To empower musicians with iconic hardwares and instrument plugins for a low monthly price, UAD launched Spark, a subscription service that finally supports Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. And, similarly to its services to Mac, it would not require any UAD hardwares, or even the other pre-existing production tools under the company to work.
What is "Spark"?
World-leading audio interface and production company Universal Audio Inc. introduced its new subscription service earlier this year. Known for its audio production tools including Apollo and Volt audio interfaces, UAD's new addition "Spark" is an expansion of instruments that gives authentic emulations of analog hardwares and vintage instruments to Mac users for an affordable price.
To extend UAD's vision, the Spark plugin is now available for Windows 10 and 11 PCs. Spark is an evolving collection that gets exclusive tools through UAD's ever-expanding library, and gives its users' recordings the pro analog tones heard on professionally produced albums.
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Pricing and Features
The plugins featured in the Spark for Windows users includes a number of different compressors, reverbs, delays and modulation, preamps, EQ and tape, compressors, and instruments that will run on the PC for a monthly subscription cost of $20, amounting to $150 annually.
Spark subscribers get to experience an expanding collection from UA, Neve, Moog, API, Lexicon, and Teletronics with no UA hardware required. The plugin will run natively on Windows PCs along with all major DAWs, and will be available to run on VST3, AAX, and AU formats.
The owners of perpetual UAD plug-in licenses also receive corresponding native UADx plug-ins included with the service to a corresponding version of Spark for free without having to pay for a new subscription.
Some UADx included with the Spark plugins are UAD developer's most popular essentials like the UA 1176 Collection, Brigade and Studio D Chorus, Neve 1073 Preamp and EQ, Moog Minimoog, and Opal Morphing Synthesizer among others and more.
In addition, Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb, Teletronix LA-2A, and API 250 Bus Compressor and Vision Channel will also be free to those who subscribe to the service.
Availability
UA's Founder and CEO Bill Putnam Jr. in a recent press release noted that the Spark plugin subscription for Windows was launched this year to offer and bring the "authentic and inspiring sounds of classic studio and music gear to creators," expanding the vision of the company to the community, even without the UA hardware.
The UA Spark Plugin is available to those who want to try it through signing up for a 14-day free trial before deciding to commit to a subscription.
Volt audio interface owners also receive a one month free trial, while perpetual UAD license owners receive corresponding native UAD Spark plugins for free.
Earlier this year, the company also added a Pultec Passive EQ Collection to its bundles, which includes emulations that can be used on vocals, guitars, drums, and more with over a hundred presets.
With these innovations, UA continues its goal of inspiring sounds for generations through windows of opportunities.
