Should I get a UAD-1?

mchimes · Post by **mchimes** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:25 pm

I searched the site, but would like a little more confirmation before I spring for it . . . your help would be greatly appreciated

I have a stable system running OSX 10.3.9 - DP 4.51 with a G4 733 upgraded to a Powerlogix Dual 1 gig (an upgrade UA doesn't "officially support")

I need some more mixing CPU horsepower though. Does the current version of the UAD-1 "play nice" (i.e. perform as advertised) with 4.51? what about 4.6?

I'm mainly concerned about the delay comp and the division of labor between the host CPU processor/s and the UAD processor. I had a UAD-1 back in DP3 (2004) and I sold it for two reasons:

1) Manual latency adjustment
2) The UAD-1 card mysteriously disabled the 2nd host processor for dual machines (remember that!)

I know issue 1 has been cleared up, but what about number 2?

I guess issue number two is hard to check now that DP4 has one CPU performance meter instead of one for each processor (DP3.)

I also noticed these caveats on the UA website:

* (DP version 4.5 and prior only) Digital Performer does not release UAD-1 DSP resources for UAD-1 plugins that are in an inactive sequence or mix.

* (DP version 4.52 and prior only) Digital Performer does not properly support the loading of UAD-1 presets in AU format. We recommend using the UAD-1 VST presets instead via the Load/Save VST Preset buttons within the UAD-1 plugin interface.

Is that enough reason for me to upgrade to 4.6 prior to purchase?

Thanks for your help and sorry for the long message!
Mike

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:28 pm

I don't have it, but I'd say be certain it's really what you want. Stay with me... I mean to dig a little deeper than the obvious by that statement. If there is something in the UAD-1 that you just can't get elsewhere, and it's worth the money and the trouble to you, then sure, of course, get it.

But I've observed the UAD-1 users in this forum complaining quite often when change is in the air. DP will get updated by MOTU, and suddenly something is broken between DP and the UAD-1. It takes time for someone to admit responsibility and to fix the problem. Is the UAD-1 going to be updated for Intel on time with DP and everything else? I'm just voicing my concerns, if I were to buy one, because once you get it you're really dependent on the hardware AND the software being current and compatible. The software can't be used if the hardware isn't cooperating with your Mac. But I guess the same can be said of every interface box out there, or the Waves dongle, or even your keyboard and trackball!

It's probably insignificant to even concern yourself with these things, but I must say that I've observed the locals in various states of dissatisfaction around major upgrade times.

Shooshie

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:25 pm

As a UAD-1 user, I must say that I'm not having those problems in 4.6x or 5.x (so far). Everything for me in that respect is "playing nice" indeed.

The biggest issue would be the Powerlogix modification more than anything else. The jury is still out on third-party CPU upgrades. Some people have no problems while others are quite unhappy.

As for the UAD-1 itself, it is a surprisingly great suite of plugins and one of my staple workhorses.

Shooshie · Post by **Shooshie** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:46 pm

You're right, Frodo. There is always a spectrum of satisfaction ranging from dissatisfied to quite pleased, but we only hear the one side of it. I really shouldn't have brought it up! Just thought it would be something to consider, but I said it right when I said that it's a consideration for ANY product.

Shooshie

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:11 pm

Shooshie wrote:You're right, Frodo. There is always a spectrum of satisfaction ranging from dissatisfied to quite pleased, but we only hear the one side of it. I really shouldn't have brought it up! Just thought it would be something to consider, but I said it right when I said that it's a consideration for ANY product.

Shooshie

Actually, I'm glad you brought it up. It helps balance the scales between pros and cons, which always makes for a fairer assessment in the end. Online forum complaints almost always outweigh praise for any given product.

The thing I appreciate about UAD is that they do put out notes on the systems they've found to be most compatible and least compatible-- not that any have been entirely INcompatible. When a company is willing to publish compatibility notes, it's important to read them thoroughly and to pay close attention to their hardware and software specs.

At the same time, it's important to keep tabs on users whose setups are similar to yours and to follow their ups and downs on the matter. Added together, user reports and white papers give a fairly clear picture of what's going on.

One of the things that remains on the UAD-1 site for system requirements is the following statement:

"Processor upgrade cards are not officially supported."

"http://www.uaudio.com/support/software/ ... ments.html"

Some people get lucky with this and some people don't. The biggest concern here is that there may or may not be available solutions for troubleshooting when problems arise. What I love is that UAD-1 has been SO eager to help-- and very helpful-- every time I've contacted them about anything hardware or software related.

mchimes · Post by **mchimes** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:44 pm

Shooshie wrote:
But I've observed the UAD-1 users in this forum complaining quite often when change is in the air. DP will get updated by MOTU, and suddenly something is broken between DP and the UAD-1. It takes time for someone to admit responsibility and to fix the problem.

Shooshie

Thanks for the concern. This is exactly what I went through in 2003-2004 with MOTU and UA . . . both were pointing fingers at the other one surrounding the issues with the UAD-1. I ended up selling the card because it just wasn't performing as advertised and there was no hope in sight of a fix with MOTU focusing on DPs OSX port (and everything else they do while the consumers are beta-testing their software!)

