New UAD-1 user/sucker

Ben wrote on 12/26/2004, 9:54 AM

I've just taken ownership of a UAD card, to use with Vegas 5. I had my finger's crossed that I wouldn't run into the problems at least most of you seem to have with Vegas... but of couse I have done!

The CPU munching is there most of the time, although bizarrely it doesn't seem to happen on all projects, even when I'm pushing high DSP usage of the card at 90% plus. But, when it does, it's a nightmare. Can't work out as yet what seems to trigger the munching, if anything. (Btw, it's interesting that when chaining the plugs together in Sound Forge, the CPU munching problem does not manifest itself).

Other issues:

- Often I'll get some nasty crackles and glitches when starting playback when I have some UAD plugs as inserts. Really distracting when trying to edit.

- I think I remember Pipeline mentioning this one. With certain UAD plugs as track inserts (I think the Pultec and LA2A) and then a UAD reverb (or I guess whatever?) as an assignable effect, sending that track to that effect you get a 'Buffer Mismatch' error. Every time.

- You can't use the UAD plugs after Waves plugs on a track. Again, get a 'Buffer Mismatch'. Known issue I know, but very annoying. Unacceptable in my opinion. Obviously this one is not a Sony issue.

I really want to know what the deal is here - are they genuinely issues with Vegas, or are the plugs/drivers poorly written by UA? I guess in UA's defence, it seems Vegas is now the only the app to really have the CPU munching problem, as far as I know. Has one party blamed the other? I really do think it would be in everyone's interest for UA and Sony to actually talk to each other and get this resolved!

On a side note, although the plugins sound pretty good, I'm really not convinced they are up to the 'oh my God, they have changed my life' level the evangelists spout on the UAD forums. In fact in many instances I think I might prefer Waves.

Be good to hear some opinions on how we can get these issues resolved. Has anyone actually spoken to Sony about it, on or off-forum?

Ben

Comments

PipelineAudio wrote on 12/26/2004, 3:31 PM

the problem is that UA dont have DX drivers, among other things

Are you getting any solo/unsolo or mute/unmute crashes when using the UAD-1?

bgc wrote on 12/26/2004, 7:04 PM

I've got two UAD-1 cards and, while they will get the CPU munching problem when hit hard when using the DX version of plugins, they're rock solid in Vegas and Acid for me.
If you're getting clicking and popping try moving the card to another PCI slot.
The cards are very sensitive to IRQ conflict and these can be tricky an troublesome to figure out. Check your system settings and see what, if any, other devices share IRQs with the UAD-1.
As Sony hopefully moves to VST support for Vegas (as they have done with Acid 5) the CPU munching issues will go away.

As for the "oh my god" sound quality of the UAD, it exists and is amazing.
I can't imagine working with out the 1176, the LA2a, the Fairchild and the Pultec. They really sound like the real deal and, like the real deal, have to be used on the right instruments for their character to be appreciated.

1176: Guitars and vox.
LA2A: Bass
Fairchild: Master buss (but you have to know the secrets and I won't share ;)
Pultec: 10K and 12K "air".

I recently mastered a track with a grammy winner mastering engineer who I've worked with before and he immediately asked me about the mix and how solid the bottom was and how great the presence was. It was the UAD.

It can be a fickle piece of gear to get to work properly (I moved my cards to every possible PCI slot comibination to get them to be nice) but it's really worth the effort.
B.

Studio_de_Lara wrote on 12/27/2004, 7:51 AM

I really hope Sony fixes the buffer issue. Vegas sounds very very good and I love the workflow.
Regards,
Rich

Ben wrote on 1/13/2005, 6:48 AM

Pipeline - I don't seem to get solo/unsolo/mute crashes when using the UAD, but if done while playing back I do get some nasty buzzes and a buffer mismatch error being thrown up.

BCG - no IRQ conflicts here. The major clicks and gapping upon starting playback seem to be when I'm using the Pultec.

I agree the card does sound good, but for me until Sony give us VST implementation in Vegas (if indeed this will fully fix the problem), I find it hard to use them as much as I'd like as my editing is severely hampered by the above problems.

Ben

bgc wrote on 1/13/2005, 9:19 PM

Ben -
Have you gone to the chrismilne uad forum? it may help.
you may also want to try moving the card to different PCI slots, even if you don't have irq conflicts.
you should also contact their technical support to help with buffer settings.
the card is not the simplest to get to work correctly - it can take time - but can work wonderfully with Vegas and Acid.

Rednroll wrote on 1/16/2005, 11:41 AM

"the card is not the simplest to get to work correctly - it can take time"

I've used the real deal as far as Pultecs, LA2A's, and 1176's. While I think they are definately good pieces of gear and I really use to love running a bass guitar through the pultec to give it some low-end growl, my current mix setup is without them. I can't say I'm suffering too much without them. I would entertain the idea of picking up one of the UAD-1's, but hell if I'm going to jump through all the hoops to get them working properly. If your designing the hardware and software drivers for this stuff and can't get it running smoothly on most systems out there, then it doesn't sound like a piece of gear I'm willing to take a risk in. If the thing isn't running smoothly in DX, which is native to the Windows OS and runs better with VST, then f***k it, UAD can't write software.

bgc wrote on 1/16/2005, 1:47 PM

Hey Red, I thought you permanently left the Vegas forum last year ;)
Well, it's good to have you back anyway.

By time I mean about half an hour making sure that you don't have IRQ conflicts and if you do, moving the card to a different slot. My cards are working very well in Sony products and the "trouble" wasnt any greater than what I've gone through trying to get audio software to work properly.

I can understand people being wary, I'm just trying to let people know my experience is very positive and that I can't imagine not having the plugins in my arsenal. To each their own.

Peace,
B.