Universal Audio, makers of Apollo audio interfaces and UAD plugins, has announced UAD Spark, their new native plugin subscription service. We have all the details.

This is what UAD say about Spark;

UAD Spark is a new subscription service that puts pro audio industry standard UAD plug-ins and new UAD Instruments into the hands of music creators worldwide. The evolving collection runs natively on Mac ($19.99/month)*, with Windows coming later this year.

Apollo and UAD hardware owners who have purchased a perpetual license of a UAD plug-in featured in UAD Spark will be eligible to download the UAD Spark version for free.

A 14-day free trial will be available for UAD Spark. All Volt users will be eligible for 1-month free.

UAD Spark At A Glance

• An expanding collection of UAD plug-ins and instruments from Neve, Moog, API, Lexicon, Teletronix, UA, and more

• Exclusive new UAD instruments including the Opal Morphing Synthesizer and Waterfall B3 Organ

• Runs natively on Mac; No UA hardware required (Windows coming Fall 2022)

• Runs in all major DAWs that support AU, VST3, and AAX formats

• Licensing via iLok

UAD Spark Included Plugins

The UAD Spark subscription service includes the following plugins;

• Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Channel Strip

• API Vision Channel Strip

• UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection

• Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection

• Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb

• Studer A800 Tape Recorder

• API 2500 Bus Compressor

• Galaxy Tape Echo

• Pure Plate Reverb

UAD Spark Instruments

Spark also includes new UAD Instruments;

• Opal Morphing Synthesizer (Exclusive to UAD Spark)

• Moog Minimoog D

• Ravel Grand Piano

• Waterfall B3 Organ (New)

Opal Morphing Synth

Exclusive to UAD Spark, the Opal Morphing Synthesizer is an epic new UAD instrument that blurs the lines between analog and wavetable synthesis, with built-in UA effects and fast, record-ready presets.

Key Features:

• Breakthrough analog-meets-wavetable synth with continuously morphing oscillators, noise, filters, and LFOs

• Studio-quality UA effects, including premium studio reverbs, tape delay, modulation, 1176-style compression, and more

• Hundreds of curated presets across multiple genres, for instant professional sound

• Hardware-inspired controls and layout for easy navigation and sound sculpting

• Available exclusively to UAD Spark Subscribers

Waterfall B3 Organ

Waterfall B3 Organ is the world's most thorough emulation of the classic Hammond B3 organ and its companion Leslie 147 rotary speaker cabinet,* giving your music the same rich tone and three-dimensional sound heard on decades of legendary albums.

Key Features:

• An exacting emulation of the iconic Hammond B3 organ and companion Leslie 147 rotary speaker cabinet*

• Best-in-class physical and circuit modeling of entire tonewheel organ for unparalleled playing dynamics and realism

• Complete three-dimensional emulation of a classic rotating speaker with perfectly positioned mono and stereo vintage mic setups

• Over 70 "album-ready" presets for instant professional organ sounds for any genre

• Authentically-modeled tube power amp saturation

• Keyboard Split functionality lets you play upper and lower manuals with a single MIDI controller

• MIDI-mapped parameters give users hands-on, real-time control in the studio and on stage

Waterfall B3 is available for UAD Spark Subscribers and standalone purchase for $199 — LUNA extension, AU, VST3, and AAX formats.

What If You Already Own Any Of The UAD Plugins?

An inevitable question for those who have already spent money on UAD plugins, what do they get?

The good news is that Universal Audio have thought about this and they say;

“Owners of perpetual UAD plug-in licenses receive corresponding UAD Spark (UADx native) licenses for free.”

Do Spark Plugins Sound The Same As UAD Powered Plugins?

We’ve had Spark for some time now to test it and to see it in action. We thought one question some would ask is whether the UAD Spark Plugins sound the same as the UAD powered versions?

Check our separate article here where we test to see if they sound any different.

Our Verdict

UAD native plugins, has hell frozen over? Perhaps, but it was just a matter of time as computers make native solutions more attractive, or should we say DSP solutions less necessary.

Spark doesn’t do away with the need for DSP, for those who want low-latency and tons of power, there is still a case for DSP. However, it’s not the case for everyone, especially those using the new entry level VOLT audio interfaces. VOLT users also had no simple way of using the Universal Audio crown jewels, their fantastic vintage plugins.

Getting some of the UAD instruments like the gorgeous Ravel piano, Moog Minimoog D, and also the newly announced Waterfall B3 and Opal synth gives a nice rounded feel to the collection. Of course there is one omission in the form of drums, but perhaps we already have enough drum VIs for a lifetime? Volt owners will already have some other included plugins like UJAM drums, so they have their bases covered. Will UAD bring another drum VI to the collection? Watch this space.

The announcement will of course trigger some old issues, for some subscriptions will be one, for others iLok has the same effect. Both are a bridge too far for these people, a matter of principle that one has to respect. However, the iLok licencing doesn’t require a physical dongle to work. For Spark users, they’ll get 2 activations which allows for either a “back up” auth, or for one to be in the iLok Cloud and one to be moved to a USB iLok.

The new Spark subscription package is going to appeal to some and not to others for the reasons mentioned above. However, Spark has some of the most popular plugins in the pro audio industry for a modest monthly cost. It’s a generous plan designed to wow some of those who’ve perhaps chosen other brands that offer the ‘all you can eat’ plugin concept. Also note in their press information “An expanding collection of UAD plug-ins and instruments".” So it seems there is more to come. The other good news for those making music on the go is there’s no DSP card or Apollo interface needed when using a laptop.

There’s no question about the quality of the plugins and the subscription plan is fair. There’s no filler content in this plan so we think it’s going to be a winner.

Universal Audio doing native plugins, subscriptions and iLok, can someone get us a chair, we need to sit down!