System Requirements
- (Win) Windows 7 64-Bit Edition w/SP1
- (Mac) OS X 10.8.5 Mountain Lion or 10.9.x Mavericks
- 3 gigabytes available disk space
- ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 expansion slot for each UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop
- 1024 x 800 minimum display resolution
- Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
- Compatible VST, Audio Units, RTAS, or AAX 64 plug-in host application software
Configuration Details
The following information describes specific configuration and settings that must be observed when using UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop.
All Platforms
- Close sessions and remove UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop before system sleep. Before putting the computer into sleep/hibernate/standby mode, quit all UAD host software and remove the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop card. Otherwise, unpredictable behavior and/or loss of session data could occur.
- Do not remove UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop while UAD plug-ins are loaded. Removing the card when it is active could cause the system to crash. Quit all UAD hosts before removing the card.
- UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop requires UAD software version 5.3.1 or higher.*
- Using UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop with desktop computers via PCIe-to-ExpressCard adapters is not tested and this configuration is unsupported. However, users have reported using this configuration without any issues.
*Note: UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop support is not supported in UAD software versions higher than v9.0.2.
Computer Compatibility
Windows Systems:
- Lenovo X200 / LCS2 is incompatible with UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop
Symptom: Complete system freeze. There is no workaround.
- Use the ExpressCard/34 to ExpressCard/54 adapter with ExpressCard/54 slots
The UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop card uses the ExpressCard/34 form factor. When the card is installed in systems with the wider ExpressCard/54 slot, the included ExpressCard/34 to ExpressCard/54 adapter should be used for the most reliable connection. The adapter has two tabs on the bottom and one in the middle that snap into place on the SOLO/Laptop card. To install the adapter, line up the bottom two tabs on the adapter with the corresponding holes on the SOLO/Laptop card. Snap in the middle tab and the adapter will click into place. To remove the adapter, snap it off by holding the SOLO/Laptop card and bending the adapter down.
- Reinsert the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop if the LED flashes red/green indefinitely
Occasionally the LED on the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop card may continuously flash red and green after booting is complete and/or when inserting the card after boot. If this occurs, simply remove then reinsert the card, which should cause the LED to remain steady green.
Mac Systems:
- UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop compatibility with Apollo Twin requires UAD v8.0 or later
The UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop can only be used together with Apollo Twin when running UAD v8.0 or later. Earlier versions of UAD software do not support using these two devices together in the same system.
- Kernel panics with MacBook Pro Core Duo models under Mac OS X 10.6.8
Kernel panics (system crashes) may occur when UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop is used with MacBook Pro Core Duo models under Mac OS X 10.6.8. This issue only occurs with MacBook Pro Model Identifier 1,1 or 1,2 units (it does not occur with Core 2 Duo and later models). Unfortunately this issue will not be addressed by Apple therefore this system configuration cannot be supported.
Workaround: The only known workaround is to revert to OS X 10.6.7 or earlier, as the issue was introduced in the OS X 10.6.8 update.
UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop Frequently Asked Questions
What systems are supported?
The UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop is designed to be compatible with any computer with an ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot. When the card is installed in systems with the wider ExpressCard/54 slot, the included ExpressCard/34 to ExpressCard/54 adapter should be used for the most reliable connection.
Note: Some computers may perform better than others. See the computer compatibility section above, and make sure the latest drivers and BIOS updates are installed for your computer as many system performance issues are fixed after initial product release.
(Win) Do I need to use the “Safely Remove Devices” option in the Windows Taskbar Notification Area before ejecting the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop? (Mac) Do I need to use the “Power Down Card” in the Mac OS Menu Bar before ejecting the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop?
No. Because the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop is not a Storage Device, this is not necessary.
Important: Never remove the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop card when UAD plug-ins are loaded, as this could cause the system to crash.
I already own a UAD card and UAD plug-ins, can I use them on my UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop?
Yes. The UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop can be added to an existing system at www.uaudio.com.
Can I Sleep/Standby/Hibernate my computer when using the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop?
System sleep/standby/hibernate has been rigorously tested and is supported *BUT* we have observed some random/intermittent issues when performed with the card inserted. We recommend exiting all sessions and removing the card before sleep/standby/hibernate.
Is the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop the same power as a PCIe UAD-2 Solo?
Yes. See the UAD-2 DSP Chart for more information.
Can I use the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop on a Desktop Computer using a PCIe to ExpressCard Adaptor?
Using UAD-2 SOLO/Latop with desktop computers via PCIe-to-ExpressCard adapters is not tested and this configuration is unsupported. However, users have reported using this configuration without any issues.
If you decide you want to try to use UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop via an adaptor on a desktop computer (this is NOT a supported configuration), follow these guidelines to reduce the risk of system hangs and/or data loss:
- Since PCIe slots don’t have built in hot-plug capabilities, UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop cannot be hot-plugged when using an adaptor. The UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop must be in the computer before boot, and should not be removed until the computer is shutdown.
- Sleep is Not Supported when using the UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop via an adaptor. Please disable Sleep/Standby/Hibernate when using UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop with an adaptor
- UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop may not be recognized on some systems (card remains flashing RED/GREEN). On systems like this, try to see if a BIOS update is available as this sometimes improves compatibility.
- If you decide to try to use SOLO/Laptop via an adaptor on your desktop computer at your own risk, we cannot officially recommend one, but some users have reported using this device successfully: ST Lab PCIe to ExpressCard Adapter/Controller for Expresscard 34/54