I think Massive Master might have a lot more to say about the details of the UAD-1 compressors. I just got the card last week and only got the project pak, not the studio pak. I also do more mastering than mixing, so I really haven't had much of an opportunity to use this stuff yet.
Even still, on the mixes I have been working on, the 1176 SE has been a great compressor (not much CPU power needed, decent sound, simple controls). I haven't used much of the channel strip or EQ yet. It'll take a while to get used to them.
However, for mastering,
the Pultec Pro EQ has very quickly found its way into my life. If you've heard that simply turning it into the "on" position is worth its price, you heard correctly. It really is that good.
I've heard some great reviews about the Fairchild and I plan on buying it in the next couple months. If the reviews I've read and heard are true, it's probably the best software compressor around. If the Fairchild can come close to adding what the Pultec did to my projects and my understanding of audio, it's worth 10x the price.
Just as I write this, the rain begins to pour down outside. At the same time, the sun comes out, creating this massive rainbow in the sky. If that's not a sign from a higher power about the power of the Fairchild, I don't know what is.
