UAD Sound City Studios Plug-in: The Art of Capturing History

Shop the UAD Sound City Studios Plug-in 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/UAD_Sound_C...
Sound City Studios founders Joe Gottfried and Tom Skeeter built their legacy on the foundations of the building’s history as a Vox manufacturing facility, acquiring a state-of-the-art recording console from engineering pioneer Rupert Neve himself: a 24-monitor 8028, armed with 28 inputs, 16 bus channels, 1,084 EQs, and, infamously, no automation. This would be one of the critical elements that would define the iconic character of Sound City Studios recordings, the other being the indelible acoustics of the space, with the likes of Dave Grohl, Toto’s Jeff Porcaro, and engineer Rick Rubin being just a few of the many world-class musicians to laud the studio complex for its unmatchable recordings, especially with drums. All these factors are wrapped in the fact that the studio has remained largely unchanged since first opening, with the nexus of these technological and architectonic vectors resulting in a distinctive aural aesthetic that has made the studio a paragon of recording. Through painstaking engineering, Universal Audio has meticulously crafted a comprehensive, virtual reproduction of the space: UAD Sound City Studios Plug-in. Faithfully re-created with exacting precision, Sound City Studios and its full suite of legendary sonic frameworks are now available to every artist, and Sweetwater was given a firsthand look at the magic of capturing history in limitless digitality. Dive in to learn more!
00:00 - Backstory
08:48 - Recording the Tracks
14:15 - The Reveal
38:43 - Conclusion
 Want more videos on Universal Audio? Check out Beyond the Gear: Universal Audio & Sweetwater
👉 • Beyond the Gear: Unive...
 
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/shop  
Recorded at Sweetwater Studios 👉 sweetwaterstudios.com/
Sweetwater Studio C Gear List 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/Studio_C_Ge...
For more from Sweetwater, follow us:
Facebook: / sweetwater
Twitter: / sweetwatersound
Instagram: / sweetwatersound
TikTok: / sweetwatersound
#Sweetwater #UAD #SoundCityStudios #Plugin

[@sweetwater]

Which legendary studio do you think deserves the UAD plug-in treatment? Sound off in the comments to let us know, and be sure to drop by Sweetwater for a detailed look at the full scope of sound-crafting possibilities afforded by the UAD Sound City Studios Plug-in 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/UAD_Sound_City_Studios_Plug-in

[@MobiusMinded]

Capitol Studio’s. Especially B. One of the best sounding rooms in LA. All the studio’s at what is now East West… the original Western Studios.

[@RicardoDavilaOficial]

ABBEY ROAD, Hitsville and Capitol.

[@dizmix]

Record Plant LA, Hendson LA

[@MobiusMinded]

@@dizmix yes. Studio A of A&M (Henson). But Capital’B’ and Studio’s 1, 2 & 3 at East West (old Western, OceanWay (1/2), Cello, etc) are by far the best tracking rooms in Los Angeles. I loved Sound City, but honestly the room sounded like a garage in comparison for Capitol Studio’s ‘B,’ one can recorder drums in that room with little aero EQ engaged on their Neve (autographed by Rupert 😃.)

[@Axeyard]

My bedroom.@@MobiusMinded

[@DamienTheCat]

18:15 you know they had to stop recording several times throughout this video and go "We need to keep mentioning that it sounds EXACTLY like the room! Say it! Now!"

[@arfoe]

excited to use this with Superior Drummer 3

[@Drfresh1402]

I don’t understand why we got so little of the song.

[@CampbellDownie]

Finished a track last night and used it on Drums and vocals, holy cow, its just amazing, cant wait to use it on other instruments, this plugin is amazing, wow,

[@steveSticksE]

It’s definitely the 1st plug in that has been studied by many sound techs and it’s definitely for those musicians at home to make professional recordings and I think it’s amazing!!! It’s Worth the money since real studio time is expensive!! Sound city studios is legendary for number one albums and the best musicians ever walked in!!! I wish all of the success with the newest plugin that has been released!! Rock on and merry Xmas and Happy Holidays x

[@officialWWM]

Problem is, if everyone starts using it, all the records will sound the same!

