BANNED UAD from my studio? MEGA Q&A 2025

[@zwwwz12]

Dom, you mentioned good things about never being too old to start learning about music production. I am 63 bij now, but I started when I was about 20 years with Cubase 2.0 on ATARI. Back in the days, I had no money to attempt the SAE, because that would cost me 10 grant. But since last year since I follow you and your friend dr. MIX, the SAE comes to me whenever I want it, for free! It feels like a dream come true. Im am now treating the acousics and soundproofing a room in my house to build my own studio. My master teacher fot that project is Jesco from Acousic insider. He is the new university of (home)studio builders! Soon I can finally start mixing and mastering all my tracks that I made in 43 years. I never did that with professional results. So the future is bright open for me. I made lots of tracks that need to be mixed urgentlly. People like you are the missing link and the teachers we need. Thank you very much for making such quality and fun podcast!

[@brianmillerthomas]

Dom rating the production, mix and mastering of submitted tracks? Yes, yes , YES! Do it. please that would be great!

[@laromai2245]

Orchestral classical arrangements and mixing. I'd be your first customer. I love making new (orchestral) arrangements of old hymns and songs. Hotting them up a bit as well. Many old hymns are based on classic pieces, so "reversing" some of them is not a bad idea. And even when they're not, they are often good inspirations for new arrangements. Mighty and melodic. Orchestra + pipe organ combined can be really ... mighty. And heartwarming.

[@Ultimate_Wasabi]

This ⬆ - I would like a course that covers mixing sample libraries. There are so few of them out there and I think it would be very beneficial coming from somebody who actively uses these libraries.

[@AmberlightES]

How about symphonic metal? There are lots of elements to squeeze into the sonic space. From metal/rock band parts and cinematic orchestra. Female vocals in rock/metal tend to be overlooked on a lot of mixing/mastering guides. Cheers Dom. 🤘

[@alsoulmusic]

Dom, I am so with you on the “Plugin is too expensive, it should be $25” thing. I remember paying over $800 for the waves gold bundle and that was a deal at the time. I get pissed when people say plugins are too expensive too.

[@vektacular]

I got the waves gold in like 08 and that was the same price I paid….thought I was getting something fantastic at the time.

[@samprock]

Thanks god I was too poor and never picked any of the Waves. I paid $400 for Logic. And thanks god again, I was too poor to pay $200 for Logic X upgrade. At this point there are some expensive plugins and daw-onboard tools that worth the money, and its hard to be very selective.

[@jeromejamies3641]

I still use lots of Waves plugins. Old doesn't mean bad. I have Horizon bundle

[@DEADLINETV]

9:42 Dr Mix, right? I'm so happy you started doing your own thing! Love what you do for Steinberg and for yourself! Keep it up!

[@jondellar]

Really interesting to hear you talk about your experiences! I got into Cubase as my videography grew and now write all my own stuff rather than use library music.

[@BertVollmer-f5m]

I created plugins for the Creamware Scope/ Luna platform back in the day. Our plugin actually was the first one not to have that annoying bug making internal sequencers go out of sync, before it eventually got fixed on their own plugins. And Hans Zimmer even named a track on a bluckbuster movie soundtrack after my plugin!

[@JorgeTelloOlivaComposer]

I would LOVE it if you do a production and mixing orchestral course. Perhaps, focused for media composers. Trailer music would be nice as well 🤗

[@nocdofficial]

I would really enjoy watching videos of you reacting to mixing and mastering! Thank you for all the amazing content you create!

[@laromai2245]

Addendum: Another reason for doing something more classic / orchestral is that the Internet is FULL OF all the pop & rock stuff. But with your broad musical background and impressive talent, yes, something classic/modern style orchestral would be a special gift to the world. Modern mixed with the old genuine stuff which had some degree of originality and uniqueness, as opposed to all the "all the same" stuff being pumped out these days... kind öf of thing. Something like that would then become unique, again. ;-)

[@executeHELI]

I think a fundamentals approach to a mixing course would be amazing. Tackle the basics to advance concepts from compression, to reverb, to side-chaining, etc. Instead of focusing on genre-specific courses, opening it up to the things that apply across the board, and encouraging students to critically think about how they can apply those to whatever genre they're interested in, will be both interesting and challenging (in a good way). Some side-activities/challenges like a "Let's Mix a Pop Song" activity sprinkled in for various genres in between could be another added bonus.

