UVI

- config : 15" i7 // osx 10.10 // studio one 2.6 - easy and perfect installation - the ilok software protection is not too much of a burden (what are other iLok-ed developers waiting for before adopting it too?) - my personal opinion: After using it for 2 weeks, I can already have fun recreating the sounds of a lot of my synths, which is quite impressive. The interface requires a certain time to get used to it (unless you’re already used to Machfive 3 I guess since both seem to have a lot in common), but once you got the basics it turns out to be very well conceived. After tweaking here and there, I now have the feeling that half my other synths are actually 1:20 scale Falcons. Soundwise: it really sounds good and allows to get into a very large number of styles, no reproach to be made here. Its wide array of effects, modulations and MIDI FX even add to its versatility… I’m even leaving other plugins aside and start to consider uninstalling some of them. Pros : - the concept (simply great, kudos !) - very high quality sound and effects (even if some of them seem to resemble each other too much and would deserve to be turned into a single effect with different selectable modes) - the possibilities opened by the modular conception - excellent sampling, both for its quality and integration - endlessly expandable with the additional soundbanks (some already released, others to come) - well-conceived interface and workflow (yet I can’t see the point of parts containing 1 program, why not 1 program/part which would include all layers?) - the GUI: very clean and eye-pleasing – which deserves being mentioned - great fun to use (an important point indeed…) - documents and video tutorials are well done (let’s just hope the series will develop so as to really cover all functions in the end) - stability (perhaps a little early to draw conclusions, but I encountered no problem so far except for the audio engine that stops after OSX activated the standby mode (version 1.0.0 in standalone). Cons: - the drum oscillator is less convincing to my taste - some effects alter the volume way too much - the price may be a bit high for some (BUT it’s to be relativized considering its capacities and the $100 voucher it comes with, it really is worth its price) - no demo version (even if it’s possible to have a detailed look at it through the docs and videos, it may not be enough for some) What I’d love in the future: - similar effects being grouped with a “mode” menu, so as to switch between variations. This would make the workflow cleaner and Falcon even more coherent (of course it’s always good to be able to boast having tons of thousands effects, and such a move would reduce that number) - an FM oscillator as complete as the FM8’s - resizable faders in “Mixer” mode - ...it being featured in a special editorial review on Audiofanzine? *Please note that my config includes a rather quick SSD, so I can’t judge the starting or loading times on an HDD, I’d be curious to know how it works on other configs. Overall, I’m a very satisfied user and I’m glad I have this virtual instrument. I hope I’ve been neutral and clear enough in this review – my first on Audiofanzine.

Installation is easy through an executable file, the authorization is as usual through the iLok account, on either an iLok key or the computer. On a side note, a total three authorizations are provided. Adequation : Very stable on a Macpro 8 x 2,4 GHz with Mac osX 10.8.5/Logic X 10.0.5 and Logic pro 9.1.8, 8 GB RAM, SSL Madi AX. The same on a MacPro 2013 hexacore, OSX 10.10.3/Logic Pro 10.1.1. I used all of its aspects during beta-testing. Functions are all very detailed, UVI was very inspired to include step-by-step, detailed guides for using on aux channels for each DAW - a great idea. Overall : The interface is great, it reminds that of UVI's excellent SparkVerb. The whole is zeasy to read and the different sections are well-thought, very intuitive and the whole approach is really made easy and simplified as can be. The result is generally rather musical, but for rhythms it becomes spectacular. Made for sound design, house/tech-house, dub (and other genres). The effects are very versatile (echo, reverb, flanger/chorus, time/pitch shifting, tape effect, resonator...). It's a rather complex delay with specific functions in the same spirit as a step sequencer. Among these you can define the number of repeats (up to 32) not including feedback. For instance, if you set the "Time" setting to 1/4 and the number of repeats to 15, you get one repeat per musical time for a total 4 measured (no, I'm not wrong with my math, for starting the sample on time 1 launches the first repeat on time 2, hence the last on the 4th time of the 4th measure). These repeats can be identical to the original signal or be influenced and transformed through a series of settings: "Time" (an effect which accelerates/slows down the repeats), "Gain" (determines the audio volume of each repeat), "Pan" (places the repeats in the stereo space), "FX1/FX2" and "Feedback". Each section has a pre-set curve which is quite useful to start your own settings, as well as different tools allowing advanced setting of the curves (invert...). There's also a "Gate Input" allowing to start the delay at a precise given moment, the delayed signal is reinjected and mixed with the direct signal, this function can almost be seen as a sort of looper. It's great to have a voice or rhythm evolve. It can be triggered through a MIDI CC message, which can be quite useful for live situations. Apart from the usual, basic settings, the main windows also offers a modulation section, an interface allowing to access the most important settings, global hi-pas and lo-pass filters (12dB/octave) and a very efficient color section based on speakers impulse responses - another unique feature for this delay. I won't detail ALL the settings that are available, they're too numerous for that. The "Time" window offers interesting features such as the snap function (allowing to swap between straight notes, triplets and dotted notes). The "Gain" settings are useful for changing the level of each delay step. The two "FX" sections are well equipped, with two different filter types (biquad and comb) and different effect algorithms (Vowel, Redux and a Waveshaper), an LFO and an Offset setting. All in all, this is a great array of choices, allowing a lot of sonic possibilities. The "Feedback" part also add two hi-cut and low-cut filters, and it is even possible to define the moment when the delayed signal comes in. Overall, it is clearly a really well-thought concept, a great tool especially for sound designers. This plugin allows to experiment further with sound treatments than a traditional delay. UVI has managed to mix complexity with ease of use, a real success which illustrate how talented French developers are! Edit regarding version 1.0.3 : The plugin can now be used on either a mono (mono-to-mono and mono-to-stereo) or stereo track. It's also worth mentioning that it can be inserted on a virtual instrument track as a MIDI-controlled effect.

