ANALOG vs DIGITAL PREAMPS | Warm Audio WA73 VS Universal Audio Neve 1073 Unison

Comparing the Warm Audio WA73 Analogue Preamp against the Universal Audio Neve 1073 Unison Preamp Plugin. Analog Vs Digital preamps.
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#WA73Preamp #Neve1073 #UnisonPreamps.
*CORRECTION*: WA73 runs at 1200Ohms. Tone button changes the circuit to 300Ohms.
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This channel is dedicated to educational home studio music production content. Stay tuned for gear reviews, comparison videos - always with audio examples and interviews with top London musicians and producers. I will be sharing tips and techniques on all things recording, home studio production, Logic Pro X and UAD's LUNA.
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[@EdThorne]

Watch the unboxing and first test of the WA73 preamp and WA2A compressor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boWUpauVaK2DgJY See how I set up my vocal recording signal chain and compressor as an insert here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpaXfXefrdifrKs Compare the WA2A Opto Compressor with the UAD LA2A Plugin here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noK6cmSups6pkMU

[@JSmash-]

I own both, did a couple hours worth of shootouts. The winning combo was using them both at the same time, believe it or not. I keep the uad a 0db gain but it def adds something nice to my ears.

[@EdThorne]

J Smash Ah balls, I should have done that in the video 🤣 Great idea.

[@davidber]

You genius!!!

[@Gang-25j]

@@davidberthat is definitely not..just a waste of time

[@davidber]

@@Gang-25j how come? It actually worked great for me. I do notice a big difference. If it doesn’t for you, it might be the EQ is not properly setup.

[@mrmorpheus9707]

So you..preamped your pre amp? Huh

[@tom_k_d]

Thanks for this accurate comparison - I'm surprised analogue hardware is still so much better sounding: To my ears the difference was significant. And the WA73 is not even one of the high-end, expensive 1073 clones (BAE, AMS), but actually quite affordable.

[@EdThorne]

It's great for the money. A great way to learn analog.

[@oompapompaa6543]

Isn't AMS actual Neves since they bought the company?

[@matthewtrenhaile1176]

@@oompapompaa6543no, Rupert neve designs is now the actual neve not ams neve

[@mainlymusicman]

not high end? it was 900 dollars for one channel

[@tom_k_d]

@@mainlymusicman Less than 50% of the AMS Neve offering with EQ included, though... As I generally don't like to print EQ during recording, I got the AMS 1073DPA meanwhile (2x pre only), and can recommend it.

[@andrewwhitehouse1878]

Initially I felt like the warm was more harsh and brittle than the UAD, but ultimately in the un-processed tracks I think they're both close enough. In the final processed version in the mix I much preferred the Warm, thanks for doing this!

[@EdThorne]

You're welcome Andrew, thanks for watching.

[@kingdan6776]

I think the plugin works well enough if you have extra plugins to add more warmth to replicate analog sound

[@YARDMANMX]

Yes maybe it he push the imput a bit harder

[@k_watts]

I can hear the saturation on the WA73. However, they both sound great.

[@gastonsantos258]

digital plugins sound great on solo, but when you mix more than 10 tracks, you will find out why hardware is the best way to achieve fine sound.

[@southpau]

This isn’t quite accurate. I’ve done many songs with 100+ vocal tracks using uad unison and it sounds amazing to the point where my avalon737, api3124, vintech x73’s, etc have sat turned off for a while.

[@pluginsaccount2566]

Lol okay.

[@wernerotti6712]

The difference is negligible, especially in the final mix - I have a UA 6176 and a BAE 1073 in my studio - I mostly use my Brauner VMX or the Shure SM7 B microphones and now I mostly only use the Unison preamp plug-ins, I think the time has come - the differences are getting smaller and smaller and not audible for the consumer .... but as always, it's a matter of opinion! Thanks for the contribution! Thumbs up !

[@EdThorne]

The gap is definitely closing, you’re right. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂

[@mikaelrose8638]

So you’re saying that we don’t need a preamp? It’s probably the only piece of hardware really essential in the hardware chain. I really can hear the differences btw.

[@drillgirl718]

nah bro, thats where u wrong, the consumer will FEEL the difference too, which will enhance their experience, and have a higher rate at getting the consumer to replay your music or add it to their playlist, the plugins sound too thin and always muddy up the source... come on bruh.. u know better

[@KeenApollo]

@@drillgirl718 so how are so many off these rappers like Dababy etc blowing up off using a u87 going straight into a apollo twin. I mean Yea it matters to us but the average person doesn't care as long as the record is mixed enough to enjoy no one will care if you ran your mic through a neve preamp and tubetech compressor like I said mfs are making hits songs with just a apollo post malone another example c800 straight into the apollo.

[@jarredbaca8112]

@@KeenApollo I mean the c800 is a 10,000 dollar tube mic 🎙… lol but yeah, the plugins are great. Hardware is still superior, but what people should think about is if it’s worth the extra cost or not compared to the plugins. To most, it won’t be worth it, but to me I think it is! The plugins simply don’t go through various transformers and tubes that some outboard gear offers. All the Apollo interface does is change impedance and it emulates that to its best ability, but it will never be spot on, and that’s just basic physics. However, the plugins are more than good enough for mixing records, and anyone who says otherwise is completely incorrect! As long as you have a good ear you can get by with what you have for the most part. “Don’t get lost in the sauce” is always a good saying to live by, but I just love what outboard gear does to sound lol if you have the cash for them I think it’s totally worth it

[@boom_shak]

This comparison was exactly what i was looking for! Exellent! The UAD PlugIn really hurts my ears compared to the WA Hardware, maybe the KZbin compression did the rest...but man this a huge difference in sound! Thanks for sharing.

