There are now three options for using UAD plugins to meet your unique requirements and production process. In this article, we will compare native UAD, UAD for Apollo/UAD-2, and UAD Spark to help you determine the best option for your specific needs.
What are native UAD plug-ins?
Native UAD plug-in titles include effects and instruments that can be run on your computer’s CPU without the need for additional hardware such as an Apollo, UAD-2 Satellite, or UAD-2 PCIe card. These plug-ins are offered in VST3, AU, and AAX formats and are listed in your DAW as “UADx” plug-ins.
Benefits
- Use native UAD plug-ins anywhere without the need to have an Apollo or UAD-2 accelerator connected.
- Be able to load more instances of UAD plug-ins – as many as your CPU can handle.
- Copy and paste settings between native UAD and UAD-2 versions.
- Subscribe instead with a UAD Spark subscription.
- Each native plug-in can be individually downloaded using UA Connect.
- When you buy a native UAD plug-in you also get the Apollo/UAD-2 version. For a list of UAD plug-in titles that are available for both native and UAD-2, see this article.
Note: Spark subscribers only get the native version.
How To Get Native UAD plug-ins
- Purchase directly from the UAD Store and other participating retailers.
- Sign up for a UAD Spark subscription, which gives you access to all current native plug-ins as well as future releases.
- Look for this graphic next to titles in the UAD Store to see if the product is available as a native UAD plug-in.
What about UAD plug-ins for Apollo and UAD-2?
UAD plug-ins for Apollo Realtime & UAD-2 are DSP accelerated and run on Apollo, UAD-2 Satellite, and UAD-2 PCIe. These plug-ins are offered in VST3, VST2, AU, and AAX formats and are listed in your DAW as “UAD” plug-ins. As of UAD v11, the plug-ins are also available in the VST3 format.
Benefits
- Apollo and UAD-2 owners have access to an extensive library of UAD effects titles.
- Monitor and record plug-ins in realtime using an Apollo interface with LUNA – or use Apollo with Console and your DAW of choice.
- Accelerated UAD plug-ins run on Apollo and UAD-2 hardware so your computer’s CPU is free for other tasks.
- If you own a UAD plug-in for Apollo Realtime & UAD-2 then you get the native UAD version if available.
- Copy and paste settings between native UAD and UAD-2 versions.
How To Get UAD Plug-ins for Apollo Realtime & UAD-2
- Purchase directly from the UAD Store or purchase Custom bundles from other participating retailers.
- Look for this graphic next to titles in the UAD Store to see if the product is available for Apollo Realtime and UAD-2.
Are native UAD plug-ins priced the same as UAD-2 plug-ins?
Yes, for every UAD Plug-In that supports native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions, your purchase includes a license for both. Whether you are buying for Native or Apollo (or both), one purchase is all you need. UAD-2 exclusive titles still require Apollo/UAD hardware to operate. Browse the collection of native UAD plug-ins here.
If I purchase a UAD plug-in, do I get a license for native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions?
Yes, for every UAD plug-in that supports native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions, you get a license for both. To browse the collection of native UAD plug-ins, visit this page.
Do native UAD plug-ins sound the same as UAD-2 plug-ins?
Yes, native UAD plug-ins sound identical to UAD-2 DSP plug-ins.
Do settings and/or presets translate from DSP to native?
Yes, all plug-ins support copy/paste of settings between the two plug-in formats. With LUNA v1.4 (and higher), switching between native and DSP plug-in versions, along with their settings, can be done automatically.
Are all UAD plug-ins available natively?
Not all plug-ins are available natively. To find which plug-ins are available natively, visit this page.
Important note: Capitol Mastering Compressor, Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio, Moog Minimoog®, Opal Morphing Synthesizer, PolyMAX Synth, Ravel Grand Piano, Waterfall B3, Sound City Studios, and Verve Analog Machines are only available as native UAD plug-ins and there are no UAD-2 DSP counterparts for them.
Will there be more UAD plug-ins that run natively in the future?
Yes, and they will be added to UAD Spark as well as they become available.
What’s the advantage of UAD Spark?
UAD Spark allows artists to subscribe for access to a growing collection of native UAD plug-ins for one low price.