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Uad (?) + Shopping list
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| theterran |
Checked the search to see if there was mention of UAD cards... no dice.
Anyone know how the UAD DSP Accelerator and it's related programs are?
The UAD2-Duo looked quite nice, and it came with some freebies in the way of EQ's and Compressors too.
Been putting together a shopping list for production gear since I'm sick of the struggle for good sound and came across it. On a sidenote, I've seen the Manley Massive Passive brought up in alot of Gearslutz threads as THE thing to get, and it only runs with a DSP card.
If that's the case, it seems to me, having an analog modeled rack inside my PC wouldn't be a terribly bad investments. I'm used to seeing that kind of gimmicky stuff though so I figured I'd ask.
The *gasp* mastering chain looks pretty solid as well with the Precision Multiband/EQ/Limiter. Also lots of nifty filtering toys from moog.
Was thinking about the UAD-Duo since I have an i7 920, and it seems to do fine with 30-40 Tracks going. (More than I'd probably need)
Shopping list would be :
Focal Twin 6be's (~$3,200) (Damn you EricJ, almost bought the Hs80's too)
Presonus Firestudio Mobile (~$300)
Was going to invest in some sonalksis/sony plugins but then saw UAD...
would be :
UAD2-Duo ($849) + Precision Multiband/EQ/Maximizer/Limiter ($500) to start
Probably about $4,500 total...so about 4-6 months of saving (bills suck)
Thoughts/Flames? |
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| DJ RANN |
There is a thread on the first page discussing how UAD and PCI based DSP (or FW) are soon going to become a thing of the past.
I've never liked them full stop as I think they have always been nothing more than expensive copy protection dongles but that's another discussion.
As someone who has access to two Massive Passive at work, I can tell you they pretty ing stunning, but I just don't see how a bedroom producer can justify $5000 on an eq for making EDM. Sure if money was no object then I'd have them going in to my Shadow Hills Compressors (also have three of those at work) then into my Prism converters.
For a bit of EDM with even a intermediate budget (as you have)? I don't think it's the greatest idea or remotely realistic.
Personally, I think your lists are bit mismatched.
Don't buy focal twins unless you're buying a pro interface. By that I mean RME/entry level appogee or above. I think even motu would be a mismatch in term so quality. There's just no point as you'll not be using the monitors to full potential.
IMO, I think the focals are a great idea becuause if "sound" is what your struggling with, the biggest advantage of all is being able to hear with more clarity. My experience, albeit somewhat limited, with the focals has been extremely positive.
It will, by process of elimination, get rid of one producing concern: am I not achieving the sound I what due to sub standard monitoring? The focals will put that one to rest, as long as you get a great DAC.
I would go lavry black, Mytek, Lynx, RME or Appogee. It's going to cost you at least $4000 for those (if you're lucky and say pick up a RME FF800 second hand etc).
I truly think this will let you grow more than buying any new toys - what's the point if you can't hear them in all their glory?
Oh, and if you're going to have that kind of pairing, make sure it's a half decent room with some well thought out (doesn't need to be expensive) treatment.
As for other hardware, I think it would be best to wait until you get used to the new monitoring setup before purchasing anything else....I reckon you'll hear a big improvement in your sound which might give what you already own a new lease of life ;) |
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| Raphie |
| UAD is crap and doesn't live up to it's expectations, the people happy with it are the people than can not afford real gearl but do boast that they use a Massive Passive or Fatso in their setup, it's a farce... buy 1 good outboard buss compressor, some decent monitoring and something useful like Sonnox. i would suggest the MR816x as interface, yamaha build and the best converters and pre-amps available in multi port FW interfaces, next step up would be Benchmark or Lavry |
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| theterran |
Cheers, thanks for the well thought out feedback.
I suppose I could be more helpful by elaborating my intent and frustrations.
I love music, and take it seriously at a personal level, although I do suppose I'm a bit of a twat on these boards when I see people fighting about stupid , so there ya go. (People love being right a little too much, so it's fun being blatantly wrong :))
I know that I have talent musically, but also know that proper monitoring is now standing in the way of production value. Eric really put it into perspective in the last monitoring thread when he talked about settling, and for most anything, I've always been unhappy settling. I'm done settling.
The clincher is that I have a weird mentality...My focus is not to become a professional or "make it big". It's simply to make the highest possible quality music and share it. (Would be happy sharing it for free even, if people would listen to it) Should by natural circumstance, my music be good enough to progress me anywhere, I'd happily let it happen, but it's not my driving factor.
Simply put, I ing love making EDM, for whatever reason, therapy if you will... but more importantly, I like to share it. But now I've hit that production wall, where the sound/mix quality of the tracks is getting in the way of other's enjoyment. (and my own) I've tried using visual tools like spectros and whatever to mix, and it simply doesn't work all that well.
One might say that having the Focals isn't necessary for someone like me, but I plan on sticking with Electronic Music production as long as I'm able to create. ('till I'm dead or go deaf)
So what would be the best option knowing the above? What am I looking at in terms of sound quality difference of the Focals and an Apogee Rosetta vs. the HS80's and pre-sonus. (was planning on upgrading the pre-sonus to something better with the focals, as it looked like a good entry->medium level DAC)
I don't mind waiting and saving the $3,200 for the focals + $1,700 for the Rosetta + $1,000 for room treatment to get the most out of my productions, but would it be better to just settle at this point? Just kinda frustrated as I'm not really sure what the difference really is since I'd need to hear it...and the $1,300 I would spend settling could be saved towards the better gear.
