Is it worth buying a UAD-2 card just to get the Fatso?

[ektia]

I can't remember any plug-in as widely anticipated as the UAD Fatso. When it finally came out, there was some initial enthusiasm on this forum, and then I didn't see much discussion...

UAD has an upgrade promotion going this month on its UAD-2 cards (for those like myself who already own UAD-1 cards), and the only reason I'd want to buy one is so I could get the Fatso. Would it be worth it? Is the the plug-in good enough to justify a $500 outlay for the card? Is the UAD Fatso that much better than the UAD LA-2A (which I currently use to give my tracks a more "analogy" vibe)?

[Sean Sullivan]

Well, you should think of it as getting additional processing power as well as the ability to run some cool new plug-ins. If you use the UAD plug-ins a lot, it's probably not a bad investment.

[RiF]

I wouldn't upgrade to UAD-2 for the Fatso alone, but if I would decide to stay with the UAD-platform (I have 2xUAD-1) I would upgrade now. he UAD-1 will be abandoned pretty soon, I guess, not unsupported but will be me left more and more behind the UAD-2. And you get the SSL 4K channel strip for free this month!

[blim]

Originally Posted by ektia

UAD has an upgrade promotion going this month on its UAD-2 cards (for those like myself who already own UAD-1 cards), and the only reason I'd want to buy one is so I could get the Fatso.

Please be aware that this month's promotion EXCLUDES Fatso. I'm not sure if you knew that or not.

Is anybody using UAD's Fatso? Is it any good?

[rolo95]

Originally Posted by RiF

I wouldn't upgrade to UAD-2 for the Fatso alone, but if I would decide to stay with the UAD-platform (I have 2xUAD-1) I would upgrade now. he UAD-1 will be abandoned pretty soon, I guess, not unsupported but will be me left more and more behind the UAD-2. And you get the SSL 4K channel strip for free this month!

Wow
Uad now makes the SSL 4k strip...
what about the SSL Duende....

does SSL hurt themselves licensing uad to make an SSL strip meanwhile they already got WAVES plugs and DUENDE.....

[RiF]

Originally Posted by rolo95

Wow
Uad now makes the SSL 4k strip...
what about the SSL Duende....

does SSL hurt themselves licensing uad to make an SSL strip meanwhile they already got WAVES plugs and DUENDE.....

Actually, Universal Audio calls it "UAD 4K Channel Strip". I don't remember how I could ever have mixed this up with an SSL 4000....

[RiF]

Originally Posted by blim

Please be aware that this month's promotion EXCLUDES Fatso. I'm not sure if you knew that or not.

The promo I know of is: You have UAD-1 cards already registered and you register a UAD-2 Solo card this month, then you'll get the UAD 4K Channel Strip for free. If you register a Duo, you'll get the 4K Channel Strip and the 4K Buss Comp for free.

[Nolet]

No. Don't get the UAD-2 just for the Fatso. Sure, it's a well executed plugin with lotsa hype. It does sound nice and has tons of flavour. But its just another crayon in the box. Its good, but not a life changer or instant fix for your music. Actually, most of its use is very subtle and will never attract much attention from the average listener. The engineer might get off on it, but the real sonic footprint it takes is verys subtle and only sweetens things.
I say this as a long time UAD user (at least 7 years now) and I'm not dissing the plugin. Just don't expect some instant mix fixer or mojo-izer.

[matucha]

+1

Fatso is nice, but it is a subtle thing most of the time. I like it as a de-esser too .


If there was a plugin that would tempt to buy UAD2, it would be EMT250, this verb sounds special for a plugin and I don't remember not using it since I have it.

[Silver Sonya]

Originally Posted by RiF

Actually, Universal Audio calls it "UAD 4K Channel Strip". I don't remember how I could ever have mixed this up with an SSL 4000....

That's a great joke.

- c

[SoundFancier]

*UAD, UAD-1, UAD-2 and UAD 4K are trademarks of Universal Audio, Inc. All other names are trademarks of Solid State Logic, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Universal Audio, Inc. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose circuits and sounds were studied during the sound development of the UAD 4K products. Use of third party trademarks are for informational purposes only and do not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of Universal Audio’s products.

[dreamboxstudio]

Fatso definitely something with great character if you need it.
4k CS is definitely a great tool too !

Been using it to cut my mixes.
No regrets.
i own too many uad plugs.
the only 3 i didn't have is fatso, emt 250 , neve 31102

Tested fatso and emt.
sounds fantastic.
they are next on my list !

[@¶,*ƒƒƒ&™]

Originally Posted by ektia

I can't remember any plug-in as widely anticipated as the UAD Fatso. When it finally came out, there was some initial enthusiasm on this forum, and then I didn't see much discussion...

