UAD Spark is actually what ignited my desire to actually go out and purchase an Apollo Twin Duo X last week! I just can't cross my fingers and hope and bank on Universal Audio bringing over certain plugins, because like you said, some may never get ported over and it all simply becomes a waiting game of "if". Pretty much every reason you stated is why I personally decided that having the combination of both (hardware + UAD Spark) is what makes the most sense. Some seem to be very one-sided on this topic. I don't see why both cannot coexist. Like you mentioned, they can work in tandem: utilizing some UADx plugins for lighter stuff and then when you feel you have something more resource intensive, offload that task to the SHARC chips to alleviate your CPU load. The concern of adequate headroom becomes less of an issue this way I feel. Side note: fresh fade my guy! Your barber killed it 🔥
I’ve experienced everything you mentioned in this video. Thank you for posting. Sound engineering is the ultimate chess game, filled with Pros and cons everywhere. We love about your videos as you take this into consideration, and describe what we should be looking for rather than what we should be doing. It’s up to our individual knowledge to do whatever it is we’re doing, as eloquently explain in all your videos. That, which works for you-works B How one chooses to learn the knowledge needed to get the deed done, is, indeed, up to the doer! I felt like I was in an island all alone. Thank you for showing me there are like mines in this world. As.. A friend used to say, Equally eloquent - And also, a Wise Southerner; “well… If you know where you want to go, … you’re sure to get there, alright. Am I right ?“ Like you, really broke it down to sensitive simple, understandable terms. Thank you. 😁😎
Really appreciate this. Use whats best for your workflow. If you get the latest gear in the rat race and slow down, then what did you gain? A better question to ask one’s self, what do you want your workflow to be? What do you feel is slowing you down that you’d like to improve on? Learn from others but don’t copy them wholesale.
I get comments hating on the conversion quality of the Apollo but it sounds good to me even though I know there are better converters but I love the Apollo because I can monitor with Autotune and that’s huge for the type of music I do.
Apollo Twin X is the centrepiece of my home studio for 3 years. More than enough for me to get professional results. I will sell it only if I upgrade to Apollo X4 in order to connect some hardware synths. But I doubt it will happen soon, because UAD Minimoog sounds extremely analog and with native version the MIDI mapping is a breeze in Ableton Live.
How do you use the spark licenses for the apollo, all my apollo plugins that I thought was Included are about to expire, so I bought spark to maybe use the same plugins through the spark liscene
Hey Darcy. I hope you're having a great day and thank you for sharing your perspective. Just for "background", I think it's fair to say I'm fairly invested in UA. I own / use Luna, Apollo Twin X Quad, Octo Sat, Townshend L22 mic, Starlight & Golden pedals, and 58 UAD plugins. And just a fyi, I support UA's decision to provide native plugins via subscription model. All to say, I don't consider myself a UA hater. ;) Fwiw, I've decided I will be significantly reducing my dependency on and use of UA's ecosystem. Not necessarily abandoning it 100%, but I'm currently convinced I made investments in UA products that were less than optimum choices / $$ investments in terms of getting the best sound quality, system flexibility, etc. It's very likely some of my UA hardware will be sold as part of my production revamp over the next year or so. Please keeping doing what you do. It's much appreciated! -- tldr -- I participated in the reddit post, "Is getting into uad hardware still worth it?" and a few others that are related to this general topic. I enjoyed reading and thinking about your comments. Regarding *selling* UA dsp hardware, I didn't catch that reddit post. I interpreted the reddit question / phrase "still worth it" as .. "With spark...with the available non-UA native plugins ...and the current tech available (apple silicon), would you invest *today* in UA's proprietary dsp hardware / plugin ecosystem?" Over the last weeks (and months), I've had several things impact my opinions regarding proprietary platforms, dsp, etc. Watching Marc Daniel Nelson work and seeing how "less is more"; YT videos & comments; reddit threads, etc. I've had the opportunity to experience some recording sessions that "speak" to this topic. Two sessions in particular where