Universal Audio DSP GAS

[MDV]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

[Johnny Mac]

Good points taken on board. Another look at the UA site, the plugins are offered in bundles. Have you seen the fecking price of them? Jeez I thought they would chuck in the lot for £1100. Surely they would make more sales if they did! I think they understand just how the GAS gets mugs like me worked up!

[Philly Q]

I think they understand just how the GAS gets mugs like me worked up!

It's a good job this stuff is so incomprehensible to me, because otherwise I am undoubtedly the kind of GAS-fired mug they're looking for!

[JJretroTONEGOD]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

+1 I agree with that 100%

you are better off investing in an ultra powerful PC, they are extremely powerful now and improving all the time.

[Johnny Mac]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

+1 I agree with that 100%

you are better off investing in an ultra powerful PC, they are extremely powerful now and improving all the time.

I've got an ultra powerful iMac. Quad core i7 intel 2.8 ghz with 8g of ram it's over 2 years old but I spec'd it up high when I bought it.
So do you think I should just buy the UA software plugins?

[Plenum n Heather]

Well, what effects, specifically, are you looking for? There are so many good to great, free to inexpensive plugins out there that I would only get a UA plugin if it's precisely what you want. Some examples:

For analysis, dynamic range, and some EQ, I use open source plugins (MAnalyzer and MEQ are great)

For checking phase on my mixes, I use an open source plugin (I forget the name off the top of my head)

For tape saturation, I use an open source Plugin (Tesla SE)

For tape emulation, I use Waves Kramer Master Tape

For compression, I use the SoundToys DevilLoc or Waves Kramer Pi comps

For limiting, I use the Waves OneKnob brickwall limiter

For 90% of my EQ and reverb, I use Cubase's plugins; I also use Cubase's soft synths 90% of the time

What I use my UA for: Pultec EQs, pretty much. And that is only for flavour/colour, not for correction.

[MDV]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

+1 I agree with that 100%

you are better off investing in an ultra powerful PC, they are extremely powerful now and improving all the time.

I've got an ultra powerful iMac. Quad core i7 intel 2.8 ghz with 8g of ram it's over 2 years old but I spec'd it up high when I bought it.
So do you think I should just buy the UA software plugins?

You would be very hard pressed to max that out.

I have an i7 (edit: 920, so not even a very powerful one by modern standards) and 6Gb. Never really approached the 6gb, maxed out the i7 once or twice...and there are always ways and means around it. And it was in some seriously heavy (computationally, not musically) projects; not normal day to day recording by any stretch.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

+1 I agree with that 100%

you are better off investing in an ultra powerful PC, they are extremely powerful now and improving all the time.

I've got an ultra powerful iMac. Quad core i7 intel 2.8 ghz with 8g of ram it's over 2 years old but I spec'd it up high when I bought it.
So do you think I should just buy the UA software plugins?

if you think it's worth it get it, if not then don't simple as that. Can you visualise how it would improve your mixes and music? If there is no negative points at all and you can afford it why not

[Johnny Mac]

^

Word.

Stuff like this hit the scene when a PC would be crippled by the DSP required.

Now, not so much.

It maintains interest and business by the hardware basically being dongles for the excellent plugs. But theres enough out there in 'normal' VSTs thats more than good enough that its not really worth worrying about.

imo.

The plugs are good, and if you get it, let it be for that reason, and fair play to you. But the hardware element is pretty much redundant on modern machines; they're more than powerful enough.

+1 I agree with that 100%

you are better off investing in an ultra powerful PC, they are extremely powerful now and improving all the time.

I've got an ultra powerful iMac. Quad core i7 intel 2.8 ghz with 8g of ram it's over 2 years old but I spec'd it up high when I bought it.
So do you think I should just buy the UA software plugins?

if you think it's worth it get it, if not then don't simple as that. Can you visualise how it would improve your mixes and music? If there is no negative points at all and you can afford it why not

If the software plugins are the same as the hardware ones, which thinking about it are really software but with their own processors then I'll get the software ones I want.
Some of the compressors, EQ, reverbs. I do use the Apple ones supplied with Logic and they're quite nice but I'm using combos of those, I don't always get what I hear in my head. I can't say for sure that these plugs will achieve that but, they will, I'm sure have charecters of their own.
I have got a lot of NI soft synth sounds and they're are verbs, compressors that come in Komplete. They do seem gimmicky and extreme in their effect rather than subtle and useful.

[Johnny Mac]

This subject again!
I was thumbing through the manual of my Motu 828mk3 and it has an emulation of the Teletronix LA-2A limiting amplifier which was the 60's version of the UA limiting amplifier i was gassing over back in the winter (that we're still in). I just thought it was a built in DSP limiter I didnt realise it was an emulation of something cool like this.  8) I shall have to give it a good workout.

Can I tap some brains here with the recording enthusiasts please. I cant for the life of me seem to figure out how to route my audio signal though my Motu DSP effects for the the bounce or mixdown. The Motu effects are so nice compared to the Apple plugs. I can use them on imputs like mics and guitars coming in to the unit but anything soft synth doesn't go through there so I'm stuck a bit. I've read the manual over again and I'm drawing a blank. I'm not too bad on this stuff normally, well not bad for a truck driver at least. Do any of you super clued up forumites know? I'm hosting in Logic 9

Here's the manual. The bit I've been reading is on page 71

http://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/firewire-usb-audio/828mk3_User_Guide_Mac.pdf

I'll buy you beer and curry if you can help!  :lol:

[Plenum n Heather]

You have to tell Logic that the MOTU will be your ASIO driver.

[Johnny Mac]

You have to tell Logic that the MOTU will be your ASIO driver.

It's CoreAudio on a Mac I'm using which I think does the same job as ASIO.
I'm using the right driver or the Motu unit wouldn't be doing anything.
I'm trying to get a mix from Logic to route out to the Motu unit, pickup it's DSP effects and go back to Logic so when I bounce all the tracks, I get the Motu units effects. They blow the Apple plugs away on verbs, compression & EQ.
At the moment, cos I can't get over this problem, I'm restricted to only using them on inputs.

[PhilKing]

Hi Johnny,

I think you need to make your output the pair that you want the effects to go through and set up the return to the same pair.  That way the signal will just go through the MOTU & back to the computer.  Check Page 7

[Johnny Mac]

Hi Johnny,

I think you need to make your output the pair that you want the effects to go through and set up the return to the same pair.  That way the signal will just go through the MOTU & back to the computer.  Check Page 7

Ok thanks Phil, I'll have a go at that.  :D

[Johnny Mac]

Still can't get it to work. I've found some threads on other forums regarding I/0 plugins in a channel strip. I tried that but my brain hurts from too much Guinness last night and I needed a hair of the dog.