Uad-1

  • Thread starter Thread starter mattkw80
  • Start date Start date
M

mattkw80

New member
I've read really bad stories about Reaper and UAD-1, and I've also read where people got it to work okay.

My number 1 interest in UAD-1 is that my computer is about 5 years old, and is not capable of running Reverbs very well.

So to take the load off the CPU and RAM, I'm thinking of going this way. (The other advantage of course being that I will have access to what people are calling the best sounding plug-ins available).


Does anyone here have a UAD-1 running hassle free in Reaper ?
 
billy bk might

Dont let the DSP claim fool you though. The card's computing power is extremely weak, its little more than a copy protection dongle. Don't expect it to offload enough DSP to make an older computer run

You are much better off using reaper's ReaMote function and plugging another computer into the network for the DSP. A used computer will have MUCH more DSP than the UAD-1 card (or 4 of them) and probably be around the same price
 
Okay - good to know.

That info could save me $500.

It's just too bad they seem to have the best emulation stuff.... LA-2A, 1176, Plate 140, Space Echo, etc.


I wonder why Universal Audio / Mackie is the only company with product like this ?
 
I have one for testing purposes. Its every opinion for himself. I happen to like the Fairchild emulator and bought it, but I am not under any impression that the plugins on there are better in any fundamental way than can be done in any other plugin. Some of the plugs are rather silly. Many people complain about how dull the plugins sound.

It is just one more bit of marketing hype to say they could ONLY be done by UA or on this card or whatever. There are plenty of good plugins out there. These are just one more flavor.

I do belive they NAILED the LA-2A behaviour and have hardware units to compare them to myself. However, there are a few free VST's that do it just as well and just as accurately.

UA does have a few tricks though. Nigel is pretty neat.
 
Which free plug-ins emulate LA-2A well ?


So, to solve my primary problem, being the processing of reverb, you think I'd be better off to set another computer up, and use that ReaMote feature ?
 
You could take the same money over to Tiger Direct and buy yourself a much faster, better, stronger computer. Problem solved.

The UAD stuff is great. I use the compressors, limiters, and channel strip all the time. The reverb is OK, but isn't any better than most other plugins. (except the plate 140, but that isn't an all purpose reverb)

There are a number of companies doing the same thing. TC electronics has one, so does lexicon.

Lexicon also has a cheap hardware unit that also hooks to your computer via USB and shows up as a plugin.
 
mattkw80 said:
Which free plug-ins emulate LA-2A well ?
Click to expand...

Good question. Let us know if you find one

mattkw80 said:
So, to solve my primary problem, being the processing of reverb, you think I'd be better off to set another computer up, and use that ReaMote feature ?
Click to expand...

If you're considering getting a second computer, why not just keep it simple and get a new dual or quad core?

I run reaper with 2 uad-1s and they do get a little finicky when the number of tracks and effects get past a certain point, but there's always a workaround. The plugs sound so good that it's worth the hassle imo
 
I actually have a clone of the computer I have now, and I am in process of running the Reamote Idea pipeline mentioned.

(I am putting it in another room and running it with no keyboard, mouse, etc. That last thing I need is too noisey systems in my main room).

Nice Saturday afternoon project actually. (Ontario is in the middle of a snow storm, I'm very much stuck indoors today)

Hopefully running all plugin's on the other system should do it.

I don't want to buy a better computer right now - though this one is 4 1/2 years old now - it works excellent for everything except running lots of reverb plug-ins.
 
Reamote rocks and is very easy to use.

Thanks alot Pipeline.

You saved me some cash, and fixed a big issue for me.

I am running another system in another room. I can run up to 5 effects on it before things get messy. (Reverbs, Delay's, Limiters, etc.)


Is there a certain amount of Latency that I should watch out for?

How much is too much Pipeline ?

(I am watching the performance meter).
 
latency doesnt matter too much unless you are in record. I wouldnt worry about it really
 
Damn.

I did find an issue.

None of the level meter's in any of the plug-ins work, at all.

For a reverb, that won't matter.

But for the compressors, I'd like the see how much reduction is happening.

Any idea why the meter's wouldn't work ?
 
I wonder if I could put a UAD-1 card in that other computer, would Reamote run the Powered plug-ins as well ?
 
I have 4 UAD's in a Magma chassis and they work fine with Reaper. Haven't used Reaper a lot though because I am so used to Cubase. I know, I know, Reaper is so much better and cheaper, but I'm a bit retarded.....
 
What is a Magma chassis ?

I googled it, but don't completely understand it.
 
mattkw80 said:
What is a Magma chassis ?

I googled it, but don't completely understand it.
Click to expand...

It's like an extension of your computer. That way you can expand the number of PCI slots significantly. It's getting to be less and less of an issue as CPU's get more and more powerful. I really like the UAD stuff though, and it's just a bonus that it doesn't tax my CPU.

My new computer only had 3 PCI slots, and since my I/O is two Hammerfall cards, I would have to slim down to one UAD. That would be a PITA for the way I work.
 
Sounds cool so far NL5....

.....but my computer has no PCIe at all.
 
NL5... sorry, I'm just not getting this (and I've read the website).

So.... I have 1 open PCI slot right now.

What does Magma do for me ?


(Don't know why I can't get my head around this thing...)
 
Awesome.... that's what I was hoping it did !

Thanks for explaining.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top