UAD Plug-Ins vs. Analog Hardware

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In this video, watch multi Grammy-winning producer and engineer Jacquire King (James Bay, Kings of Leon, Tom Waits) compare vintage analog hardware to Apollo & Unison / UAD plug-ins.
See how Apollo stacks up, then read Jacquire’s full interview here: u.audio/2KIgGIz
A longtime fan of Universal Audio plug-ins and analog gear, multi-platinum record producer and engineer Jacquire King put Apollo’s pioneering Unison™ mic preamp technology to the test in a live session at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio G with electronic-soul artist Jamie Lidell and a cast of all-star players. Sit down and get Jacquire King’s insights into mixing, recording, and tracking through Unison mic preamps with Apollo interfaces in this video.
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0:37 - Introduction
1:06 - About Unison Technology
2:00 - Setting Up the Session
5:16 - Setting Up: Interview with Jacquire
8:24 - Take a Listen For Yourself: The Shoot Out
11:00 - The Wrap Up
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☞ UA Audio Interfaces Used
Unison-enabled plug-in processing captured with an Apollo 8p
Hardware processing captured with an Apollo 16
☞ Plug-ins Used
UAD Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection
UAD API Vision Channel Strip
1176 Classic Limiter Collection
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter
Teletronix® LA-2A
☞ Hardware Used
Teletronix LA-2A
1176 Classic Limiter
dbx® 160 Compressor / Limiter
Neve 1073 Preamp and EQ
API 212 Preamp and 550L EQ
☞ Microphones Used
Sennheiser 421- Kick Drum
SM57 - Snare
AEA R88 - Drum Overheads
Neumann U47 - Bass
Shure SM7 - Vocals
SM57 and U67 - Guitar
♫ Song Info ♫
“Walk Right Back”
Written by Jamie Lidell - jamielidellmusic.com/
Performed by Jamie Lidell & The Royal Pharaohs
Recorded Live at Blackbird Studio G in Nashville, TN
Recorded and Mixed by Jacquire King
Mastered by Richard Dodd
The Royal Pharaohs:
Drums - Daru Jones
Percussion - Brandon Newsome
Backing Vocals - Shonka Dukureh
Keys - Gerald Jenkins
Guitar - Marcus Machado
Bass - Owen Biddle
Trumpet - Marion (OJ) Ross III
Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/1gdw6L...
Download on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/bui...
---------------------------------------------------
→ Like Universal Audio on Facebook: / universalaudioinc
→ Follow @uaudio on Instagram - / uaudio
→ Find @uaudio on Twitter: / uaudio
→ Subscribe to UA’s RU-vid Channel: / universalaudio
→ Learn more about Universal Audio - www.uaudio.com/
---------------------------------------------------
About The Universal Audio Apollo Artist Sessions
Ever wonder how award-winning producers and engineers use Universal Audio gear for multi-Platinum results? Universal Audio’s Apollo Artist Sessions reveal how the pros transform live tracking sessions into fully produced and polished records using UA Apollo interfaces and UAD plugins.
Watch the entire series of Apollo Artist Sessions and gain valuable production insights, witness exclusive behind the scenes footage, and break the barriers of what you thought was possible with an audio interface.
Click here to see all of the Apollo Artist Sessions:
u.audio/2KBhIsV
Learn more about award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins:
u.audio/2KGRnqm
Learn more about the award-winning Apollo Audio Interfaces:
u.audio/2z17T2Q
About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1958 by recording pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., and refounded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio is best known for its classic, hand-built analog hardware and advanced UAD Digital Signal Processing technology for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. Headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology, following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.”
©2018 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The "Universal Audio" name, UA "diamond" logo, “Apollo,” “Apollo Twin,” “UAD,” “Powered Plug-Ins,” and “UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins" are trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. *All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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30 май 2017

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Комментарии : 628

@dulla8469 4 года назад

ok HOLY SHIT, that technique giving the lead vocalist another mic routed to a track with delay and a bit of reverb to get that effect on the words he wants is FUCKING GENIUS, first time ive seen it in my life

@UniversalAudio 4 года назад

👍

@j.sherwoodowl4826 3 года назад

yeah same. I just watched Jamie's KEXP performance and he does it there too so it must be something he does as part of his looping / live performance set.

@Chris-vr8cd Год назад

yea mind blowing

@mateogala Год назад

@@UniversalAudio 👍🏻

@tcibeatrecords4707 Год назад

Pretty awesome way to capture those vocal tales. But I wonder which fx were use on the vocals.

@ManchesterMusic 7 лет назад

However people feel about the shootout, kudos to UA's marketing team for producing this clip and providing a slick, professional and reliable "shootout" themed video in response to the heaps of non-associated RU-vid reviewers who often fall short on providing a valid, professional 'shootout' of UAD's gear vs other companies software. So much misinformation and poorly produced content out there, it's refreshing to see something objective and also pretty scientific in its approach.

@BeauStephenson 5 лет назад

The amazing thing about this video is that it shows you how powerful software really is. For my own personal studio, I have an absolutely kickass tracking chain that is completely analog that I use to grab some tasty vocals, keys, bass, and guitars with. But then when I'm mixing, these plugins blow the lid off of it. Hybrid all the way for me. Analog gets me the big, fat, juicy, silky tones into the box, then the plugins open up creativity without limits. Match made in heaven if you ask me.

@BeauStephenson 5 лет назад

Also, with unison technology, I'll have a hardware preamp going into a software compressor for tracking all the time. The UAD2 LA2A plugin is AMAZING for this.