[@NyakzOTSD]

As a general rule of thumb passive learning mixed with the lack of knowledge about if an approach/answer is correct detrimental to your development in anything. The issue I have with mixing courses is; There is no way to know if what you are doing is right or wrong. Now, we get into a question of what is right or wrong for mix? That aside, if you watch a mixing course and the Person does a HPF of 200hz on a Vox , and you copy that in your mix, you might ruin the vocal you were presented with. Tracks are not 1:1 thus you cannot copy and paste settings. If anyone creates a course, in fact scrap that, I think we need a Synthorial/Soundgym style interactive Mixing learning platform. The idea being it shows you how to mix, using plugins. i.e Side chain the bass here, Side chain the reverb, roll of the low end etc etc. I could be wrong, but at a point all mixing tutorials are the same if they are not active forms of learning.

[@laromai2245]

Problem in mixing is that, yes, there are "common" techniques to learn, but thats the easy bit (although it takes time to learn), but what is NOT common is to know what to aim for in a mix. And that's where genre comes in. A unique course mixing would address the goals to be reached, what to aim for and how to get there.

[@garrettjrussell]

Dom, your attitude is infectious and appreciated. Love the enthusiasm.

[@graublau733]

I have fond memories of using the TC Electronic Powercore Firewire. Amazing plugins for their time. It totally sucked though when it was discontinued, and like yourself I lost a lot of money when selling it. Agree about the Liquid Mix too, but at least that was significantly cheaper! I used to really enjoy the EL Distressor compressor model in that.

[@Sumbibebe]

Hey Dom, I’ve been knowing you since you were at the other studio and I have to admit that you are a fantastic Producer, Musician, Teacher, and Friend with knowledge. Just wanted to say that and wish you a successful 2025!! Sumbi👍🏾

[@VIRUSMUSICc]

Thanks for answering the question and for the advice for brass writing dom 🌹🌹❤️

[@FLprivat]

Such a cool Video! always a pleasure to listen to you and receive all your advices and learn from your experience🙏🏻

[@braxal6983]

Another great video DOM!! Jam packed with information!! Thank You!!! Happy New Year!!!!

[@atarifalcon]

Soul/RNB of the 70s i would like to see as a mix video. I like the 70s Sound, specially the dry Sound, like tea towel drums etc.

[@onespinable]

I learned at 59.. Many thanks to Dom lots of info. And I like my stuff because I don’t care if anyone else dies. Many do though. Get stuck in it’s big fun and more..

[@onespinable]

Not dies but does.. 🤪

[@amaurimontalvo3014]

Orchestral music production and mixing.

[@artysanmobile]

I especially took note of your advice to choose your customers. This is something that literally doesn’t even dawn on people who are struggling. It is really important to maintain joy in our work and choosing the right customer is the starting place. They have to like what you do for you to really soar, to exceed even your own expectations. This condition should not be considered optional.

[@pooriapouria]

Incredibly useful video. Thanks, man.

[@CinderellaVasia]

Wow! What a video! Thank you so much, Dom for your precious responses and knowledge! 🤩

[@francinatra]

Hi Dom, oh yes. I recognized you in a video where you introduced the Icon Platform M+. Your unmistakable excellent didactic skills are just highly recognizable. Even if one can only see the hands… 😂 Thank you so much for sharing such great knowledge!!

[@charlesstanfordmusic]

Orchestral and singer-songwriter. vocals.. thanks Dom!!!

[@laromai2245]

Orchestral music seems to be a clear winner here with the most requests in this thread.

[@waltertill1388]

Thanks Dom! rating song, that we send to you be great! - back in the days when i was at university it was the best course when we had to rate the mixes of our prfesser (we did not know that the mixes were for her) and then our production were rated! - was the best learnig curve (even when i am a pro since 30 years ;) ) - love all your videos! Thanks a lot !

[@samprock]

"Is it too late at 31?" is an Oscar winner today! 🤣

[@The_Sonic_Oasis]

9:40 I remember seeing you on the Dr Mix channel back in the day. I'm glad you started your own channel.

[@Kane_62]

Thank you Dom!

[@SimondeVoil]

Thank you Dom this was a very interesting video.