no dsp hardware was used, the power of the M1 Pro convinced me that dsp hardware is not the best investment versus, for examples...a better mic or an interface with better converters & mic pres...or real "Unison" via superior sounding outboard hardware. And an especially big influence was 2 long group chats amongst friends that are busy LA engineers / producers about the state of tech, ie: proprietary platforms like Avid & UA, dsp in general, the impact of Apple silicon, etc, and the question of how one person in the group should spend their money on a new studio. The consensus was strong and surprisingly effortless. Based on these discussions and experiences, in 2022, I come down firmly on the ""keep your investment in dsp systems to a minimum" side of the equation. And that might mean, no dsp at all. It's doable. Within the group discussions, everyone felt Luna's workflow with dsp was currently an appealing choice. Throw in some native UADx. Awesome-sauce. Our collective opinion?... that's all true, until it isn't. Then you are imprisoned within a proprietary platform of hardware & software with investments you can't use any other way. The lack of flexibility is eventually costly in a number of ways. Once a necessary evil, but an unnecessary choice in 2022, imo. Yes, better solutions are always on the horizon and I agree that chasing the shiny new toy isn't wise ( I do it anyway cuz I'm not wise), but being trapped in a closed system isn't the only alternative to chasing the latest and greatest. Chasing new toys is exactly UA's game imo. I believe in 12-18 months, these debates around dsp, etc will be over and in the rearview mirror. OTOH, it's likely that Avid, UA, etc will create new products to entice us to stay within their walled gardens. Fwiw, I've decided I will be significantly reducing my dependency on and use of UA's ecosystem. Not necessarily abandoning it 100%, but I'm currently convinced I made investments in UA products that were less than optimum choices / $$ investments in terms of getting the best sound quality, system flexibility, etc. It's very likely some of my UA hardware will be sold as part of my production revamp over the next year or so. None of what I've said makes UA == bad. We are blessed with multiple good choices. Please keeping doing what you do. It's much appreciated!
Appreciate your view point. My view point has always been that figure out what suits your needs and is of quality. I will not invest in more DSP than I have unless I decided to record bands which I won’t. So I’ll stick with my Apollo and Satellite. I may upgrade my satellite at some point and use the original likely as a mobile unit but that’s likely as far I can see now. I never bought UAD because it was the “best” option. I just wanted to use a compressor on the way in and didn’t want analog gear cause I’m a minimalist and wanted a clean desk setup. I’ve put more money in over the years in plugins that help my process. But never of the mindset of best in the market, just best for me. Everything and any ecosystem especially will have pros and cons. Just depends on what has more pros for you than cons compared to everything else. Appreciate your words man! Thank you.
@@musiccreation1198 Yeah not for me that’s for sure. As a business major I mean I get the benefit of subscription based model, it does mean you can do more if your objective is to re-invest in your software and not into an financial backer and board to your company.
new to spark, question, if I max out the processor on the twin x does it just automatically allow u to keep adding plugins via spark? because with the hardware it will disable plugins if you go over a certain amount. how do they both get used at the same time or is this not possible?
Spark plugins aka USDx do not use any processing from your Apollo devices. They use your computer's CPU. Watch this video for more information: ua-cam.com/video/ToA6fIeYGsk/v-deo.html
No way am I selling my Apollo Twin nor my X6 nor my Octo satellite! They are the equipment I know of. Also I still have over 60 UAD legacy plugins to process through DSP, sharing processing power with my iMac.
Same here. So many people are arguing this and it’s making many newbie producers / engineers questions their purchases. I’ve heard of people just sell their stuff and regret it a a week later. Had to say something.
UAD Spark is actually what ignited my desire to actually go out and purchase an Apollo Twin Duo X last week! I just can't cross my fingers and hope and bank on Universal Audio bringing over certain plugins, because like you said, some may never get ported over and it all simply becomes a waiting game of "if".
