Beware of UAD native plugins...
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- KVRAF
- 4149 posts since 2 Jul, 2005
I'd just skip the whole uad situation. I wasn't impressed (especially relative to the cost and hassle) by their stuff back when I had a card or any of the times I fiddled with them over the years. I'm excited for anyone who did want them without buying the hardware, but you should always just go to the iLok key if it's available for a product.
Having spent most of their existence as a very expensive hardware DSP platform, I doubt they'll be backing off with CP, or prices, now that they've finally gone native. Probably many years out.
Having spent most of their existence as a very expensive hardware DSP platform, I doubt they'll be backing off with CP, or prices, now that they've finally gone native. Probably many years out.
Don't F**K with Mr. Zero.
- KVRAF
- 3587 posts since 12 Jan, 2019
Is there a reason they only offer ilok cloud activations and not ilok activations on one's host computer? Does that cost them more money? Or is it less secure?
Doing nothing is only fun when you have something you are supposed to do.
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 11557 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 602 posts since 2 May, 2015 from Ruhrgebiet
@ kritikon: ... My UAD days began, when I had a not very powerful WinXP Laptop with Intel Core 2 Duo. Back then I appreciated the use of a UAD Laptop Solo card which helped a lot to save some ressources. It didn´t feel like "dongle" but exclusive. Next Computer - next UAD card, which was the Quad. Now I still have the Quad in my latest PC and enjoy the Fairchild, the Fatso, the Ampex, the Bus Compressor, the Cambridge EQ and so on. They still feel exclusive and I can trust in their Hardware, which is the Quad.
I don´t trust cheapo USB sticks labelled iLok, because one failed and left me very frustrated. That´s the reason I would prefer putting an iLok licence on the (offline-)computer.
AND: The damaged USB stick caused the hardest crashes (instant black screen) I ever had!!! It took some time until I found out, that it was the iLok dongle.
AND: PACE service used to stop occasionally and I had to find out on my own how to make it work again in the Win control panel which was very meh. That never happened with the host PC-tied-licensed products.
I don´t trust cheapo USB sticks labelled iLok, because one failed and left me very frustrated. That´s the reason I would prefer putting an iLok licence on the (offline-)computer.
AND: The damaged USB stick caused the hardest crashes (instant black screen) I ever had!!! It took some time until I found out, that it was the iLok dongle.
AND: PACE service used to stop occasionally and I had to find out on my own how to make it work again in the Win control panel which was very meh. That never happened with the host PC-tied-licensed products.
The average bored guy
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- KVRAF
- 5214 posts since 6 May, 2002
All UA plugins are dongled and can operate fully offline. Either
1.DSP based dongle
2.ilok based dongle
The advantage with ilok is its tiny and lightweight so you can transport it anywhere.
1.DSP based dongle
2.ilok based dongle
The advantage with ilok is its tiny and lightweight so you can transport it anywhere.
Intel Core2 Quad CPU + 4 GIG RAM
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- KVRian
- 596 posts since 21 Jan, 2017
I agree, beware of UAD native plugins, they've cost me money already b/c they sound so good and it's only been like a month or two since they went native.
I can't decide b/t the century tube strip, the API bus compressor or the LA-2A's and the sale is over in a day or two.
Their mixing plugins have the best sound to cpu cost ratio of any of my compressors and fx I think.
I can't decide b/t the century tube strip, the API bus compressor or the LA-2A's and the sale is over in a day or two.
Their mixing plugins have the best sound to cpu cost ratio of any of my compressors and fx I think.
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- KVRian
- 596 posts since 21 Jan, 2017
And I wouldn't have a single one if they didn't go native. My initial plan was to take advantage of their 1 dollar for 3 months promotion, write some tracks and then print all the uad stuff.
But they hooked me with their sound and then reeled me in by going native. Very effective marketing I guess. But I don't mind being the mark in this case, they're all over every project now.
But they hooked me with their sound and then reeled me in by going native. Very effective marketing I guess. But I don't mind being the mark in this case, they're all over every project now.
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- KVRian
- 596 posts since 21 Jan, 2017
Granted, if it caused the problems like the OP and other situations you guys talked about in the thread I'm sure my impressions would be altered accordingly. My experience w/ them has been trouble free so far.
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- KVRer
- 4 posts since 8 Jul, 2021
I bought my first UAD plugin a few months ago via Plugin Boutique. Actually, they were giving away the "lite" version of their LA-2A which I downloaded. Then came the offer to cross grade to their LA-2A collection for $22. Hmm... I said. OK, why not. I paid, downloaded it, and installed it. Then came the fuzzy, fade in UI... OK, that's pretty weird, and 3 seconds every time I open a UAD plugin that I'll never get back because waiting. Then I noticed the little icon in the system tray, UAConnect, or some such BS, with absolutely NO WAY to remove it from the tray.
I uninstalled all UAD products, ate the $22 I wasted, and will never buy anything else from them. Done. Will never understand what all the fuss was about.
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- KVRAF
- 2398 posts since 16 Jan, 2013
They really could have made the native plugin implementation less intrusive. What's so hard about having plugin installers that I can download from my UA account? Why only through UA Connect? And why is there no way to back up the installers to use later. They get deleted immediately once unpacked.
My licences are on a physical iLok. I shouldn't need UA Connect at all but it's the only way to install new licences or updates.
My licences are on a physical iLok. I shouldn't need UA Connect at all but it's the only way to install new licences or updates.
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- KVRAF
- 5515 posts since 25 Jan, 2007
Turns out you can uninstall UA Connect and the permanent licenses work fine.
I eventually tracked down my issues with iLok Cloud to UA Connect. It was always stealing a cloud session on my main rig, even if I was doing no music at all. I only use the Cloud on the laptop. So I deleted UA Connect, my freebie machine-authorised LA-2A works fine, and all is good.
http://www.guyrowland.co.uk
http://www.sound-on-screen.com
W11, Ryzen 7900, 64gb RAM, RME Babyface, 1050ti, PT 2024 Ultimate, Cubase Pro 13
Macbook Air M2 OSX 10.15
http://www.sound-on-screen.com
W11, Ryzen 7900, 64gb RAM, RME Babyface, 1050ti, PT 2024 Ultimate, Cubase Pro 13
Macbook Air M2 OSX 10.15
- KVRAF
- 2521 posts since 6 Jul, 2013
I only run UA Connect manually when I want to check for updates or install new stuff - that's the only time it runs here. Zero problems doing this.
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- KVRAF
- 2398 posts since 16 Jan, 2013