I'd never used UAD before and felt very comfortable with Brainworx, Waves, Sonalksis, and FabFilter. Then came the Opal synth, which I bought because it was cheap. Then there were a few free effects, which I never use. I always hear how great UAD is, but I think other manufacturers know their stuff and deliver equally great, usable products.

 

Last edited: Aug 15, 2025

Oooh my favourite UAD plugin is on sale again
At least here in the UK on PluginBoutique
API Vision Channel Strip right now (I think during this weekend) it's only £45 otherwise the complete API bundle is like £799 or something
My main reason is to get rid of Voicemeeter or OBS Studio's background noise remover
The gate works really well for me (you can set a threshold for your room noise/street noise/neighbours) on the API VIsion (I use a very budget XLR mic with my SSL2+ interface) and of course I can shape my voice even with the built in presets or I can tweak the EQ/compression etc to my taste

Alright my biggest issue with Native UAD VST3s was the sometimes 8ms additional latency I can't remember which ones but
Finally I figured out how to use the "Monitoring" feature inside Ableton
I know this is Cubase, but every major DAW has a "Monitor button" or you can setup a "Monitor Bus" which eliminates/minimizes latency

Watch the first section about Zero Latency Monitoring absolutely incredible (I know if you are a Presonus Studio ONE user it has just a ticker for Zero latency monitoring it's the easiest to setup)
You know when you use like an AutoTune or something that adds "uncomfortable latency" for live recording/hearing yourself because of the delay latency adds, ah ok check out the video awesome solution.

 

Yeah, I think Kiive was forced to change the name and the gui probably due to some ip infringement or something, as it's been rebranded as the XTComp, but iirc, for all intents and purposes, it's the same,.. and as you said, it's pretty damn good.

I gotta make some time this weekend to a/b it out with the UAD emu and see what is different etc, but I'm pretty sure one would be pretty happy with either, and I've liked a lot of Kiive products over the last few years....

(note: I think the Kiive XTComp is a Plugin Alliance exclusive if one if looking to buy it), but the Xtressor version imaginably can still be found at sister site as well as that...)

 

Last edited: Aug 15, 2025

These are my top 3 in order:

API Vision channel strip
LA-3A
Manley Variable-Mu

 

get all the native ones. you won't regret having them.
as far as those that depend on the actual interface I'd steer away from it although I know it's good having the interface do the heavy lifting.
but..... if you plan on doing a lot of work in different studios and record live on location or take the laptop with you to show a mix to a client....
AND you don'w want to haul the interface along for the ride... stick to the native versions and that way you're never bound to the interface. if you travel a lot and suddenly find yourself depending too much on plugins that require the interface, prepare yourself to bring it with you. BUT if you never leave the studio at all then by all means get one of those spark subscriptions or buy non native plugs. But then be prepared to stay tied to UAD interfaces for life. in three years someone asks you to revise a mix and you've moved on to RME and now you're dead in the water to get those UAD non native plugs to work.

 

I have the UAD Complete 3 bundle, but never used most of the Amps/Guitar related ones.

When I'm producing/mixing I find myself using a lot more the FATSO Jr./Sr. Tape Sim. & Compressor instead of the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor (which is pretty decent though).
But if you ask me about what's my favorite one is, I'd have to say: Softube Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp, by far.
Also the Kiive Audio XTComp was my favorite before I bought the Softube modeled one. Both of those I feel has a more "Modern" sound compared to the UAD emulations.

 

Buy the Distressor and the Fairchild (You won't regret it), I can offer you a Pultec license at a fair price if you like.

 

I don’t own the product itself but the Manley Voxbox Channel Strip, I own the IR’s to it but I believe it ain’t doing jack shit

 

Electra 88 My favorite EP without a doubt.

 

I like Distressor a lot, I own also Arousor and I think they're both different enough, both are good. I don't think they're the same as some people here seem to claim

 

+1 for Sound City ... kind of overwhelming at first but unique in its way

 

if you have UA interface, then preamp plugins for tracking aren't shit - but it's a matter of preference if you want to record "done" or tinker at mixing

 

No way the Clippy movement has moved over here, maybe I should have a kawaii Clippy to be apart of the protest

 

i hated it at first. but i now use it in almost every session. really cool as both an insert or send effect. Can add cohesion and depth to a mix, even at subtle levels, and in genres you wouldn't normally think fit. EDM, trap etc.

 

Distressor it's really good, I recommend it. As other user said, XTComp by Kiive and Softube emulations are above in performance, sorry for UAD in this one.

Also, the Studer A800 it's worth it if you don't have it.

 

I'll like all the cracked ones - when they happen.

 

If you don’t have any money for UAD, you can download it here for free:

Kiive Audio - XTRESSOR NUKE - Win64, OSX - VST, AUm AAX - Free --> https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3874
XTRESSOR NUKE is a compact and heavy hitting compressor / limiter.
Make your drums explode with this gritty compressor, and use its 3 release modes to add edge and punch to your mix.
Plus the adjustable Sc hpf makes NUKE super versatile- throw it on any mix!

 

One thing I feel is worth adding. UAD plugins are incredible in terms of compatibility over time. All these devs releasing new versions of their plugins yearly starts to be a real hassle. Just yesterday i had to re-download Ozone 6 to open a session from just a few years ago meanwhile I can open a session from 2010 and every UAD plugin will recall exactly as saved no hassle / time wasted / dealing with legacy software that crashes your current / newer system

 

Ampex and Pultec

 

That is partially because UAD do not put out all that many updates once something is done. They aren't sending out a new update two weeks after each release like Waves because they do not make so many mistakes, test better, and do not make many plugins that do anything more than effects.

About Ozone, you can't seriously expect something which changes so much from version to version to be backwards compatible to a 10 year old version of the software. You can run an old version if you want, but they continuously add new features and improve the product. Some versions are major changes.