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.

UAD1 and UAD1e

I had read in various forums (forii?) that UAD customer support is first class. Well I sent an inquiry to them about the blow-out deals. I heard back from them in just a couple of hours and got a second response email in just a few minutes. Excellent.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure my math was right about the special offers. I received this response from UAD:

“You are correct in all your calculations… *($750 voucher with Express [Editor's note: I'm pretty sure he meant Expert] plus $150 coupon for new UAD1 purchase/reg and free upgrade for UAD1 – UAD2 plugins).

One last thing you forgot!!  If you register the UAD1e first… THEN register your UAD2 product you will get an ADDITIONAL cross-grade voucher for being an ‘existing UAD1 customer registering a UAD2 product’!! Purchase and register a UAD2 Solo you get an additional  $100 voucher… UAD2 Duo $150… UAD2 Quad $250.

A great time to purchase!”

I’ll say.

[EDIT 11/19: Note Corrections] So let’s get this right. Buy a UAD1e Express Pak for $299 and a UAD2 Solo for $499. Get a $100 voucher with the purchase plus a $150 coupon when you register the UAD1e.

With the release of UAD2, Universal Audio is blowing out its stock of UAD1e cards. The prices are pretty phenomenal:

• UAD1e Express Pak (includes $100 voucher for UAD plugins) was $399 and is now is $299
• UAD1e Expert Pak (includes $750 voucher) listed for $999 (MAP was probably around $899) and is now $599
• UAD1e Extreme Pak (includes all 32 plugins thru version 4.5) listed for $2499 and is now $1299.

UAD-1 Powered Plugins Included with each card:

• 1176SE: Definitive Vintage FET Compressor Emulations
• CS-1: Complete Professional Channel Strip (+3 plug-in modules, included)
• Nigel: Amp, Cab, & FX for Guitar and Beyond (+8 plug-in modules, included)
• Pultec EQP-1A: Classic Silky EQ
• RealVerb Pro: Industry Standard Reverb

The siren call of the blow out sale...

Now the crazy thing: UAD is having a promotion wherein if you purchase and register a new UAD-1 (PCI), UAD-1e, or Xpander, your ‘my.uaudio.com’ account will be awarded with an additional UAD$150 coupon, good for any Powered Plug-In in the UA Web Store. So add $150 to each of the vouchers up there.

The deal is looking pretty sweet.

Now you may ask, why bother with a UAD1e when the new UAD2s are out? Really has to do with price and what capabilities will work for you. Take a look at this chart.