[@EdThorne]

You’re welcome. More analog Vs plugin content coming in the new year (mostly 500 series related with Plugin Doctor measurements where possible)!🔥

[@artbremer4076]

I own both. Must admit, WA 273 EQ pre has unmistakably warmer and balanced sound. Frequencies are more controlled . More importantly, my hardware unit added this 3D dimensional quality to the sound. Like it has more depth and body - sounds like a commercial music on a radio station. UAD is really good. But no depth and 3d qualities .

[@EdThorne]

Art Bremer This is a fair assessment. Have you got any other WA hardware/mics?

[@artbremer4076]

@@EdThorne No, I don't have WA mics. I own WA-273 EQ pre but thinking about buying their 2A and Pultec series, too. However a few months ago, I bought this one mic that caused a lot of rumble on KZbin music community. Stellar X2 Vintage by TZ Audio Products. Wow, 250$ sound like 1000+$. Made in California, these mics worth a review on your channel. You'll be amazed of the sound quality of these mics.

[@EdThorne]

Art Bremer Oh wicked. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check them out. I’m really liking my WA76 compressor, it’s definitely more suitable for vocal tracking (for me at least) than the 2A. Quite fancy a Pultec too but I’ve run out of rack space now 🤣

[@KenLasaine]

I use a WA273eq on mic'd guitars all the time. I also use the UA 1073 plugin. I certainly don't have 'golden ears' but I can't tell the difference. I have used the real thing many times in the past and both the plug and the WarmAudio pretty much work and sound the way I remember the real ones working and sounding. Any discrepancy or differences are only as negligible as any two real ones off the line. *I use the WA to save some dsp while I track and also because sometimes it's just easier and faster to reach over and turn a knob. Great video! All your vids are super helpful. Thanks!

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Ken, I’m glad they’re useful 🙂 One thing I should have done in the video was to go through both - the WA into the 1073. Maybe next time 🤣

[@StephenSpelman]

Another super video. Thanks. And I’m still enjoying using my WA73EQ with my WA-2A in insert mode, as you demonstrated so well in two earlier videos! Thanks again!

[@EdThorne]

Stephen Spelman Thats great, Steven. Thanks for the updating and watching this video 🙂

[@downcode]

Damn the last examples with music are DRASTICALLY different :O

[@freelancer8822]

I have both, and although the hardware does sound marginally better than the plugin the cheap quality of my Warm hardware vs outlay over plugin convenience is a consideration. One unit with crackling switches, cheap wobbly pots and brittle top eq vs multiple noise free plugins with comparable sound at one tenth the price is a no brainer!

[@EdThorne]

Yeh the EQ on the WA73EQ isn’t great. As a preamp I like it - above 120Hz, it does strange things to the low end.

[@baytenbaby]

much more defined and weighty with the warm pre - just pulled the plug on 4 of them!

[@EdThorne]

Excellent!

[@alexcarey6569]

There’s something funky going on in your full mix comparison: the vocals are clearly louder in the hardware clip, and the bus meter is only half the level of the previous examples.

[@EdThorne]

Pay closer attention, and you’ll see that I’m activating the reverb buss which is flipping the master channel fader to the reverb bus fader, which, as you’ve spotted, is significantly quieter.

[@alexcarey6569]

@@EdThorne Point taken.

[@riktascale4]

Great job. There IS a noticeable difference of course. I have UAD but I like very much the hardware tone here.

[@EdThorne]

I feel the WA provides a depth of sound plugins can't capture.

[@Cryovile]

Preamp hardware and software aren't directly comparable. In the plugin version you are basically using it as line driver for saturation. The hardware is responsible for the initial capture of the sound, which includes the clarity and transient response. The hardware can also be pushed harder than the plugin without causing horrible things happening in the high end (aliasing or odd harshness)

[@EdThorne]

Aliasing is a sample rate issue, not an input gain issue.

[@Cryovile]

@@EdThorne I know, I should have mentioned it as a separate thing.

[@EdThorne]

@@Cryovile 🙂

[@manuelleivatalledo615]

Incorrect, have you heard about the UNISON technology? it covers that issue, it makes the actual physical pre of the apollo behave the same way as the emulated hardware at the preamp stage, not digitally after!

[@Airto]

This comparison is from a while back. But to me listening to it where the mix comes in is where the warm wins. Just has that little more weight to it.

[@alfanan]

Great Video Ed as always - I haven't tried the UA plug ins myself, but from my own experience I find the Warm Audio signal chain (I have pretty much the exact chain as you do in your studio) to be quite pleasing and gives me the sound I'm looking for. At the end of the day, isn't that what really matters? :) Keep doing these wonderful videos - happy viewer all the way from Bahrain here :)

[@EdThorne]

Hashim Al Alawi Oh wow, Bahrain, awesome! You are correct, sir, what matters is the result you’re happy with. Nerding out on gear is fun though isn’t it? 🙂 Thank you for watching and your kind words, I really appreciate the feedback. 😊

[@alfanan]

Ed Thorne Besides hey, it’s always fun to spend more money on studio gear isn’t it 😊 That’s what we musicians like to do lol!

[@EdThorne]

Hashim Al Alawi Insatiable GAS! 🤣 (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

[@johnsierramusic]

As a vocalist, I found the Neve from UAD had a clearer sibilance. It was easier for me to understand and feel/experience your vocals through the UAD. Especially in the mix and with the EQ. More HiFi sound.

[@elkioklo9363]

It seems that the warm ist kinda harsh in the High frequencies area, and kinda boring in the low mid end. The plugin sounded way more cleaner kinda like its not 100% mixed in. but the Harshness is not there and the low mid end ist harmonic kinda like. The Plugin sound more balance and clean to me definitly would go with the plugin instead with the Warm Audio option. I liked this videos please do more these kind of comparision.

