Universal Audio has included support for three new plug-ins in UAD software version 8.1. The new Neve 88RS channel strip plug-in replaces the legacy version, and includes Unison mic preamp modeling for use in the Apollo 2.0 console. The Neve 88RS retails for $299 and features:
- Fully modeled circuit, including transformer, preamp, filters, dynamics processor, EQ, and output amp
- Preamp with mic/line switch, separate controls for mic and line gains, phase switch, and -20 dB pad
- High-pass and low-pass filters with frequency sweep (18 – 7.5kHz for LP and 31.8 – 325Hz for HP)
- Switchable compressor/limiter with gain, threshold, ratio, release knobs, Hard/Soft, -20 dB pad, and Fast switches (the attack time is program dependent, this switch allows for choosing between 3-7ms and 1-7ms ranges), switch for inserting the EQ in the side chain and SideChain Link switch to enable/disable the dynamic section gain reduction
- 4-band EQ with frequency sweep, gain, and Q controls, and Shelf options for the high and low frequencies; Pre-Dyn EQ switch to route the EQ section before or after the compressor/limiter section
- Gate/Expander with threshold, range between 0 and 60dB, release between 0.01 and 3s, attack switch (500ms / 50ms), -40dB pad, and continuously variable Hysteresis/Exp between 0.5 and 25dB
- Global controls: level up to 10dB, output up to +20dB, phase switch, power on/off
- +48V phantom power
- Stereo link
The second and third new plug-ins are both from Softube: the Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead for UAD-2 and Apollo interfaces retails for $199. The UAD-2/Apollo-compatible Tube-Tech CL-1B compressor (which was previously available as a VST 2/3, AU, RTAS, and AAX Native and DSP plug-in for Mac OS X and Windows) is available for $299.