At that time, however, the UAD-1 did operate with the Powerlogix upgrade and the plugs were (and still are) great. There were enough other people at the time with genuine Apple dual machines with the same performance complaints (no delay comp, crippling of 2nd host processor) to rule out the third-party upgrade card. It was simply an issue of DPs code not allowing the UAD-1 to perform as advertsied.

I'm hoping those issues are resolved now.

Anyone else out there with a similar setup using the UAD-1 with success?

Thanks,
Mike

TheHopiWay · Post by **TheHopiWay** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:11 pm

My set ups similar.
I've been running a G4 dual 867 MDD with DP4.6.1, OSX 10.3.9 (with 1.5 gigs of Ram), Two UAD cards Ver 4.3, a TC Poco MkII and a 424/2408 MkIII.
No problems to report at all.
I've recently upgraded DP to version 5.01 and all is well with that so far.
As to bumps in the road with upgrades, I always hold off until the reports start coming in. There's always a flood of complaints and problems at first so I wait for that phase to pass before paying too much attention.
As a general rule a great number of the complaints are user/system specific, and many others can be traced to bad install procedures.
Once that volley slows down and a few reports come in that all's well I start considering the move for a time slot of a few non critically booked days.
To date this delay has served me well. None of the updates have caused me any headaches or lost time.
I've decided that due to the age of this machine I'll probably stay at 10.3.9 and should an update require 10.4 or greater I'll wait until I can spring for a G5 and retire the dual 867 as a backup/mobile rig.
If I were in your shoes I'd roll the dice and fill every empty slot I had with a UAD card.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:04 am

I've never run into any problems with UAD-1 and DP.

None.

In fact, I think UAD-1 is one of the best "in-the-box" investments I've made. I highly recommend them, especially for DP users who need better comps and verbs than DP provides natively.

As for the issue of obsolescence: Everything in your computer -- and many things connected to it -- will be obsolete. It's the proverbial deal with the devil.

chrispick · Post by **chrispick** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:06 am

Frodo wrote:What I love is that UAD-1 has been SO eager to help-- and very helpful-- every time I've contacted them about anything hardware or software related.

I just wanted to reiterate this.

mchimes · Post by **mchimes** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:48 am

Thanks folks! Hope to pick one up soon.

Mike

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:17 pm

The UAD-1 is top notch for the money and Universal Audio's tech support staff is very reliable.

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:25 pm

jon wrote:The UAD-1 is top notch for the money and Universal Audio's tech support staff is very reliable.

Jon--

This is clearly OT, but your avatar is BRILLIANT!! I love it.

The time between the notes relates the color to the scenes.
A constant vogue of triumphs dislocate man, so it seems.
And space between the focus shape ascend knowledge of love.
As song and chance develop time, lost social temp'rance rules above.

Then according to the man who showed his outstretched arm to space,
He turned around and pointed, revealing all the human race.
I shook my head and smiled a whisper, knowing all about the place.

On the hill we viewed the silence of the valley,
Called to witness cycles only of the past.
And we reach all this with movements in between the said remark.

Seasons will pass you by,
Now that it's all over and done,
Called to the seed, right to the sun.
Now that you find, now that you're whole.

Too few people understand.

Thanks!

jon · Post by **jon** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:54 pm

Frodo wrote:
jon wrote:The UAD-1 is top notch for the money and Universal Audio's tech support staff is very reliable.
Jon--

This is clearly OT, but your avatar is BRILLIANT!! I love it.

The time between the notes relates the color to the scenes.
A constant vogue of triumphs dislocate man, so it seems.
And space between the focus shape ascend knowledge of love.
As song and chance develop time, lost social temp'rance rules above.

Then according to the man who showed his outstretched arm to space,
He turned around and pointed, revealing all the human race.
I shook my head and smiled a whisper, knowing all about the place.

On the hill we viewed the silence of the valley,
Called to witness cycles only of the past.
And we reach all this with movements in between the said remark.

Seasons will pass you by,
Now that it's all over and done,
Called to the seed, right to the sun.
Now that you find, now that you're whole.

Too few people understand.

Thanks!

OT continued••¦

Thanks Frodo! I love the simplicity of that green color Dean used and is totally the opposite of the albums complexity. You know they performed CTTE in pieces and had to splice that shite together. Look ma no DP!

This is how much of a Yes freak I am••¦. About two years ago I pulled apart my garage and turned it into a little home studio. The first thing I did to decorate the newly painted drywall was I got a $10 Roger Dean Calendar at Whole Foods Grocery and 12 Ikea plain picture frames. Then I inserted the 12 pix and lined all those awesome album covers via the frames six on top of six. I look at them every day.

Btw I try to change my Avatar every year. Last year was Tormato which happens to be my favorite Yes Album.

Cheers!

Sergievsky · Post by **Sergievsky** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:48 pm

Save your money, then in a couple of months get a Duende. My one UAD card is nice, but it just isn't enough horsepower, especially for the computer you're using.

Tinoo · Post by **Tinoo** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:53 pm

jon wrote:Last year was Tormato which happens to be my favorite Yes Album.

Argh, that's my least favorite one !!!

Anyway, sorry for the off topic as well

To go back on topic, I had an UAD-1 but recently bought a Quad G5 so I can't use it anymore and I'm hesitating to get the new UAD-1e, since I don't need more power... If only some native plugins were this good though...