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Universal Audio UAD-2 OCTO Core PCIe DSP Accelerator

UAD Plug-in Bundle with Analog Classics Plug-in Package and PCIe 8-core OCTO DSP Accelerator - Mac/PC AAX 64, VST, AU, RTAS
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Compatible with:

Mac
Windows
AAX
VST
VST3
AU

Software Compatibility

Most software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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Universal Audio UAD-2 OCTO Core PCIe DSP Accelerator
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Put UAD Powered Plug-ins to Work in Your DAW

Plug Universal Audio's amazing UAD-2 OCTO Core PCIe card into your computer and find out what your mixes have been missing! Turbocharged with eight Analog Devices SHARC chips, this UAD-2 OCTO gives you the awesome DSP power you need to take the load off your CPU, plus the Analog Classics Plus collection — a killer bundle of UAD powered plug-ins that will infuse your mix with the freakishly realistic sound of studio-standard analog gear. Any way you look at it, the Universal UAD-2 OCTO is a major upgrade to any studio.

Experience the power of SHARC chip technology

Universal Audio's UAD-2 cards take advantage of state-of-the-art DSP technology, adding serious horsepower to your music-production system. Each of the eight SHARC chips onboard boasts 32-bit floating-point architecture, for the ultimate in precision and performance. When put to the test, the power potential of even a single UAD-2 system is more than impressive. Better still, you can mix and match up to four UAD-2 PCIe cards or Satellites, allowing you to meet the processing needs of even the most demanding sessions.

Flexible operation modes for tracking and mixing

Using UAD-2 OCTO's LiveTrack mode, you can reduce latency on active UAD-2 plug-ins to the lowest amount possible. That's just what you need for monitoring processed audio during the live tracking stages. On the mixing side, Universal Audio gave the UAD-2 OCTO a handy LoadLock feature. This useful tool lets you automatically reserve the maximum DSP load that each of your active UAD-2 plug-ins could ever demand, so you'll be certain you have enough DSP to engage features, such as writing automation, later.

Analog Classics Plus starts you off with 13 killer UAD plug-ins

Universal Audio's Analog Classics Plus collection starts off with three classic dynamics processors: the iconic LA-2A audio leveler, 1176LN/SE limiting amplifier, and Fairchild 670. It's almost unfair how realistic these plug-ins sound, let alone the fact that your UAD-2 card has more than enough power to run several instances of both at once. Then there's a dead-on re-creation of Pultec's legendary EQP-1A program EQ, the Pultec Pro EQ, plus the outstanding RealVerb Pro room modeler. And if that's not enough, you also get an array of top-tier plug-ins from the Precision Mix Rack Collection.

Universal Audio UAD-2 OCTO Core Powered Plug-in Acceleration System Features:

  • Flagship DSP-accelerator PCIe card for UAD Powered Plug-ins loaded with 8 x Analog Devices SHARC 21469 floating-point coprocessors for powered plug-in acceleration
  • Includes Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, featuring LA-2A, 1176LN/SE, Pultec EQP-1A, Pultec Pro, and RealVerb Pro plug-ins
  • Additional UAD plug-ins available at the UAD online store
  • UAD plug-ins made in partnership with top gear makers including Manley, Empirical Labs, Neve, EMT, Fairchild, Harrison, Helios, Little Labs, Pultec, SPL, Teletronix, and many others
  • Run complex mix processing in Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Digital Performer, and more - without taxing host computer CPU
  • Free UAD software upgrades, plus access to more plug-ins at UA's online store
  • AAX, VST, AU, RTAS support
  • Linkable to existing UAD groups/systems - use up to 4 UAD-2s in one system
  • 1-year limited warranty

Additional Media

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Tech Specs

  • Processor: 8 x SHARC 21469 Floating-point Coprocessors Chips
  • Connectivity Type: PCIe
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Format: AAX 64, VST, VST3, AU
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: 1 x PCIe slot, 6GB disk space
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: 1 x PCIe slot, 6GB disk space
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 10.15 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 or later
  • Width: 4.2"
  • Depth: 6.6"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: PCI2O-C

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

So Far So Good

I love the fact that this item saves a lot of space. Since it has PCIe connection, it is also very fast in response. The installation is simple: I plugged it in, turn on the computer, it took me to UAD website for registration. After restarting the computer, it is ready for use.

Even though this card has 8 cores, it is used up pretty quick, especially when mixing at 24 bit 48 KHz. So, I bought a second one and plan to buy the third one after trying to mix different songs and see its capacity. It also has the function of reserving the power for plugins. If this function is on, the card will max out at around 75% and reserves 25% for plugin automations and other functions that have not been used in the plugins. In other words, if this function is on, you can only use 75% dsp power of this card. Other than that, the card is pretty good.

I don't want to review the sound because I believe this card doesn't produce sounds. Sounds are from the UAD plugins and this review is not about the plugins.

(When I got this card from Sweetwater, I opened the box as normal and behold, there was another yellow tag that seals the bag holding the card under the other yellow tag that seals the bag. So, I strongly believe it was opened before I received it by someone else. The residue is too strong that they couldn't open the bag without leaving the residue from the tag. Anyways, I went ahead and installed it and it did register without any problem. Then, I went to Amazon and bought the second piece. I needed the second card anyway and I also want to see if that's how UAD packs their item. The second piece from Amazon came with only one yellow seal. So, I got my answer. But I have two years warranty from Sweetwater anyway, so no worries.)
Rated 5/5

Love the UAD system

I'm in the process of upgrading from Quad cards to Octo Cards... I love the plugins so just needed more horsepower to use on large mixes,
Rated 5/5

The best sound from the most detailed plugins

I run 2 UAD2 Pcie Octo cards in a satellite thunderbolt chassis and 2 Apollo x8's, and I own most of UAD's plugins. My host DAW is Cubase. Some complain about UAD non-native processing, but I love that it leaves my CPU (Macbook Pro M1) free to run more native VST instruments. I have no system glitches, no software conflicts. UAD plugins sound amazing, righteously close to hardware. I still use top-shelf hardware for key signal chains like lead vox and mic'd acoustic guitar, but mixing is entirely in-the-box with UAD plugs on every channel and buss. It's no exaggeration to say that the quality of my sound is dependent on UAD, and the only limitation is my own imagination.
Rated 5/5

Worth Every Penny

It's amazing what this thing card allows you to do. It's really helped showcase the power of UAD plugins and made me more of an addict when you can stack them and do all sorts of creative things without worrying about memory. I'm already considering purchasing another for my tower and doubling up (I've got the PCI room). Before this card I could get about 8 UAD plugins working on a session simultaneously. Now I can get about 65 working simultaneously depending on what I'm using. It's really helped my workflow tremendously. I'm looking forward to using it while I write rather than just master.
Music background: Composer, Producer
Rated 5/5

Best in the virtual world

Universal Audio plugins are... not plugins? Their quality beats every other software mixing/mastering tools, they ges as close to the originals as possible. And they provide you with gamechanging tools.

Try MassivePassive, Distressor and 480L just for the beginning. You can't go wrong with these and everything else from the UA arsenal.

Having additional DSP outside your computer is pure gold when working on large sessions with lots of tracks (film work) or lots of VSTis (music). And they integrate without any hassle, always reliable.

I got my 3rd Octo Core recently, having 25 plugins and not saying the last word. Universal Audio is my ultimate choice for mixing and mastering, full stop!
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