An inside look at how pros use native UAD plug-ins in their productions.
UAD plug-ins are used in top studios around the world. But in today’s music production landscape, the word “studio” can mean anything from a bedroom or rehearsal space to a multi-million dollar room — and that’s exactly why we created UAD Spark.
UAD Spark is our plug-in subscription featuring over 60 legendary UAD effects and instruments built to deliver professional sound to your productions.Let’s explore how pro artists ranging from rising indie acts to chart-topping producers are using the plug-ins included in UAD Spark to create, mix, and release their music wherever inspiration strikes.
What is UAD Spark?
UAD Spark is a plug-in subscription for the finest plug-ins ever made. Featuring everything fom the LA-2A and 1176, to the Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb, Opal Morphing Synth, and Moog Minimoog, UAD Spark puts studio classics and cutting-edge tools at your fingertips.
Plus, we add new plug-ins to UAD Spark regularly, so you’ll always have access to new sounds to fuel your creativity.
See plug-ins included in UAD Spark ›
What are native UAD plug-ins?
Native UAD plug-ins are versions of our acclaimed analog emulations that run entirely on your computer’s CPU without the need for UA hardware or DSP. These plug-ins give you the same professional sound and design as their Apollo-based counterparts, so you can get authentic studio tones in any DAW, on macOS or Windows.
Do UAD Spark plug-is work with Apollo?
All UAD Spark plug-ins run natively — meaning they rely on your computer’s host CPU (native processing), not an Apollo’s onboard DSP. However, you can also use many of the plug-in titles included in UAD Spark with a DSP-powered Apollo workflow.
In short, most UAD Spark plug-ins work with or without an Apollo. And if you own the correct licenses, you can use the same plug-ins in both native and Apollo-based workflows.
Is UAD Spark worth it for me?
Musicians and producers love UAD Spark for one simple reason: it makes their mixes sound like the recordings they love.
Whether you’re making lo-fi hip-hop loops in your bedroom, cutting live drums in a Nashville studio, or scoring a film from your home setup, the UAD Spark subscription gives you access to the same sounds used by professionals across every genre.
UAD Spark also scales with your workflow. So you can start a demo on your laptop, then move the session to a professional studio with Apollo hardware.
Pro Artists Who Use UAD Spark
Here’s how real artists are using UAD Spark to fuel their creative process, and why they’ve made it an essential part of their sonic toolkit.
The Glitch Mob: Spark as a Creative Arsenal
Known for their cinematic sound design and genre-pushing production, The Glitch Mob were early adopters of Spark and are now fully integrated into its ecosystem.
“We’ve been waiting for Spark for a long time and are so happy it’s here. The ability to subscribe to and manage all of our UAD plug-ins makes it even more powerful and versatile than it already was, which is saying a lot. From the moment we cracked open Opal, we were hooked. The creativity of this thing is mind-bending… Part of the go-to arsenal now.”
Spark helps them stay creative, whether they’re producing in the studio or performing on the go.
Tycho: Synth Inspiration, Anywhere
Ambient electronic artist Tycho is known for his lush textures and analog-inspired tone. Spark fits right into his synth-forward aesthetic.
“The Moog Minimoog in UAD Spark is so good, I’m tempted to use it live! Opal is super inspiring. Love the individual oscillator to filter routings!”
With powerful soft synths like Opal and Moog Minimoog, Spark enables deep sonic exploration quickly.
Andrew Scheps: Studio Grade, Now Native
Mixing engineer Andrew Scheps (Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers) made a big move when Spark went native.
“Just converted 30 Studer 800s from UAD-2 to native — the CPU usage is almost nothing and bouncing is way more responsive. So good!”
His story underscores the value of Spark’s native performance: the same legendary tone, with modern workflow advantages.
Eric J (Flume, Odesza): Desert Island Plug-ins, Now Native
Grammy-winning producer and mixer Eric J sums it up perfectly:
“To say that UAD plug-ins are a big part of my sound would be an understatement. Now, a lot of these plug-ins are available for anyone to use, regardless of whether they have UAD hardware or not. In the Spark collection, you have everything you need to do a professional mix from top to bottom… Since the API-2500 is my go-to drum compressor, I can now set up my Atmos mixes at home without needing any additional hardware. The Waterfall B3 also sounds incredibly realistic. Once I started playing, I didn’t want to stop.”
From mix-critical dynamics tools to expressive virtual instruments, Spark delivers studio quality without studio constraints.
UAD Plug-Ins for Every Stage of Your Journey
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already racked up credits, UAD Spark plug-ins are built to support every step of the creative journey. Here’s how plug-ins included in UAD Spark might fit into your workflow:
Songwriting & Demos
Mixing & Production
Finishing & Delivery
Best UAD Plug-In Bundle for Creators?
Let’s talk about why UAD Spark is blowing up — especially for modern producers, engineers, and musicians looking for real value.
Native, No Hardware Required
Run every UAD Spark plug-in natively on macOS or Windows. No UA hardware. No DSP limits. Just authentic analog emulations in your favorite DAW.
Studio-Grade Plug-Ins
UAD Spark includes the same award-winning emulations of vintage gear used on top-charting records — from Neve, Lexicon, Moog, Teletronix, Pultec, and more.
New Tools Added Regularly
Your subscription keeps growing. New plug-ins and instruments are added often, including exclusives you can’t get anywhere else.
Affordable for Everyone
UAD Spark starts at just $19.99/month — or save more with an annual plan. That’s less than the price of a single plug-in from most developers.
Today, music production isn’t bound by geography, gear, or even budget. Award-winning songs are recorded in bedrooms, tour buses, and rehearsal spaces, and UAD Spark is built to empower artists to create professional-quality music anywhere, without the need for racks of hardware.
If you’re serious about sound, workflow, and growth, UAD Spark is an essential tool, and your ticket to unlocking professional sound.
Try UAD Spark for free and hear the difference for yourself.