[@jaketanner109]

I'm with you on the Slimblade...been using Kensington trackballs for 20 years.

[@codee-music]

Don, I was there and did the same thing with the TC PowerCores - PCI and PCIe cards. Throw in the less known PowerCores for the Yamaha O2R Digital Mixer! That's getting in permafrost but I've been there. LOL Final Fun Fact : Universal Audio ultimately bought TC PowerCore. It's the PowerCore tech that's sits behind the Universal Audio Satellites Hardware DSP Accelerators.

[@Jackbornofficial]

Pop punk 🤘Pop punk 🤘Pop punk 🤘Pop punk 🤘 happy new year dom

[@PrincipalAudio]

You're so right about charging people the correct amount of money. Pricing your experience and skills correctly is so important. I don't charge people for mixing or mastering (yet) since the market for high quality mixes seems to be saturated, and marketing is certainly not my strong point! I'll keep doing it as free. Personally, it's way too much stress trying to set up a business. That's the limiting factor for me and why I don't want to get into being paid for it.

[@kenvives]

Mixing orchestral music. There are very few courses that concentrate on that over composition or orchestration.

[@DozaVybz]

15:08 UAD if you came for that

[@timhoffmann8262]

As always: very nice video! maybe a topic for the next video: the Nektar CS12 DAW Controller (now works with cubase) ;)

[@1172tomas]

Hello I wlild like to see you mixing orchestral film music in really depth because there are a lot of videos but not as deep as should

[@Peter-Dirks]

That was very interesting. Many thanks Dom👍

[@CampbellDownie]

If you link all your tracks and put an insert one plugin on one track it will load to all tracks (EQ for example) then if th etracks are still linked you can tweak any setting on that EQ on one track all the others will do exactly the same - i do this with sonible EQS on all tracks to get a general smart EQ for each channel - it works for me, i think thats what the question meant. - Awesome video indeed, your channels is great, absolutey the best cubase channel out there IMO :-)

[@tenderklang]

Thank You for answering my question😀

[@AKkov]

I would like to see some Trap 808/drum/glide techniques and how to create melodies/sounds for trap(I have a lot of plugins but I can't find Trap sounds)

[@seanobrien5996]

I have 2creamware cards and absolutely loved them Also of course I remember gig sampler wow !!! Love the fact you know of them

[@andrevonhebenstreit4040]

Of course i remember creamware. I had Triple DAT/ Cut Master and it was for me the first possibility to process and cut audio before Logic and Cubase could do it. And it was using my DAT recorders i/o converter. But then it was discontinued and the cream got sour.

[@bLiNdEDM]

I have a creamware/sonic-core XITE-1. Still use it today. Got my first creamware in 2003 and never stopped using Scope. Also still use the powercore MK2 (Mainly for the VSS3). Im also a huge UAD fan. I basically have all the DSP systems lol

[@oliverpreston3379]

Creamware....I thought I was the only one who tried that 😅 but that and an akai sampler ....things just took a lot more time back then.

[@Jura_JS]

25:09 - YES, that would be very interesting

[@eddynaim6082]

I love cooking! and totally agree with your explanation! Appreciated!!!

[@BillyBanter100]

Great video. Lot's of positives 👍

[@o.g.willing]

Yes for the idea of you rating our production/mixes in a video!

[@RolfSchild]

Hi Dom, thanks for your great videos. There was a question about age. I started to do production music at the age of 61. Now I got placements on a daily basis. So, yes age is not an issue. Regarding your question about what to teach: although I’m successful my drum and bass tend to suck, at least for Hip-Hop, pop and EDM. I’ve started composing in 1976, so we were focusing on crazy harmonies back then. I’m with cubase from the old Atari non audio times with a Yamaha XG 1000 16 bit card. But Cubase 14 is a milestone for me. Steinberg has finally learned from Bitwig, yeah!

[@fractionalist]

Dialogue - Documentary - feedback on our projects is a tremendous great idea!

[@kidmonster97]

Thank you for answering my question, Dom. I think it would be best for you to start with courses on pop and orchestral music, as I believe mastering these two genres would allow you to adapt to other styles more easily. And why don't you consider using Nuendo full-time, especially since you're working on both game and film music ?