[@intheblink]

One of the most exciting plugin releases in recent memory. I’ve only played with it a bit but I’m already so excited to see what it can do to some tracks I’ve been putting off mixing. Especially on drums!

[@wyrlismike]

Were you disappointed? I thought the idea for the plugin was amazing and I was really excited, but the video demos sounded kinda lame to me

[@intheblink]

@@wyrlismike yeah, I think it has some use cases, but it isn’t the magical “slap it on anything and it’ll sound great” plugin I was hoping for. Still good for remapping things into a room in the box I guess

[@JayTheLane]

I could tell when listening back the drummer was kind of not impressed with the remic. From the look on his face he felt the drums sounded better without the plug his arms all folded. It kind of sounded muffled in places. The reverb mode sounded better. That said if used well I imagine this would useful. I’ve used it this week and on piano it sound great.

[@lb2696]

I feel a lot of the demos overdo it.

[@jamiehaynes5457]

I agree completely. His non-processed track sounded great. I liked it better.

[@DarrinNoNAME]

I came to the comments to see if anyone noticed that. He wasn't impressed with the overdone mix of the room (neither was I). I feel that when you mix it to taste, it would sound much cleaner and not so overpowering. To me it sounded like another convolution reverb plug-in. However, I still got the plug-in and slowly playing with it and looking forward to utilizing it for sure.

[@sadul]

There are many possible problems with plugins like this. If you have recorded your instrument in a room. You have the acoustics recorded already. Then you try to ad some "sound city magic". What happens? Lot of phasing and muddy reverbs. I´m sure this plugin will work great on some instruments, but better be careful. I´m sure this will sound great on a small acoustic band type situation. Glue the different tracks together and create a virtual space for the band/recording.

[@TexasJackdaw]

My thoughts exactly

[@johnvcougar]

They did harp on about close mics and DI tones and "re-amping" them through the plug. I reckon we're seeing the "Enfant terrible" of recording space emulation. I mean, there's already heaps of stuff on emulating control rooms and mix/monitoring platforms, so why not recording spaces? We've already got IR-based rooms in reverb-type plugs and tools like the Ox. It's a natural enough progression. Bit of fun!

[@brennonmcfarlane429]

Isotope RX processing can remove almost all room sound. Then you can send in signal dry, and only get desired room sound.

[@aeiplanner]

The disgust on Nick's face after hearing his raw drum tracks dragged through the mud. LOL The plugin is amazing though, just showed off very well.

[@andrewweeks448]

no kidding

[@andrewsun4385]

Awesome!!!❤❤💯💯

[@user-gy6vw3ef6n]

Thanks for saving thoes pieces in Plugins. Wish you best

[@MyronDavismd]

In the future there will be a plugin that sounds like the bedroom or hotel room where Billie Eyelash and Phneas recorded her hit record 🙂

[@officialWWM]

God, I hope not!

[@anth495]

very nice demo, the song has the eurythmics sweet dreams kind of vibe.

[@johnnyrenfield]

Absolutely can not wait!!! 🤘💀🍻🔥

[@johnnyrenfield]

You know the first thing I'm doing is covering a FEAR song!

[@yams900]

Excellent!

[@thaexception3406]

Insightful and good presentation

[@thedoner67]

Like the Ocean Way plug before it, this seems to sound much better in Reverb mode than Re mic….at least on drums.

[@jefftum4177]

Ocean Way Re mic can do wonders for drums recorded in bad rooms. I move the front mic as close as possible to get as direct as possible then bring in a little room. Re mic on acoustic DI is great also.

[@SoundDsgn]

Please please PLEASE… model Sunset Sound Factory Studio. The sound of Andrew Gold, Linda Ronstadt, Karla Bonoff, and most anything recorded by Val Garay! The consummate Southern California sound of the 1970’s.

