Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop

After having used 2 UAD1 and a UAD2 duo in my desktop for a long time as my go to plug-ins, I added a UAD 2 solo/laptop for when I'm on the road, or simply just want to work on the proverbial couch.
Using it on Mac Book pro 2.8 intel processor with 4 gb of RAM.

I use it for tracking guitars and of course for channel strips, busses, sends and the master on mixes.

UTILIZATION

The drivers have always been top notch, the plug-ins are constantly expanded. Most of the time I use them with either Logic 9 or Pro Tools 9. Track count/instances of plug-ins varies dramatically depending on which plug-ins you run.
Some are serious resource hogs such as the Manley Massive Passive as a mastering compressor on the master buss. That said it's worth to just bounce out with the other plugs and then render the final file with it anyways.

GETTING STARTED

Install is a breeze...run software installer, plug in the hardware, authorize, done.
At times when you're running OSX you might have an issue when the system has been to cluttered and needs a general clean-up where you'll have to repair permissions. What's great on the UAD stuff you can get around this by just rescanning Audio Unit plug-ins via Garage Band. A great time saver in a pinch.

As a side note I had problems with this card installing under Windows 7 in dual boot on my MAC Book pro, however on my Dell laptop no problem.

OVERALL OPINION

The best part is the sound quality of the plug-ins, and the portability of the set-up.
Some plugs like the Neve stuff although sounding like the you ran the signal through the hardware box do not emulate the break-up characteristic. The again the work around for that is running the Studer plug-in if saturation is your thing.

The stand-outs for me are the delays...Echoplex, Space Echo, Time Cube, the EMT Plates, of course the compressor like the dBx 160, LA2A and LA3A, 1176, for eq the Manley massive Passive, the 4 different Neve, the SSL stuff, the Harrison, and of course the Triton. Another lovely plug is the Studer for tape saturation.

The Emperical labs Fatsoo is great to add girth, the IBP phase alignment plug is great when messing up with multi-miced tracks and you need to get stuff better in phase..

The Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop is a device that allows your laptop to run plug-ins off of your computer.  This helps the processing of these plug-ins and the overall performance of your system is better because it is under less stress from plug-ins.  Think of it as a mini HD system where your plug-ins are no longer restricted by your computer.  It is a simple device that fits right into a jack on my Mac Book Pro.

UTILIZATION

Using the Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop isn't hard at all.  I run this with a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM.  I run the plug-ins in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface.  With this device, I can run Universal Audio plug-ins a whole lot faster than I could without it and it also leaves room for my other plug-ins to run faster on my computer.  I haven't experienced any latency issues or any problems at all as it has only helped out the way that my system runs. 


GETTING STARTED

There isn't too much involved with the installation process of the Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop.  I simply followed the instructions that are in the manual, and probably could have figured it out on my own as the software is self explanatory.  It only took about five to ten minutes for me to have this installed and running with a few plug-ins.


OVERALL OPINION

I would absolutely recommend the Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop for anyone mixing on a lap top.  It offers the high quality signal processing that Universal Audio is known for without all the processing power that would be taken up on your computer.  If you are looking to expand your plug-in collection but find that the more you run plug-ins on your machine, the slower it gets (which is going to be the case for most LE users), then the UAD-2 is the cure that you are looking for.  The price isn't too expensive, but also isn't cheap so keep this in mind.  All in all, I would definitely say the price is worth it as it helps my lap top run plug-ins exponentially better and is a whole lot cheaper than getting an HD system!

This is the only DSP card for laptops.
Therefore no alternative
Use on Macbook Pro 4GB RAM running Logic 2x2.5GHZ 9

UTILIZATION

No instability frequent providers update on the UAD site but especially for the release of new plugs.
Visit the site for the charter UAD CPU utilization as the number of plug utiliss. I often cambridge 12 EQ + 6 + limited precision multiband precision + 2 + 2LA3A VCA ... etc. ... My projects do not dpassent 24 tracks, is already standard for the poor nophite I am.

GETTING STARTED

Installation without problem.
Never any worries
No need to book.
APRS sr well, knowing how to use the compressor as it is good and all or EQ has not learned by reading a doc soon.

OVERALL OPINION

Use for 1 year.
There is no other model.
it works really well, I already had a problem with a lot of plugs with Logic, with some synths, with Snow Leopard, too. The Solo card and UAD plugs, I forget carrement so it works well.
Point negatives, the UAD plugs prices as those offered do not do much. But to ease my computer, I find no better.
I almost say that to dwell upon a SSL Duende Mini.
For the quality of the plugs, I will not comment, the tastes and colors ... of autand I find Logic's native plug-ins excellent. I get no better results with the waves or Sonnox, but Plutt a pair of ears that I should buy and I have not yet found in AU format plug
Here I quickly written notice is because I'm asked. I recommend this product.

I was looking for plugins that actually work for the mix of music rather large rock sound stooner ... and many a fan of Universal Audio, I bought the first version first solo laptop UAD-1 and can not do without when it was released in version 2 I did not hesitate.
I use it with a pro mackbook on port pcmcia. often with live and logic.



UTILIZATION

Once installed and made her account on the site to buy other plugins with the purchase, go!
and there is not the same, when you put a eq or compressor is made whaahhh! that's what I wanted it to work like real analog machines with color and musicality for some.
there are a lot of models have I will not quote it all, just go to the site. LA2A compressors, 1176LN, DBX160, the eq NEVE1801 the pultec, reverb and flat 140 and I forget, it's wonderful!
and it is rarely blocked by the boundary DSP to mix well if we chose the following resources for everyone.
plugins have a cost but what is it that there are often vouchers or coupons on the site each month of the coup AC drives to buy more!


GETTING STARTED

no installation problems, we must follow what is stated.
Then make your account to activate the plugins authorized or purchased.

OVERALL OPINION

I have since it came out, I had a version with the big box front.
I could not do without it for work mainly in the mix. is incomparable with a lot of things so it works and it sounds.
if I had to find an equivalent in plugins AU / VST without DSP, I would say the plugins and SOFTUBE ABBEY ROAD.
otherwise the price is very honest about the quality even if it costs to buy other plugins (there are only 5 to start)
So what choice I would do without hesitation, and I like the color of universal audio is a legendary brand since the beginning of the analog recording.