Subject:Anyone here use a UAD-1 with Acid?

Posted by: DJ_Don

Date:6/28/2003 7:49:21 AM

<title edited by mod, for clarity>

I'm thinking of getting one of these, as I've read a lot of good things about the plugins. Does anybody here use one, and if you do, what do you think? Thanks for your input.

Peace.

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: billybk

Date:6/28/2003 9:52:48 AM

I think you mean the UAD-1 :) Well, I can't speak for everybody, but my overall experience with the latest 3.1 update is quite positive. I use the DX version PPI's exclusively in ACID Pro 4b, Vegas 4c, Sound Forge 6e and SONAR 2.2. These are the apps that I use 95% of the time when working on my DAW. The only problem I have had when using the SOFO apps, is the inexplicable "native CPU munching" that occurs when using the DX plugs, in a project. This phenonomon is most evident when using (7) or more PPI's in a project. It is almost like the native CPU is mirroring the UAD-1's DSP usage. Thankfully, there is a workaround. After you press play to start your project, immediately disable the PPI's globally, from the Performance Meter and then re-enable them. If you have the Windows Task Manager on your desktop, you will see the native CPU drop drastically to where it should be. Unfortunately, you have to repeat this process each time you stop playback, unless of course, the added native CPU drain is not a problem, then you can just forget about it. It is not unusual for me to have a Vegas/ACID project with 9-12 DX PPI's going and the native CPU hoving around 80%, I do the disable/re-enable trick during playback, only to see the native CPU miraculously drop to 30%.(It would be nice if the UAD-1 could be programmed to do this from the get go). The UAD-1 does work best with Vegas 4/ACID 4 using good solid ASIO drivers @ anywhere from 256 samples(5msec) to 1024 samples (23.2msec). I use a Delta 66 with the ACID40 drivers(these are the best drivers when needing good, stable ASIO AND WDM(SONAR) performance. Other than the native "CPU munching", the 3.1 DX PPI's run like a top with all my SOFO apps. Just like using any other DX/VST based realtime effect. I am sure the UA will get to this problem eventually. Hopefully, in time for 3.2

Billy Buck


PIII 1Ghz
ASUS CUSL2-C
512MB
Nvidia TNT2 Pro AGP 32MB
Delta 66 (ACID40 ASIO/WDM modes)
UAD-1 3.1 DX PPI's
(1)20GB Maxter 7200RPM(Programs & OS)
(1)30GB IBM 7200RPM(Audio)
(1)40GB Maxter 7200(Video)
(1)120GB Maxter 7200 (Audio/Video) ADS DataTank Firewire
Matrox Firewire PCI
Adaptec SCSI PCI
Roland UA-100 USB (MIDI Interface)
100MB Zip Drive USB
Plextor 8220 CDRW SCSI
2.2GB Castlewood ORB SCSI


WinXP Pro (Standard PC)
SONAR 2.2
Vegas 4c
ACID Pro 4b
Sound Forge 6e

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: DJ_Don

Date:6/28/2003 11:47:40 AM

Yes, I did mean UAD-1. Oops! Anyway, how do you like the sound of the plugins though? Are they a LOT better than what comes with Acid and Sound Forge? I use those plugins all the time, and I would like to step up to the next level--especially in the compression and EQ departments. I've heard a lot of good things about those plugins with this card. Also, does anybody have the Cambridge EQ? If so, how much extra does it cost, and is it worth it? Thanks again.