[@thaexception3406]

IKmultimedia has this studio reverb plugin!

[@DarrinNoNAME]

IK multimedia has it and its amazing. You should give it a try. It's totally worth. People sleep on IK but their plug-ins also deliver. They know what they're doing too.

[@ronaldcoleman9370]

Absolutely amazing!!! Nick, you look overwhelmingly bored and exhausted, haha!!! At least your still getting paid to sit there, haha!!! Awesome product and song!!!!

[@MobiusMinded]

I have a couple of Keith Olsen’s modded Cat22 cards 😁. Over time I was lucky to work at SC as an assistant; an engineer; and a producer.

[@Featherlightstudio]

Got my start in the 80's helping out at SC as well. Not sure how much this plug actually 'sounds' like that room and those days but it definitely brought back memories for sure and its a cool idea to try and bottle up that vibe. If they really wanted accuracy, they should have modeled that bathroom back then..oof! lol

[@MobiusMinded]

@@Featherlightstudio lol. Yeah. Actually, I don’t really care if it’s 100% accurate with that room. Within itself, as a whole, the plug serves a need and does it really well. I just wish they had done a set with the drum riser… AND that piano “goboe” that dit over the top of the piano, which they built for Elton John when he was there for his Caribou album. 🤣

[@JoaoRelego]

Great video!

[@wyrlismike]

Howd they get the sound of the console if dave grohl bought that thing awhile ago

[@briannacery9939]

So cool!

[@dannyprecysroadtoforever5234]

The drummer must have had Taco Bell before shooting this promo because he obviously can't wait to get out of there😂😂😂

[@lazoo2000]

like sitting through a timeshare seminar to get your free demo and plug. lol

[@jansonrawlings8169]

Spot on

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

UAD's Sound City Plugin has dramatically changed my home recordings. I love it. It gives incredible realism and depth to the drums that regular reverb cannot match. The only thing I wish UA would change is the need to be online to use the plugin. Sonnox does this too and it's quite annoying. I don't understand why they do this. A simple internet glitch or wanting to record in remote areas really makes it unusable.

[@PlottingTheDownfall]

I guess maybe it's how you authorize it? My DAW PC is never online and I use it and Sonnox all the time.

[@donnas8408]

Before you all lose your mind, compare this ASAP to UAD Oceanway Studios it’s the same concepts I want to hear side-by-side I want to hear which is one sounds better let’s go ! Somebody do it please ASAP. Thank you.

[@professorslideraudio]

2 studios are better than one. Love ocean way . No reason to choose a favorite in general … only per sound source

[@thesaint7380]

I did compare them, plus Capitol Chambers, and they are all different, complementing each other. OW is more about ambience, the rooms sound shorter and less obvious.

[@StellarWorks2023]

In re-mic mode, the sound of the mics in the plugin is being added to the sound of the original mics used right?

[@sweetwater]

Thanks for your interest! That’s correct, the plugin is modifying the existing signal on the track in order to emulate other microphones and all of the other room features. I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1793, [e-mail]

[@hinky7729]

Uuuii what happend with the phase? I used it today and there wasnt an issue so far (insert, not send)

[@jansonrawlings8169]

😆 The drummer’s face looked so disgusted when he toggled on the plugin, and rightfully so. The drums sound so much better raw

[@abgrun5505]

it would be amazing to try an resurrect sigma sound "the philly sound" somehow...

[@davidbaron8330]

Acoustic sounds like Master Exploder from The D.

[@javytorres94]

Phasing issues on the drums! 😩

[@kvalsoniclab9152]

yeah, lots of it. My first thoughts while having this in the background while doing other not-audio stuff at the same time. The phasing was jabbing at me, like "do I have your attention NOW". Yes, absolutely. This plug might likely work in some scenarios, but in my case.... as recording, mixing and mastering engineer.... I already got better solutions, at least from the poor examples we were provided

[@NeilCrockett]

Nick is a gentleman.