[@stutty1400]

I would love to see you reviewing other people's work constructively. I think it would give an opportunity for a lot of people to learn many useful things. There really is no substitute for experience, no matter how much you spend. Thank you for all your work Dom.

[@markkaeder9018]

I had 3 Creamware Pulsar cards back in the day. Way ahead of their time. I actually started with a TripleDat system. Yes, I'm old.

[@owlmuso]

Me too, I am a night owl, lol. Most of my creativity happens late a night. Also, 100% agree with you on using a good set of headphones rather than speakers in a bad room

[@wolfhard2420]

I would love modern country music mixing, but that’s not for many. So I think rock most beneficial to most of us

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

For production & mixer course.... PLEASE use BOTH Singer/Songwriter AND Hip/Hop... I would buy, as they are both so underrepresented AND the key areas I'm interested in delving into, with very little content to find in these genres.

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

I want this hoodie.

[@igorbeuk4068]

I do everything in Maschine Standalone as less than Cubase and any other DAW because it's my way for faster workflow without Computer, limited possibilities are making me looking for the solutions and how to combine simplicity to create my own and Collaborations. So many different genres and we want something New, different creative and honest. My clean and beautiful sounds Master Engineers destroyed equipment worth millions of dollars. Cubase is the best, after all this time Cubase is the best. Everything is much easier after Cubase and it's still the reason for friends calling me just to say how they should listen to me and use years of struggling with different Software. I want to listen more than be the one who is doing it for the people. With Nectar P1 made everything you mentioned possible in 2014. Without using a mouse. Bands can't Last and it's the story we all Heard.

[@trane43]

smooth jazz with horns

[@zakiwaheed9318]

Can you do a course on classic boom-bap sampled based hiphop production, mixing and mastering pls? Emphasis on music production rather than vocals. Thx.

[@michellewentworth9862]

Do some videos on arranging and produce pop with female vocals. Include vocal arrangements and production.

[@markseagraves5486]

Great Q&A. Up-votes for Auto Display Plugins/Track and M/S processing.

[@delsurmusic]

Dom I would like a produce/mix course on singer songwriter. Everything out there is rock and electronic. Nothing for us who just write songs on the guitar and for complete productions I always depend on other people!. Thanks.

[@rbingraham]

Regarding the question about updating multiple instances of a plug in across different channels. Perhaps one way this could be done by Steinberg is to have some kind of option where if a Preset is updated, those new settings are instantly applied? So on channel 1, I open plug in X and update my settings. I then save it to Preset 1. Just to make up some numbers. And then I open up another instance in on Channel 2 of the same plug in. I recall Preset 1. I then make changes and save over Preset 1. And if this option was enabled, then those new settings on Channel 1 would also be applied and updated. I have other software, mostly for live theatre playback that can do something similar to this. Not sure if that would be a good solution or just end up causing people grief. It can wreak havoc if you don't understand what is going on and how and when to use it and not use it, that's for sure. Just a thought.

[@nafesoundz5685]

I am a chef of 32 years and music producer for the rest of the time lol

[@verdi260]

I would be interesting how you will deal with live record of live band - mainly how you solve bleeding in between tracks.Thx.

[@daviescott8970]

Hey Dom, another great video, thanks. Can you do course or tutorials on EDM like Lister, Maddix or Gabry Ponte? Your videos have helped me so much, but I understand my niche is probably not going to be the most requested.

[@carlosruiz5987]

Yes, UAD also dropped support for their firewire DSP units. Not really their fault, since both intel and mac dropped firewire (intel even dropped thunderbolt 1 and 2), but it shows DSP units are still a bad investment. I really hope they port soon their maag eq4, BX 20 and EMT plates to run natively.

[@palmal3542]

I loved Powercore!!! The Access Virus!!! Was so sad when they discontinued

[@marcsmith8146]

Do you and Doctor Mix still work together?

[@stefanhoffmann2748]

Creamw@re ... nice reminder 😀. Back in the days when they started off one of my friends was a buddy with some guys from their developement. They made nice products - unfortunately I coudl not afford it at the time.

[@joesalyers]

9:30 I remember those video's Dom they were Quote "Doctored" videos LOL 🤣I'm sure there is a lot less chaos & stress now days! Cheers!!

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

Mixing reviews is a great idea. I have a couple.

