I heard back from the support folks at Universal Audio on the 8-core MacPro issue. This is their response:

“We still warn users against the use of the UAD1e in the 8 core systems running Logic as the host application. There has not been any fix offered in the UAD v5.* software for UAD1e…only a fix for the ’spinning beachball’ problem noted in the UAD2.”

So there you have it.

My take? I’m still digging the card even with the increase in instability that accompanies instantiation of a UAD plug-in. The instability is not major for me as I run DP mostly; it’s just notably more than before. I can work around it for now.

The UAD2 seems to not have this problem. Hmmm……

So close, yet...

The current blow-out prices of UAD1e cards are attention getting. If you own an 8-core MacPro and are thinking of taking the plunge on the UAD1e, be aware of the following.

To recap: UAD is blowing out it’s stock of UAD1 & 1e cars. They are still honoring the vouchers that came with the cards, so you can buy an Express Pak for $299 and get a $100 voucher and, with the promo going on right now, you also get a $150 coupon when you register the card. That’s $250 for use at the UAD online store. (It’s like getting the card for $50 in my warped “stay broke forever” reasoning). With the expert pak you pay $599 and get a total of $900 vouchers and coupons.

Anyway, I have always been curious about the UAD line and figured with some of these sale prices + promos, it would be a good time to give the card / plugins a try and, if I like them, maybe upgrade next year to a UAD2. So I bought a UAD1e. Got it installed. Sound quality is good. DSP power not so much — there’s a reason the UAD2 came out — but enough to add some spice here and there.

My problem is stability.