@simcHyt 5 лет назад

Hybrid rules :)

@allenlocke1935 3 года назад

Thanks for you're encouraging take! It gives me hope and may stave off jonesing for gear that's out of my reach.

@rafaelcarmany463 Год назад

I have been doing this for 50 years now - using every single piece of gear on this video and many more. I haven't used that exact same API but have and am currently using other API Desks. Yes - I am 100% into Hybrid. I've been recording to an iZ Radar system for 22 years. Fabulous sound. Then transfer to Digital Performer for using UAD Plug-Ins, etc and editing. I love going through the actual analog front end and then "Enhancing" tracks with UAD Plugs. I return processed tracks to Radar and mix back into Radar cuz the convertors are so good. I have some other very expensive convertors but when you "A-B" them to the Radar they do not stand up - not even close. Not just to my ears - but to several other people who have been in the industry and signed to Warner Bros. and other Labels for many decades.

@fullalbums5675 6 лет назад

I'm waiting for a plugin emulating apollo interface

@xaosnox 5 лет назад

Am I misunderstanding your comment, or isn't that what Apollo is? You want the plugins built in to the interface? That would be impractical, because they all use different impedance, so it's easier to just use the UAD Console.

@sinematrix 5 лет назад

@@xaosnox He's joking, but good one

@NicStride 4 года назад

@@xaosnox Gimme a native apollo plugin. :P

@Daminatovideo 4 года назад

LMAO, I bet it's coming....Factory Sound card input 3.5mm jack, sounds like 20k in channel strips.

@Axeyard 4 года назад

I'm waiting for a plug-in for my brain first, then my mind. Then I'll really have what Chomsky calls a mind/brain.

@hyperluminalreality1 5 лет назад

I really like that vocal technique with the effect mic in hand. Very impressive. Sweet result.

@deadscenedotcom 7 лет назад

I don't own any outboard hardware outside of mics. My entire rig is UAD. But to my ears, the real hardware reigns superior... by about 2-5% depending on source (could be due to tolerance differences of what is modeled). It has more beef, air, and dynamic quality. There are tricks to deal with this disparity, however, that I've discovered over time. And I have absolutely zero regrets about going all in with UAD. I appreciate the unflinching honesty of this comparison. I am a mastering engineer with a pristine listening environment. I doubt lay persons could tell the difference between these takes at all. It's a very subtle but not trivial disparity to analog purists. It takes scruples and great products to do something like this and come so remarkably close. Very impressive. UAD deserves to be extremely proud. I can't say I'm shocked to hear a difference, but I'm actually blown away that it isn't more apparent. Bravo!

@CrossbeatsMusicProduction 7 лет назад

deadscene.com Couldn't have said it better myself.

@Markpianist1 7 лет назад

2-5% is not much of a reign. Amazing that I can do this for over 10 times less in cost than the studio I used to work in during the 80's!

@deadscenedotcom 7 лет назад

No argument here. The latest synth emulations from Arturia, U-he, Korg, IK, etc. are about as good as these plugins respectively. Virtually speaking, I have a multi-million dollar studio in my laptop. I wouldn't dream of going back. But as a mastering engineer, I am forced to make up for the difference between analog and digital, which I'm happy to do.

@willb3698 7 лет назад

deadscene.com - yes it's that cumulative effect - all those tiny differences added together in a final mix. You are right tho - an incredible end result.

@deadscenedotcom 7 лет назад

Non-cumulative as well. I can hear it easily in stems.

@kieranhurley5872 7 лет назад

just goes to show you can get 95% of the sound for a few 1,000 but could spend 80,000 plus getting that final 5% of the fidelity

@Markpianist1 7 лет назад

Absolutely, Amazing!

@aaronmcgill 5 лет назад

But isn't it that last 5% that we love...

@analogdreamertheproducer4850 4 года назад

Kieran Hurley id rather spend 80k

@vincentsimeon5271 4 года назад

Yes but its 5% of the fidelity and so from "gear choices" that represent, AT BEST 10%, of the final product. The song, the musicians, their mood and "mojo" during the recording day, the arrangements, the performance, the room, the placement of musicians in the room, the mics placement, the instruments prep, the rec engineer (mood and "mojo" during the recording day too), the mix engineer, the mastering engineer (pretty sure he can undo the subtles differences here), the time you have for each step, etc ect. At the end of the day I can perfectly work without hardware that represent 0.5% at best of the final product. I don't say that there is no differences, just that I can perfectly obtain what i want without vintage harware. And for the comparison, never forget that two hardwares neve 1073 for exemple don't match 100% so... pointless IMO (this test is not even a blind one). Anyway, I can perfectly work without vintage plungins too :D

@NullStaticVoid 3 года назад

For most people I'd say that the 95% is more than good enough. It's only when really pushing the limits of an EQ, preamp or compressor that you can hear that extra 5%. For example, I own a LA610 and have the 610 plugin. The hardware unit can unequivocally take more level without crapping out. The plugin is limited by the fact that it has to digitize the signal and then do it's DSP. I can plow a line level signal into the LA610 and it will distort, but it's not digital distortion, it's tube and transformer saturation. This is an edge case scenario. But then so was close micing a bass drum at one point.

@hansimeyer707 7 лет назад

I have been waiting and hoping for a proper comparison like this one for years! Well done! Great emulations, no doubt!

@bobsykes 3 года назад

This comparison is a great! I first listened to it on a MacBook Pro 16" laptop. I was shocked that the vocal tracks came through as more forward and real over the laptop speakers in the analog gear recorded tracks than the DSP processed ones throughout the this entire test. Then I listed through an Apollo x6 Thunderbolt 3 interface, using Sennheiser HD 800S headphones and Cardas Clear headphone cable. The analog signal path still had more forward, punchy voices, but with less space and air. The DSP processed tracks had a more open sound, cleaner and more transparent highs, but they didn't put the vocal as much in your face as the analog recorded tracks. The most surprising thing for me was how much better the all of the vocals came through the laptop speakers with the all analog recording chain. Thank you for doing this.