[@carlobandini7145]

Very good comparison. Nice voice!! In my opinion, it looks like the Warm audio has a little more mids, but I can't say which one is better. I own both, a real Neve 1073 and the UAD unison emulation. The emulation sounds cool, but when recording instruments with low frequencies like a bass, the real neve 1073 let me mix them much easier. The emulation tends to have irregularities in the low frequencies as well as the transformerless preamps do.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Carlo! Yeh from what I’ve heard a real Neve destroys the WA in the low end (which does strange things below 100Hrz).

[@carlobandini7145]

@@EdThorne That's a great info. Thank you. The focusrite ISA series are super accurate in the low ends too. I think they have only a little less grit than the neve when cranking both preamps.

[@JonnyLucas]

Awesome video mate answered a lot of questions I had!

[@EdThorne]

Jonny Lucas Wicked. Thanks Jonny. I should have done a take where I ran the WA73 into the Neve Unison to see how they sound together for people with your kind of UAD set up.

[@LONDONHARRISMUSIC]

If you got a hit song either one will do

[@johnbach2380]

The end result which is what matters... both of them kinda sounded cool in their own way. The only time I thought any of them sounded bad was the 1073 plus Hi-z 12,000. But either of these would work. Not hearing the 'depths' of hardware in this comparison. And I am listening in a studio with ATC scm45a. The Warm sounds brighter. The plugin a bit darker.

[@EdThorne]

The end result is exactly what matters, well said. Maybe the depth hasn't translated over KZbin as well as I hear it.

[@Bexgotthebounce]

Great video. I subscribed. I have a question. I’m using the uad neve + teletronix with an akg c414 xls mic. If you had to choose either the pre or the compressor, which one is the better analog upgrade to get first? Or which piece would make the most difference

[@EdThorne]

Thanks. Well, if you can afford a Teletronix - amazing! I’d say the Neve is probably the more cost effective analog upgrade. Or even a different mic. Check out the JZ V67 - unbelievable on everything!

[@Bexgotthebounce]

@@EdThorne I have the uad neve and uad tele, I’m wondering which warm audio upgrade analog would beat out these uad. And Ima check that mic out right now. Thanks brother

[@EdThorne]

@@Bexgotthebounce Check out my LA2A vs WA2A video. I’d say the analog has a 3D depth to it but the plugin has the airy spaciousness of the LA2A.

[@Bexgotthebounce]

@@EdThorne yeah i watched it.about 3 years ago, i had SSHL and lost all hearing in my left ear, so now i hear in mono. Hard to explain how i hear things now. The analog gear has a warmth and body to it that i love. my dream setup is the u87, neve 1073, teletronix. Im thinking about getting the warm audio la2a first, then the preamp, then the u87.

[@EdThorne]

@@Bexgotthebounce I’m sorry to hear that. Glad you’ve found a way through and still making music though, that’s awesome! That sounds like the ultimate vocal chain. Defo check out the V67 - it’s comparable to the U87 (don’t let the price difference deceive you) 👌

[@Fatalis069]

what im hearing actually is that uad sounds pretty compressed already and has more prominent room tone in it.. actually the plugin loses a lot of dynamic

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I did not expect the difference between the hardware and the plug-in to be this apparent. It's subtle, but your voice sounds thinner and more muffled with the plug-in, especially at the first phrase.

[@EdThorne]

The analog has a depth to the sound the plugins don’t achieve.

[@septemberwalk]

for some reason my unison preamps always sound digitally distorted even though the meters aren't in the red

[@EdThorne]

That sounds like you’re driving the preamp too hard and compensating for the input gain saturation with output gain staging. Think of them as additional volume knobs to be balanced/compensated for the desired sound.

[@wesleyhendricks153]

Honestly the Warm Audio does sound what the name implies ...warm. There is a difference in the sound and the Warm Audio definitely sounds warmer in sound. The plugin sounds a bit flat compared to the hardware. Even though the difference is very subtle.

[@EdThorne]

This is a fair assessment.

[@TheAerovons]

@@EdThorne Yeah, just wait until the drums come in LOL

[@k_watts]

That's the exact word I was looking for to describe the sound of the plugin in comparison to the sound of the hardware. Flat!!!

[@Daviddosi]

On speakers i dont hear much of a diffrence in the end mix but on headphones i hear the diffrence. sounds liek the hardware have more depth. Nice video man :)

[@EdThorne]

Yeh, they’re very similar but I agree, the WA has a little more depth. The unison has the versatility of loads of different preamps etc though so is very useful.

[@Daviddosi]

@@EdThorne Im coming back here from time to time. Now I can clrearly hear a big diffrence in this one and your compressor vs plugin video. Im going to invest in hardware myself. Thanks for sharing Ed!

[@futurepromix7391]

5:38 sounds a bit more bright, compressed, to the face and wide. I think matching settings same to same is not the right approach. You can definitely get the same sound by just putting a simple LA 2A plugin, with slight more bright eq and a bit of reverb.

[@nickbass5]

Actually the default impedance on the WA73 is 1200 ohms (tone button out disengaged). It’s 300 with the tone button in..

[@EdThorne]

You are correct sir. I have no idea how I got that the wrong way round in the video 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@stoneroofstudios4700]

This was a great video! I love my 1073 plugin, and have been contemplating purchasing a wa273. Truthfully I thought they both sounded great despite some subtle differences.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Adriano. There’s definitely pros and cons to both. For me it’s analog depth of sound versus Unison preamp flexibility.

[@eds4754]

The default impedance should actually be 1200 Ohms; 300 Ohms is a bit of a carry over from when vintage mics were extremely low impedance. It can be fun to experiment with 300 Ohms as it will load the microphone and change some resonant behaviours (particularly in dynamic and ribbon mics, but they do affect the tone of condensers too). At 300 Ohms, most microphones won't actually be behaving as intended so its worth bearing in mind (even if in some cases you prefer that sound). Its most commonly recommended to use 10x the impedance of a microphones output, which is usually around 100-200 Ohms, so anything above 1k is really ideal. I found the UAD to be quite thin and nasal compared to my HW Neve - its a usable sound in its own right and has a lot of convenience but I was expecting it to be more similar based on how accurate their plugins tend to be.

