Uad-1 Plug-ins, UAD-1 Information Options

[aportman]

I am desperately trying to buy some time before jumping in and moving to the new Power Macs, so I am considering one of the UAD-1 budles, for increasing plug-in capacity, giving my very tired CPU some relief. I presently do all my projects on a G4 933mhz, 1.25 RAM and a G4 1 gig Power Book.

The question I have, does anyone use the UAD-1 plugs with Cubase SX3, and, if you do, what kind of results have you had? I appreciate any reponse, guidance, are recommedations. The upper-end bundles are quite expensive, so I do not want to drop a bundle on something that will not be that beneficial in the long-run. I also want the software to be compatible for the day I do make the move to the new Macintel.

I just have to find a way to accomplish some quality mixing and pseudo mastering, with some quality plug-ins, without crashing m y system.

Hopefully this is the correct forum for this question. I don't post often, so i have not become familiar with the categories for posting topics. Please free to let me know if this is the incorrect place.

Thanks!

Allen

[rickenbacker]

1. All the UAD-1 plug-ins are superb. I have two cards, fully loaded. They make my PowerMac G4 DP1GHz a much more useful music-making machine - I don't really have to worry about having such an "old" computer! The plugs will work fine with any Mac sequencer, as they come as both VST and AU.

2. They won't work with your PowerBook, unless you buy the Magma Chassis which is inordinately expensive.

3. Nor will they work with an iMac. The UAD-1 comes on a PCI card, so you need a Mac with PCI slots. Guess what? Not one single current Mac has PCI slots: it's all PCI-Express now, which the UAD card won't fit. The last Macs to feature PCI was last Spring's dual-processor G5 PowerMac range.

4. Believe me, EVERYONE on the Mac side of the UAD forums (check them out for more relevant UAD-1 titbits) is waiting for Universal Audio to make some announcement re. its plans for the UAD-1. The company is very fair and committed to the Mac platform; it's really that Apple keeps moving the goalposts.

5. My bet is that UA are waiting until the Intel PowerMacs ship, so they know what kind of hardware solution (e.g. PCI-E) it needs to address. No point coming out with something now, only to have to change again in six months. UA tend to the right thing, but at the best possible time - no rushing in.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, just ask.

[gdoubleyou]

I would not attempt SX3 on anything less than a G5 class Mac. From my experience I can get 40%-60% more instances of virtual intruments and effects, using DP4, and Logic7, when compared to SX.

A better solution for you would be the firewire based Powercore units. But I find with DP, and Logic and freeze track function. That I've never come close to Maxing out my CPU.

[rickenbacker]

A better solution for you would be the firewire based Powercore units

This is only a "better solution" if you actually like the Powercore plug-ins (and can afford to expand beyond the basic package). They are completely different from the Universal Audio UAD-1 plugs. I MUCH prefer the UA plug-ins.

They are also WAY better than any bundled FX in DP, Logic or Cubase. Like, 10 times better. The primary advantage is that you can do world-class signal processing on the metal and leave your Mac's processors to handle the virtual instruments, track automation etc.

PCI is also preferable to FireWire for speed and data transfer.

[gdoubleyou]

UAD just released a PCIe version check their site, I a'm hearing lots of moans and groans from current users because the card doesn't have any new capabilities.

[aportman]

Thanks for the information gdoubleyou!

This is where I am kind of stuck at now with purchasing the UAD-1 PCI card. I am in need for something immediately that has higher-end plug-in qualities, mainly for mix-down mastering. I currently use Cubase SX3 and literally hate the plug-ins that come with with it. I am planning on upgrading to a newer Mac in the future, but for now, I need something that will do untiil I make the move. With the G4 1ghz, what would you recommend that I could do some reasonable mastering at the moment, of course, for a decent price?

Thanks for any and all feedback!

Allen

[azusa]

I have 2 UAD-1 cards and every plug in. All of them great.
I can't say enough good things about UAD.
In less than 2 weeks I'll get the new plug in Neve 1073.

[gdoubleyou]

If you mean the 1GHz Powerbook, looks like you have to go native or with one of the firewire based Power Cores.

I'm looking to add a Focusrite Liquid Mix for 32 tracks of guaranteed dynamics processing.

Currently I'm using the suite of plugs from what used to Elemental Audio.