I use the UVI libraries on two of my PC’s. My main touch screen pC desktop, and also on my pc laptop. Since my laptop doesn’t have the largest hard drive, I keep all of my UVI sample libraries on a dedicated msata drive with 500gb capacity. Uvi has recently updated their download and installation process, which used to be really confusing and used to involve moving files into subdirectories, but they now are quite streamlined with a download and install manager that works great. I use it with iLok, but is also setup to use elicenser if needed. I hate elicenser and only use it for cubase. ILok is much better, more secure, and in programs that don’t offer multiple licenses, it’s easier to deactivate from one to move to another. Most of the UvI synth libraries share a common set of parameters,customized graphics that suit the theme of the line of synths being emulated. There are exceptions to this, and unfortunately, not all UVI libraries share a common foundation where sounds are loaded in from a root directory. Fortunately, all three synths in the Digital Sensations V2 all share this feature. Apart from having a common way of loading sounds, this convenient method allows easy favoriting of your more used patches. With a library this large, it’s important to have this feature. Other uvi libraries, the sounds must be loaded in via the application, not the uvi player. A feature which I’d like to see normalized across all libraries moving forward, and preferably backward in an update. Parameters are somewhat basic. You have some control over the basic sound with envelopes, lfo’s, and Multimode filters. Some rudimentary control over the sound source is available, but as it is a sample library, is limited. Sound quality is pretty superb. I got addicted to these libraries for a reason. For one, I really enjoy vst clones of synths, such as arturia’s V collection. While th4 uvi libraries are not “clones” per se, they do offer an accurate flavor of the original synths at hand, and offer modern interpretations on what might otherwise be somewhat of a dated sound. For those who may be unfamiliar with the UVI workstation (or Falcon), it is a stand-alone, vst, RTAS, or AAX platform where you may install individual sample libraries. While I am only ever concerned with UVI’s synthesizer libraries, they are not limited to such, offering string, brass, piano, EM, and even libraries of toys. For my interests, I stick with the synth libraries. I presently use the Digital Synsations V2, Synth Anthology 2, Vintage Vault 2, UXV80, and UVPX80 libraries, with a few more I’m interested in but do not yet own. I find I buy one every month or two whether I need them or not. I’ve kind of become addicted. The UVI player is your platform for your sound libraries, and while each individual library may contain their own unique set of subfeatures, the player itself will allow you to arrange any 4 sounds from any 4 libraries at any given time, and has sophisticated arpeggio features and additional built-in effects. Individual libraries may supplement these features as well. The digital sensations 2 library is a bundle of three libraries sampled from the Kawai K5000/s/w/r, the Roland JD-800/990, and the Ensoniq Now again, these libraries are not clones, but use sounds from each of these synths as the foundation sound source for each patch. The sample set is then manipulated with its own set of filter, envelopes, lfo’s, etc. I presently own a JD800 and have owned a K5000, and the essence of these synths is certainly there, but many sounds have been brought back to relevance with some wonderful programming straight from the factory. It’s kind of making my aging jd800 irrelevant. Similarly to the IK Syntronik, each library features a unique GUI that resembles the respective synth, but in reality, these libraries share the same parameters. I haven’t deeply explored the effects or arp sections, but based on the presets, they are certainly powerful and flexible. Now, so,e advise on purchasing the UvI libraries. Wait for sales. Each library I own I paid no more than half it’s normal retail price. Also, but bundles and not individual libraries. For the DS V2, I paid $149. Single libraries seems to run $49-79.