[@EdThorne]

This is super useful information, especially the impedance vs mic output calculation. I’ll have to look into this more, thanks for sharing Ed.

[@eds4754]

Ed Thorne what’s also interesting, is (according to the UAD manual), on the 1200 Ohm’s setting its 1200 Ohms between -20 and -50 and 600 Ohms between -55 and -80.

[@cjclarkmusic]

I still don’t understand the use of a plugin like Neve. Isn’t the Apollo Twin for example already a preamp?

[@EdThorne]

Christian Hi Christian, thanks for commenting. Yes, the Apollo’s have their own UAD preamps. What the Unison technology does is integrates the Apollo preamps with the plugin software which changes how the Apollo preamps work to make them act and react like the original hardware units the plugins are modelled on. The software changes the impedance and gain structures on the Apollo preamps. UAD have modelled lots of famous pres so we can have different sounding preamps and channels strips at the touch of a button. It’s a remarkable feature and apparently the emulations are very accurate honouring the original hardware. Does that make more sense?

[@cjclarkmusic]

Ed Thorne Yes! Thank you! Very detailed. I appreciate it

[@EdThorne]

Christian Great stuff 🙂

[@cjclarkmusic]

Ed Thorne Would you recommend the 1073 or 1084? Im leaning toward 1084

[@EdThorne]

Christian I’ve only dabbled with the 1084 briefly in prep for an upcoming video but I would say it’s a more modern sounding preamp emulation. I’ll be doing a lot more recording with it soon and a video featuring.

[@wpaul1975]

What Interface you use with both? I wonder how warm audio sound with an Apollo x16.

[@EdThorne]

My Apollo Twin

[@AnTmOREACTS]

Great video. Quick question, I have the UAD Arrow, I'm wondering if I should buy an Avalon V5 preamp or should I purchase one of the UAD preamp software models?

[@EdThorne]

Thanks. I’d say if you can hear a difference between the analogue and the plugin in this video then go for the Avalon (which should be a better preamp than the Warm Audio based on their prices). You can always buy the Avalon plugin in a sale and compare the two.

[@tom_k_d]

I compared Avalon V5 and M5, and kept the M5: Sounded better to me... - so you might want to consider this unit, too - besides their valve channel strip, M5 (along with AD2022, it's stereo version) is the classic Avalon pre. That said, both these Avalon solid state preamps have qualities you can not simply emulate: Tons of clean gain, paired with an ultra low noise floor and an excellent DI.

[@lightafluident.9950]

Build your own strip piece by piece. By a separate mic preamp, a separate compressor, a separate EQ, ECT. That way you outdo ANY AVALON as long as you get quality pieces. Right now I have the WA12 MK2 mic preamp, chained with an LL2A compressor limiter from Little Labs, and that's followed by a Tonelux Eq5P, which is is a Parametric EQ that can also be used like a Pultec EQ. No Avalon on earth can match my strip. AT ALL!!!!! Avalon was the s#*t before all these other options became available, but don't play yourself bro, put together a custom strip. Do yourself a favor.

[@liamhebden8857]

Analog sounds way better, more natural. Here's my opinion of this as a whole mind. A track is comprised of many many tracks and takes layered. To mix purely in Analogue involves a lot of subtracting to make everything fit and digital is easier to mix but lacks that magic analogue has. So in conclusion, the best setup these days with all of the advances digital has had is to have a few key analogue pieces for the input of production and full key analogue units for the bus and masters on the output. Like real tape extra. Because with technology we have such flexibility in what we can do within the production and main mixing stages that the flexible recall is a must... so really we just need a little bit of magic in and out to give those processes the light and warmth they deserve.

[@EdThorne]

I agree. Analog magic in, Digital flexibility mixing, analog magic out = results.

[@amazeus1980]

First of all! If you want to compare a plugin sound to a hardware sound you also have to run the plugin through the same mic pre or line input that the hardware is using! ...you had to run this Warm Audio through something into the DAW...what adds another layer of slight saturation...NO DOUBT!

[@EdThorne]

Valid point. Not to mention the conversion.

[@amazeus1980]

@@EdThorne Yea but let’s say that it is the same converter since you have probably used the same interface. At some point in the video you said that Warm Audio sounds slightly warmer in low mid or smth…most probably because it runs though additional mic/line amp…of course there could be another factor like calibration and most probably even 2 the same hardware Neve units won’t sound exactly the same as well…again due to calibration or even room temperature or whatever else. I do not own hardware but I have Arturia Neve and UAD…both work/react completely different but I love both of them. UAD Neve pre amp (the other plugin with only mic pre) seems to sound also slightly different but I did not compare these directly next to each other…

[@mlg74]

The UAD 1073 was much more musical sounding in the mix. It sounded so good

[@EdThorne]

Interesting. Thanks for commenting.

[@mlg74]

It could be that the reason I liked the UAd over the WA was that when the WA started the mix faded in so it was hard for me to make an exact direct comparison. But by the time the UAD hit, I was really hearing it.

[@BerserkeR_031]

@@mlg74 Sure bud x)

[@ClassicMarqB]

@@BerserkeR_031 lol

[@antoniolausinrabelo6142]

Just the vocal take sounds similar, in the miss the hardware kickin the ass

[@FadingGrizzly]

im not going to lie but to me the uad just sound so clean at the end of the video.

[@EdThorne]

Kings Now Grind I have to admit it sits better in the (very rough) mix.

[@orangemaniabrother2232]

That was the only time I noticed a difference and the hardware sounded better to me lol, trust me I want the UAD to win though, a much simpler set up for me, I wanna sell all my hardware

[@kelbyclarke7962]

@@orangemaniabrother2232 I agree, for production there is no need to go for hardware. It’s pricey and a much need for space. With UAD it’s just a cleaner workspace and they actually sound amazing. I don’t think the ear of consumers actually hear the difference. Let’s just do our best and make great tunes!!!

