have a different action that can be better on some sources. CLA can get much more aggressive - parallel 1176 on the drum bus really adds life. CLA definitely have a more analog vibe IMO. I'll mostly use the Waves but sometimes the cleaner UAD is right for the job.

[Nrt]

I like Softube ones a lot. It's less smeary than Waves. UAD is still usable, but not the best, for sure.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Tube World

My question is for people who have tried out both; it is worth getting the Waves version if you already have the UAD version?

I had owned the UAD versions since the first Mackie UAD-1 back in late 2001 (or was it 2002?). I thought they sounded nice but I could never get that character and attack that I could get with the hardware.

In 2010, I demoed the CLA and was absolutely blown away. The CLA bundle can be clean but they can really crunch and the attack is awesome. I greatly prefer the CLA bundle to the UA plugs, so much so that I sold my UAD-2 Quad and went strictly native later that year.

Download the trial version and pop them in a mix. Good luck!

[Glenn Bucci]

I have had the UAD 1176, LA2-A and LA3-A. for years and was happy with their peformance. I just demoed the CLA compressors since they have the 50% off right now.

1176: The UA version seems to add a color to the signal. The Waves version keeps the signal pretty much the same but reduces a bommy signal and keeps it punchy. It sounds like the UA is layered on top of the signal like many have said, while the Waves version sounds like its part of the original signal. Then of course you have the Blue version which offers you a little different response. I found both very good on different sources.

LA2-A The UA version can make your signal very soft over 3 db while the Waves version is just makes it smooth. Again I like the Waves version better. Waves also adds a hp filter of 50 and 60 making it more flexible as well.

LA3-A I always liked the UA version but I did not like how small the display was. The Waves version is bigger and easier to work with. These souind more similar to each other than the other two. However the Waves again sounds like part of the signal and not layered on top.

With the 50% off on these bundle, I upgraded my WUP for $200 which updated all my Waves plug ins. When version 9 comes out next month, I will be able to update to the 64 bit Waves plug ins at no extra charge. Then I got a $200 voucher from Waves. So I applied it to the CLA bundle. They will only allow 50% off a bundle, so I got a normally priced bundle of $500 for just $125. I have to admit the Waves versions sound closer to the hardware.....close enough for me that I don't need the hardware versions. Others may want the hardware and that's fine, but these plug ins are sooo close to the hardware that I am very happy using them.

[perdix]

Originally Posted by Glenn Bucci

I have had the UAD 1176, LA2-A and LA3-A. for years and was happy with their peformance. I just demoed the CLA compressors since they have the 50% off right now.

1176: The UA version seems to add a color to the signal. The Waves version keeps the signal pretty much the same but reduces a bommy signal and keeps it punchy. It sounds like the UA is layered on top of the signal like many have said, while the Waves version sounds like its part of the original signal. Then of course you have the Blue version which offers you a little different response. I found both very good on different sources.

LA2-A The UA version can make your signal very soft over 3 db while the Waves version is just makes it smooth. Again I like the Waves version better. Waves also adds a hp filter of 50 and 60 making it more flexible as well.

LA3-A I always liked the UA version but I did not like how small the display was. The Waves version is bigger and easier to work with. These souind more similar to each other than the other two. However the Waves again sounds like part of the signal and not layered on top.

With the 50% off on these bundle, I upgraded my WUP for $200 which updated all my Waves plug ins. When version 9 comes out next month, I will be able to update to the 64 bit Waves plug ins at no extra charge. Then I got a $200 voucher from Waves. So I applied it to the CLA bundle. They will only allow 50% off a bundle, so I got a normally priced bundle of $500 for just $125. I have to admit the Waves versions sound closer to the hardware.....close enough for me that I don't need the hardware versions. Others may want the hardware and that's fine, but these plug ins are sooo close to the hardware that I am very happy using them.

From the manual:
• Hum
Waves modeled both 50Hz power current and 60Hz power current. If you listen closely, you will hear that there is a difference in hum level between 50Hz and 60Hz. Since hum is unique to each region and dependent upon the local electrical conditions, you may find that the modeled hum is different than the hum already present in your studio, and may not be suitable for your particular use.

[Bloodstar57]

Never used the UAD but the waves CLA bundle is great for sure

[Mercado_Negro]

I don't like 1176 compressors, HW or SW, but Waves' CLA-76 is the closest emulation so far (at least the black face model, which is the only one I've used). Softube FET and Stillwell The Rocket are variations, not "identical" models. The UAD version still needs a bit of improvement to "get there", in my opinion (I tried to use it sometimes in a studio I worked with some years ago because A&R's asked for it but I had to remove it from tracks, most of time, because it didn't sound like "the HW version they had in another studio"... since I also worked in that other studio before, I didn't disagree because they were right). We all know two pieces of HW don't sound the same but "the sound and behavior" is always there.

[4damind]

Not really. Waves is better (IMO) but in a complete mix the difference is too small. I tend to use not much compression and than with small gain reduction and there I could not find a difference where I would say "You must have CLA too".
If the DSP of the UAD is limited to run enough instances than it's a different story.

But CLA is cheap this days. If there is some money left it's a good buy. But it's IMO not really needed if always own the UAD versions.