For a long time, UAD have been considered the ‘gold standard’ for analogue plugin emulations, but for most of the company’s existence, their products have only been accessible for a monthly subscription, or have required their expensive DSP hardware to run. Unless you’ve had your keen eye out for when they’ve released the odd product here and there for free as a promo opportunity, chances are you don’t have many UAD plugins in your arsenal.

UAD have just launched their first-ever FREE bundle, called UAD Explore FREE, which features eight full-featured, professional, studio-grade plugins, along with their LUNA Digital Audio Workstation – completely free, forever. No credit card, no hardware, no strings attached.

What’s in the box?

This isn’t going to be a list of ‘lite’ versions, these plugins are the full-fat, unrestricted native plugin releases:

  • 1176 Classic FET Compressor: Legendary compressor that can add snap to drums and aggressive vocals.
  • Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor: The famous optical compressor, with simple two-knob interface, with smooth, transparent levelling
  • UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ: Modelled on the iconic desk, known for adding rich harmonic saturation and vintage warmth.
  • Century Tube Channel Strip: A vintage preamp, EQ, and optical compression in one easy-to-use interface.
  • Pure Plate Reverb: A streamlined mechanical plate style reverb with shimmering, organic depth.
  • Showtime ’64 Tube Amp: Get classic American clean tones and spring reverb.
  • Vibe Analog Machines Essentials: Four different machines that can add everything from tape saturation to lo-fi grit.
  • PolyMAX Synth: A polyphonic synth with a warm, fat sound. Recreates the lush pads and stabbing leads of the golden age of analogue synths.
  • LUNA (DAW): Beyond the plugins, you also get LUNA, Universal Audio’s full-featured recording and mixing environment. Unlike traditional DAWs, LUNA is built to behave like an analog console, offering a “bolt-on” workflow with integrated tape emulation and an incredibly intuitive interface that makes professional mixing feel natural and tactile.

Availability

UAD Explore FREE is available for macOS and Windows. The plugins in this bundle all run natively and will require you to download the UA Connect app for installation. Get it now from the Universal Audio website.

Remember – RouteNote Create subscriptions start from as little as $2.99.
You can also purchase full sample packs, beats and plugins without a subscription

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