UAD 9.2
SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor, Auto-Tune Realtime and three more new effects
Just two issues ago we filled you in on UAD v9.1, which brought five new plugins to Universal Audio’s ace DSP platform. Well, things are moving fast as a SHARC at UA, as v9.2 is out already, featuring another five fresh effects. Hang onto your overdraft as we walk you through ’em…
First, the logical counterpart to v9.1’s updated SSL 4000 E Channel Strip: the SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor (£229). This official emulation improves on UA’s older plugin of the same name (now rebadged ‘Legacy’). The algorithms have been rewritten, making this an “authentic end-to-end circuit emulation” of the master bus compressor from SSL’s 4000 series mixing console, famed for its punchy, mixgluing sound. It also now features a sidechain high-pass filter, mix knob, and adjustable headroom.
Pure Plate Reverb (£115) is essentially a simplified slice of UA’s official EMT 140 plate reverb. It has one plate model, with three-position high-pass filter and predelay. The remaining controls can be freely adjusted.
Back in 2009, UA announced Antares as a plugin partner. Eight years on, we finally see the fruits of this relationship in the form of Antares Auto-Tune Realtime (£189). In case you’re unfamiliar, Auto-Tune is a pitch-correction plugin for vocals and solo instruments. The “Realtime” bit alludes to it being “optimised” for low-latency live vocal tracking via a UA Apollo interface (Power Tip: it works equally well for making prank Skype calls).
Finally, there are two third-party UAD plugins to brighten the virtual axeman’s day. Softube’s Eden WT800 Bass Amplifier (£115) recreation includes a five-band EQ, compressor, dual cabinet simulation, and “the magical Enhance knob”. Brainworx’ Fuchs Train II Amplifier (£115) emulation aims to cover the gamut of guitar tones, from vintage cleans to all-out distortion.
URL www.uaudio.com