UAD vs Softube....incredible reports on Softube

[Blackout]

hi all,

i have heard a *lott* of amazing comments and feedback about the Softube native plugins. Specifically the Tube-Tech CL1B and the FET compressor. many ppl say that they are miles ahead of the UAD equivalent plugins. I havent heard them yet but i find the UAD plugins incredible! so im wandering how much better these plugins could possibly be if there are so many ppl swearing they are better than the UAD equivalents.

are they really as good as reports say ? are they worth getting over the UAD plugs in the future? anyone know if they are hardware snapshot-style plugins (like waves do) or if they are true circuit emulations like UAD?

looking forward to hearing ppl's discussions on this.

Cheers,
Blackout

[break-pitt]

i dont care tbh
what ive read, the main difference is the saturation available with the softube one (trident)
i m sure they make very good plugins, so do UA.
i m comfortable enough with loading a sat/dist.-dedicated plugin pre or post my eqs of choice, if needed

m2c

[Eric Dahlberg]

A lot of people really love the CL1B. Personally, I didn't find it to be anything special for vocals and I absolutely hate it on drums and drum busses. I've been liking the IK Opto on synths lately, though, so I may give the CL1B another shot there.

The FET Compressor, OTOH, is really good in its own way. It's definitely not the same as the UAD version, they have their individual strengths and are both worth using.

[bossa]

Let me say this up front so I don't get flamed: The following text is MY OPINION only and not an absolute fact.

FET kills UAD 1176LN. The sweet distortions you get when driving the input are unrivaled in my opinion. It has a MIX control and 'infinitely variable' ratios. It's basically a suped up 1176LN.

CL1b also is also better than any UAD compressor in my opinion. if you can't get it to sound right then something else is wrong.
There are 3 modes that have different attack/release characteristics and thus produce differing amounts of distortion that need to be appreciated in order to get the most from the plug-in. To say it's no good on vocals and drums doesn't really sit with most people's experience though.
Like everything in life, it depends on what you want and what you need.

[thethethediamondz]

i demoed the cl1b and didn't find myself liking it much either.
i'll admit i didn't give it much of a chance, just right off, i didn't find it working well for me at all.
i was surprised, given all the positives i'd read about it.
sounded a little hollow to me, &a little too forceful at the same time.
i really love the trident tho, for some reason more than the UAD, and not becuz of the saturation.
i think a lot of times when i demo stuff, i don't really put it thru the ropes as much as i should.
i tend to go for instant results kind of plugs. i love the UAD la2a
and sometimes u just get used to what you've been using, and something new takes too much time to figure out.
the FET is next on the list to demo once i get time, i'm excited about it,
cuz i love the UAD 1176, but i've never been entirely happy about it.

[bossa]

A lot of people really love the CL1B. Personally, I didn't find it to be anything special for vocals and I absolutely hate it on drums and drum busses. I've been liking the IK Opto on synths lately, though, so I may give the CL1B another shot there.

The FET Compressor, OTOH, is really good in its own way. It's definitely not the same as the UAD version, they have their individual strengths and are both worth using.

Hi Eric, I am interested to know what you didn't like about the CL1b on drums and what you would normally do on a drum bus?

Cheers

[cmw9001]

my instant reaction to the softtube comp and eq is.... instantly not as 3D as UAD's
perhaps the powercore version is better?

[Eric Dahlberg]

Hi Eric, I am interested to know what you didn't like about the CL1b on drums and what you would normally do on a drum bus?

The 33609 is much more stable than the CL1b and that's especially evident on drum busses. Don't take that as an all-out attack on the CL1b, that's just an application where it's not the most suitable option. Even on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, you can't hit the opto side harder than 2-3dB without having it shake and dip out of control and I certainly haven't gotten any better from the UAD LA2A and LA3.

[bossa]

Hi Eric, I am interested to know what you didn't like about the CL1b on drums and what you would normally do on a drum bus?

The 33609 is much more stable than the CL1b and that's especially evident on drum busses. Don't take that as an all-out attack on the CL1b, that's just an application where it's not the most suitable option. Even on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, you can't hit the opto side harder than 2-3dB without having it shake and dip out of control and I certainly haven't gotten any better from the UAD LA2A and LA3.

Thanks..

[Wayne Dawkins]

I demoed the plugins i really didn't see much of a difference. I must say they are very good. It is always good to see great competition. When the student challenges the teacher the teacher will always show who is boss. So let us see what UA have in store. Now analog saturation if you remember was a big emphasis of McDsp. That is something Waves slipped on with their SSL plug. I think you can't truly model gear without including it. One good thing about Softube is that they go through great lengths to explain the creation process so that they can gain your confidence. In the end every tool depends on your ability to use it. Either plug will yield great result. The overall cost and the ability to always get the plugin even if you lose it has UA a winner in my book. Plus at some point don't you just hate a copy cat?

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[rymdprojekt]

I demoed Softtube's and UAD version of Trident and they were very very diffrent. Like two complete different EQ's. One seemed a bit harsch and the other more smooth. Somebody got it all wrong, but the question is who? I havent heard the original so maybe they both got it wrong

Its like day and night difference actually and if you cant hear it, well thats fine i guess. Just take the one you like the most. I must admit that i have rather good ears but this difference should be heard never the less.


About the FET and CL1b, yikes, how can you even compare them to the UAD stuff? Yes they sound different. They sound a lot different. 1176 colors the sound more and LA-2A is a whole different thing. But i guess that all plugins have their space....

/R

[bossa]

I demoed Softtube's and UAD version of Trident and they were very very diffrent. Like two complete different EQ's. One seemed a bit harsch and the other more smooth. Somebody got it all wrong, but the question is who? I havent heard the original so maybe they both got it wrong

Its like day and night difference actually and if you cant hear it, well thats fine i guess. Just take the one you like the most. I must admit that i have rather good ears but this difference should be heard never the less.


About the FET and CL1b, yikes, how can you even compare them to the UAD stuff? Yes they sound different. They sound a lot different. 1176 colors the sound more and LA-2A is a whole different thing. But i guess that all plugins have their space....

/R

Get a life dude... you have no idea.

[rymdprojekt]

Get a life dude... you have no idea.

I just wrote what i heard when demoed these things. As with all posts in htis thread these are my personal opinions. Sure you have something to back up that great comment?

This is often what happens unfortunally... Maybe you already bought the Softtube's?


Again, just wrote what I thought. Many will certainly disagree.

/R

[cmw9001]

uad sound better than soft tube in general
i too donno why so many praised about them
CL1b does sound tuby and big but in general they have less definition than UAD plugins
theres lots ppl praise liquid mix, but seriously they sound like shit in Nuendo compare to UAD
people used to prised the URS plugins, but i personally think they are nothing special at all, thin and not detailed sounding,
except urs satuation

i guess most of the plugins does sound better in protools?

[bossa]

uad sound better than soft tube in general
i too donno why so many praised about them
CL1b does sound tuby and big but in general they have less definition than UAD plugins
theres lots ppl praise liquid mix, but seriously they sound like shit in Nuendo compare to UAD
people used to prised the URS plugins, but i personally think they are nothing special at all, thin and not detailed sounding,
except urs satuation

i guess most of the plugins does sound better in protools?

Wow! Thanks for the heads up.. I'll rush out right now and sell my Softube plugs, Liquid Mix and anything that isn't UAD. I guess I can keep my UAD2 Quad right? Should I sell off my 3 Powercores? I dunno... ..I'm confused.