Oh and the VST version of the manley massive passive that goes with th UAD2 card was $299. Not sure if that's a great deal different than the analog device. With that, ima pass out.
Cheers in advance...would hate to make this decision by myself as an amateur, so I thank you for your advice. |
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| Raphie |
I've been there, done that, If you've followed my GAS over the pas couple of years you've seen stuff com and go
I had Powercore x8, had 3 Duendes at one stage (when still version 2.x DSP based) Have Sonnox and Wave API Colleection, had some cheaper outboard (ART Pro VLA II) and some a bit more epsensive.
For me, the purchases that stayed and are being used are
HW
MOOG Voyager
Virus TI
DSI Prophet 08 rack
MOTIF XS rack
Steinberg MR816x
Mackie HR824MK2 (in my opinion GREAT for EDM)
Set of Distressors
Steinberg CC121
SPL Mastering Vitalizer 9530
and recently my beloved API-2500
SW
Cubase (just ordered the v6 upgrade)
WL7
SONNOX EQ / Dynamics
WAVES API
SSL Duende
Slate VCC
Slate FG-X
everything Vengeance (Metrum, sidechain, MB compressor, Philtha)
This is the foundation of my music, this defines who i am and my sound. This is what makes me happy and brings fulfilment
I've also spend a lot of money on other stuff that i've purchased but that never really resonated with me, i will not mention all the stuff sold already but in my studio, barely used are
- NEXUS + several expansions
- Gladiator2 + severall expansions
- Warmverb (fully obsolete since X-Verb)
- Novation Remote SL61
- Lexicon MX200
Regarding plugins, my point is really that it's all BS. if you take away the gui's the raving reviews, the endorsements. THEY ALL SOUND MORE OR LESS THE SAME. It took me nearly 3 years to discover and accept it. whether it's SSL X-EQ, Waves API 500, SONNOX EQ, or Steinbergs Studio EQ, it's all the same. Q values may vary, filter slopes may vary, gui varies ofcoursebut same settings is same sound.
same for VST compressors, sometimes there is a convultion distortion agorithm in it, but it all sounds more or less the same.
Have spend thousands of dollars on the plugin bundles, everytime hoping it would be that "game changer" what would keep me from buying what i really craved for, "that sound" And the outboard units NEVER dissapointed in that area. If music is about fulfilment, I've learned the hard way that it's better to a have limited arsenal that is unique and living up to it's promises than have a bunch of me too , that is mediocre and does not REALLY deliver.
So what am i saying here: rather spend 2K on 1 excellent buss compressor and leverage the stock plugins from your DAW, than spending 1.5K on UAD + some additional plugins.
Rather spend 600 on a interface that really delivers, than 400 on the next best thing. monitors is really about preference, i can't help it but I like my Mackies, i would rather invest additional budget in midfield quested for example than looking for higher range 8" alternatives
But then again, this is just my journey and learnings, everybody is different.
also prioritize room akoustics! probably your biggest improvement
for me my floating floor and a truckload of drywall and rockwool made a HUGE difference |
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| tehlord |
I've only skim read what's already been said but I've actually owned a UAD card, a Powercore, and a Virus Ti (not as relevant in this thread but still another alleged 'must have')
The only gear that will make a difference in the end result is gear that effects your signal path. Good quality imputs for recording, and good quality monitors for mixing. Everything else is garnish.
If you've got an option to save for some Twin 6s and a decent interface then go all out for that, and some treatment of course. I think i've been throwing the monitoring card at you for months, whenever you post a track up in fact :p |
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| kitphillips |
| quote: | | Oh and the VST version of the manley massive passive that goes with th UAD2 card was $299. Not sure if that's a great deal different than the analog device. With that, ima pass out. |
Mate.... Have you looked up a massive passive on the web?? I assure you it costs more than 299... UAD is no good though, as everyone's said, there have been 100 threads lately about duence, powercore etc dying off and the fact that DSP acceleration is the way of the past. Its not a good investment into the future, and if you really want that analogue flavour, you'd be better off getting the Waves API/cytomic the Glue compressors or something similar, rather than blowing money on DSP rubbish.
Spending more money on monitors is always a safe bet adn you'll rarely regret it I think. Its not exciting, but everyone always seems happy that they've done so. Focal twins will sound good with whatever sound card you've got, so why not get them and see what they're like, then upgrade sound card later when you can? Its a step by step process, it won't all come at once. |
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| theterran |
| quote: | Originally posted by kitphillips
Mate.... Have you looked up a massive passive on the web?? I assure you it costs more than 299... |
http://www.uaudio.com/store/equaliz...ve-passive.html
I've seen the actual rack device and it sits around 4,800 or something ridiculous. Nothing I'd be willing to invest in atm.
| quote: | | Focal twins will sound good with whatever sound card you've got, so why not get them and see what they're like, then upgrade sound card later when you can? Its a step by step process, it won't all come at once. |
That was the plan...Once I had the cash for the first item, I'd pick it up...Having the focals with a stock sound card > nothing.
Well with that, I suppose I'll be back in a few months with hopefully some solid gear. |
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