@UniversalAudio 3 года назад

👍

@snapascrew 3 года назад

Man, I really wish they would have lied about all of the A/B examples then at the very end of the video revealed it was all backwards. Everyone says the neve hardware has more body. Sure. I can agree, but if you were lied to and thought that the neve clips were UAD and UAD clips were neve you’d be saying “the hardware was more clear and the plugin was muddy”. 🤣🤣🤣

@ZakiWasik 7 лет назад

I could only hear a distinct difference on vocals and guitar. I can't say one sounded definitively better than the other. It really just sounds like two vintage units each with their own sound signature. Amazing!

@bartni 5 лет назад

this makes me want to buy more hardware than plugins

@slimyelow 4 года назад

Funny, the exact same thought went through my tiny brain too.

@blvkqmusicgroup 4 года назад

@MrGreyjeep They def don't sound the same. Upgrade your speakers to monitors / or your ear is not ready to engineer.

@AFAProductionsstudio 4 года назад

I was thinking about the same thing lol

@DJShowbrack 4 года назад

BLVKQ MUSIC GROUP bruh i bet if u did a blind test you wouldnt be able to tell the difference. You like hardware, thats fine, but stop with the nonsensical geeky comments hahah

@NickAnanas 4 года назад

I agree we can hear two big differences in favour of the hardware, 1: the transients are amazing on Neve Preamp, 2) Higher frequency range. A bit more noise and openness with the hardware. The software is more presumed and fixed.

@theaudiocooker1444 3 года назад

I've listen back and forth quite a bit on this one through my Focal Twin6's so a reasonable monitoring system. Also ran some blind tests too. The hardware definitely has a lovely sheen to it that the plugins are missing. There's still a little bit of magic that's not been captured by the modelling process.

@HiredGoonage 8 месяцев назад

maybe, but can you hear it in the overall final mix/product?

@tcibeatrecords4707 3 месяца назад

On soloing the single tracks the analog sounded better. But listening to the entire song track i could not tell difference.

@j.sherwoodowl4826 3 года назад

my takeaway: if your musicians, room, and mics, and technique are amazing, not much else matters.

@jimmyw2802 5 лет назад

apollo is good but hardware is overall more natural and overall slightly brighter in some of the cases. but gear usually isnt the problem if youve got a solid recording and great inspirational ideas.

@adam872 6 лет назад

They both sounded good and pretty much the same to me. I'd be happy having the emulated versions in my rig.

@gearspace 7 лет назад

Jacquire King is about to do a Q+A on Gearslutz.com for two weeks - starting on June 5th. If you have any questions to ask him about this video or anything else it's a great opportunity to glean some knowledge from a master! Check it out - goo.gl/OXUcPg

@chaseleslie6506 5 лет назад

Everyone saying there is a 5% difference, and I am not shilling for UAD, I just don't see it. Try closing your eyes and see if you can tell when it switches. As an audio engineer with 15 years of experience, I would be hard pressed on a test. I could not say with a bit of honesty that I could tell you when the A/B changes without watching the screen. I could not tell more than a 2% difference, if that, to be quite honest. I can promise you spending years honing your craft and perfecting your skill, and zoning in on the requisite talent and creativity will make radical changes, 300% changes in your songwriting. Some kid with $700 worth of gear in the basement could outdo 98% of us if they have the talent & willpower.

@EnamAzed 5 лет назад

i agree with you 100%

@ughpoor 5 лет назад

Listen closely to the hi-hat in drum example @ 3:17 ...you can hear the plugins are slightly tinnier and the hardware is darker. With the vocals 4:45 you can hear when he says "paAAART of me" the hardware sound seems more defined, like theres a bigger dynamic range. Idk I'd still be very happy with these plugins.

@kodakeller6353 5 лет назад

MichaelRusso the funny thing is that you have to say “listen closely”. If you have to listen closely for a difference then that alone can easily justify not spending thousands on the gear. Also plugins are only going to get better and computers are only gonna get stronger. The future isn’t looking too great for gear my friend.

@ughpoor 5 лет назад

@@kodakeller6353 Keep your pants on, I didn't attack your soul. I'm saying listen closely for all the people who said they couldn't hear the difference. And did I not say that I would be happy with these plugins? Or are you just trying to argue? I also said that I'm no expert... but I can still hear the difference. I'm sure experts don't have to listen very closely to hear it at all.

@kodakeller6353 5 лет назад

MichaelRusso experts in what? You act like experts have super power ears or something.anyone can here the difference if you listen closely especially if ur listening loudly on good speakers. And listening on RU-vid isn’t gonna give either of these units much justice.

@THEKITPLUG 5 лет назад

To be fair, they did not use the exact hardware that the plugins were engineered from. Each hardware unit will have tolerance differences so obviously there will be difference with the plugins. Still amazingly close to accurate. Im completely sold on the Plugins.

@a1recordings 3 года назад

No comparison hard ware will forever beat soft ware

@johnbach2380 3 года назад

@@a1recordings eh. I have hardware. Never is a bit strong.

@orangemaniabrother2232 3 года назад

People think we live in a high tech computer simulation similar to the matrix, if that's true then hardware is actually software and should be easy to imitate lol

@dickhead9214 3 года назад

@@a1recordings you have no idea what you’re talking about. i use hardware and software. the accolades i’ve received are enough for me to know what you’re spouting off at the mouth is false. don’t listen to this guy

@jorgefrias7889 2 года назад

@@a1recordings Knowledge will always beat hardware

@Shawneverette 5 лет назад

The UAD is brighter and a little edgy compared to the hardware. Nothing that could not be fixed with eq. They both sound great.

