UAD Spark: Do We Need UAD Apollo Interfaces Anymore?

[@terrapininspace]

Great video, Ray - the info about not needing a subscription when I already have a load of UAD. plugins is priceless. Thanks!

[@walterFRENCHTV]

Now you can mix on the go or get the volt and track vocals on the go then come back to your home studio or studio and connect to the twin! And finalize mix! This is a super game changer! This world is crazy, I’m hearing people are mad because it takes away the exclusiveness to UAD, instead of caring about how much this helps a traveling artist/producer or anyone into making music. 🔥🔥🔥

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

I've been avoiding the UAD plugins because of the price (even though I love my Volt 476). I wish I could just buy the 1176 or La2A separately I think those are the only plugins I really want, the 1073 style EQ in Logic is amazing. Thanks! I've smashed all the smashers! Salutations from astonishingly sunny, cold & weirdly back to normal Ireland! ☘💪🏽👀👍🏽☘

[@verifysounds]

Thank you Sonny! Hopefully, you can grab those plug ins at a discount on the UAD website! I’m pretty sure you can still purchase the plug in(s) on your UAD account with out a UAD Hardware unit.

[@harshsuniltrivedi8284]

How's the latency on the 476 man? I have heard a lot of things about the issues with the latency... confused between the audient and the volt 76 series.

[@Mikeoliver1]

DSP is still going to be useful for tracking. Just use both. I don’t see why it has to be one or the other.

[@verifysounds]

Definitely, recently however, I've found myself using more Native plug ins since I can run more of them, but that API Channel Strip is a must as a Unison in, especially for the SM7b recordings for these videos, haha. + I've used the Legacy version of LA-2A in most of my Pro Tools sessions and I can't use it natively, which makes me sad, so you're right, they must go together currently.

[@nlamste3]

Thanks for the video! Just wondering if you answered the question of the title ‘do we need an Apollo?’ 😉 My thoughts on this is, yes, because we now have the best of two worlds (DSP and native). But I have two questions to check if my assessment is correct: 1) Is there a difference between using a plugin as Unison vs not Unison, as the Unison technology is supposed to change the Apollo hardware? 2) I saw Console in your background. Is that from the Apollo, or do you get Console as part of UAD Spark? Setting up and saving chains in Console is of course great What is your verdict on ‘if we still need an Apollo?’ Glad to hear your thoughts! 👍🏻

[@verifysounds]

You’re right 🙂 i was kinda leaving that up for debate, hahah 1. Using DSP Plug ins as unison technology changes the input signal; while using the DSP Plug ins as plug ins only work in post. 1. Console only works with DSP Plug ins (Apollo Interfaces / Satellite units) So using UNISON plug ins going in & Spark Plug-ins in post is a great combination in my opinion and has been working for me since they released them. I definitely think both will co-exist indefinitely for those who have DSP Plug-ins at their disposal.

[@kehindea]

The short answer is no. Apollo is no longer needed though many will continue to buy it until UAD develop a range of hardware without DSP and at considerable lower prices. The current state of computer CPUs, means that DSPs are pointless. You can use native plugins for tracking with hardly any noticeable latency and most will opt for this. There will always be those who need DSP for tracking and Apollo will be what they’d need or they can opt for digital mixers or even hardware but those people would benefit from using Apollos. It remains to be seen what UAD will do but I would imagine they would increase their range of products to give people choice which would be a good thing.

[@nlamste3]

Thanks both for your answers and views! You now have the ‘budget’ Volt series (even with built in pre amp and compressor for $300). Then you can subscribe 3,5 years (a bit more) before you could have purchased an Apollo for $1.199 with free Heritage plugins. So I think UAD is heading in a good direction, giving the choice of purchasing plugins for the Apollo which you can then also use native with Spark. Or just use Spark. Me personally, I am not a fan of SaaS. You pay monthly fees without ever owning anything once you stop. Perhaps UAD will change this in the future, that after an amount of monthly payments you get to own a plug-in in Spark indefinitely.

[@LeonFredison]

I wanted get Little Labs Voice of god but I cannot afford an Apollo or satellite. Wish they had a Native version😢 Nothing besides Waves Rbass can compete with the UAD VOG unfortunately........☹ (Also tried Boz Digital Labs Bark of Dog - Not even close)

[@legacystudiosnash]

Great in depth content !

[@DjR3aper]

I wanna know if the hard ware changes make a difference with the input into the dsp.

[@32demon49]

Great video. I don’t know what’s better to be honest. Stick with my focusrite and use UAD spark or buy an Apollo solo and own the plug ins

[@jacksp8de]

I always wanted to try UAD plugins so Imma try the 14 day trial but tbh I’m subbed out 😂. I already got plug-in alliance and slate. PA gives you sooo many plugins for less money

[@willb1157]

THANK YOU! I am still trying to work out the subscription fees: I have several of the offered Plugs: Galaxy Echo/API Vision/Studer?Lexicon, and Ravel/MiniMoog for LUNA. Surely this mean I should be paying less on the subscription? As it only leaves Opal/1176PurePlate and LA2A. The whole thing is not well documented or designed for me at least Any ideas?