[@sword-and-shield]

Hahaha, that jacket, hell yes.

[@KOISANX]

Your comments on the UAD & hardware DSP are spot on. I predicted the catch 22 situation when the UAD 1 was all the rage. I knew we would get caught once the PC processors capability improved. I still went against my own instincts and became stuck with a bunch of UAD cards. My biggest complaint is that even though we are still license holders, we are not even entitled to the plugin Native versions, unless one is prepared to pay AGAIN for the licenses. 🙅🙅

[@rambo_ghost]

@@KOISANX I am a UAD owner. If you own one version you own them all, sited from UAD’s website

[@yeahthatkornel]

Regarding to mixing and production courses. I'd like to see a Rock music course.

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

Does Cubase 14 have ossiloscope or live view of time-line dynamics of groups and mixes? Is it in your wish list? Also, do you use loops? I discovered on the Steinberg Forum that there is a serious fighting over whether Cubase should add clips and loops like ableton.

[@MADJAB]

do orchestral and cinematic please 🙏

[@MrSimZOldSchoolRev]

A Hop Hop mixing, mastering course… producing a warm sound with a DAW

[@merchandise-city9727]

I would watch Mixing and Mastering Videos from you.

[@SynthexS]

I use Cubase 12. I don't if this has chnaged int he newer version but: When I select a track, and open any of the tabs (inserts, inspector, sends), then I select another track, I wish whatever tab I had open in the previous track would be visible on the next ones. For example, I might be checking which plugins I have on certain tracks, or their output routings.

[@Spidouz]

It’s funny that you love cooking because it’s actually the first real international mean of communication, with music being the second one. And I say food is first because human beings need food to survive. With communication, you always have a barrier, language being one of them. If two persons speak different language, you will always have some expression or words that don’t translate perfectly until you really know the culture and meaning of it. So you have some meaning lost in the translation. Even if two people speak the same language you still get some disparity due to context, experience, etc… if I tell you Orange,you won’t know if I mean the color Orange, the fruit Orange, or simply the Guitar Amp brand or else… there too, there’s some meanings being lost in communication. While if I play you a piano C chord, you will hear EXACTLY what I meant/played. If I feel something and I can put it in music, then the listener will receive exactly what I meant… that’s why it’s IMHO a real universal language. And food is the same. You might not know the kind of meat a cook use, or what kind of veggies or spices the cook might use, but yet, when you will eat the meal, you will get everything, you feel everything that was put in the meal. That’s why people from different cultures often start exchanging food when they meet. And they might do it while listening to some local folklore music… it’s a mean of sharing. So it makes sense that someone that love music could also love food.

[@E.T.musics]

İ would like to see a blues or a rock song in your mixing and mastering courses.

[@jeromejamies3641]

Do you also use the Montage plugin?

[@Cs_Studio]

Rock, pop, Pop-rock, funk-pop haha please 🥺

[@samplebricks234]

Pulsar (and later Luna) by Creamware was my first sound card 😄 Hasn't this company transformed into Ferrofish, at least people-wise?

[@cbrngrz6966]

Hey Dom, regarding room treatment you mentioned, I noticed that in your studio you have some curtains behind you. Do you use those as some sort of treatment as well? I was looking for something I could use to "treat" the closet behind my setup (my speakers point directly too them). Mounting panels on closet doors wouldn't work so I was thinking of using curtains or similar. If so, is there anything special you would recommend for them, i.e. are there special sound-treatment style curtains or something? Specific thickness, anything like that?

[@RogerioOliveira]

Orchestral and singer-songwriter (pop production)

[@vektacular]

I think if you were gonna do a course I would do 3 song styles….orchestral, hip hop and rock.

[@vincentthomas1425]

Synthwave production and mixing courses! Please!

[@jusebacho91086]

i would like a mixing course of synthwave or pop

[@ecliffecliney]

The youtube40 promo is over already 😢

[@rolandbies]

That's the same Jacket as last Year :)

[@merchandise-city9727]

Like to see a Rock course.

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

Here's a question for next one. Dom, are you active on Steinberg Forum? They have this voting feature for most wanted changes in Cubase.

[@LearnCompositionOnline]

My question would be if you agree with MixbusTV reasons to go from PC to Apple ? He pointed some new hardware problems