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: billybk

Date:6/28/2003 12:57:54 PM

The UAD-1's vintage compressor/eq's are it's forte and there are no native plugins that can even compare, IMHO. I don't think you will find much disagreement in pro audio circles when it comes to the quality of these DSP plugins. Especially, if you are comparing them to SOFO's native plugins, you will notice a big difference in the sound quality. The Pultec EQ, 1176LN and the LA-2A are the obvious standouts. The Nigel amp sim and the RealVerb Pro get honorable mention. The new Cambridge EQ is a great addition to the UAD-1's audio toolbox. I like it better than the Waves RenEQ/LinEQ/LinMB EQ's. Depending on how many bands are active, the DSP usage is only 2.5%-5% per instance. Some people prefer the Sony Oxford over the Cambridge, when comparing the best multiband plugin EQ's, but then again the Oxford is more than three times as expensive to buy and requires a costly Powercore DSP card to run it. Anyway, I bought the Cambridge and the $149.00 purchase price was well worth it for me. If you are thinking about buying a UAD-1 checkout Eric Dahlberg, known as Uncle E on the UAD-1 forums, for good pricing and support. He not only sells the cards, but uses them as well:

Uncle E
JRR Shop
TEL: 949-553-8898
FAX: 949-263-1818
http://www.jrrshop.com

If you haven't already, checkout the UAD-1 forum also:

http://www.chrismilne.com/uadforums/default.asp


HTH,

Billy Buck

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: coolout

Date:6/29/2003 2:19:15 PM

uad = heaven

bought one and i love it, although i thought the dx/cpu bug was gonna be fixed.

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a UAD-1 with Acid? :)

Reply by: billybk

Date:6/29/2003 3:25:57 PM

".....i thought the dx/cpu bug was gonna be fixed."


Yeah, me too! We can only hope that it will be addressed in 3.2.
I did report it to UA support, as a contiuing problem area.
Everyone else, who uses the 3.x DX PPI's should do the same,
so this finally gets fixed, once and for all. As far as I am concerned,
that is it's the only performance short coming, when using Vegas 4/ACID
Pro 4 and the UAD-1 3.1 DX plugs, in my DAW.

Billy Buck

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a UAD-1 with Acid? :)

Reply by: thephantom

Date:6/30/2003 9:45:50 AM

man, I feel like a fool for asking this. What is UAD and where can I find information on it? Sounds like something I may be interested in. I am VERY new to digital recording so please excuse my ignorance haha

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a UAD-1 with Acid? :)

Reply by: billybk

Date:6/30/2003 12:09:07 PM

The UAD-1 is a professional level DSP effects PCI card, made by Universal Audio and distributed by Mackie. It is the ONLY DSP effects card that is fully DX compatible and offers full automatic delay compensation with DX hosts(Vegas 4,ACID Pro 4, SONAR 2.2, Cool Edit Pro and Samplitude). You basically get 10's of thousands of dollars worth of high-end studio quality outboard effects gear in a $550.00(street price) PCI card, which includes over 20 outstanding plugins. The UAD-1 is best known for it's vintage compressor/eq emulations ( 1176LN, LA-2A & Pultec EQ). There are many other effects like the Realverb Pro and Nigel Amp Sim too:

http://www.mackie.com/products/uad1/index.html

There is an outstanding UAD-1 peer support forum (over a thousand members) that is a valuable digital audio/enginering/mastering/DAW resource too:

http://www.chrismilne.com/uadforums/default.asp


HTH,


Billy Buck

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: drbam

Date:6/30/2003 12:35:04 PM

Billy: Do you know anything about the Dreamverb which was supposed to be added to the UAD? The Dreamverb is what I'm most interested in and if it ends up rivaling the Lexicon PCM models, I'd purchase it for this alone.

Thanks,

drbam

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: billybk

Date:6/30/2003 1:32:16 PM

Oh yes, the elusive and long anticipated DreamVerb, where art thou? It has been delayed yet again. The lastest from UA is the "summer of 2003". I believe the expectations are so high for this plug, that they are probably trying to get it just right, before releasing it to the public. We UAD-1 users are a picky bunch, nothing but the best will do ;)

It will be included as a free plugin in the next UAD-1 3.2 update.


Billy Buck

Subject:RE: Anyone here use a AUD-1 with Acid?

Reply by: DJ_Don

Date:7/1/2003 7:06:12 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm probably going to pick one up in about a month.

Peace.