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What is a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator?

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For more than 15 years, UAD Powered Plug-Ins have delivered the world’s most authentic analog hardware emulations for Mac and Windows. Powered by UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware, you get classic studio sound that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with native recording systems.

For more information about a specific type of UAD-2 DSP Accelerator, click the appropriate link below:

UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt DSP Accelerators

Get the rich analog sound of UAD plug-ins over Thunderbolt. The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt DSP Accelerator is a sleek, powerful way for Thunderbolt-equipped Mac & Windows users to “supercharge” their systems and run larger mixes filled with acclaimed UAD plug-ins.
This convenient desktop unit gives you full access to UA's award-winning plug-in library, including exclusive titles from Studer, Lexicon, Neve, and more. With improved performance and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire, UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt makes the perfect introduction to UAD plug-ins, or an ideal DSP expander for Apollo audio interfaces.

Key Features

  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via a blazing-fast Thunderbolt 3 connection
  • Access countless plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Roland, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, MXR, and more (sold separately)
  • Allows taking UAD plug-ins “on the road,” mixing on Thunderbolt-equipped Mac & Windows laptops
  • 8 SHARC processors (OCTO)
  • Gives native systems a DSP boost for running larger mixes, with rich, sonically complex plug-ins
  • Available in Core, Custom & Ultimate packages
  • Comes with a collection of legacy UAD plug-ins. For more information, see this article.
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more
  • Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe card(s), and Apollo audio interfaces
  • Compatible with VST3, AU, and AAX 64 plug-in formats
  • Compatible with Thunderbolt-equipped Macs and Thunderbolt 3-equipped Windows PCs
  • Fan-free design for silent operation
  • macOS, Windows 10 64-Bit Edition, and Windows 11 compatible

For more information, see the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt product page. For more detailed information, including specifications, see the UAD System Manual.

UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerators

The UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerator is a sleek, powerful way for Windows-based PC users to “supercharge” their systems and run larger mixes filled with acclaimed UAD plug-ins. This convenient desktop unit gives you full access to UA's award-winning plug-in library, including exclusive titles from Studer, Lexicon, Neve, and more. With improved performance and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire, UAD-2 Satellite USB makes the perfect introduction to UAD plug-ins or an ideal DSP expander for Apollo Twin USB audio interfaces.


Key Features

  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via USB 3 on PC's running Windows
  • Access countless plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Marshall, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, Empirical Labs, MXR, and more
  • Take UAD plug-ins “on the road” for mixing on USB 3-equipped Windows PC's
  • 8 SHARC processors (OCTO)
  • Gives native systems a DSP boost for running larger mixes, with rich, sonically complex plug-ins
  • Available in Core, Custom & Ultimate packages
  • Comes with a collection of legacy UAD plug-ins. For more information, see this article.
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, and more (VST3 and AAX 64)
  • Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe card(s), UAD-2 Satellite FireWire, and Apollo Twin USB
  • Supports Windows 10 64-Bit Edition and Windows 11
  • Try plug-ins before you buy with the 14-day full-function demo for all plug-ins
  • Access to UAD DSP Powered Plug-Ins Library/Online Store
  • Fan-free design for silent operation 

For more information, see the UAD-2 Satellite USB product page. For more detailed information, including specifications, see the UAD System Manual.

 

Legacy Products

 

UAD-2 PCIe DSP Accelerator Cards
 

1_uad2_pcie_cards.jpeg

 
UAD-2 DSP Accelerators super-charge your PC or Mac workstation with world-class UAD Powered Plug-Ins — including exclusive analog emulations from Studer, Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, Manley, Moog, Roland, SSL and more.
 
These popular UAD plug-in packages feature a user-installable PCIe DSP Accelerator Card for your desktop tower or PCIe expansion chassis, plus a choice of software bundles to give you vintage tone and character, right out of the box.
 

Key Features

  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins on Mac and PC towers and PCIe expansion chassis
  • Access over 90 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Roland, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, Empirical Labs, MXR, and more (sold separately)
  • Available in SOLO, DUO, QUAD, and OCTO models w/ 1, 2, 4, or 8 SHARC processors
  • Gives native systems a DSP boost for running larger mixes, with rich, sonically complex plug-ins
  • Comes with a collection of legacy UAD plug-ins. For more information, see this article.
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more
  • Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including additional UAD-2 PCIe card(s), UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt, UAD-2 Satellite FireWire, and Apollo audio interfaces
  • VST, AU, and AAX 64 support; macOS, Windows 10 64-bit edition, and Windows 11 compatible
For more information, see the UAD-2 PCIe product page. For more detailed information, including specifications, see the UAD System Manual.
 

UAD-2 Satellite FireWire DSP Accelerators
 


Serious analog sound for FireWire-equipped Macs and PCs. A simple FireWire connection is all it takes to plug your Mac or PC into the world’s finest analog hardware emulations. The UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerators offer full access to UAD Powered Plug-Ins, including exclusive titles from Studer, Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, Manley, Roland, SSL, and more. UAD-2 Satellite packages feature a sleek, ultra-portable FireWire 800-based processing unit, giving you massive analog character, right out of the box.
 

Key Features

  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via FireWire 800/400 connection
  • Access over 90 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Roland, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, Empirical Labs, MXR, and more (sold separately)
  • Available in DUO and QUAD models w/ 2 or 4 SHARC processors
  • Gives native systems a DSP boost for running larger mixes, with rich, sonically complex plug-ins
  • Allows taking UAD plug-ins “on the road,” mixing on Mac and Windows PCs
  • Comes with a collection of legacy UAD plug-ins. For more information, see this article.
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more
  • Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe card(s), and Apollo audio interfaces
  • VST, AU, AAX 64 support
  • macOS*, Windows 10 64-Bit Edition, and Windows 11 compatible

Note: UAD-2 Satellite FireWire is not compatible with macOS 11 Big Sur and higher. 

For more information, see the UAD-2 Satellite Firewire product page. For more detailed information, including specifications, see the UAD System Manual.
 


 

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