Pretty much every reason you stated is why I personally decided that having the combination of both (hardware + UAD Spark) is what makes the most sense. Some seem to be very one-sided on this topic. I don't see why both cannot coexist. Like you mentioned, they can work in tandem: utilizing some UADx plugins for lighter stuff and then when you feel you have something more resource intensive, offload that task to the SHARC chips to alleviate your CPU load. The concern of adequate headroom becomes less of an issue this way I feel.
Side note: fresh fade my guy! Your barber killed it 🔥
Much respect and amazing that it inspired a hardware purchase. Putting one to the haters there.
And my barber always on point! Best in Toronto.
@@just_drums_please they came! Haha
I’ve experienced everything you mentioned in this video.
Thank you for posting.
Sound engineering is the ultimate chess game, filled with Pros and cons everywhere.
We love about your videos as you take this into consideration, and describe what we should be looking for rather than what we should be doing.
It’s up to our individual knowledge to do whatever it is we’re doing, as eloquently explain in all your videos.
That, which works for you-works B How one chooses to learn the knowledge needed to get the deed done, is, indeed, up to the doer!
I felt like I was in an island all alone. Thank you for showing me there are like mines in this world.
As.. A friend used to say, Equally eloquent - And also, a Wise Southerner; “well… If you know where you want to go, … you’re sure to get there, alright. Am I right ?“ Like you, really broke it down to sensitive simple, understandable terms. Thank you. 😁😎
Really appreciate this. Use whats best for your workflow. If you get the latest gear in the rat race and slow down, then what did you gain? A better question to ask one’s self, what do you want your workflow to be? What do you feel is slowing you down that you’d like to improve on? Learn from others but don’t copy them wholesale.
I get comments hating on the conversion quality of the Apollo but it sounds good to me even though I know there are better converters but I love the Apollo because I can monitor with Autotune and that’s huge for the type of music I do.
Agreed
Apollo Twin X is the centrepiece of my home studio for 3 years. More than enough for me to get professional results. I will sell it only if I upgrade to Apollo X4 in order to connect some hardware synths. But I doubt it will happen soon, because UAD Minimoog sounds extremely analog and with native version the MIDI mapping is a breeze in Ableton Live.
Hear that man!
We’ll explain thanks 🙏
Great take on why it’s cool for you. Thanks.
Welcome.
How do you use the spark licenses for the apollo, all my apollo plugins that I thought was Included are about to expire, so I bought spark to maybe use the same plugins through the spark liscene
Hey Darcy. I hope you're having a great day and thank you for sharing your perspective. Just for "background", I think it's fair to say I'm fairly invested in UA. I own / use Luna, Apollo Twin X Quad, Octo Sat, Townshend L22 mic, Starlight & Golden pedals, and 58 UAD plugins. And just a fyi, I support UA's decision to provide native plugins via subscription model. All to say, I don't consider myself a UA hater. ;)
Fwiw, I've decided I will be significantly reducing my dependency on and use of UA's ecosystem. Not necessarily abandoning it 100%, but I'm currently convinced I made investments in UA products that were less than optimum choices / $$ investments in terms of getting the best sound quality, system flexibility, etc. It's very likely some of my UA hardware will be sold as part of my production revamp over the next year or so.
Please keeping doing what you do. It's much appreciated!
-- tldr --
I participated in the reddit post, "Is getting into uad hardware still worth it?" and a few others that are related to this general topic. I enjoyed reading and thinking about your comments. Regarding *selling* UA dsp hardware, I didn't catch that reddit post. I interpreted the reddit question / phrase "still worth it" as .. "With spark...with the available non-UA native plugins ...and the current tech available (apple silicon), would you invest *today* in UA's proprietary dsp hardware / plugin ecosystem?"