@JMLRecording 6 лет назад

THIS is what all YT videos should be made like. So well done.

@ZenonMarko Год назад

Superb comparison. Fantastic musicians, arrangement, productions as well.

@angeloboltinimusic 7 лет назад

Came for the gear, stayed for the music!

@southpau 3 года назад

That shows you how much gear REALLY matters. If the song is great nobody cares. Give me a mackie mixer and some sm57s and I’ll make records all day! And i have LOTS of expensive gear that i don’t even use! I’ve Been using my slate mic over the u87 and m149 thats on the shelf!! Nobody has said a thing! 🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️

@rafbass 4 года назад

This video is fantastic. Every little part of it is amazing. The video quality, the audio quality, the music quality, the comparison quality. It's just perfect. Everything is perfect.

@UniversalAudio 4 года назад

😍

@nicholasmichael5268 5 лет назад

This is so close, I think any difference people hear are mostly to do with specific hardware imperfections and psychological factors. I'd like to see all these people saying they can definitely hear differences, do a blind test, two parts, one which you pick the clip you think is the hardware or plugin, and another where you pick your favourite.

@leosup722 4 года назад

if I win your blind test on macbook speakers, what do I win ?

@arioscos 3 года назад

Honestly I own an Apollo and have tried the plugins on my music. I tried them with a vocalist and I just couldnt get a full sound. Vocalist agreed. The sound was so thin. I thought I was doing something wrong. I bought some outboard gear to compare. It was the best choice Ive made. These are my conclusions: Cons: 1. UAD plugins have a long way to go. Especially their preamps. On external preamps even 30db of gain gets you a big fat effortless sound. Their preamps requires that you turn the gain to at least 60. At 55 to 60 db, you notice noise from the plugin 2. I would recommend fabfilter. Their plugins are not emulations but man are they amazing. Try them out. Better cost too. Pros 3. I would still get their Apollo interfaces. Overall their interfaces, assuming you are not using their plugins or built in preamp, will help you alot. The functionality, Specs, and performance of the unit is unique. 4. Their plugins are very hyped. But it is marketing that works for them.

@ezrashanti 3 года назад

@@arioscos I feel the opposite. Plugins are great and unloading the processing from the computer is a great bonus. Definitely not the most cost effective, but they're solid professional tools. Apollo's for me do not have a sound that can compete with other products in the same price range. However it is a good all in one solution for tracking in a home studio for some. I have had a couple and they were far from my favorite, but they do work and there's a lot of good things about the setup, without having to have a complex rack of gear for conversion and monitor mixes.

@renestjacques1 5 лет назад

Excellent review and musicianship .. thank you all .. merci .. and seasons greetings 2018 ..!!

@gbaren 7 лет назад

Both mixes sound great & the performances & musicianship were stellar. Groove SO in the pocket. Analog chain has just a touch more "juiciness" but emulation so close & has the clarity. Great stuff!!

@mrGood-84 7 лет назад

You can hear the difference in lo-end and lo-mid punch (especially on the drums) where hardware just has "more" than UAD but it's soooooo close that when you consider the price difference.... man, I'm so happy I'm on UAD platform :)

@lightafluident.9950 2 года назад

I'm happy I use hardware to track. For the price of the overpriced Apollo, u can have a decent interface, a dope mic pre, and an awesome compressor to track through.

@StarsoundStudios 6 лет назад

Great comparison. I have owned UAD plugins for years and are on all of my mixes!

@zerb 7 лет назад

THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO! please make more like this!

@xaosnox 5 лет назад

This video worked. It got me on the UAD train. I have to admit, I was a cautious convert, and I still think it really sucks that they give you the "Legacy" versions of the plugins when you buy the MkII hardware, but you just can't beat the new UAD stuff. The advantages over hardware outweigh any quality differences by a thousandfold, especially in today's world of lossy distribution. I've got world-class quality that fits on my desk. I can say one thing for sure, though. I'll never, EVER use their de-esser after listening to the videos they produce! Everything sounds so gorgeous-until there's an "s" in the voice over! Best de-esser ever made is donationware. Airwindows DeEss has replaced FabFilter Pro-DS as my "go to" de-esser. It's brilliantly done. Doesn't compress the frequencies. It smooths out the harsh waveforms of sibilance instead. I crank it up all the way, run all the processing on the vocals that add sibilance, then add just enough of the dry signal back to get a natural sound, and it sounds a million times better than any of these UAD videos!

@TomMontalk 5 лет назад

The differences people are hearing is mostly EQ related. I put a slight tilt EQ on the plugin samples and they're now almost indistinguishable from the hardware versions. Except for the background vocal clips, which were different performances with different levels, so what's chain versus what's performance is hard to say there.

@infinitonica2362 4 года назад

There is difference in EQ, but far superior transients with the analog stuff. Does the EQ experiements you did somehow help the transients?

@Markpianist1 7 лет назад

OK guys, just listened to this on my Genelecs. First off this is youtube but I have listened to the plugin vs hardware with these same units and it is hard to tell except when you overdrive, like on the bass into the 1176. Anyways the lead Vocal had more sizzle on the hardware than plugin but you know, another hardware unit may not. The background vocals the plugin had more warmth and more sizzle than the hardware. Everything else was identical. Very cool, glad I got an Apollo 8p. Love it!!

