UA Arrow - an ecosystem for gearaholics

[cavemanbass]

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Amps seem to draw a lot more than EQs. But the system itself uses some percentage as well. That sounds like a great signal chain you got there.

It's funny how everybody in real life loves an SVT but doesn't care for the one of UA. Is it because it's a simple free version and there are knobs missing?

Thanks for posting the link!
I like free and don’t care much about knobs, just didn’t like the sound of that SVT model. Especially compared to the UA610 which sounds fantastic and is also free!

 

[Frank Tuesday]

This would be the chart: Invalid Link Removed

Amps seem to draw a lot more than EQs. But the system itself uses some percentage as well. That sounds like a great signal chain you got there.

It's funny how everybody in real life loves an SVT but doesn't care for the one of UA. Is it because it's a simple free version and there are knobs missing?

Part of the appeal of the SVT is the non-auditory ways in which your body feels it. You can feel it pound your chest and rattle your bones, and without those specific sensory aspect, a large part of what makes the SVT sound great is missing. Personally, I'm biased towards the B15. I've had a real one for almost 30 years. To me, it's what a bass amp should sound like.

 

[pfschim]

That's actually a workflow that UA recommends
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"Minimizing or Avoiding Latency in the DAW: Don't Load UAD-2 Plug-ins in the DAW Until Mixing"

I totally get that this is generally considered the best way to track (cleanest anyway). But the problem for me is that if the basic tone of the bass going in is less than engaging, then it makes it harder for me to get into the track. The notes will be right but it can be less than exciting. IMO/IME a little flavor is a good thing and results in better tracks ... from me anyway.

I have tended to resolve this issue by using a bit of processing on my input signal (Cali76CB, Noble DI and VT-Deluxe are options I have used recently) .... rather than fx/plugins. That way, I get a tone that makes it feel good to play while (hopefully) not "over-flavoring" the basic track.

 

[cavemanbass]

I totally get that this is generally considered the best way to track (cleanest anyway). But the problem for me is that if the basic tone of the bass going in is less than engaging, then it makes it harder for me to get into the track. The notes will be right but it can be less than exciting. IMO/IME a little flavor is a good thing and results in better tracks ... from me anyway.

I have tended to resolve this issue by using a bit of processing on my input signal (Cali76CB, Noble DI and VT-Deluxe are options I have used recently) .... rather than fx/plugins. That way, I get a tone that makes it feel good to play while (hopefully) not "over-flavoring" the basic track.

I don't think it's universally accepted that tracks should be recorded clean / dry. Plenty of pros that put processing on while tracking, to help build the vibe of the song as they go. Not a case of right / wrong, just different ways of working.
I'm with you on this, my bass sound always includes some processing because it sounds better to me - and in the studio the engineer has the option to take a direct feed from my bass if they prefer a dry track.

 

[seamonkey]

I totally get that this is generally considered the best way to track (cleanest anyway). But the problem for me is that if the basic tone of the bass going in is less than engaging, then it makes it harder for me to get into the track. The notes will be right but it can be less than exciting. IMO/IME a little flavor is a good thing and results in better tracks ... from me anyway.

I have tended to resolve this issue by using a bit of processing on my input signal (Cali76CB, Noble DI and VT-Deluxe are options I have used recently) .... rather than fx/plugins. That way, I get a tone that makes it feel good to play while (hopefully) not "over-flavoring" the basic track.

I don't have an arrow. I have a good PC. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem recording a raw track, and a separate processed track that I can listen and groove to. I take the raw track and a separate processed track the same time. Later I can take the raw track with pretty much the same plugins but with more refinement as it often required during mix down. (You should see how easy it is to clone track plugins, eq, and settings in Studio One 5)
I do have many Brainworx plugins, other modeling, cab IRs and all kinds of stuff running. I have no problem with latency. Others seem to be highly bothered by more than 10feet of latency. 1ms = 1ft and people delve too much on latency spec, and not enough and just playing pretending their standing 10ft from their stage rig.

 

[pfschim]

I've got tracking latency down to about 3-4ms using direct (DAW) monitoring (not input monitoring) even with a few simple fx/plugins like comp or eq running, so I am not hung up on latency at all. I have a Focusrite 18i18 and a good laptop (which I have modded for reasonably low DPC latency impact) and good outboard gear options to give me a nice sound to start with.

But ... I'm still kind of interested in the UA world because I have read quite a bit of positive articles and comments about the quality of the UA hardware and plugins, but I don't think I'll be dropping any new $$ on a UA interface just at the moment because I can't really justify it, and I get perfectly usable tracks with what I have now.

still, new gear that offers/suggests possibly better performance is always enticing.
this is still TB after all

 

[cavemanbass]

This weekend I downloaded the B15 model to my Arrow. Didn't care for that any more then the SVT. Maybe I'm just not an amp sim guy... kinda makes sense, for many years I used rack pre's and power amps, with relatively flat cabinets (Eden). My current rig is a 2-way with Kappalite and 6" mid driver. Mostly though I play through full range monitors in my practice space, and use an H/LPF to shape the frequency response to my liking. The B15 model comes with a bunch of speaker / mic sims, none of them sound anywhere near as good to my ears as preamps like the UA 610.