The UVX-3p is modeled after the vintage series instruments from UVI. UVX-3p can be used as a plug in or a stand alone version. It cost around 100 dollars when it first came out and that was a good price. It does come with a manual that does a great job of explaining all of the features of this plug in. Operating this plug in is not that difficult and the learning curve is very minimum. Installing this software does not take long it can be loaded right into your computer and be opened in your DAW within minutes. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE UvX-3p when used as a plug in does not use a lot of CPU or take up a lot of disk space. I have run this multiple times in many different DAW’s without it slowing down or getting choppy on my system. I used it mostly on my Windows computer running XP with 2 GB of RAM and a decent processor. The UVX-3p has elements in it from the JX-3p and some other Roland boards and products but mainly there older or “vintage” line. OVERALL OPINION You will need to download the UVI Workstation 2.0.9 in order for it to work properly. Then you can use uVX-3p as a VST, RTAS, or MAS plug in. Overall, I do think it is worth the money to purchase it if you are in the market to purchase a vintage synth like this one. If you are a fan of the jX-3P then I suggest purchasing this synth. The sounds are very good and there are a total of 160 or so of them that are all very good. I was looking for something that has that analog classic synth sound of the 80’s and it was easy to achieve that in the uvX-3p plug in. I have used the original jX-3P over 20 years ago, and though this does not sound as good as that does it is probably the closest you can get to it in the VST/digital world.

UVI X-treme FX is a powerful sound design tool that shocked me right away. I heard of this plug in from a friend not too long ago. I am not sure exactly when it came out, but I am just getting put on to it. It can be run on Both PC and Mac systems. One of the most important parts of this program is that you are offered full support right from the jump. They have video tutorials on the website that will get you up and running in no time and no matter what system you have they have a video to help. As well as the PDF manual which is pretty small compared to some other manuals that I have seen in PDF format. On the site they have guides for using it with Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic and a few other programs so no matter what you are using to produce your music with they will have a guide that can basically walk through setting it up on your system and getting started with it. They took all of the hard work out of it for you. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The X-Treme FX works great and I have never had a single problem with it, they have updated it a few times though but by the time that I got it they where on the most recent update so I never personally experienced any updates. OVERALL OPINION I am very happy that I made the choice to use X-Treme FX by UVI. I would make this choice 100 times over again if I needed to. It has really gave me a great tool to use while I am in my creative process of making music. The quality of sound is top notch and so is the customer service and help from UVI. I recommend it to a lot of different people now.

I stumbled upon this multifunctional device while I was looking for recording interfaces. I was using this primarily as the recording interface, since all I really had to record was guitars. The main selling point of this feature is that it is a very high-tech amp modeler, a recording interface, and an effects processor all in one. I used it as a console for home recording, so I didn't use it in combination with any other consoles or preamps or anything. The amp has a guitar input that is specific for the amp modeling and effects processor, Stereo balanced XLR outputs and dedicated 1/4” outputs, and an XLR mic input with 48V phantom power and a pad switch. The device also features an Integrated FX loop to hook up the effects you already own. The device can also be controlled with MIDI. It also has a tuner, a USB connection, and 2 line-level 1/4" inputs. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE This device is relatively new, so there are still a few things I'm unsure of, mainly the frequency and quality of updates. As of now, though, I'm not going to need an update anytime soon. The latency in this thing is almost nonexistent, since it relies mostly on the interface itself to process. The drivers are stable thus far, and they make things easy even on a home recording setup. I am almost positive this will only work with Pro Tools. OVERALL OPINION After the basic installation, which took some time, I didn't have any problems. It's about as tedious as installing and new piece of hardware would be. The manual definitely helped me through the entire process pretty clearly, without it I would have been pretty lost. I think that this is a great idea for someone who needs a range of tones that sound pretty good, and can't afford to invest in a multitude of amps and effects. I have never recommended this before to anyone, given my preference for analog equipment (even when recording digitally in Pro Tools). But this was pretty impressive. Highly recommended to newer engineers, more established studio owners with the real amps and effects should probably skip this.