UAD has an upgrade promotion going this month on its UAD-2 cards (for those like myself who already own UAD-1 cards), and the only reason I'd want to buy one is so I could get the Fatso. Would it be worth it? Is the the plug-in good enough to justify a $500 outlay for the card? Is the UAD Fatso that much better than the UAD LA-2A (which I currently use to give my tracks a more "analogy" vibe)?

Dude, it's worth buying ANYTHING UAD. Their modeling is awesome.

[RiF]

Originally Posted by dreamboxstudio

the only 3 i didn't have is fatso, emt 250 , neve 31102

Tested fatso and emt.
sounds fantastic.
they are next on my list !

Ha ha ha, of course they are next on your list if they are the only ones left... ;-) ;-)

[tsol]

this is a short test song/mix i did using UAD2 Fatso JR & SR, after i have recently purchased a UAD2 Solo pcie card:

http://eventyde.free.fr/myfunnyfunksong.mp3

(256kbps mp3, HQ, Franhaufer) - 1.5mb , runtime is about: 0.45sec

as i was trying to stay "virtually vintage",

the following UAD's plugins/fx were used:

-Neve 1073 EQ
-SPL Transient Designer
-DBX VCA VU
-Fatso SR & JR stances (mostly on drums)

master strip:

-Pultec PRO
-Fairchild670
-Fatso SR tape sim & comp (custom adjusted)
-UAD's precision maximizer

for instruments:

-EZ Drummer Vintage KIT
-bass synth: ARTURIA MINIMOOG V (custom preset) - i was too lazy to record real jazzbass guitar today
-epiano: Lounge Lizzard
-clavinet: Syntheway Electrik Keyboards (Hohner Clavinet) -actually i was pretty much pissed to use this one as "alternative", because my favorite AA String Studio clavinet is crashing Cubase5 ;-(
-as "real life" instrument is only the dirty played wahwah guitar is a Gibson SG & VOX wah pedal + VST Amplitube Fender plugin lol :P (cuz i aint got no real amp)

i dont know, i did everything by ear... so its "my" sound.

i don't know about you, but my ultimate goal is to get as much closer as possible to that "oldskool funky sound" from the mid of 70's

hear yourself..

i think i love the Fatso , .. and i bet u'll love it too! :o)

[steveschizoid]

Originally Posted by ektia

Is the UAD Fatso that much better than the UAD LA-2A

Yes. It's good enough to where it makes me think I don't really need a real Fatso; the UAD LA2A doesn't make me feel that way (concerning a real LA2A) at all. Although neither stack up that well against my GTC2.

In all seriousness, the Fatso plug ion is quite unlike any compressor plug-in I've ever used. The only drawback is the complexity; given the way all the parameters interact, and it all reacts differently according to the input level, it can get pretty gnarly - especially when you automate. Paradoxically that's one of its selling points; when you start to get to know it, you can do things that really cannot be done with either other plug-ins or (because of the lack of automation and threshold and release controls) the real Fatso.

Add to that the likelihood that UAD will continue to come up with groundbreaking plug-ins, the UAD-2 is probably a worthwhile investment. There is the arguement that it can't yet compete with some of the higher end gear out there (I'm looking at $15,000 of Aurora Audio gear in my rack for example), but who knows what UAD will do next. It's pricey, but not nearly so much as the gear they are trying to emulate, and it is pretty effective. You won't regret it.

[DanRock101]

The UAD Fatso is AMAZING! KILLER!!!!!! As are all the UAD Plugs! I'm new to the UAD world and am loving it. I just recently bought a UAD2 Solo Laptop Card.

One caveat.....the Fatso takes up 25% of a UAD Laptop card!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, 25%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This really must be taken into consideration. Since I'm limited to a laptop I know I'll only be able to a use limited instances of the Fatso. If I want multiple instances, then I'll need a Mac Pro and a couple of quad cards and in all honesty, the extra $ on the 2 cards would be worth it. The Mac Pro, a couple of Quad cards, some WAVES API, so Massey (when in PT LE) and I'm in heaven!

But yeah, it'd be nice for UA to have more precise chart on the PERCENTAGE that each plugin takes up on EACH SPECIFIC CARD! ie, Fatso takes up 25% of a UAD Solo Card....the LA2a takes up 2% (i believe,...I'm not at my studio right now).....the Plate Reverb takes up.....and so forth and so on......THEN, have a chart that has how much PERCENTAGE of a UAD Quad card each plugin takes and sf&so......... Had I know that I might have waited til I get my Mac Pro setup.....spend, learn and live and....wait, isn't it "live and learn"



25%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!