[@alien-hs1zn]

@@kelbyclarke7962 they don’t it’s only engineers or music production that hears the difference

[@felipecastro5752]

Very Nice vídeo. I liked your Channel. Do you know four computer audio:Roland Rubix, Black Lion, Mackie onyx and RME Interface. Because ,I am looking Audio interface for 3 Channel:Talk Show, Gameplays and Gospel. Where do you from? Greeting from Brazil.

[@EdThorne]

Hi Felipe, thanks for following. My favourite interface in that price range is the new Audient iD14mkii. This has a loopback feature so you could use two mics and capture your game audio using the loopback inputs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inS6anuMm6xjaa8 Audient also do a four-channel input version (iD44).. PS, I'm based in London. Hello, Brazil :-)

[@felipecastro5752]

@@EdThorne Many thanks by important attention and advice. Lord bless London-is beauty country.

[@NathanMell]

I have a question. When it comes to running digital preamps into analog gear, how exactly would you do that? I have Apollo X4 and looking at expanding into outboard gear.

[@RonnieVaiArovo]

The UAD Apollo Twin Neve Plug-in sounds more BALANCED to my ears, less peaky which theoretically should sit better in a mix (and it does in your mix example) while the Warm audio's audio sounds WARMer ..:P ( I see what you did there ) and it also sounds peaky & less compressed than the UAD plug-in. Although there are too many variables to take into account and this test could have been carried out more fairly. One variable is PROXIMITY. It sounds like you are singing 1-2 inches closer into the Mic with the warm audio analog plug-in which would explain my opinion.

[@EdThorne]

Ron Vai Hi Ron, thanks for commenting. The Neve definitely compresses the Audio a touch, but it’s a pleasing effect. I may have wandered slightly over the course of tracking but I was holding the mic stand so this should have been minimal. What would you have done differently to make it a fairer test?

[@RonnieVaiArovo]

@@EdThorne Hi Ed, Yeah the neve sounds nice and balanced man! One big way to make this test fairer is to use the same audio source for all tests :)

[@EdThorne]

Ron Vai I did consider this but then the audio would have already been through an Apollo preamp which I thought may be a conflict of interest in terms of getting a pure signal through the Neve Unison.

[@geertteekens]

@@EdThorne Maybe use a mic splitter and record the same performance on uad & warm at the same time?

[@EdThorne]

Geert Teekens Thats a great idea, how will it work with phantom power for a condenser mic though? Just power it through one device and leave it off on the other?

[@Fatalis069]

good channel man thumbs up bro. just ordered the wa73 and wanna try it with my 6176 compressor side, not sure rn if it will be better than the 610 tho wanted a bit more punch in my vocals for rap, the 610 is nice but not sure if its always cool to have those transients shaped from that tube sound. btw a stupid question what cable do I need to connect the wa73 to my 6176? xlr to xlr into the input of the comp right then xlr to try into my apollo x6? anyways keep up the good work greets from Germany

[@Chuck36]

Perfect video! Im currently in the market to upgrade my studio all around and was debating on buying a few pieces of hardware from Warm Audio. I already have my sights on the Apollo Twin, however, i would definitely appreciate a piece of hardware like the WA73-EQ. Will debate and give you an update on my decision when I make it. *hits subscribe button and bell icon*

[@EdThorne]

Thanks Chuck. You won’t regret either the Apollo or WA73. Great equipment 🙂🙏

[@KKossatz]

Great content. Thank you for this comparison. As a UAD user would you be able to explain UAD SYSTEM expansions and limitations? I have Apollo Arrow and it looks I can't have arrow and any Apollo desktop interface under the same UAD system. I heard that Apollo Twin and Apollo X interfaces works really well together. Is it possible to get some more info about this? Thanks :)

[@EdThorne]

Kossatz Thank you Kossatz. I too have heard that you can only have one or the other connected (Arrow or Apollo) but I will check with UAD. There’s LOTS of connectivity available between the Apollo and X series (and previous generations), yes. Regarding further information I have a series of videos coming soon going into much more detail on all things Apollo. Leave your questions below and I’ll see if I can answer them 🙂

[@studio_person]

I still wait a video about Neumann speakers) maybe with comparison with Adams. Studio monitors are also very interesting idea to make a video))

[@EdThorne]

Studio Person Ha. Well remembered. Yes, this is on my to do list. I’ll probably include with an overview of my studio towards the end of the year. Got a series on UAD and Warm Audio running at the moment.

[@jobimboy]

So after tracking, is it ok to bounce the track with the neve1073 plugin then proceed to mixing? Anyone here did that?

[@geotungz4050]

Night and day, gear sounded better. The 1073 UAD sounds dull, the compression actually emphasizes it. This made me want to sell my UAD octo and all the plugins to get this and a wa 76. Will I be able to rout these directly into my uad solo while bypassing the preamp on it to track vocals into my daw? I undestand the lack of outputs on my solo would not allow me to use them from my cpu going into the hardware.

[@EdThorne]

No. You can only bypass the preamps on the Apollo X rack interfaces (6,8,8p). Also, you’d need a preamp before the compressor stage to line level the signal.

[@geotungz4050]

I meant the WA 73 EQ sorry and I purchased it finally, kept my octo, sold the apollo, got an ID22, happy with the decision, added a kt-76 to the mix for tracking with compression and it sounds better than unison IMO @@EdThorne

[@rafbass]

To have music listened in a mobile phone. The analogic one is like using a medium format camera with 120megapixel, to post on Instagram and compete with Reels 😂

[@EdThorne]

Haha. Good analogy.

[@AlexeySolovievMusic]

Great video my friend!