[@verifysounds]

It looks as if the subscription price will remain, so I recommend still purchasing the plug ins that are available in the subscription if you want to use them natively and avoid a monthly price all together. But if you don't own any of the plug ins, it's a great idea to take advantage of the free trial and test run the plug ins available, just to see if you'd like them and to see if your system is capable of the amount of instances you want to run regularly

[@talenwaver]

1. Hardware: - Pros: Unison input feature. Own the plugins outright. Use the plugins without an internet connection. Never have to worry about payments. - Cons: Plugins aren't accessible without detection of hardware connection. Massive loss of performance (doesn't tap into your M1's abilities) and costs ALOT for inadequate processing power. Spark: - Pros: Let's you use plugins without hardware detected. - Cons: Can't run without a non stop internet connection (unless an iLok key is taking up one of your ports). Still not optimized for M1 yet.

[@bigheartsmolpen]

How about now? It's been 7 months. Any improvements?

[@TzoHill]

Which option is more CPU intensive?

[@malobeats]

You made it so simple to understand, thank you so much brother I really appreciate you putting out this amazing work. Subbed 👍🏼

[@MeziboyfromdaPOUND]

What if you have a UADUSB for PC money they’re saying it’s only for Max bark does that mean if you have a Apollo twin for windows you can’t get it?

[@HoratioBannister]

I am confused, can i luanch Luna and record and mix a project WITHOUT a uad interface (without apollo) if I subscribe to Spark? How do I luanch Luna without a uad interface? Or is Luna still only available to use with a uad device? Thanks in advance!

[@jakejjohnson1714]

If you were in the market to now purchase an apollo interface, which would you buy the solo or twin x? I was thinking of purchasing the twin x because of the extra DSP but with the plugins being able to go native now does it now make more sense to go with the SOLO interface and pay nearly half the price for it? From my research, the preamps and sound quality are the same which is also the main reason for me wanting an apollo.

[@verifysounds]

I would say go Solo unless you need more DSP for UNISON, or you NEED the talk back feature, I’ve used my solo with about 2 API Channel Strips in console with about 80% DSP

[@jakejjohnson1714]

@@verifysounds Thanks I think I will go Solo then, right now I can't see myself using to many of the plugins at the same time. My main reason for buying an Apollo is for the quality and sound output/headphone output quality. A lot of people say they are amazing for how much better it makes the sound coming out of their speakers. However, if this new update hadn't come out then I may of gone with the twin just to future proof myself a bit if I were starting to use the plugins more and more, But I guess this new model protects this now :)

[@Jmarsbeats]

Are any of these plug-ins dsp? Basically for tracking via apollo. Instead of post

[@devonwasheretoday]

Do these new plugins oversample internally like the DSP?

[@MarlonKingShow]

UA is so expensive, for my minimal needs, the x4 is nearly £2k Seems im better off buying the lowest 1 mic pre for a unison, then buy and audient id44 as well as and still save myself £1k. I hear the unison's are good, but not even sure i need them at all. Its just the direct interfacing with the preamp from the vst when recording that interets me. Not interested in monthly fees unless its something as a one of mix... which is unlikely.

[@BCRilakuma]

I am using Cubase 11 Spark can be run on it perfectly👍

[@michaelkronenberg3712]

But if I have UAD-2 Satellite with plugins, how can I use spark without paying subscription? I don't see option to download spark as a separated program. Or I just can't find it?

[@lozicrazy]

Dont be fooled you gotta pay for that shii

[@musiccreation1198]

So, this seems to show that Unison was / is marketing hype. Btw, I'm heavily invested in UA hardware & plugins.

[@tuneunleashed]

Nope we don’t need UAD interfaces anymore. People are starting to realize that. I knew UAD was in shambles ever since the M1’s release and the Volts release with the SM7B knock off I found the same SM7B knockoff and UAD rebranded it lol. Yes, I support DSP sure it helps with the latency and all of that but I don’t support it’s expensive plugins UAD shoots at us. They’re cheaper interfaces that leaps on UAD such as the Motu Ultralite MK5

[@bco0t6]

DSPs are still the best emulation of the hardware but the natives come in a very close second

[@verifysounds]

That’s an interesting take, do you think they offer different results? (DSP vs Spark?)

[@JuanJacinto]

@@verifysounds They sound 100% exactly the same and it's been proved. You can look it up.

[@bco0t6]

@@verifysounds I think the DSPs offer the closest “color” that’s trying to be emulated where as the color of the native plug ins are a bit more “loose” for instance two Pultec EQs at the same frequency, the DSPs version will have just a bit more control and natural depth to the drums bass etc where as when you’re familiar with that texture you’ll notice on the Native Pultec that the color is slightly less controlled and or tight

[@musiccreation1198]

@@bco0t6 I'm trying to find Pultecs in the UADx offerings...striking out. How do you have a UADx version of Pultec EQs?

[@morbidmanmusic]

Not gonna pay subscriptions. Killed adobe too. UAD messed up

[@verifysounds]

I don’t blame you. It’s a dirty game, but i guess there are some bright sides to it, like low cost for early users who may not commit.

[@musiccreation1198]

Ok. But if I could rewind 18 months and grab a few subs for $30-$40 per month vs the $6k I've spent at UA, I would do it in a heartbeat. Just sayin'

[@wayneinc.4214]

Antelope Audio is more better aduio interfaces...UAD is last century nowadays guys, you just became a victim of marketing, they just suck money out of you, and it's sad to see(((

[@gdansk12349]

The analog classics bundle won't show up. They have decided to not update it anymore. Well thanks for nothing UAD. Nice way to rip off your customers. I hate their greedy shitty brand so much. Prices are just ridiculous and the plugins doesn't sound that good to be honest. Not with all other companies that does it better and cheaper.