@simcHyt 5 лет назад

Everything sounds good on Genelecs lol

@legendfpv 4 года назад

Presonus Sceptre beats Genelec.

@majormoody 3 года назад

I agree about the bass compression. I think it was the DBX on bass though. A bit warmer in the hardware but no clear winner. The real win for hardware was the lead vocal for sure! More "space" all around in the analog but very similar character / behaviour in the plugs.

@allenlocke1935 3 года назад

@@legendfpv I hear those are good. But Ric Beato is still rocking his old Event 8" 20/20P's like me, though his are sporting two front bass ports where mine have only one. Just sayin'.

@ricardolima3418 7 лет назад

Jacquire, amazing producer and audio engineering! I love it. I've got an Apollo 16 and recommend it.

@AlwinMonteiro 7 лет назад

UAD, you guys are fantastic! I really want all your products! The only thing that I noticed different is the response of the transients in the top end and high mids are more pronounced in your emulation. It is steal having a great sound, but somehow it does not feet the original units and make it sound like having a very subtle difference in the low mids, but as I said it sound great as well and it definitely seems like original! Great job! :D

@peevee605 5 лет назад

This video was absolutely mindblowing. Thanks a lot!

@Swizzenator 4 года назад

Wish it was something else blowing.

@nafawi7965 5 месяцев назад

Those artists could perform into an iPhone and I’d love it! The artist mod is always the vintage I love. Well performed. Sounds great, All.

@florin1290 7 лет назад

You know guys and everybody knows that even Jacquire King, there will be difference between hardware and plugin forever, special when we talks about vintage hardware. But, we have to admit that, the plugins are very, very close with hardware and for us who don`t have a lot of money to spend in hardware equipment or travelers a lot its a huge help to come closer in sound and knowledge with the professionals. Thank you Universal Audio for this amazing unison technology !!!

@radio22king 4 года назад

OK The tonal flavor is similar. Yes the plugins sound like they are in the same family. But the hardware has more dynamic range for sure. More space and more depth. Unfortunately, the cost of hardware is prohibitive for most. Also, I just had an issue with my SPL Iron mastering compressor. They told me I had to ship it back to the UK where I bought it. About $1200.00 shipping and insurance not to mention all the customs papers etc...I could have got it repaired here in Las Vegas but they (SPL) wouldn't give the repair shop a schematic of the unit so I'm in a real mess. Plugins are starting to look really good at that point. There are a lot of really great sounding plugins and I'm sure in time, they will get even better. Plus the recall is priceless.

@UniversalAudio 4 года назад

Good summary! Solid logic.

@shane2973 3 года назад

Bobby...I am curious what the outcome of this repair scenario ended up being...also now that some time has passed I am curious if you have had a chance to try the Plugin Alliance Iron Comp...very interested in your opinion in comparison of the Hardware and the Plugin

@radio22king 3 года назад

@@shane2973 Hi Shane. The end is that no help was given to repair the issue. I had to sell it for much less then I paid for it. For an item that is not an easy buy for most people, I would have thought I would have received a little better resolve. I tried the plug in version and I have to say it is very close. The hardware on a complex mix sounds awesome compared to the plug in. I had a big band song I mixed with the hardware. 14 horns and 5 Rhythm plus vocals. A little more natural dynamic range on the hardware. Of course the plug in version has recall and that is invaluable when doing several different sessions. But I will conclude that if the customer service from SPL was how it should be, I would still have the hardware version.

@petermiao8970 7 лет назад

I'm a longtime fan and user of UAD software plug-ins and have spent quite a lot of money on them in the last several years. Having said that, this video is the greatest promotional ad for hardware equipment that I've ever heard.

@lightafluident.9950 2 года назад

All the money you spent on UAD you could have probably had some decent hardware pieces to run in conjunction with your DAW.

@milanpolak 7 лет назад

great video, great job UAD!

@stephenwally5337 7 лет назад

IMHO, I love how the hardware interprets the sound. They sparkle much more.

@briang6868 7 лет назад

Excellent video we'd love to see you do other A/ B comparisons between hardware and software versions of SSL, Manley, Summit TLA 100, and other UA products

@DjLeoZero 2 года назад

Fantastic to see this in action - I can hear the slight difference in cohesion and fluidity in the hardware..... but then stick some tape emulation in the mix on top of the UAD plug-in tracked version and I can deal with all that and get to a more live / organic sound again.... so in-the-box wins.... once you have a decent tool kit of plugs to get you where you want to be with an aproximation of the analog sound - you're good..... the speed at which you can move and record musicians with the plug-ins keeps the session fresh and you get the best out of the musicians..... messing about with temperamental hardware and patch bay leads is a buzz-kill for the session people.... I did my first session yesterday since watching this video, and more unison pre-amp tutorials and the results were maazing. I was recording live congas, and went in really hot into a 1084 unison pre.... recording straight through it and printing the results.... the sound quality was INCREDIBLE.... I had few mic options but the good old 57 killed it and really sang through the Neve pre-amp.... I'm off to upgrade my Apollo for more DSP today!..... keep up the amazing work UAD...... I've used UAD plugs across 15+ years of remixes for Dua Lipa, Madonna, Lou Reed & David Bowie, Paul Weller, etc.etc. and the more I learn the more I'm committed to working with your products even more. Keep up the amazing work and all the extra tutorials that go with the products - they make all the difference.

@UniversalAudio 2 года назад

👍🏻

@ramonkey2939 6 лет назад

Very nice can’t wait to get started

@johnglenn4433 4 года назад

It seems like a small margin to many, but over the width of a mix you really start to hear that 1-2% difference multiplied by the number of tracks.It's particularly noticeable in terms of depth and 3 dimensionality. Were going to get to a point that kids are going to record with a $99 mic into emulations and auto-tune everything because they cant sing on pitch and have n voice training or mic technique and get programs to pick musical chords for them because they cant read or write music... Wait! We're already there!!!