[@EdThorne]

Alexey Soloviev Music Thanks Alexei. 🙂

[@PerchamTalay]

after purchasing does these digital plugins like Avalon or Neve needs license renewal every year or after a certain period of time, I am curious. can I get some info about it. Thanks

[@EdThorne]

Once you’ve bought the UAD plugins you own them for life… no upgrades/renewals further down the line are ever needed.

[@donraccoon6316]

Yes, wa73 makes voice sounds more solid and "true" i would say

[@mlg74]

Where can I hear this song?

[@EdThorne]

Here’s the final song: open.spotify.com/album/6AlgJ2F9m2uk0CsOmWZZJy?si=7EEl1jCIQlycCXneQ5cWOw

[@beatsbyleroy8467]

Great video, Do I need to have the Apollo interface in order to record vocals in with the Neve UAD 1073 preamp, or can I just apply it to my on the vocal channels effect rack in logic ? Thanks

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Leroy. You need a UAD device of some kind (either Apollo interface or Satellite DSP Core) to run UAD plugins (they work offsite of your Mac/PC ON the device). If you have a Satellite you can use the Neve plugin as a channel insert in Logic. If you have an Apollo interface you can use the Neve as a Unison insert AND a channel insert.

[@iosonoio2493]

On my monitors, i believe that the Neve (analog) is better and has more precison and clear especially in the high frequencys than Warm audio (analog).

[@EdThorne]

Interesting, thanks for commenting. What speakers have you got?

[@iosonoio2493]

Ed Thorne M audio BX5

[@GeoZero]

Great job comparing these. One argument I haven't heard regarding analog vs digital plugins is the sheer strain on CPU and RAM of plugins on an older Mac. I recently priced out a monster Mac rig at Apple and it was well over $12,000 (closer to $15k actually PLUS tax!!). For that price I can get quite a bit of outboard gear in rackmounts and 500 series effects, and even a Presonus Studiolive mixer as I use Studio One mostly these days). I would be able to mix faster, and therefore get more tunes out. I can easily split signals through my Samson patchbays, and print a dry and a processed track to the DAW, then sub the main tracks for a final mix which I can send to outboard or process inside of the DAW or with the Studiolive mixer. The Studiolive also has nice built in effects which again takes away the strain on the Mac. Analog gear for good or worse will hold its value, it is something physical you can hold on to and sell or trade, unlike digital with its licensing and transfer limitations, or obsolete with new DAWS, etc. I am embracing - once again - analog as it makes more sense and it forces you to make decisions and commit to a mix, instead of having a hundred plugins and wasting time on testing them or overburdening a mix with plugins.

[@EdThorne]

Geo Zero The UAD plugin processing is done on the Apollo, not in your computer so in this instance there’s no plugin processing to worry about. Some good points about analogue though. I’ve been using mine to commit effects and it does speed the mixing process up. The benefit of plugins over analogue though is instant recall.

[@lightafluident.9950]

Mac is overpriced, and in my opinion, crazy ass hell. I'd never buy one of those money pits.

[@sincinati]

Wow, Fineas' dad sure is a knowledgable bloke.

[@EdThorne]

🤣 Dad?🤣 I often pass for 27, lol.

[@PradigyMusicman]

I couldn’t hear a difference. I only listened. I still don’t know which is which

[@TheChosenOneJared]

Hey, great video… what do you use to convert your wa73

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Jared. My signal chain for Vox is WA73-WA76-WA2A-Apollo X6 (preamp bypassed). Sometimes I’ll miss out the compressors but the Apollo is doing the A-D conversion.

[@adamlywood903]

So yeah... something everyone that does these comparison videos seem to forget is analog gear is all manufactured and everyone sounds a little different... that’s why certain engineers have a bunch of the same piece of gear... digital gear seldomly has character like analog... but digital almost always sounds better... there was a time when we listened to audio analog and it was very easy to hear digital down sampling but now a days everything we hear is digital... download a plugin throw it on a channel and it sounds the same as every other version of that plugin which can be a absolutely amazing thing.... analog gear requires a good source of power... good cables... a real good ground... and adc... a analog signal is only as good as your converters... analog will almost always sound better in The proper environment with proper monitors and treatment however the modern listener doesn’t have a hifi system most everyone watching this video is comparing a analog digital signal on a .5 inch phone speaker lol

[@EdThorne]

Hi Adam, Some valid points there. Sadly, this is true - all this expensive gear for an Mp3 and Apple Pods 🤣

[@adamlywood903]

Ed Thorne lol as I sat listening on my iPhone I was like wtf am I really doing i must be tired lmfao

[@EdThorne]

Adam Lywood Haha

[@G_handle]

Interesting points. As far as Digital always sounds better or Analog will almost always sound better, AFAIK "better" is still subjective. After 30+ years in this game, the Digital "Versus" Analog debate has always been mostly nonsense to me. But in 2020!? Why is anyone hell bent on an Either/Or when we have both? I have Analog 1073s and 312s, AND UA Unison Emulations. No two Neve 1073s sound the same, let alone the BAEs, Warms, Heritage, Black Lions, Golden Ages, or a dozen plugins. But once upon a time, there was only one option. And it wasn't cheap. The real point to me is: There once were only Analog Class A devices that cost a fortune. Then came integrated circuits, that people swore would never sound good enough. That BS got blown out of the water. Then came early Digital and again people swore it would never work. The Ludites, you would have thought would have learned their lesson, but here we are... Entering the third decade of the 21st century, everything around us is Digital, nearly every circuit in recording history has been emulated into code, 90+% of music is recorded, mixed, and mastered inside of computers, The vast majority of music is being streamed to and listened to on Digital devices, And the "debate" still rages. ON THE INTERNET! Is your power drill better than your screwdriver? Depends. What job are you trying to do? Be glad you have both tools.

[@EdThorne]

G Absolutely. Owning and being able to using both tools is kind of a privilege compared to days of old.

