Nevana or Duende?

[T-Lectual]

Hello to everyone as this is my 1st post on here. A lot of quality threads on here! Way to go Mr. Skeens!

Well I have been looking to make my first huge addition to my studio to really beef it up and I'm torn between 2 very similar products. The UAD-1 Nevana or SSL Duende packs. Both are now the same price(Duende dropped because of Nevana I think)...the Nevana has more plugs, but Ive been reading some really great reviews on the Duende.

Any suggestions/recommendations please?

[stevenlibby]

I have great experience with the UAD-1 plugins... I've a/b'd them to the Waves plugins, and I must say the uad sounded leaps and bounds better... As for Duende, a reputable source of mine did the a/b to the uad...and he swears theres no comparison there...duende hands down. Now, the thing is...Duende doesnt have the amount of plugins and effects as the UAD-1...

I'm looking forward to hearing the Duende at some point, but when it comes down to it...people on the dancefloor, and in the studios aren't going to tell much of a difference in my opinion... If a person is good at using the tools they have, and mixing properly...there material is going to sound great...

I guess I'll close in saying that if you're on a budget, the Duende is going to chew up a lot of money that could go towards a really nice interface and monitors...

[T-Lectual]

thanks Steven,

well I already have a Yamaha O1x for my interface and Im pretty happy with it...could upgrade my monitors but the Truths(I know) are good enough for now...I use Waves plugs now(thanks again Jesse), but they eat up so much of my CPU that once I really get going into a track (along with VSTi's), my computer starts lagging really bad. Total inspiration killer. Thats why Im looking at the Nevana or Duende...more processing power... as well as an upgrade in quality.

I'm also about to upgrade my computer(which I haven't done in 4 years), which should also really help.

So 1 vote for Duende then

[admin]

I'd be cautious saying any of these tools are "leaps and bounds" or "hands down" better than each other. Those kind of terms get thrown around all the time and it's generally far from the truth.

The differences in a lot of this stuff is generally pretty subtle unless you're comparing a really crap plugin to very high end.

Although the old stock Waves stuff can get the job done I would prefer to use some of these newer plugs out there.

If I were you though I'd just upgrade your computer, I'm about to myself. There's plenty of native stuff thats wicked for mixing and general production. I'd rather not be tied to a DSP just to run some plugins if I can help it.

You're real problem is the lagging computer so just solve that and leave your options open for using whatever native plugins you want.

[admin]

I'd highly recommend the Sonnox stuff. Sounds great and Paul Frindle knows his shit. Then get that new URS thing with the saturation and distortion modeling.

That's one thing that as good as the UAD makes itself out to be does not do, you can't overdrive those plugins and that's half the sound in many cases.

Another problem with the DSP cards is they can add extra latency to your whole system.

So if you've got a VSTi with UAD insterted the ADC is going to add extra latency for when you play it live. Something to think about.

[T-Lectual]

well... my Duende will be here tomorrow

thanks for the recommendations though Jesse

I am upgrading my computer as well...I've been needing it bad...you remember how I used to complain about that right? hehe

Getting an 2.6 E6750 Dual core 2, 4 GB OCZ ram, and seta 2 HD's...should be rockin with this!

[admin]

Cool well enjoy it, have heard good things about it so I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Please update us on how it goes for you.

[cutoff]

Hi Guys,

Totally Agree with you jesse , is more important in this time to have a fast computer than DSP cards, lot's of great native plugs out there. I will put the computer first in the list of priorities.

T-lectual, congrats for the Duende, you won't regret the EQ's and bus compressor are awesome also the drum strip is very nice but is a bit pricey, I know it will be more plugs for the Duende platform this year

Enjoy

[stevenlibby]

How are you liking the Duende so far? I was considering it, but since upgrading my monitors, that is where I'm noticing a true "leaps and bounds" difference I am now selling my UAD-1 cards since they aren't PCI express, which is what Mac Pro's slots are... I was planning to purchase new ones to replace my original PCI format ones...but going to hold off. I've decided that a nice DA converter is going to make a much bigger difference in my sound quality, especially now that I can really "hear" my music...

At least you have the Duende now, (which I know you will appreciate even more later) but I personally would have balanced my system out before getting great plugs (I did the same)... When I say balance the system, I mean: have an up to date computer, step up the soundcard, and monitors.

I truly wish I'd replaced my monitors much sooner. Granted, the Behringer Truths are great speakers, loud and vibey...copies of the Mackies... but a bit too colored to trust for an accurate mixdown. I went with the JBL's, with the room correction software and microphone..makes a big difference (By the way-some acoustical treatment really helped me a ton as well)

[admin]

How are you liking the Duende so far? I was considering it, but since upgrading my monitors, that is where I'm noticing a true "leaps and bounds" difference I am now selling my UAD-1 cards since they aren't PCI express, which is what Mac Pro's slots are... I was planning to purchase new ones to replace my original PCI format ones...but going to hold off. I've decided that a nice DA converter is going to make a much bigger difference in my sound quality, especially now that I can really "hear" my music...

(By the way-some acoustical treatment really helped me a ton as well)

What DA are you using now? I spent some money getting a good Lucid converter a while back, 2002 or so and sent it back, just didn't make much of a difference to me, and I was using M-Audio at the time.

I really think the difference in conversion is quite small unless you are spending big cash (2-3k) and your current piece is bottom of the barrel.