UAD 1 (and other DSP\'s)

hi im currently moving my project studio over to MAC platform from its old PC home, i am looking at adding some DSP power to the system, i am coming to these things rather late as when i was last really engaged with investing in gear, so really knowing what was out there, these didnt really figure. in the past i havent invested too much in plugins due to strain on the system and have generally used digi EQ (unless i audiosuite my mix with renaissance EQ, which makes a huuuge difference to the quality of my final product) and reverb has always been slightly tricky as i usually have to run at least 3 or 4 different instances on each session, and thats cutting back on what i would like to do in the prefect world... but! along comes DSP and it seems from what i read online these problems could be history. it seems UAD are where its at - i have a 6176 channel strip already in my outboard arsenal, but was wandering the best bundle to go for from the UAD house... as i said i need a decent reverb, a 'do everything' EQ, preferably with a graphic similar to the renaissance EQ, and compressors. i have searched for anything on the forumon these things and havent been able to find too much - please people, if you use this gear, let me know how you use it, sonically great stuff? and what to go for - its very interesting to say be able to use the fairchild compressor they have in there! also the neve EQ? is it worth just buying the whole bundle, or picking and chosing??? also for compressors there's the SSL Duende out that has the SSL stereo bus compressor included - anyone got into this unit yet? any major problems with DSP's? as i am very new to this technology, but also very excited about being able to use some great plugins finally in my mixes. thanks for any info- f.

so, correct me if im wrong, each individual plugin you use, say one pultec eq and one plateverb would take up 2 inserts, and then the compensation tool for latency will take another insert? not the end of the world, tho does the compensation tool take up processing power from the DSP itself? or the computer? is there a equaliser in the pack thats good for the more surgical EQ jobs like the renaissance EQ with a graphic display?

here is how it works say i put the 1176ln on the bass drum. i am intruducing latency on just this one track. it will playback with a slight delay from the other tracks. so, i put the delay comp plugin on all the other audio tracks that do NOT have the plugin on it. this delays them all by the same amount that the 1176ln introducing. in the situation you described, you put a pultec, and a plate on one channel. this channel will be delayed, so you must put the delay comp plugin (set to 2 plugins) on every OTHER channel, to delay them by the same amount. it really isnt as hard as it sounds.

also, i am pretty sure the delay comp plugin uses the dsp card. i really cant tell cuz it does not cause a significant hit on either the host cpu, or the dsp card.

seen, loud and clear!

Hey Hey! I'm running 4 UAD-1s in an expansion chassis with a Dual 1.8 G5 (PCI-X) and PTLE 7.1. I've got every UAD plug and a $450.00 credit toward their next plugs. There is an EQ like you're looking for, the Cambridge EQ. (obviously going for the same goal as the Oxford) The Plate Verb is really amazing. It's the only reverb I've ever liked. The comps are beautiful. I just love the whole thing... except the Delay Comp issue... but I deal with it. Like stated here already, it's not that big a deal, you basically just have to delay any channel that you're not using a UAD plug on. The Delay Comp plug doesn't seem to take up any processing. The only way it does get complicated is when you're also sending audio to auxes that you're putting UAD plugs on or busing and using UAD plugs. It's not such a big deal, but you do have to stay on top of it and be aware how your audio is flowing. There are a couple of other nuances, so READ the manual and everything else you can find on the subject. A tip... Look carefully at all the deals. Note that I've got a credit waiting to be spent. It's because I carefully chose to buy taking advantage of the various deals. I bought an UltraPak so I had almost everything. Then I bought a Flexi-Pak and used the coupon to buy the rest of the plugs, including a couple new ones. Then I bought another Flexi-Pak to use the coupon for the Neve (it is nice) and a Project Pak. with each of these last two I took advantage of a deal they have for a $100 credit for additional cards. So now I've got the $450.00 to spend when they come out with their next plugs. They're very good, by the way, about taking care of repeat offenders. Another tip... I hope you've got a PCI machine... Having PCI-X causes some extra difficulty to deal with. It's still worth it, but you'll have an easier road to travel if you've got straight up PCI. Enjoy, Archmart

hey archmart - thanks for the info! with regards to the PCI machine issues, im ordering a new mac at the mo (dont worry countless people have told me to wait 2 months for the new machines, however iv been awarded a grant towards equipment, so i have to buy now, and given its er free ).... i believe the current mac machines are PCI express Xpansion slots, i take it this is the PCI X you are advising me to avoid? do you know of a way round this, it seems that all the macs are that way? also what are the issues if i do have to have a PCI X machine? just so's im aware of any potential howlers i could have!!! thanks again - f

Hey Hey! UAD cards come in two varieties now, PCI and PCIe (express). The PCI will work in both PCI and PCIX machines (The previous couple of generations) but only the PCIe will work in the new ones. Go ahead and go for a new machine and make sure it's got PCIe slots and that you're buying PCIe cards from UA and you're all set. Archmart

Fellas, I'm strongly considering the UAD-1 Studio Pack. My computer knowledge is below par, so I'm not sure about some of the terminology or if I should be concerned about the PCI vs PCIe issue. My set up is in the sig. Other than dealing with latency, are there any other issue that should concern me? Also, what wrapper are you all using? FXpansion? Lastly, I've seen the Studio Pack from $760 up to $900. Is $760 about the best price I will find?