[@anthonydavino]

So can you help me. I had a warm audio wa12, golden age premiere pro 73 (New version) and an audient id4 with wa87. I sold the wa12 and premiere 73 is boxed up because the audient sounds the best on my mixes. So should I just stay with the audient id4 and leave the rest to ITB mixing or am I using the premiere 73 incorrectly?

[@EdThorne]

Antonio L. Hi Antonio, I haven’t used a GA pp73 but I’d keep hold of it and try it on different sources. Try experimenting with how much gain you’re using. If you’re still not hearing a benefit then you may as well sell it.

[@G_handle]

Let me add: If you need the money, then by all means sell anything your not using and buy things you are. Plus you did well to Buy and Try, then determined what you like best. Artists who shootout their own sound are the best. Try multiple Mics and Preamps, and combinations, until you find Your sound, or a couple of different sounds for different songs, or say Verses different from Choruses. Now, the gear you got are emulations of the classics. A Neve 1073, an API 312, and the Audient 8024 Pres in your interface. There's a Warm, a Punchy, and a Clean option there. That's a great arsenal if you want/need variety. Even if only with the one U87 clone you described. Add a SM57 for $100 (or SM7b for about $400), then maybe another LDC in the $100 range and a pair of SDCs in that range also. For not much more you'll have an amazing array of flavors and attitudes to work with, and that usually expands your art into new areas as well. Find your Signature Sound that your audience identifies you with, and then a couple of Contrasting Colors to keep it all interesting. But you've already gone further than most! (I have tons of gear, but I own an Audient 2802 Console which is a miniature 8024. With all of my Outboard Preamps, I too revert back to those, as amazing and pristine but never boring. I just recently found out that the Audient interfaces use those same Console Grade Preamps. Aside from my UAD Unison Preamps, I don't know of any Interface with more useful Pres, that would beat out a 312 or 1073.)

[@G_handle]

Oh...and I too have a pair of WA12s, and a pair of GAP 73 mkIIIs, plus a pair GPA EQ73s. Both systems are fantastic for their price! They are usable on any session. There are obviously more expensive versions, and obviously vintage originals, but the quality difference and the cost difference is far past diminishing returns. Chances are, you just need to spend a bit more time with those devices, and push and pull EVERY Gain Stage until you really understand what these things are doing, and can do for you. You can't microwave audio, you have to keep stirring the pot and adding seasoning one pinch at a time. But you do have great bag of groceries to cook up some delicious meals.

[@lkfloripa]

Wow I could tell the difference listening on my iPhone speaker WA73 all day not even a comparison

[@OllertonMD]

Wow when processed with compression and reverb try warm audio sounds seriously more rich than the plugin. This violated my expectation. This warm audio pre sounds a lot better to the wa12 preamp as well imho

[@catarinomedina9557]

I own both hardware all day ...the plugin is hallow

[@jaredbaez8266]

As someone who uses the unison plug in regularly, this is exactly how I would describe what I am hearing and the reason why I am starting to buy more analog gear. I love UAD but Now that my ears are getting better I notice a lack of depth, openness, and weight when using the plug in. I will still be using UAD plug ins but I will be making sure to get as much analog mojo before I head into the box.

[@wearethebeloved]

Wa73 really brings out the character of the performance, plugin is slightly flat

[@wefixaudio9215]

I can't agree with the description. The UAD is not a 'digital' preamp. It's an analog preamp which can get processed on a digital plugin in real time with zero latency.

[@EdThorne]

I had to re-watch the video to remind myself how I’d recorded the audio. So, yes I recorded through the Apollo preamps with the Neve 1073 Unison plugin engaged which changes the gain staging and impedance of the preamp. So in essence the comparison is really a ‘true analog preamp versus a digitally manipulated preamp’ test.

[@wefixaudio9215]

@@EdThorne the thumbnail says 'analog vs digital preamps' :) How do you reckon Unison plugins work? UAD interfaces let you record 'through' plugins in realtime, the preamp emulations are just just that.

[@wefixaudio9215]

@@EdThorne I'm guessing the only thing that sets it apart from inserting the plugin afterwards is the impedance part but then again I might be wrong.

[@EdThorne]

@@wefixaudio9215 I amended my comment above after rewatching the video to refresh my memory. Your initial comment is fair enough 🙂

[@tecno8335]

Neve plug sounds Compressed in the mix, The Warm Audio sounds open with a little air. If you can afford it definetly go with the hardware.

[@EdThorne]

There was some compression applied for the mix section, but it was identical to the hardware. I felt the plugin compressed the peak transients a little on its own anyway.

[@tecno8335]

@@EdThorne im listening on some HQ cans, in the mix its clear as day the neve plug is very compressed sounding.

[@EdThorne]

Tekno I know what mean. I prefer the hardware too but the unison feature is very versatile

[@konafama]

Tone of the click track is exactly the same!😂

[@bighousemusic628]

Those uad harsh trash can never sound like that hardware device if you think a plugin sounds identical to it's hardware competitors try acoustica audio nebula or thair aqua sampled plugins you won't even need the outboard gears and on the algorithm side that comes very close is noise ash or ik multimedia plugins sorry but uad is over hyped and over priced compared to the hardware and acoustica audio and noise ash and ik multimedia

[@JacksonGomesMusic]

thanks for this video... really useful for those running a home studio like me. I do have the 1073 UAD plugin and also an audient ASP800 (mainly used on drums). It seems it does not justify buying a preamp like the WA73 in my case, as it seems the quality gain won't be that much as I don't record mainstream music yet. Better spend the money on better mics for vocals, if needed. In my case, better not spend any money at all... :-) Maybe in the future Cheers and thanks again

[@EdThorne]

Jackson Gomes Yeh 8-16 channels of preamps for drums would be VERY expensive. Glad the video was useful 🙂

