I'm trying to decide wether to go with the SSL or the UAD subscription. I've demoed both and they're both great.

In other words, if you had to create a mix from either UAD or SSL plugins, which would you choose???

Ii understand that some hate subscriptions, just imagine someone gave you a lifetime sub for free, but you had to choose only one.

SSL is $14.99 and UAD is $20.00 per month.



https://store.solidstatelogic.com/
https://spark.uaudio.com/

 

Last edited: Oct 25, 2022

I've tried SSL, but not UAD. SSL just makes some "ok" analog emulation plugins with their biggest strength is actually making the hardware their plugins are based off of. UAD seems to have a much larger library with a much higher variety of effects.
Edit: I hadn't actually looked at the included plugin list of spark. In its current state, it's very small. Hopefully they'll add more plugins though!

 

Last edited: Oct 25, 2022

Yep I think I might just wait for UAD to add some more goodies.

 

I would get the SSL subscription before I gave UAD any money. But I would probably prefer to have the UA compressors, and it does come with a "moog" synth plugin. The SSL plugins do not offer much in the way of content creation.

I'd take a free UVI sub over both of them. You don't need to use a 10,000$ compressor/strip to make Falcon sound awesome.

 

Once SSL figured out their delivery & activation system, it was easy to make the leap. UAD came to the "Native" plugin space a bit late & lacking in variety.

Plugin Alliance along with SSL is a powerful production combination for tracking & mixing.

 

I'll have a look at that as well.

 

It really depends on your sonic preference, I tried both, have many other good quality plugins (dmg, overloud, fuse, black rooster, arturia fx,sonnox) and quasi all Aquas and Nebula...
First time using UAD I was like "OK I understand why people use them" But they did not convince me because now we have many many many beautiful alternatives. Maybe 10 years ago I would understand.
Gain stage is hell too with them I thought.
And way too expensive I think.

Then SSL just release the 4k B, well it's all over my tracks now... It might only be one flavor, but it's really good.

Mix that with other plugins you know well and you have a killer setup.

But you might prefer UAD or a other brand, it's down to cost and how good you know a tool.
I dislike sub only but I try to calculate the cheapest way possible to have plugins in actually use.
I sub to PA mega 9.99 month, and using less and less of them so... Might have to cancel.

I also believe in R2R

 

Try Alliance SSL 4000 E or G. it's a very good plugins

 

Loved the sound of the 4K B on vocals.

 

i have several ssl plugs (no sub) and used to have an uad.
i really like my x-eq2 that i use as stock eq plugin and got me no more need for pro-q3 anymore. on the rest of their plugs, i wasn't so super convinced anymore, after demoed them. some still would be nice to have, but they are no must, if you already have plugs from other brands like PA, Soundtoys or Softube. Also SSL has really god sales over the whole year. With a bit of patience, you will get most of the stuff after a while for your $20-30.

On UADs hand, the 224 is superb, so is the pultec, 1073, API and Studer. LA-2A collection and 1176s are out of the world and the only plugins from uad that i never managed to replace with something else native.

SSL can't compete with the UAD Bundle in my eyes. SSL could be replaced with PA Sub for sure.
I would say, if you really need/wanna go with a sub, go with the UAD (and hope for a larger lib anytime) and get those ssl you really want at a sale, because UAD won't do any to their spark system i think

 

Funnily enough, just yesterday I decided to settle on that combination.

I've been a PA subscriber for a year and I love their plugins. The collection is huge and varied.

I tested out UA Spark when it was released and found it lacking in content, especially for the price they're asking for the subscription. The plugins definitely sound good but so do the same plugins from other developers. They may be among the most accurate digital representations of their hardware counterparts but honestly, I really don't care. Romanticising hardware isn't useful. Studio One's Fat Channel modules aren't particularly accurate but I use them in mixes frequently. I think years ago UA would have been unbeatable but that's less true with every passing year. Also their UI's haven't been updated for better compatibility with high DPI screens which, considering they launched their new subscription service in 2022, is unbelievable.

I started a 30 day SSL trial yesterday. I haven't tested everything yet but I can already tell it's good stuff. The GuitarStrip is awesome.
I'd definitely take it over the UA subscription as it stands.

I may look at UA again in a year or two once the subscription price can be justified but honestly, I think I have everything I need from two subscription services at around the same price.

 

Last edited: Oct 28, 2022

100%.
I re-mixed a problematic vocal with it. I got much better sounding result with less time and processing.
Scary good. I think I'm a fan
Sub only is VERY frustrating, I hope they will make it purchasable (or try before buy).
I might check in into their controllers too, but thats too early. The 360 software is neat.

And I get this feeling... about that UAD has this "aura" when clients see them, they psychologically feel that their performance/mix sound better since you see a direct representation of hardware with the brand written on it.

The more I do this over the years, the more I see that whatever I use, I still get the result I'm looking for. Sometimes it's easier because one tool speaks directly to you. ex: Maybe I want to enjoy the API sound, but every time I try I'm a bit disappointed. Except for the 2500 compression sound.

So I trialed the 2500 from UAD, Acustica's PINK and Lindell. Well they all do the 2500 thing and I doubt that I could tell the difference in a full mix. So just use whats easier and what gets the job done !
And when I think about it, UAD has very direct approach, just like hardware, you see what you have and it does it quite well. It might be the perfect choice for someone who knows the hardware well.
(I do think they have a "plugin sound" in the high mids...)

I would wait to see their catalogue expand.

 

I haven't tested out the 4K B yet but I think that be my first task today.

I have my eye on their UC1 plugin controller but it's just a bit out of my budget of reasonability haha. Maybe one day...

 

The PA subscription is a way better deal imo

 

I tried the PA sub for a year and didn't renew after that.

 

dud, i just bought a VOLT 1 from universal audio (iam a windows user 4ever), and with the compressors they gave.... if i think til now that i have a good audio interface than i regret it ( i own a behringer UMC404HD which i love of course ). universal audio know how to do it. i make a one test quickly and instantly get surprised... and the vintage button adds something that i cant tell right now .. cause im kind of newbiee with some experience. this morning i apply the 30 days free trial of spark just to FINALLY try they plugins and see after all this time, why everyone loves them.

 

None, they are both replacable. Throw a few plugin names that are part of both bundles at me and I'll tell you decent alternatives to them.

 

Of course all plugins are replaceable example the UAD API Vision Channel Strip Plus could be replaced by the Plugin Alliance Lindell 50 channel strip but then you end up with another subscription service.

 

@Havana
That's not what I meant, you can find replacements for them outside of other subscription services.
Granted, channel strips aren't the best examples to demonstrate my point here, they never clicked for me.

 

Seems like all these big companies are going for subscription service now days, SSL, UAD, UVI, Waves, Plugin Alliance, Apogee, East West, Presonus, Avid, Antares, Slate Digital and the list goes on.