@themelodyexperiment 5 лет назад

Great work guys.

@UniversalAudio 5 лет назад

Thanks Billy!

@CS-xi9dz 4 года назад

Software is definitely making great strides. Just the other day I was on my laptop checking out the Nord Grand samples..My wife commented on how beautiful the sound of the white grand was without knowing it was virtual. Impressive how everything is improving.

@tuneunleashed 2 года назад

It has nothing on the Hardware White Grand

@msphawaii6444 3 года назад

This is an easy comparison test maybe one of the more obvious versions to hear a difference. My opinion - the analog has tone and soul. The digital sounds like digital, lots of bits trying to figure out its algorithm to appear alive. I believe that is why analog is still alive and well. Using a combination of both analog and digital worlds with professional products and engineering skills whether vintage or modern can give a very professional sounding product that can stand up to time to an ever evolving market. It starts at the source - passion, good talent, good song and good gear. Thanks API for the 500 series rack idea.

@ooglek 4 года назад

The bass line didn't sound the same to me. It sounded like there was some clipping on the DSP track... anyone else hear the same? The audio track too, but I feel like I should listen to a double-blind track so I'm not biased. The backup audio track was spot on. Put all together, they are pretty much indistinguishable. Impressive!

@louderthangod 7 лет назад

For me it's not about sounding the same but can it get me to where I can dial in the plugin to places where I'm just as happy for the same types of tones. If I can't get great tones with the UAD then that's on me and not the plugins.

@t.farris1755 4 года назад

This version seems to have a different feel from the released version. I love this version. Wish I could purchase this version if there was one.

@HellfireBeats 7 лет назад

Hardware is definitely beefier and warmer, but without seeing the visual cues in the video, I doubt most would be able to tell the difference. For the price UAD is a steal either way!!!

@genesisnkaidence8519 6 лет назад

Hellfire Beats EXACTLY

@Luigi1984 6 лет назад

i'm ok with that !

@HansBaier 6 лет назад

I went the other route: Got an Alctron 500 series channel strip and a RME interface. Real hardware which won't expire on os software or computer interface updates, for the price less than a UAD plugin. Actually the UAD Neve emulation is twice as expensive as the Alctron clone for $150. Will be very long lasting, since RME has up to date drivers for their interfaces now almost 20 years old.

@reddvest 5 лет назад

My brother!!! Whats good man? Ive worked on hardware and software and I can't say its a "definite" kind of thing here. Get 4 engineers/producers in your studio and play this for them without them knowing and you will get mixed results.

@rt-uh6mt 5 лет назад

@@HansBaier if you pick up the UAD Neve during the holiday bundle sale it can be less than $100. That said I do use a Warm Audio hardware pre too but UAD is rock solid, both in performance and sound quality, never had any OS or update problems. Even something as simple as their brigade chorus pedal plugin, it honestly sounds to me so much better than any stock or free chorus plugin I compared it to. UAD hardware isn't cheap but depending on how you look at it, it's not bad either, you can get a Lexicon 480L on ebay for $4000 or get the UAD emulation for about $100, again during the bundle sales.

@willyyimable 5 лет назад

Seems very attractive a piece of gear and very valuable !

@bayboymusic1 7 лет назад

My next hardware purchase will be Universal Audio. Great!

@n3crobard 5 лет назад

Something extra powerful about the UAD platform here that perhaps is missing is the speed of mix and matching processing chains, and in some cases also the benefits of unique features on the plugins that aren't available on the hardware (or would require some mod work). While there were some discernible differences, I actually liked UAD better than the HW on a few of the shootouts.

@JackLove 6 лет назад

Hardware is hardware u can't get same quality just with plugins, i felt the difference and loved hardware,but close enough UAD.

@user-kg8gg1jf8n 3 года назад

UAD is unique, the same quality

@ErazedFX 7 лет назад

Sounds so good !

@richardaylward70 7 лет назад

For me, the biggest difference was the OH bleed on the vox track. The mix track comparison was stunning and, if I had to pick a personal favorite, I'd pick the software.

@jorgefrias7889 7 лет назад

We live in great times. This was not possible just a decade ago. Yes I understand that the hardware versions have the extra 3% in harmonics and headroom but even that can be argued since its all about taste and opinion. I work in a studio with a plethora of hardware, I do like the hardware versions better but to be honest the average listener will never be able to tell these minute differences. I gave the blind listening test to all my siblings and the results were all over the place. In fact some of them chose the software over the hardware. Realistically hardware isn't going to turn a crappy song into a gem. Most people that dwell over gear just lack skill. There's a reason engineers such as Andrew Scheps are moving to the digital domain. Well done UAD. Now please for UAD 3 we need better processors, your new plugins sound amazing but they smoke the processors out of the water.

@simcHyt 5 лет назад

It really makes the vocals so much tastier, can tell by listening on 10€ earbuds. As a beginner audio engineer, mixing hip hop where the vocal is crucial, you will never get a great sounding recording of it without some real compression before it.

@simcHyt 5 лет назад

Stock DAW compressors do the thing of correcting the imperfections of already compressed recorded signal just fine for me. The reason why some vintage gear was so popular is because people loved working with it, not only because of the sound. That communication between a compressor and an engineer, looking at the needle jumping and listening to the reality of what is happening electrically inside that box... Nothing can really replace that. We all know that, why am I writing this, it's late

@snapascrew 3 года назад

The separate mic for the vocalists own delay send pushes is awesome haha

@UniversalAudio 3 года назад

Clever, huh??!!!

