Great sound shouldn’t cost a fortune. Now you can get eight UAD plug-ins free.
Getting a vocal recording to blend in a mix, or a guitar to sound warm used to require gear that most couldn’t afford. UAD Explore FREE changes that. With eight of the best UAD plug-ins available, plus the LUNA DAW included, this free software bundle gives you everything you need to make your mixes sound pro.
Download UAD Explore FREE today! Learn more ›
Get up and running fast with UAD Explore FREE. Learn how to download, install, and start making music with eight essential UAD plug-ins and LUNA.
What’s included in UAD Explore FREE?
Build a Vocal Chain That Works
Matt opens with a hip-hop session featuring both a rapper and a singer, showing how the same tools can serve two very different vocal styles.
For the singer, he starts with a tube mic preamp emulation to add warmth and help the vocal cut through the mix. Then he uses the classic LA-2A compressor to smooth out the performance with its slow, musical leveling. Finally, a touch of plate reverb adds perfect vintage ambiance.
Singer vocal chain: 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ › LA-2A Tube Compressor › Pure Plate Reverb
“This plug-in chain makes the vocal feel like it’s part of the mix, instead of sitting on top of everything.”
For the rapper, Matt uses same 610-B foundation, but swaps the LA-2A for the 1176 Classic FET Compressor. With its faster response and more aggressive character, the 1176 is built for high-energy performances.
Rap vocal chain: 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ › 1176 Classic FET Compressor › Pure Plate Reverb
Record Electric Guitar Without an Amp
These days, you don’t need a pedalboard, microphone, or even an amp to get a great guitar sound. That’s what UAD amp emulation plug-ins are for.
Matt starts by demoing a raw DI track, meaning it was recorded by plugging a guitar straight into an audio interface with nothing else in the chain. On its own, it sounds thin and lifeless. But once he engages UAD Showtime ’64, you can immediately hear the recording come to life.
Amp emulations like UAD Showtime ’64 go way beyond a traditional amp setup. Because they are a complete “end-to-end” emulation of an entire recording chain – including the amp, speaker cabinet, and mic setups – you can get incredible recorded tones for nearly any genre.
If you need some extra ambience, you can use the Room knob to get the feel of a perfectly-treated space. For most home recordists, that kind of realism isn’t usually an option. Here, it’s as simple as turning a dial.
If you want even more space, or a splashy ’60s-inspired guitar tone, you can always add a touch of plate reverb at the end of your chain.
Electric guitar chain: UAD Showtime ’64 Tube Amp › Pure Plate Reverb
Shape Drums with Analog Character
For drums, Matt uses a tube preamp, EQ, and vintage optical compressor to shape the tone and dynamics of the entire kit.
On kick and snare, he uses the 1176 limiter for its fast, punchy compression. For room mics, flipping into “all buttons” mode on the 1176 adds crunch and energy. The finishing touch comes from LUNA’s built-in Oxide Tape and Neve Summing extensions, which add the warmth and depth of analog recording without requiring extra plug-ins.
Drum chain: Century Tube Channel Strip › 1176 Classic FET Compressor › Oxide Tape › Neve Summing
“I love the sound of drums recorded to analog tape. It’s the way that so many legendary records were made.”
Tools for Producers and Beatmakers
UAD Explore FREE isn’t just for tracking live instruments. If you’re building beats or producing entirely in the box, the bundle has you covered there, too.
PolyMAX is a retro-inspired polyphonic synth that fits naturally into any electronic or sample-based workflow. And LUNA’s built-in Shape Creative Toolkit gives you the essential drum samples, keyboards, pianos, and orchestral sounds to add emotion to your arrangements or beats.
Once your sounds are in place, Vibe Analog Machines Essentials makes it easy to push them into new territory. Vibe’s four vintage-inspired machines let you dial in anything from subtle saturation, perfect for adding subtle warmth and glue, to full-on distorted chaos if the track calls for it.
Synth chain: PolyMAX Synth › Vibe Machines Essentials
Get UAD Explore FREE – No UA Hardware Required
Did you enjoy this video? You can start using these same plug-ins on your next session. Everything featured in this article is yours to download free at uaudio.com/explore.
— Austin Lyons
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