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 VST 3, 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.
• 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 VST 2, AU, and AAX formats and are listed in your DAW as “UAD” plug-ins.

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.
• 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.

FAQs

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.

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 https://www.uaudio.com/uad-plugins/native-bundles.

Do UAD Native plug-ins sound the same as UAD-2 plug-ins? 

Yes.

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?

To find which plug-ins are available natively, visit https://www.uaudio.com/uad-plugins/native-bundles

Will there be more UAD plug-ins that run natively in the future? 

Yes, and they will be added to UAD Spark as they become available. 

What’s the advantage of UAD Spark?

Subscribe for access to a growing collection of native UAD plug-ins for one low price.