Universal Audio releases UAD Software v5.4 (incl. FATSO Jr./Sr., EMT 250 and Neve 31102)

Universal Audio has announced the release of UAD Software v5.4.0 which includes three new UAD Powered Plug-Ins: FATSO Jr. & Sr. Analog Tape Simulators (UAD-2), EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverberator (UAD-2), and Neve 31102 & 31102SE Classic Console EQs (UAD-2 and UAD-1). These new plug-ins can be freely auditioned in a 14-day demo mode. UAD Software v5.4.0 also provides significant RTAS performance improvements for Pro Tools users, integrated UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop support, and other enhancements for Windows-based users.

Major changes in Version 5.4.0:

• New Special Processing plug-ins: UAD FATSO Jr./Sr. Analog Tape Simulator and Compressor (UAD-2).
• New Reverb plug-in: UAD EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverberator (UAD-2).
• New EQ plug-ins: UAD Neve 31102 and 31102SE (UAD-2 and UAD-1).
• RTAS latency with UAD-2 is reduced to 1x hardware I/O buffer size (versus 2x in previous UAD software versions).
• Reduced host loads on multiprocessor systems (Windows).
• Improved host CPU spiking/dropouts in Windows Vista.

Full Details

All Platforms:

• New EQ plug-ins: UAD Neve 31102 and 31102SE.
• (UAD Meter) 1176SE no longer uses 1176LN RunOn setting in plug-ins tab.
• (Fairchild) Automation is no longer overwritten when controls are linked.
• (UAD 4K Channel Strip) Clicking "OFF" labels now disable HP and LP filters.
• (Cooper Time Cube) Improved control resolution in lower ranges.

UAD-2:

• New special plug-ins: UAD EL7 FATSO Jr. and FATSO Sr.
• New reverb plug-in: UAD EMT 250.

Windows:

• (UAD-2) Reduced host loads on multiprocessor systems.
• (UAD-2) Improved host CPU spiking/dropouts in Vista.

Macintosh:

• (AU) Removed Fairchild Mono Audio Units plug-in.
• (VST) Mono(m) plug-ins no longer load on UAD-2 when RunOn is set to UAD-1.
• (UAD-1) Resolved intermittent kernel panic on certain systems during driver install, driver load, or system wake.

RTAS:

• Additional UAD RTAS presets.
• Fixed issue with enabling Tempo Sync in CS-1, DM-1, and DM-1L.
• Pasting 1176LN/SE or LA-2A settings via UAD preset menu no longer zeros parameter values.
• (UAD-2) Latency is now 1x the hardware I/O buffer size instead of 2x.
• (Mac) Pro Tools 8 no longer hangs using Precision Multiband on UAD-2.

FATSO Jr. / Sr. Analog Tape Simulator and Compressor
For: UAD2
MSRP: $299.00

The Empirical Labs EL7 FATSO's design and creative feature set gives users the warm and pleasing sound of magnetic recording tape, "class A" transformers, and tube circuits. Endorsed and scrutinized for accuracy by designer Dave Derr of Empirical Labs, Universal Audio has recreated the FATSO Jr. in this UAD Powered Plug-In, capturing the sonic nuances of the original hardware. Specifically, the FATSO is designed to musically integrate frequencies and transients — and increase the apparent volume of your source material — in the same way classic analog equipment does.

As part of the FATSO Powered Plug-In, UA has also worked closely with Dave Derr to model his never-before-available original concept of the FATSO, the FATSO Sr., at no additional charge.

Feature Summary:

• Recreates the warm, musical qualities of magnetic recording tape, tubes, and class A transformers.
• Licensed and endorsed by Empirical Labs, created by Universal Audio.
• Clipping, Warmth, Tranny and Compression Select allow for a wide variety of analog tonal shaping possibilities.
• Additional UAD Powered Plug-In exclusive, FATSO Sr., provides original concept developed by Empirical Labs' Dave Derr.
• FATSO Sr. features include Tranny Saturation, Sidechain Filtering plus Threshold, Attack and Release.
• Stereo or Mono operation with independent Left/Right controls.
• Requires UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide.

FATSO Jr.

• Input Gain operates as processor threshold and allows for clipping distortion.
• Output Gain operates as makeup gain/gain reduction.
• Warmth circuit and cycling button offers seven degrees of saturation simulating the softening of the high frequencies that occurs with analog tape.
• Tranny circuit adds frequency "rounding," low order harmonic clipping, intermodular distortion and transient clipping.
• Tranny/Bypass cycling button allows for Tranny enable/disable and independent channel Bypass of all processing.
• FATSO Comp cycling button offers seven compression options:
  • Buss - Slow attack, fast release, soft knee buss compression.
  • G.P./General Purpose - Medium attack, slow release, transparent compression.
  • Tracking Compressor - Fast attack, medium release "1176-type" compression/limiting.
  • SPANK - "SSL talkback-type" aggressive limiting, can also be combined with Buss, G.P. or Tracking.
• Warmth and Compression metering via horizontal LED meters.
• Distortion metering via the "0 VU" yellow LED light indicating 1% THD, red "Pinned" LED indicating 5% THD or more.
• Link Compress links or unlinks compressor sidechain between Channels 1 and 2.
• Link Controls links or unlinks Ch 1 and 2 controls for ease of use in stereo operation.
• Processing can be bypassed globally via the Power switch for comparison to the original unprocessed signal.