[@MichaelJamesWood]

Yes, lots!

[@hokkym.6348]

what's the song called?

[@indigosnow_]

interesting

[@MustacheVerra]

Will they make a DSP version?

[@DougGrinbergs]

6:36 the classic Buckingham Nicks album (still no CD release!😡)

[@KJameson8]

40 minute long video, and only hear just a minute of the song? Ffs who ok'd this video? Brutal

[@jarexxsuvexx8212]

What i want to knows is, where is the apollo version? I am starting to get this feeling that at some point UAD will replace all their DSP based audio interfaces with Non DSP versions. If this is the case then prices for the non dsp versions should be significantly reduced.

[@KJameson8]

It's called the "Volt"

[@ElegantJP]

아 씨 이거보면 사게될 것 같은데 안볼 수가 없다

[@thesaint7380]

As great as the first impression may be, i think i'll skip this one. For my taste it's too special and the rooms to prominent, unless you mix and produce old school rock'n roll...i couldn't make it really fit in any current, modern sounding production, and i also thought that it didn't fit for the song in the video. The drums sounded way better without the plug. The song overall had potential for a great mix, but this example using SC made it sound muddy, phasey and two dimensional. It's just adding too much of it overall..just a little of that taste could work for some music. But since it has to be used as an insert (using as send creates horrible phase issues here), there is not enough control over the room size and amount, it's already way too much even on the closest distances (when using the mic'ed mode). Maybe UAD could add an option to overall decrease or dampen the room tails and eq them (they also sound quite muddy and need a lot of processing after the plugin to fix that).

[@tomasshannon6537]

they should add some mix knob functionality for re-mic mode. i find myself using reverb mode 99% of the time because it allows you to make it more subtle. another option is to (for example) have a drum mic that's recording exclusively for usage on re-mic mode, which you can then mix in with the rest of the kit

[@lovebirdsmusic]

cant have a studio without alesis midiverb II ...

[@rocketsauce5067]

How hard does it hit the cpu?

[@actionfigureschannel]

if you use Apollo(s) then the onboard power takes care of it. Your computer won't struggle.

[@srwaite7]

It’s a native plugin so it doesn’t require an Apollo.

[@JordonBeal]

@@actionfigureschannelYea, native-only, doesn’t run on the UAD hardware.

[@xxspinzzxx]

Question, will it be Apollo compatible ? Also, if I have a Apollo plugins can they now be native? If I buy this native and Apollo becomes available so I have to buy again

[@Axeyard]

Don't have to buy such plugs twice.@@xxspinzzxx

[@whatshisface7450]

Unfortunately, it all had to be done without the Key piece; the Neve Console, that is in Dave Grohl's Home Studio.

[@kevinstarofficial]

well the whole mix sounds better with the plugin off.

[@jonathanbobo722]

Where are you hearing the whole mix?

[@DamienTheCat]

The drums especially.. I can't believe how much worse it sounds when he keeps toggling the plugin on

[@ryancrawford9894]

It’s definitely not the plugin from what I’ve heard in other demos, but there’s some weird phasing issues happening. I can’t believe Sweetwater released this without listening to it.

[@protoolsfanatic7276]

I downloaded free version. I've learned quickly its really easy to overdue it. There's Definitely a place for this plug in.

[@mrsayang]

@@DamienTheCat agreed, I don't like the plugin sound on the drums. I use the UA Plate Reverb on my own drum kit and it sounds great. With the standard UAD Plate Reverb plugin you have everything you need....of course besides the EQ and Compressor.

[@svenlindemann5084]

Just wondering, what is Dave Grohls involvement in this studio ?

[@nikdrown]

Nirvana Nevermind was recorded there. He bought their Neve console when it closed.