@MCCABEWORLD Год назад

UAD are the best in the Game! I love my Apollo & Plugins👏🏽😎 just a flawless Sound

@urigeheadmot1196 5 лет назад

Those drums are so good

@shane2973 5 лет назад

This great even almost 2 years later. Something I found interesting about this entire process, I'm not sure if most people caught, is that the hardware was used to "match" the software and not the other way around. This leaves an interesting question...was the software essentially the best it can be where the hardware may possibly sound even better? I don't know the answer to that because I do not own UA plugs or original Vintage gear. All that said I think UA sounded good and Software has really come a long way from the early days, for me anyway, of talking with Steinberg about Cubase 3.5 on a windows 95 machine and having them say "This will NOT sound like a $100,000 2" Tape machine" Pretty awesome stuff!

@kevindietz6470 7 лет назад

On the drums, I feel like I noticed slightly more clarity from the hardware than the plugins (very minimal amount, almost negligible). On the bass, I preferred the sound of the plugin chain, it seemed tighter and punchier. On the vocals, I noticed more presence from the hardware, but knowing the UAD 1073 sound well, I’d say that could be easily compensated for with a little top-end EQ boost on the plugin. Guitars, I liked the plugin chain better, more clarity and sparkle. BG Vocals, I’m 50/50. Interesting to hear the A/B of all the tracks! I think the plugin chains might have the edge, save for the lead vocal, as Michael Bustamante mentioned earlier. Like Jaquire mentions in the video, and it’s an important point; no two hardware modules sound exactly alike (especially vintage Neve gear!) which could account for some differences. Great video, great comparisons!

@StereoAnthony 7 лет назад

Pretty much agree with everything!

@365daysofsongarchive6 7 лет назад

Thank you so much for this video. I too can hear a bit of a difference on the low end, but dude..... it's so subtle and IMO not worth the extra money. I'd rather spend those extra thousands on promoting/touring the record that was recorded with the Apollos. Killer track Jamie, band and Jacquire!

@betteroffdead79 Год назад

Difference is there, but subtle. Point is that with this kind of simple music and with very good performance and sound from the band, you just need to gently touch the source - try to mix some more dense genre, and now you'll see how analog can handle so much better the mix. Plugins are very good when you don't push them too much, the big difference comes out when you push things...anyway, UAD are among the best plugins around for sure.

@ericlee5935 5 лет назад

on calibrated headphones with sonarworks, the difference is very subtle in some cases and quite obvious in others however in the context of the mix the uad stands very good to the hardware, love them

@JeraCravoMyself 7 лет назад

Great video! Great input from King great music. We are in the threshold where buying new outboard will become "obsolete" to the biggest amount of small studio/home recording setups. Yes, of course there is a difference, but is it worth the price?

@ElectroMusicBattle 7 лет назад

if i had to describe the analog vs digital sound in the final mix its like in the digital version the borders of the elements are hitting hard on each other, like big walls hit together. In the analog mix the elements sound more like they have a fog around them. this leads to a more glued mix in my opinion :).

@henriquenicolau 4 года назад

UAD plugs are very very very good and do wonders. But hardware has that hidden magic that our ears capture and somehow makes us feel better. My opinion: drums- hardware handles the transients better making it more even and smoother lead vocals- almost the same... his voice would sound good through a 10$ phone mic anyway... hard to say. bass - hardware makes it wider and 3dish filling . the ending mix sound a bit bigger. guitar- hardware puts some maple syrup on the waffle . bg vocas - the texture is more pleasant on hardware . the long notes gives the uad away. Congratulations to those who worked to do this comparison.

@JoshFryer 6 лет назад

Jamie Lidell never lets me down. The UA stuff was aight too! 🤣

@GuillermoElAlfil Год назад

All sound great with this good musicians

@harveyspecterdj6661 10 месяцев назад

Damn that is VERY close! The most significant difference to me is the kick. That does have a tad more oomph on the hardware chain but I'm sure that's a matter of EQ. But honestly? I'm impressed! Very!

@nicktestajr 3 года назад

This is mind blowing. Yeah the hardware sound better but the margin is so slim. I bet you find that much difference between hardware units. This sold me. It might take a while but an Apollo is for sure going to be my next interface.

@UniversalAudio 3 года назад

Exactly.

@toddcarpenter4233 7 лет назад

Ill take the hardware any day.. until i get 800k I suppose my twin will have to do , heh

@15kstudios 7 лет назад

Amazeballs! Very similar, with UAD being a bit cleaner. Depends on what sound your after at the end of the day.

@CrossbeatsMusicProduction 7 лет назад

Its great that UAD stood up to this challenge. There is a difference but it definitely depends if you can afford to pay the difference to.

@theglovefactory 7 лет назад

This is an advertisement paid for by UA. They didn't get challenged. They'd paid for it.

@CrossbeatsMusicProduction 7 лет назад

Jeremy Glover I know its an advertisement by UA :) when I say challenged I mean they had no real chance of beating the hardware but they at least showed the example and got a little closer then one would expect.

@andreasoberholz 7 лет назад

Its maybe a good idea to provide people with some level matched AB files because of the YT audio compression. In the video its close but someone has to do his own real world test. I still love hardware because of its real knobs.

@andreasoberholz 7 лет назад

Mh this website shows an XML Error Code...

@fuzzupuzzu 7 лет назад

im going to check this out today... Im only wondering... how much the fact that this is a compressed youtube video will make a difference for the comparison

@billymack4258 5 лет назад

Sounded awesome!! What uad reverbs, delays and eq were used on the lead vocal mix ? Could you please explain why was the second mic was used for this and was the reverb effects tracked live? Thanks.

