Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak

The Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak is a DSP board based plug-in suite for your digital audio workspace. I am currently running this plug-in bundle on an Apple Mac G5 computer and within a Pro Tools HD system. I love having this plug-in bundle because it gives me a high number of quality plug-ins that don't cost much at all. They run smoothly and quickly, as the DSP board allows them to run without using too much CPU power.

UTILIZATION

I had no problems at all installing and getting set up with the Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak. I had no compatibility issues at all, but it did take a few minutes to install the DSP board. However, once this is installed it doesn't need to be touched again and will be ready whenever you need it. The interface of the plug-ins in general is easy to follow, as they are all laid out smartly, with everything easy to find. The manual for the Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak is thorough and complete, and is definitely good to have around while you are installing and using this powerful plug-in bundle.

GETTING STARTED

Out of all the plug-ins in the Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak, I would say that I use the CS-1 Channel Strip and the Pultec EQP-1A the most, but just about all of the plug-ins in the Project Pak and good sounding and useful. The thing that astounds me the most is the wide variety of plug-ins that are available within this suite, ranging from just about every type of signal processing you can think of.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak plug-in suite for about two years and have found it to be one of the best deals on the market in terms of plug-in bundles. The DSP board makes for not only a top notch sound quality, but the plug-ins also run extremely fast. The price is probably the best part as it is extremely cheap, which makes it perfect for home studio owners. All in all, the Universal Audio UAD-1 Project Pak is an awesome plug-in pack that is great for all types of studio owners and engineers.

I was looking for colors of plugs known and used everywhere to help me mix the Rock.

My config is quite poor because I use the PC at the Soundscape DAW / SSL SS32. No need to add: the PC is not that the cards contain vidos and display the tracks.

Also I possdais the dj Mixpander 9, on-board powerful in PCI in SSL / Soundscape, which plugs are superb (especially Eq). As against the compressors are not enough "colors" I got ...

So by adding this card UAD1, I was looking mainly compression plugs!

UTILIZATION

The installation was done without any concern, following the procedure standard ...
No problem of incompatibility ...

The manual is clear, the online help is also super ...

GETTING STARTED

The drivers are stable, careful not to superimpose several facilities, the PC does not have AIM

I use this card via the Editor of my DAW and it is impeccable.
Latency? Well, I know, trs trs low latency, not because I feel that there is one ... Dj solution SSL / Soundscape has no latency, so the only small latency is that there may be "cause" of UAD1 ...

OVERALL OPINION

Dj use for a month.
What I like least is its power, always have their eyes on the "UAD1 Meter" that indicates the power used / remaining ...

I dj card Mixpander 9, much more powerful and so much more than a. .. CHRE

The report price is good quality because there are plugs and come with a voucher of $ 150 to use the online store. However, I just buy a second card and a few more plugs to make the most of this solution in PCI (it still Meresti two PCI ports available on my motherboard ...).

I think this choice again in the near future ...

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?

I was attracted by the superb emulations of these compressors legend 1176LN, LA2A, Neve1073 ...

- For what purpose?

Home Studio. Production mix.

- What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?

Mac G5 2GHz Bipro, 5GB RAM, two hard drives (one 160 GB and one 500 GB), Magma expansion chassis five PCI slots ..

- Which instruments or the systems do you use? ...

I use it on guitars, the bass, and some vintage keyboards (Rhodes, Hammond, Solina).

UTILIZATION

- The installation is done it without problems?

Without problems on Mac. No difficulties in that area.

- Have you experienced any incompatibilities?

This is where the rub ... There is an incompatibility with the PCI-X on a lot of the G5. it does not interfere too much when using a single card, but with three (as in my case), from a number of plugs in operation, the processor is saturated, making any possible mix. I get to use about 75% of my three cards! When you consider that the purpose of a DSP is supposed to relieve the processor is the last straw!
Universal Audio has looked at the time of the problem, but after the rapid disappearance of the PCI-X to the advantage of PCI Express, they preferred to release new PCI Express cards. Finally, if you have a G5 with PCI-X, you're cooked. I tried to use a Magma PCI expansion chassis, but nothing to do ...
So I will sell my system and return to PC ... balls.
Still it's a bit my fault, I was misinformed at the time. The incompatibility is well known and shown on the manufacturer's website.
my advice: Learn before you buy these cards!

- The general configuration is easy?

Very easy

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Nothing to say about that. Everything is very well explained. In addition many such videos are available on the manufacturer's website.

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?

Very stable, I never had any problems.

- Are they often updated?

once or twice a year.

- What software do you use most often?

1176LN, LA2A, Cambridge, Neve 1073 / 1081, Plate Reverb, Fairchild, Pultec ...

- What you get lag?

Automatic compensation of Cubase takes care very well.

- How many tracks you get to record / play time? ...

thirty ... which is limited because of the inconsistency.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?

about 10 months.

- What is so special that you like most and least?

The best: great plugs, not that expensive, often more AU good discounts.

the least: the inconsistency.

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?

Not

- How would you rate the quality / price?

It's still good.

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

Yes, but more about MAC G5 ...