Over the last weeks (and months), I've had several things impact my opinions regarding proprietary platforms, dsp, etc. Watching Marc Daniel Nelson work and seeing how "less is more"; YT videos & comments; reddit threads, etc. I've had the opportunity to experience some recording sessions that "speak" to this topic. Two sessions in particular where no dsp hardware was used, the power of the M1 Pro convinced me that dsp hardware is not the best investment versus, for examples...a better mic or an interface with better converters & mic pres...or real "Unison" via superior sounding outboard hardware. And an especially big influence was 2 long group chats amongst friends that are busy LA engineers / producers about the state of tech, ie: proprietary platforms like Avid & UA, dsp in general, the impact of Apple silicon, etc, and the question of how one person in the group should spend their money on a new studio. The consensus was strong and surprisingly effortless.
Based on these discussions and experiences, in 2022, I come down firmly on the ""keep your investment in dsp systems to a minimum" side of the equation. And that might mean, no dsp at all. It's doable. Within the group discussions, everyone felt Luna's workflow with dsp was currently an appealing choice. Throw in some native UADx. Awesome-sauce. Our collective opinion?... that's all true, until it isn't. Then you are imprisoned within a proprietary platform of hardware & software with investments you can't use any other way. The lack of flexibility is eventually costly in a number of ways. Once a necessary evil, but an unnecessary choice in 2022, imo. Yes, better solutions are always on the horizon and I agree that chasing the shiny new toy isn't wise ( I do it anyway cuz I'm not wise), but being trapped in a closed system isn't the only alternative to chasing the latest and greatest. Chasing new toys is exactly UA's game imo. I believe in 12-18 months, these debates around dsp, etc will be over and in the rearview mirror. OTOH, it's likely that Avid, UA, etc will create new products to entice us to stay within their walled gardens.
Fwiw, I've decided I will be significantly reducing my dependency on and use of UA's ecosystem. Not necessarily abandoning it 100%, but I'm currently convinced I made investments in UA products that were less than optimum choices / $$ investments in terms of getting the best sound quality, system flexibility, etc. It's very likely some of my UA hardware will be sold as part of my production revamp over the next year or so.
None of what I've said makes UA == bad. We are blessed with multiple good choices.
Please keeping doing what you do. It's much appreciated!
Appreciate your view point. My view point has always been that figure out what suits your needs and is of quality.
I will not invest in more DSP than I have unless I decided to record bands which I won’t. So I’ll stick with my Apollo and Satellite. I may upgrade my satellite at some point and use the original likely as a mobile unit but that’s likely as far I can see now.
I never bought UAD because it was the “best” option. I just wanted to use a compressor on the way in and didn’t want analog gear cause I’m a minimalist and wanted a clean desk setup.
I’ve put more money in over the years in plugins that help my process. But never of the mindset of best in the market, just best for me.
Everything and any ecosystem especially will have pros and cons. Just depends on what has more pros for you than cons compared to everything else.
Appreciate your words man! Thank you.
@@MusicByDarcy Right now, I say, we just celebrate we're not Avid PTs users cuz those plans are BAT.SH*T.CRAY-CRAY (lol)
@@musiccreation1198 hahaha yeah never been a PT user but hear nothing but issues
@@MusicByDarcy $1000 / $300 per year to use their DAW. I kid you not.
@@musiccreation1198 Yeah not for me that’s for sure. As a business major I mean I get the benefit of subscription based model, it does mean you can do more if your objective is to re-invest in your software and not into an financial backer and board to your company.
new to spark, question, if I max out the processor on the twin x does it just automatically allow u to keep adding plugins via spark? because with the hardware it will disable plugins if you go over a certain amount. how do they both get used at the same time or is this not possible?
Spark plugins aka USDx do not use any processing from your Apollo devices. They use your computer's CPU. Watch this video for more information:
ua-cam.com/video/ToA6fIeYGsk/v-deo.html
No way am I selling my Apollo Twin nor my X6 nor my Octo satellite! They are the equipment I know of. Also I still have over 60 UAD legacy plugins to process through DSP, sharing processing power with my iMac.
Same here. So many people are arguing this and it’s making many newbie producers / engineers questions their purchases. I’ve heard of people just sell their stuff and regret it a a week later. Had to say something.