Slate digital, UAD or Waves Plugins?

In this video, I talk about the upside and downside of buying Waves, UAD, and Slate Digital plugins. I give some Pros and Cons of each as well as my recommendation for anyone starting to buy plugins for mixing.
If you are putting together a home recording studio, head over to www.homestudiorescue.com and download my Home Studio Buyers Guide checklist.
Here is a link to Waves website
www.waves.com/
Slate digital where their plugin subscription is $9.99 for the first six months.
slatedigital.c...
UAD plugins
www.uaudio.com...

[@HomeStudioRescue]

If you need help learning how mix your own music, I created a course. Mixing Music 101 Click the link to learn more www.mixingmusic101.com/register

[@LorneVignettes]

I have The Slate Digital Everything Bundle and I have to say it's kind of hard knowing you have to pay monthly but It's defiantly the easiest way to have every plugin they pretty much make. Also if you don't use it at all they will not charge you for that month. So say for some reason you just don't use your DAW for a month they won't charge you again until you open the plugin again. I think that is really fair of them to do. Also you have to love the fact that you get all updates for free.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

I did not know that! Very cool

[@oh515]

@@HomeStudioRescue It looks like you have been the winner anyway.

[@notsure1135]

Plug-in Alliance

[@jcpuga]

Just started and I'm using Plugin Alliance and Plugin Boutique mostly... Got Maag EQ4 for $25 and Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor for $31 amongst other great deals.

[@digitalmarketinghumans]

Plugin Alliance is KILLING it. But Yeah, I like Plugin alliance then Slate then Waves then UAD.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

I need to try plugin alliance. I’ve heard a lot of good things!

[@rowanonx5806]

Plugin alliance is awesome

[@ettiennelane9173]

I am transitioning to Plugin Alliance to replace my Waves plugins. When PA plugins go on sale, its the best value between all the big names. I hate the Waves update model. Slate wants you on their subscription so they keep individual plugin prices high. I can't even test Slate plugins because next month when a client requests something and I need to open a Slate plugin mix I need to fork out 25 bucks. Do you need a million plugins? One proper console strip, digital eq, reverb, delay, saturator, compressor, mastering limiter and you are good to go.

[@johnisrael5183]

Yeah, Slate, Plugin Alliance and Native SSL those are the best out there for the money

[@oh515]

I have some few Slate plugins, but have never been into their subscription plan. I guess you are right when it comes to these 3 alternatives. I do also guess that Slate will gain a huge amount of subscriptions the next couple of years after Waves' last move.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

I'm out of the loop. What did Waves do now?

[@oh515]

@@HomeStudioRescue Subscription plan only, and the only relevant to the most of us cost $25 per month, or $250 annually.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Yeah, but I would have to pay 240 every couple years and now they want you to do that every year 🙄

[@vladimirbes9382]

best is Universal Slate Waves))

[@mauricioa.garcia4684]

Slate and plugin alliance for me

[@gourabmahata]

Man you forgot Plugin Alliance

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Hey dude, you're right! They look pretty cool. I haven't used their plugins much. It seems like they have some pretty good deals. I'm gonna check it out!

[@gourabmahata]

@@HomeStudioRescue sure , just try some plugins for 30 days 😉 then you will understand .

[@paulbrown6792]

I think your slightly confusing the updates on the Waves Plugins, while it is true that you do have to pay for updates, if you have owned plugins for longer than 1 year. You do not have to pay for updates to install on a new computer or new OS install, if you do not wish to, you can simply install what you had already paid for.. I have just done this without any issues.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Hi Paul, You get a year of updates for free and then after that if your plug-ins don’t work because of a new OS, you have to pay to update the plugins. I’ve had to do this twice now over the last 10 years. As long as your plug-ins work you don’t need to update, buy when it’s time update your OS, You’ll have to pay.. It’s gonna happen for everybody eventually, unless you just stay with the same operating system forever. That’s the way I understand it.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

As long as they work you don’t ever need to update. But most people update their operating system and if the waves plan is expired you have to pay. I’ve had to do this twice in the last 10 years and it’s because my plug-ins wouldn’t work on my new operating system. That is my point on the update. All I would say is check back in for five years or whenever you need to update your OS again and let me know if you need it to pay the update fee. I’ve made a couple of these videos on the waves plan and I’m also just trying to warn people that when you buy waves plug-ins eventually you’re gonna have to pay to update them. Thank you for watching in the comment. Chris

[@paulbrown6792]

@@HomeStudioRescue I see what your saying but it's not always quite as black and white as that, I've just updated my OS to Mojave 10.14, was previously on Sierra 10.12 , so I've gone through 2 OS updates and I could have gone to 10.15 as well... which would have made it a 3 OS Jump... but yeah Eventually there will become a time, when the plugins I bought, (platinum and a Abbey Road) will not work on the Next OS (could even be Big Sur) I'm thinking of maybe getting the Slate plugins sub anyway at some point, as the Waves upgrades are not value for money... as you rightly pointed out.. but I can see me staying on Mojave for quite a while now! :)

[@PinballLunatic]

@@paulbrown6792 FACT REMAINS, when you have to update the OS AND the Waves plugins you have to pay for the Waves updates. No Waves for me.

