UAD 2 w/Ableton 8?

[quandry]

Trying to decide how to invest some money back into the studio/gear....thinking about the various UAD-2 plugins (Fatso, tape echos, etc.)--I know it's not the same as the real hardware, but it's automatable and bang for buck, etc.

Anyone with experience using a UAD-2 solo card on a Windows 7 desktop pc with Live 8? Trying to find people with actual experience with a similar setup to get a sense of how it performs--are their latency issues, or just smooth sailing? Any thoughts/comments/stories greatly appreciated, thanks!

[coldbuggin]

i use that setup, with a uad duo, live 8.15, no problems

[quandry]

cool, just the type of reply I'm looking for, thanks!

[Ajbbklyn]

Using v8 Suite w/UAD-2 solo on a Windows 7 x64 Professional desktop. Smooth sailing! The only caveat is that you run up against a wall with the number of instances of UAD plug-ins. Where practical, use the mono versions of the plugs to conserve the resources of the card's processor. If I had the available cash, I'd get a duo or quad in a heartbeat. All the plug-ins play very nicely with Live 8.

[quandry]

awesome, thanks! Question--can you freeze tracks with the UAD plugs to conserve the resources on the UAD PCI card--does it work like normal freezing in Ableton?

[clank72]

I use it. I'm saving up for the Fatso. If you are concerned about UAD being compatible with Live, that's not an issue. Instead I would be focased on saving money for their plugins. But they are worth it.

[clank72]

awesome, thanks! Question--can you freeze tracks with the UAD plugs to conserve the resources on the UAD PCI card--does it work like normal freezing in Ableton?

Yes it works fine.

[quandry]

sweet!!!! yeah, Fatso is the tops of my list, then the Echoplex and Space Echo simulations, then everything else....

[abletoff]

Uad 2 quad (with all plugs!) here, Live 8.2, using Uad 1/2 from Live 7, all perfectly fine!

[drako]

I hardly use my uad's anymore, prefer other plugins
And i really can't dig it's latency.

[quandry]

I hardly use my uad's anymore, prefer other plugins
And i really can't dig it's latency.

Any others with Latency issues?!? I've got a fast rig with my RME multiface usually at 64 or 128 samples--total latency either 3.5 or 7 ms. I do a lot of live instrumentation, so anything more than this latency is unacceptable...I'm getting a new Windows 7 desktop, fwiw...

Can anyone comment regarding the latency--is it going to not work with my scenario above? Do you set the latency of the UAD, or is it automatic/uncontrollable? Does it vary from plugin to plugin? Anyone using live instruments through the UAD plugs inside Live?

[clank72]

I hardly use my uad's anymore, prefer other plugins
And i really can't dig it's latency.

Any others with Latency issues?!? I've got a fast rig with my RME multiface usually at 64 or 128 samples--total latency either 3.5 or 7 ms. I do a lot of live instrumentation, so anything more than this latency is unacceptable...I'm getting a new Windows 7 desktop, fwiw...

Can anyone comment regarding the latency--is it going to not work with my scenario above? Do you set the latency of the UAD, or is it automatic/uncontrollable? Does it vary from plugin to plugin? Anyone using live instruments through the UAD plugs inside Live?

Well then...

I would get the best PC you can or build something speedy. All top of the line, high-speed drives and the whole bit. The UAD card will take care of itself. The plugin usage is automatic. UA includes software with a small CPU monitor you can view anytime. For you I would definitely go with a UAD-2 Quad, 4 slot mother board, a little ram and either Velociraptor 10,000rpm drives or possibly solidstate. Don't skip out on an interface. I like RME. Sky's the limit man. You can also go so far as installing 2 UAD-2 Quad Omni cards for a ridiculous setup, although very pricy.

Far as using UA plugins with Lives it's a no brainer, they work just fine together.

[leedsquietman]

UAD-2 has less latency than UAD-1 and most plugins have a 'tracking mode' feature which reduces latency.

The plugins are mostly designed for when you mix down in the studio, so latency isn't an issue then. They're not designed as DJ live performance plugins.

[tw1nstates]

It's alright but, to be honest,

there's a lot of hype around the plugs, they are good, but it's a big investment, the hardware isn't going to be aorund forever and there is equally as good stuff native these days.

Fatso is alright, manley pretty cool, the spaceech you might as well get soundtoys IMO - more versatile...

I like UAD but I am getting more and more to the point where I realise actually another eq or comp isn't that necessary and I can get wicked results with sonalksis / tubetech / urs....

But then i make electronic music and I am not going to appreciate the subtle differences as say, someone tracking guitars and brass and whathave you.

[leedsquietman]

The EMT 140 and 250 are mint, Fatso (although very CPU intensive) is great, the SSL and Neve emulations do have something of the original flavour, (the 33609 bus compressor especially), Dimension D is the best chorus bar none, the Harrison and Helios EQs are nice. Not every plugin is superior to native, the Fairchild and LA2A being two examples, older plugins. Haven't heard the Manley but people are saying good things about it.

Both hardware DSP and Software has limitations and you may find them not workable in a few years, which will either hold you back in terms of o/s or computer hardware, or will become unsupported and obsolete.

I like my Sonalksis and native plugins too, but if you don't have a powerhouse system, UAD does make sense as it takes some load off your computer, but choose your plugins wisely, because not all of them are Earth shattering must haves.