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

I hate warm audio, EXCEPT for this unit. It’s their best effort. None the less the difference between my BAE unit and the UAD is much more of a difference. These are very similar with of course the Warm audio coming out slightly ahead, which is something i recognize they do on most of their units. At $800 i don’t think it’s enough of a price difference to spend though. My BAE pulls the sound forward every time. This subtly does that if at all. It makes things feel more 3D. I also want to mention that the BAE is 3.5 times the price or so (i got it used for much less though). But it IS worth it imo. Where the slight difference with the Warm audio just feels too close to the plugin version which is a tenth of the price on sale. Is the BAE worth the 35 times the price though? Probably not either 😂. This is a testament to how good the UAD plugins are. They are like 90%+ there. And the distressor is one of UAD’s best replications. Oh I also would have liked to see you drive the preamps for how the coloration and harmonic distortion happened. That’s the REAL test of analog gear imo. What happens when you saturate the EQ? Does it sound super harsh or is it smooth?

[@Idonttakethisseriously]

when it comes to preamps, hardware is the only way to go for me personally

[@chrisfinster1346]

UAD does a good job but Warm's hardware just sounds better to my ears.

[@EdThorne]

Hi Chris, Yeh I think the WA does a very good job but the versatility of the various different Unison plugins is a big selling point. Pros and cons of both 🙂

[@knookiesolotv926]

The real neve 1073 sounds way better!! I own both the plug in and the hardware. The hardware is fuller and adds a little sparkle on the top end

[@dannydaniel8975]

"My hardware is like freshly squeezed orange juice and plugins are like Tang" -Chris Lord Alge

[@EdThorne]

Haha.

[@CatWav]

hmm i prefer the plugin

[@deandresmith5761]

Even listening just with my phone I can hear a difference.. the WA73 wins

[@jf542]

warm sounded more open

[@EdThorne]

I’ve been tracking with it today with my WA76, lovely combination.

[@EdThorne]

Radio Mysterium Hey. Yeh I suggest the 76 for vocals and acoustic. It’s a clean compressor. The 2A has a colour to it, which is great for bass and snare drum but I didn’t get on with it on vocals. 🙂

[@EdThorne]

Radio Mysterium I do have both yeh. I haven’t tried the Tone Beast but I’d guess by the price difference the WA73 is the better preamp. It sounds great to me, I’m really happy with it 🙂

[@ecedorsay]

@@EdThorne do you think wa 73 eq version would be a bettwr choice, or just a wa 73 would give enough character then i would eq later anyway? is the warm’s eq musical , necessary or magical?

[@EdThorne]

@@ecedorsay I don’t really use the EQ on the my WA73EQ. I find EQ so mix dependant that I’m reluctant to commit to it when tracking. Compression, yes, erring on the side of caution because that’s going to happen anyway (in my music at least). Also the 10/12/16k dial gets quite fizzy if you dial any more than a dB in (IMO). So, to answer your question, I EQ later. It’s a nice option to have though of course.

[@FreakinOutOnAudio]

I have both this piece of hardware and this plugin. The plugin tends to come out somewhat dark and muffled for me with my mics, but in your examples the plugin is noticeably honky and thin sounding, compared to the warm. The Warm wins by a mile here on your vocals. I've found the plugin pretty useful, just not as a replacement for the hardware. Tip for future comparisons: drive the transformers much harder and get some heavy saturation going; that will make any plugin pale next to the hardware.

[@nickfolkmusic]

One cost 25$, the other cost 800$ and the other cost 2000$, the winner is the plugin, it's quasi the same sound, in blind test it's identical guys ! Don't buy the hype !

[@mrmorpheus9707]

Shouldve done a null test

[@EdThorne]

The point of the video is to demonstrate HOW they sound different to the audience, not to measure how close they are frequency wise by phase cancelling the majority of the signal out...

[@mrmorpheus9707]

@@EdThorne ok ...

[@rooppatel3468]

A null test is useless when it comes to sound. Use your ears. I own real Neve 1073’s, and the software versions are decent, but in no way do they completely replicate the Neve sound.

[@mrmorpheus9707]

I own real 1073's as well since 1999..so!!!

[@rooppatel3468]

@@mrmorpheus9707 Then of course you must know the sound well enough by now. I record with Neve preamps all the time and I also record with the UA Unison 1073 plugin, it’s like 2D vs 3D. The hardware has more weight and dimension. The EQ on the hardware is on another level.

[@axel.lessio]

Both sound good but the WA73 sounds incredible, the plugin sounds like plastic in comparison.

[@EdThorne]

It’s a more 3D sound I feel.

[@JanusJanavas]

The WA-73 is not an authentic Neve; it's a cheap imitation. Therefore, this comparison is not correct.

[@EdThorne]

Well durr…

[@JanusJanavas]

​@@EdThorne Does your reply mean you will do another comparison between the UAD Neve 1073 and a classic 1073 preamp module manufactured by AMS Neve, or at least the 1073N/SPX/DPX?

[@yt555555]

Am i the only one listening to this using the built in speakers of my device?

[@themarcos150591]

In the mix the uad plugin sounds like a radio ready record, while the Warm Audio still sounds amateur.

[@AI-Consultant]

did u mention what interface you used to trigger the unison plugin in real time when you were recording through it, because thats when the unison really burns/bakes it into what you are recording with : Input Transformers - Unison models the complete impedance, gain staging, and harmonic saturation of the 1073's Marinair input transformers, giving the same tone shaping of the hardware. Gain Staging - The nonlinearity and clipping characteristics of the mic preamp circuit are modeled, reacting the same way to gain as the hardware. EQ Shape - The 4-band EQ has identical bandwidth spacing and shelving shapes that interact with Unison processing for hardware-level harmonic detail. Compressor Behavior - The dynamics and attack/release response will be nearly indistinguishable from the real 1073 compressor. Distortion and Noise - Analog distortions and noise floor are modeled for realism when driven.