[@alexbreyer6921]

customer only

[@chrissneider7550]

oh well, 99% of users listen to music from Spotify and Apple Music with the earbuds that come with their phones and in general the music they listen to is pure garbage. It won't matter to them what monitors you used or if you recorded it in the best studio in the world, as long as the song is played on the radio and they tell them it's the best in the world they will consume it. The point is that if you listen to for example the song 'Despacito' which has billions of views on youtube, it is literally garbage sound if you listen to it in a good studio. The point is not so much how good you make your songs sound but how much people like them. Make a song that is pure garbage with a poopy sound but people like it and you've succeeded! just sayin'...

[@Axeyard]

The voice of truth!!

[@ryanwyatt8733]

Roy Thomas Baker?? What happened to his English accent?

[@DamienTheCat]

YEAH SO ANYWAY I BROUGHT A TRUCK LOAD OF GEAR TO HER HOUSE STRAIGHT FROM UA!!! Way to defeat the whole purpose lol, and it's so funny that during that part you emphasize that it's a BeDRoOM REcOrDInG aT HOme!!

[@siriusfun]

Somebody get grumpy bear some honey.

[@robmcgaughey1938]

Not knowing exactly what was going to happen I brought guitars, amps, pedals, microphones, mic stands, headphones, a rack with a couple of Apollos and a few boxes of cables. As it turned out I could have done it with a lot less but I wanted to be prepared.

[@professorslideraudio]

All the rack gear in the world doesn’t magically create great acoustic room sounds

[@kvalsoniclab9152]

These guys in the video... were they even listening?

[@gaetanclybouw]

What preset was the 'snare plate' ? U forgot to explain that one ...

[@robmcgaughey1938]

It’s just the chamber by itself.

[@VVVY777]

Sounds like flappy, flabby upper lows and boxy mids to me.

[@wyrlismike]

Yeah it's so clear they messed this one up, I was so excited at first and at first listen I was not happy, I could tell the idea didn't land on this one, it's weird hearing people say it's great 😕

[@BILLYMORGAN1971]

Did Sound City have to run their mic through a carwash after Kurt used it?🤪

[@MarcinMadix]

UAD makes great plugins. Not sure about this one though. Whatever was playing over the intro sounded excellent. The plugin treated audio just did not sound anything like that, and it did not sound great to me.

[@balisaani]

Your mileage may vary as your mileage increases. Give it a year.

[@danielsfarris]

System requirements: a completely dead room to record your tracks in before you send them to this plugin.

[@PrestonHazard]

Orrrrrrr let’s try this… Maybe experiment in your own recording space (home, studio, garage, basement, whatever you have) and actually get an organic, original room sound that isn’t generated by a computer. Why is everything so robotic now

[@dirtymirrors9394]

Sounds good on some sources, sounds TERRIBLE on others.

[@peterhughes8699]

I don't think any pro studio deserves another digital plug in

[@davidhine8870]

can confirm this plugin is mean. ironically this demo does not do it justice.

[@kieranniemand2939]

Over produced promotional video. Highly annoying. Just show us the plugin.. no need to keep hammering on about how it SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE ROOM. Couldn’t watch longer than 20min

[@brainjellyTV]

great marketing

[@PhatLvis]

It's iconic? Everyone knows what it LOOKS like? Though rampantly misused of late - as well as mind-bendingly Overused - the word Iconic ("icon," in original Greek, meaning Image) only properly refers to Imagery, i.e. someone or something whose Image is famous. Misusers appear to presume Iconic means simply "widely known," or "instantly recognizable," or, in this case, probably just "famous." Misuse has spiraled out of control due to the KZbin Feedback Loop - whereby mistakes are parroted and propagated.

[@jansonrawlings8169]

When this chick calls the listener “consumers” 🤦🏻

[@Uncrushed04]

Lol truck load of gear. Nothing about recording music will ever be easy or straightforward.

[@chiet97]

its not that great

[@svenlindemann5084]

Just disregard my comment below !

[@officialWWM]

Nick doesn’t look very impressed 😂😂 Also, that woman has a terrible singing voice!

[@BataraKado]

not every plugin sounds good, not every plugin should be used on every single recording..

[@AgoraphobicLocust]

@weaverbeats