FATSO Sr.

• All of the FATSO Jr. controls plus...
• Threshold Lvl knob adjusts compressor threshold.
• Tranny Lvl knob adjusts transformer saturation.
• HP Side Filter enables high pass filter in compression sidechain, selectable between 60, 120, 240, and 480Hz.
• Attack cycling button manually adjusts compressor attack time between 0.9, 10, 30, and 100ms.
• Release cycling button manually adjusts compressor release time between 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5s.

EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverberator
For: UAD2
MSRP: $249.00

Introduced in 1976, and still regarded by many as one of the best-sounding reverb units ever made, the EMT 250 was the first digital reverberator to operate through a purely electronic system. Today, Universal Audio has created a faithful emulation of this iconic, lever-driven reverb as a UAD Powered Plug-In.

Although only around 250 hardware units were ever built, the EMT 250 continues to leave an immeasurable mark on record-making history in the hands of studio legends like George Massenburg, Bruce Swedien, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Allen Sides.

The EMT 250's distinctive clear and open reverb sound has appeared on countless records, including Prince & The Revolution's Purple Rain, Elvis Costello's Spike, and modern classics like The Red Hot Chili Pepper's Stadium Arcadium. Re-engineered by Universal Audio alongside EMT 250 creator Dr. Barry Blesser — and fully endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik GmbH — the EMT 250 Powered Plug-In goes far beyond emulation by using the very same algorithm found in these extremely rare units, according to Universal Audio.

Feature summary:

• Recreation of the EMT 250 reverb unit.
• Very same algorithm found in the original, repurposed for plug-in use in conjunction with original EMT 250 designer Dr. Barry Blesser.
• Modeled from Allen Sides' EMT 250 "golden unit" at Ocean Way Recording.
• Additional EMT 250 effects also included: Delay, Phasing, Chorus, Echo, and Space.
• Fully endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik GmbH as the world's only authentic emulation.
• Additional exclusive "UAD Powered Plug-In" features include Dry/Wet Mix, Wet Solo, and Hard Bypass via the lighted EMT power icon.
• Requires UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide.

Parameters:

• Reverb program with lever selectable decay times from 0.4s to 4.5s.
• Four position lever selectable high frequency decay.
• Four position lever selectable low frequency decay.
• Delay program with two independent delay lines including lever selectable delay times from 0 to 315ms.
• Phasing program with lever controlled phase position.
• Chorus program with lever selection of four chorus variations.
• Echo program with lever selectable delay time from 0 to 315ms, with adjustable high frequency damping.
• Space which offers fixed reverb time of 10s.
• Lever selectable Pre-Delay for all programs (0, 20, 40, 60ms).
• Outputs switch offers "Quad" tonal variations of original hardware for Reverb, Phasing, and Space modes (lit), while acting as a mono sum for the Delay and Chorus programs and an input mute for the Echo program (unlit).
• Global Wet/Dry Mix slider.
• Global Wet Solo button defeats audible dry signal for Buss use.
• LED meter displays input signal level.
• "Register" LED indicates internal system clipping.
• Power switch via EMT icon offers a glitch-free bypass for comparison to original unprocessed signal.

Neve 31102 / 31102SE Classic Console EQs
For: UAD 1 and UAD 2
MSRP: $249.00

Boasting its own distinct filter shaping, yet with unmistakable Neve sheen and bite, the Neve 31102/SE EQ Powered Plug-In provides another step in the evolution of classic Neve EQs, according to Universal Audio. Originally featured in the Neve 8068 console, the 31102 EQ was used to mix one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, Appetite For Destruction by Guns-N-Roses.

Universal Audio's officially licensed and endorsed Neve 31102 EQ Powered Plug-In delivers the same sonic experience as its analog cousin with exacting detail, according to Universal Audio. Three-band active EQ and High/Low filters offer enhanced tone-shaping possibilities and a feature complexity that sits squarely between its legendary cousins, the 1073 and the 1081.

Features:

• Neve licensed and endorsed, Universal Audio-modeled 31102 EQ.
• 3-band active EQ and High/Low filters modeled after legendary Neve 8068 console.
• Unique coloring with its own distinct filter shaping versus previous Neve analog EQ designs.
• Filter response curves modeled to exacting detail.
• "Level Adjust" Gain control with original 30dB gain range.
• Neve 31102SE 'DSP-lite' version yields higher instance count.
• Requires a UAD DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide.

Parameters:

• HF = 10,12, 16k shelf with +/- 18 db of gain.
• MF = switchable frequency (7.2k 4.8, 3.2, 1.6, .7 and .35 kHz) peak or trough parametric EQ with Lo and Hi Q.
• LF = switchable frequency (220, 110, 60 and 35 Hz) low shelving EQ.
• HP = switchable frequency (45, 70, 160 and 360 Hz) high pass filter.
• LP = switchable frequency (6, 8, 10, 14 and 18 kHz) low pass filter.
• Clicking band symbols causes cycling of switchable frequency selections.
• "Level Adjust" gain control via original 30dB gain range.
• Clicking on "OFF" silkscreen adjacent to Input knob causes the knob to move to OFF position; Clicking OFF a second time causes the knob to return to its last input gain setting.
• Phase and "EQL" EQ bypass switches.