[@trexxperiaz8654]

@@paulbrown6792 waves wont miss opportunity to extra charge for m1 update, I am sure of it

[@bassinblue]

This is 3 years later and honestly, UAD wins. No, I don't even own an Apollo interface and I'm saying this for a reason. If you get in the Waves ecosystem, dude, there are 100s of plugins, and too much, is not good, because it leaves you rattled and always trying a new plugin, till you end up feeling held back by having too many options. UAD ecosystem (Spark) gives you roughly 25-30 plugins, and it's all you'll ever need (excluding FabFilter of course) and each plugin will be used and have it's uses. I'm new to the UA spark and honestly, it has altered my mixing for the better. Point is, keep your arsenal short, so you have time to familiarise yourself with your weapon of choice (compressors, EQ, Reverbs etc).

[@user-mv8vc3zt1y]

Most of the songs played on the radio use Waves compressors etc. So I choose this sound. UAD is an overrated toy disguised as something exclusive, their interfaces suck. RME is a leader and everyone in industry know that.

[@bassinblue]

@@user-mv8vc3zt1y Funnily enough I own the RME babyface! It's superb indeed. Personally, I wouldn't really call UA plugins as a toy. I've had years to utilise real analogue gear and to my ears, the UA stuff really is the closest. Waves is still good in my opinion, but in terms of subscriptions, for me at least, the UA bundles win. I'll say definitely make use of it now, since they are giving out their plugins in the cheapest prices in the history of their company!

[@HomeStudioRescue]

I think they all have their place, but you can make great music with any of them.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

If we’re just mixers, then plug-ins, and all that are very important, but if we’re actually creating music, and these are just tools for making that music better than any of them will do.

[@bassinblue]

@@HomeStudioRescueOh you are absolutely right, no denying. Great music can still be made without them, but it's better to utilise what we have and grow with where technology is taking us. The legends of the 60s/70s/80s would have killed for this amazing tech we have.

[@oh515]

You should also compare with Izotope and Plugin Alliance.

[@Firstinversion899]

Nice job. This was helpful.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Thanks Adam

[@mmascotty1079]

Uad are the best but you have to spend a arm and leg on them slate are my favourite 👍

[@HomeStudioRescue]

You're not wrong. UAD stuff is expensive for sure.

[@RealityShiftUK]

Uad and plug-in aliance are my favourite but pricey

[@bhargavchavda1478]

Greatly Explained

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Thanks!

[@bendjamin808]

might be a dumb question. but do you need an ilok usb for the slate digital plugins? thanks

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Yes, unfortunately here’s what I found. “Slate Digital software is licensed with iLok. That means to use it, you will need to connect its iLok license to your iLok USB stick” Thanks for reaching out, I hope it helps! Chris

[@bendjamin808]

@@HomeStudioRescue Ahh yes. Thanks for your help

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Any time! Thank you for watching!

[@BenPotts]

@@HomeStudioRescue lol no it's all online now

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Hi Ben, I do not believe that applies to every piece of software. I try to actually research things, before I respond to a comment. Here is an article I found from Sweetwater. For a lot of software you still need an ilok. Slate digital is one of them.… LOL www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/slate-digital-software-activation-instructions/#Create-an-iLok-account

[@homebrewinstrumentals7700]

What do you mean by "track with their plugins" and also regarding UAD you said you can record in real time with them? Many thanks for the education, i use waves currently and do get frustrated with the updates lark.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

With a Universal Audio Interfaces, you can record with their plug-ins in real time. That’s what I mean by track. You can use a compressor or EQ or reverb with zero latency like you’re recording with hardware. Track = Record 🙂

[@homebrewinstrumentals7700]

@@HomeStudioRescue awesome, you're a star and thankyou 😎👍

[@sanidhyachauhan5578]

@@HomeStudioRescue every analog modelled plugin and IR based plugins are 0 latency and can be used for tracking

[@HomeStudioRescue]

“Every” analog modeled plugin? That seems pretty broad. I just got a new Mac Studio and it seems like you can run a lot on a 32 buffer size, but in my experience before this computer there was always a little bit of latency.

