What is your favorite UAD-1 plugin and why?

[slaves666]

LA2A.

ALWAYS on my Vox.

[insomnio]

My favorite: the 1073
Most used:Cambridge and 1176LN

[Robert Sands]

I've got 3 cards and I freakin' LOVE these plugs. I use so many - the Cambridge is on a lot of tracks. The Plate rules. The Neve 33609 comp is an OHG comp. Do I HAVE to pick a fav? I can't!
Okay - don't shoot me - it's that damn Cambridge EQ - I use it all the time and would really miss it if it was taken away. But really - there are like 10 of those plugs that are literally a whisker away from being my fave on any given day. Best bang for the buck I have ever spent and I have a huge amount of gear.

[scott petito]

Neve 88r so good I bought the hardware version as well....


cheers
SP

[manthe]

Originally Posted by kellyd

The only plugin I would miss if I dumped the UAD1 would be the 1176. The other plugs don't do that much for me. When I upgrade my computer I hope there is another card available with more power because slots are getting pretty valuable to me. Slots= more I/Os. I'm not interested in buying a chasis only to use 4 cards. I've been gravitating toward more of the Duende plugins. The X-EQ easily replaced Cambridge and is a step up sonically. The SSL ch strips are the best I've used.

Agreed. The Duende CS is extremely special and untouched in the plugin world, as is the Bus Comp. I have to respectfully disagree WRT the Cambridge vs XEQ. The XEQ is WAY more flexible and configurable, but sonically I find them to be pretty equal. I did some *very* close, critical listening comparisons. Still just my opinion, though...which is subject to being dead wrong.

Anyhow, as for the thread, it is impossible for me to pick an actual favorite. So, I'll go by most used (in this order):

Plate 140
LA-2A
Fairchild Comp
*every thing else*

That is just for tracking. For 'mastering', it is the Precision series stuff.

If you put a gun to my head and forced me to pick a favorite, I'd say the Plate 140.

Merry Christmas!

[kellyd]

I don't find Cambridge to be as clear. X-EQ is more open and transparent when needed. Every time I run out of Duende power and go for the Cambridge it's a let down. After mastering with the X-EQ I would never reach for a Cambridge for that purpose again.
Don't think it sucks just not in the same league as the X-EQ.
BTW. Never been a big UAD-1 eq guy. Always bought them for the compressors.

[manthe]

Originally Posted by kellyd

I don't find Cambridge to be as clear. X-EQ is more open and transparent when needed. Every time I run out of Duende power and go for the Cambridge it's a let down. After mastering with the X-EQ I would never reach for a Cambridge for that purpose again.
Don't think it sucks just not in the same league as the X-EQ.
BTW. Never been a big UAD-1 eq guy. Always bought them for the compressors.

Fair enough. In terms of clarity and smoothness, I found the Cam. and X to be on par. The X leaves it in the dust in terms of flexibility. For mastering, it is a way better choice than Cam. But, I prefer the Precision series combo. I love the character!

You're definitely right about the transparency, though. The X *can* be very transparent, or you can push it and get a little SSL 'sheen'. I like it, but I'm not sure if I'm going to buy it yet. The Duende is my 1st choice, go-to tool (even over my hardware sometimes!). But, I would be lost without my UAD stuff.

Just try it some time...try to mix a song without touching your UAD stuff, as a test. I'd feel pretty lost, myself.

Sorry to go OT...

[Magpel]

I used the heck out of the Precision Limiter during the 14 day demom and I loved it. Exactly what I was lookng for as a subtle alternative to the L1 or the Sound Forge's aptly named Wave Hammer. Now I suppose I'll have to buy it. But the Pultec is probably my favorite. It's not surgical enough for midrange tweaking, so I don't know if the Pro version represents that much of an upgrade, but I love it for hi shelving--it seems to find snap and crackle without being harsh.

[kellyd]

Just try it some time...try to mix a song without touching your UAD stuff, as a test. I'd feel pretty lost, myself.

I mix without the UAD-1 sometimes. I have 2 cards but can only use 1 due to the lack of slots on my pcb. This gives me 3 1176s at 96K. I don't mix ITB so I use my outboard (18chs of compression and plenty of eqs) before I reach for a UAD plugin. If I was ITB I'd probably have a Magna chasis, 4 cards, 2 Duendes and a couple of POCOs just because you need em ITB.


Different ears different takes.
I really was not impressed with any of the Precision series. Thought the de-esser was alright. I would take the X-EQ over the Prec eq any day.
At the end of the day we use the tools we gravitate to. Good product can be produced with whatever we choose to work with.

[TheSweetener]

Pultec Pro: great on almost anything! Often used on the 2bus

1176: see above!

Transient Designer: it's new, so there was no chance to use it a lot. i just did some a/b comparisons to the SPL hardware and (despite the fact the 3db on the software is more than 3db on MY hardware) it sounds identical. Since the hardware is great, this plugin must be a winner!

Phasor: Great little effect. Not as cool as the Ohmforce phaser but....

Hey UA, I'm still waiting for a great and flexible reverb. The Plate by nature is just too unflexible

[Vertiges]

1176

eD

[gregohb]

Originally Posted by luctellier

Hey War,

I've seen that UAudio has a 50% sale going on 'til december 31th. I'm still thinking about getting the Plate 140, Dimension D or the new SPL Transient Designer. Would you suggest getting the Plate 140?

I think that "50%" is a come-on. Most of the sale items are 15%-20%. The sale on the Transient Designer is 0%.

[gregohb]

Originally Posted by manthe

...by most used (in this order):

Plate 140
...If you put a gun to my head and forced me to pick a favorite, I'd say the Plate 140.

Have you compared the Altiverb plates to the Uaudio plate 140? You can download a number of impulse responses for various Plates for altiverb.

[-m-]

Plate 140 thumbsup

I just love it...

[baikonour]

Originally Posted by gregohb

Have you compared the Altiverb plates to the Uaudio plate 140? You can download a number of impulse responses for various Plates for altiverb.

I really like Altiverb but the UA plate 140 do sound really different (in a good way)

My fav plugs at the moment are the Helios 69 and the LA3A....great combo for bass.
But i like most UA plugs anyway (got 3 cards), special mention for the not "talked about much" DM1L.
The Space Echo is so faithful i got rid off 1 of our 2 real Space Echoes...Also the CE-1 and the Dimension D are so close sounding to the real things it's almost scary.