@tomwalshmusic 7 лет назад

Does anyone know what device the engineer will have used to split the signal into the two sources. Aka, how would he split one microphone to the UA system AND the analogue preamps? Is it a microphone splitter? Active or passive?

@hugohasselblad4890 3 года назад

I prefer the plugins, more tighter sound. Especially the drums. Both are great.

@UniversalAudio 3 года назад

👍

@TheSteveKinney 5 лет назад

massive difference on bass, guitar, and vocals. .. the background vocals sounded pretty damn good though.

@ferncabral1661 6 лет назад

The very fact that many world renowned mixing engineers and musicians actually choose to use UAD plugins along with the Apollo interfaces( Twin, 16, etc...) in their own studios and mobile rigs , speaks volumes . I am not paid or endorsed by UAD either. I just own an Apollo Twin with a ton of UAD plug ins, a very nice pair of Sony Professional Headphones and some great neutral studio monitors. I like what I hear. When I was originally looking into what type of interfaces (and the best also) that I could find to work with my DAW, UAD stood out and when I saw all of the professionals that were using UAD's interfaces and plugins , it greatly influenced my decision. As a matter of fact , it sealed the deal. I thought that if its good enough for all of these iconic industry professionals, it should certainly be good enough for me. I believe that currently, its the best that money can buy , without having to mortgage your house and that getting to work and actually making "the music" , soundtrack or that "next hit song", is whats most important above anything else. With the use of the current UAD platform, it appears to be getting sound recording and mixing to the point that most listeners can't really tell the difference most (maybe all) of the time. I've listened to many major releases from the distant (and even not too distant) past, that pale in comparison to what you can hear produced with this modern platform. I like this quote and it applies to many things : "Done is better than perfect"

@dspoet1 5 лет назад

Fern Cabral Real talk. Totally agree.

@BlackenedNL 6 лет назад

Great video

@ytb917 5 лет назад

this is the kind of demo legends are made of. those comps were astonishingly similar on un-amazing headphones. i'd like to hear these comps on better playback gear.

@offslip9093 4 года назад

What you heard on your un-amazing headphones is pretty much what 99% of the population would be listening to. So, if they sound similar to you, the majority of the buying public too would not notice the different:). UAD wins all day, on price, reliability and the number of instances you can run of a Fairchild 670 compressor in your session ;-).

@steveg219 7 лет назад

They sounded pretty identical most of the time, in some cases I actually preferred the plug-ins

@dspoet1 7 месяцев назад

I wonder if the results would be closer with the Apollo X series rack mount interfaces.

@armenshaverdian7632 7 лет назад

I have two of UAD's amazing devices and Im really happy with the sound. I only wish the dsp was enough to use more plugins and didnt have to buy a separate satellite

@RAFOmx 4 года назад

Wow, me encanto el video

@tommyradband4069 6 лет назад

I would say that deadscene's comment is 'right on.' More like 2% at the highest difference. I have been using Apollos since day one of their availability, with vintage hardware UA 610 preamps, LA-2A compressors, and Pultec EQs. The hardware is simply awesome, the UAD plugings are just as fantastic. I simply can't tell the difference except on very clean guitar, chello, and violins. Which, are not that readily used in rock 'n roll, etc...So, I am a very happy camper with a professional, album quality recording studio at home. My recordings sound as good as anything on the radio, go figure, GO UA! 38 year musician, sound engineer.

@rt-uh6mt 5 лет назад

Wow. That double mic technique 0:20 with one of them really wet on the reverb is a really cool idea. Definitely going to try that trick. As far as the sound quality it's very very close. Sometimes I think I can here a slight difference but not sure if it's just in my head. Listening on ATH40x headphones. Maybe on high end monitors you might notice more of a difference?

@UniversalAudio 5 лет назад

That is a cool one!

@Swizzenator 4 года назад

@@UniversalAudio Really? Google automation.

@AlexSolano 7 лет назад

Above and Beyond...!

@LipHop22 6 лет назад

The hardware has more of that oomph and girth at the low end but the plugins still sound amazing to me. Ready for my twin DUO oh, and killa music here!

@dspoet1 5 лет назад

Aye. For the simple fact you can use an UAD interface and plugins to come close to the outboard gear is amazing. Think about how he paid for his studio. For less than $3500, I can get the new Apollo 6x (16 plugins included) plus 10 other plugins. I have a friend who spent over $200k to build a professional studio. He said if he had to start over, he would get a UAD Apollo Interface with the 95 plugins. That says a whole lot. For me, I already have the first generation Apollo Twin Solo. Soon I will be upgrading to new Apollo 6x with the 10 plugin pack and chain it to my Solo. I do hip-hop and spoken word. Sometimes I record my vocals at my friend’s pro studio ($40hr) and at home when I don’t fill like paying $40hr. Most of my beats come already mixed, if I don’t like the mix, I get the raw stems and mix the beat myself using mostly UAD plugins that came bundled with my Twin Solo. Thanks UAD for making mixing in the box so good and affordable for us home studio owners.

@beedslolkuntus2070 4 года назад

THIS IS WHAT I WAS FINDING FOR? LOOK HOW DUMB COSTLY THE HARDWARE ARE!!!

@CesarBenzoni 4 года назад

Both sound great, the comparison is great and honest, everyone chooses whatever suits the work or the budget better and the rest is bla bla bla

@joek2904 Год назад

Are there any Apollo walk throughs for modern metal? What are some go to signal chains with pre amps, eq and compression? How hard should preamps be pushed?