[@sanidhyachauhan5578]

@@HomeStudioRescue some plugins which just simply have that analog sound but really aren't analog modelled on hardware for eg soundtoys and logic Pro x stock compressor will indeed impart latency on the signal. I always check online for there latency because I love tracking with plugins. So far I've only used waves and they have an entire list of latency for every plugin. Don't know about slate or plugin alliance

[@jayjay4470]

Do I need to own a hardware uad interface in order to get slate digital plugin subscription ?

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Nope, I believe you need a Ilok, They’re like 50 bucks.

[@jayjay4470]

Oh ok good lol thanks 💯 just subscribed

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Thanks Jay Jay, happy to help

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Hey Jay, how do you find the channel?

[@jayjay4470]

I was deciding wether to buy waves, or Slate digital ,plugins so I just searched on KZbin -waves vs slate digital plugins and this video was one of the first that popped up.

[@hoax00og]

great video

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Thanks dude!

[@anthonymicha7079]

Unfair comparison. What about UAD Spark or Waves Creative Acces?

[@HomeStudioRescue]

When I made this video none of that existed.

[@Gamervidsman2000]

Most people don't even get the chance to use UAD, so it's weird seeing people make an opinion against UAD. They will watch a video, but they wont actually try it, and apply it (cost is the main reason, UAD is expensive). UAD sound wise here, is absolutely king. The rest are amazing too, but it's a weird comparison. The Waves 1176 is disgusting when comparing to Plugin Alliances Purple Audio MC77 and UADs 1176. UADs only "downside" is it's cost, which isn't a downside. You're probably going that route cause you're a professional.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

I own or subscribe to everything I talk about in this video. I think each Waves 1176, UAD all that stuff. They all have their use. I love the CLA 1176. I also like the blue stripe UAD 1176. It’s just different for each. I really do like tracking through a universal audio Apollo. I think it’s a great value, but the Plugins in and of themselves aren’t that much better than what’s already out there.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Also I made this video over a year ago and so my opinions are a little different since buying an Apollo.

[@bishalbarman1160]

Stock plugins 😏😏 poor gang hauu!!

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Hey! Nothing wrong with stock plugins. That's actually a great point! Stock plugins are probably the best value...touche

[@BreeDxLeaD]

Poor Gang🤣

[@rowanonx5806]

top 5 human of all time

[@sammythebull116]

Uad is a joke 1600 euros and you can load max 3 plugins, you have to spend 100.000 euro's if you want to load multiple plugins for your session

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Yeah, DSP is the name of the game and it could be very expensive. Any universal audio product you buy should have at least a quad. This video is dated and with new computers you don’t really need DSP.

[@TomiBonTomi_2.0]

Umm, have you used Autotune when recording this video? Your voice sounds processed. I don't think you sound like that "out of the box" :)

[@HomeStudioRescue]

It was a problem with the video audio. I figured it out since. I’m pretty good at audio, but audio and video not so much. Thanks for watching

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Also, I’m part robot

[@ettiennelane9173]

Neither one of them.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Cool, what plug-in manufacturers would you say are the best value?

[@ettiennelane9173]

@@HomeStudioRescue I think all 3 companies make excellent plugins. Slate Digital has the best deal with their all access monthly subscription. I just feel like these companies are trying to squeeze money out of you, which is cool since it's business. I just don't wanna be locked into a subscription. Nobody really needs or uses a million plugins. So Slate justifying the subscription model to the overall value is besides the point. I hate the Waves update policy. I bought 20 or so licences from them through the years. Their is a GUI problem with my newest V12 Waves plugin which I bought this year. V13 is out and guess what, I will need to pay again to fix the GUI problem within the same year? I was quite upset about the new SSL EV2 channel. No upgrade path for my old E-channel... So I dumped Waves and my E-channel. UAD is just crazy with their hardware/plugin pricing. I feel that Plugin Alliance makes plugins as good as the other guys without holding a gun to your head. Their plugins go ons sale often (although not as often as the Waves perpetual sale) so if you have some patience you can build your PA collection over time. Licenses work on 3 machines. The other guys are like Apple, forcing you into things you don't want, especially UAD. I feel more respect from PA towards me as an end user.

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Cool, yeah I’ve heard good things about plug in alliance. Yeah waves is a shit show. UAD is very expensive and slate make some pretty good stuff. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@ettiennelane9173]

@@HomeStudioRescue thanks for putting out content.

[@bassinblue]

@@ettiennelane9173Yo it has been a year and a LOT has changed (Universal Audio). What's your current update with what plugins you're using?