Universal Audio has announced the new line of UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerators, shipping Q2 2016.
UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerators are a sleek, powerful way for producers and engineers to supercharge their Windows-based workstations and run larger mixes filled with rich, DSP-intensive plug-ins. These desktop-friendly units provide full access to UAD Powered Plug-Ins, including exclusive plug-ins from Studer, Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, Manley, SSL, and more.
Available in QUAD or OCTO models with a choice of four or eight SHARC processors, UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerators can also be integrated alongside UAD-2 PCIe cards, UAD-2 Satellite FireWire, and the Apollo Twin USB desktop interface.
For an immediate out-of-the-box mixing experience, UAD-2 Satellite USB DSP Accelerators are available in Core, Custom, and Ultimate software packages. The Core package includes the Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, while Custom adds a choice of any three additional UAD plug-ins at registration. The Satellite USB OCTO Ultimate is UA's flagship package, and includes more than 83 UA-developed plug-ins — up to and including UAD software v8.4.
Key Features:

• Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via USB 3 on Windows-based PCs for improved performance at higher sample rates, and reduced plug-in latency versus FireWire.
• 4 (QUAD) or 8 (OCTO) SHARC processors provide a massive DSP boost for running large professional mixes.
• Access over 90 plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, MXR, and more.
• Includes Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, featuring:
  • UA 610-B Preamp & EQ.
  • LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler (Legacy).
  • 1176LN / 1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifier (Legacy).
  • Fairchild 670 Tube Limiter (Legacy).
  • Pultec Pro Equalizer (Legacy).
  • Precision Enhancer Hz.
  • Precision Mix Rack Collection.
  • RealVerb Pro.
• Available in Core, Custom, and Ultimate software packages.
• Combine with other UAD-2 devices, including UAD-2 PCIe cards, UAD-2 Satellite FireWire, and Apollo Twin USB desktop interface.
• Fan-free construction for quiet operation.
• Compatible with Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, and more.

UAD-2 Satellite USB Pricing * (incl. 19% VAT):

• QUAD Core - $999 US Street / £946* MSRP.
• OCTO Core - $1,499 US Street / £1325* MSRP.
• QUAD Custom (pick any 3 UAD plug-ins) - $1,399 US Street / £1419* MSRP.
• OCTO Custom (pick any 3 UAD plug-ins) - $1,899 US Street / £1798* MSRP.
• OCTO Ultimate 4 (includes 83+ UA-developed plug-ins) - $5,999 US Street / £5680* MSRP.

Learn more about UAD-2 Satellite USB here: www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins/uad2-satellite-usb.html

Expensive, but really a great idea!
If they dropped the price a bit, I'm sure more people would dive in.
 
6 large for the full 83+ is quite a bit of cash outlay!
 

Too bad their support team sucks.

WSS

Jeff M.

6 large for the full 83+ is quite a bit of cash outlay!
 

Yes it is!!

Grem

Jeff M.

6 large for the full 83+ is quite a bit of cash outlay!
 

Yes it is!!

 
That's $73 per plug (on average). That is about the best price you'd see from UAD considering they rarely have a simple 50% off sale. You might get 50% off if you buy three or four plugs at a time, but rarely 50% a single plug.
 
Mind you that probably does not include some of the amp sims (Marshall & Softube) as they say "UAD Developed" not "all". My last count came up with over 100 offerings by them.

I've been eyeing the UAD stuff for a little while -- in particular the Apollo Twin USB -- but I'm leery about buying hardware without Windows 10 support. I've just moved on from a VS-700, and I'm really tired of outdated/hacked driver roulette.
 
Interestingly, these UAD-2 Satellite USB units DO support Windows 10, according to the specs on the UAD website. I wonder why the Apollo Twin USB still doesn't. It tops out at Win 8.1...

Amicus717
I've been eyeing the UAD stuff for a little while -- in particular the Apollo Twin USB -- but I'm leery about buying hardware without Windows 10 support. I've just moved on from a VS-700, and I'm really tired of outdated/hacked driver roulette.
 
Interestingly, these UAD-2 Satellite USB units DO support Windows 10, according to the specs on the UAD website. I wonder why the Apollo Twin USB still doesn't. It tops out at Win 8.1...

Running Twin Duo USB on Win 10 just fine. Not sure why they've not announced official support yet.

TerraSin
Running Twin Duo USB on Win 10 just fine. Not sure why they've not announced official support yet.

I had a very productive chat with their support folks last week on this very topic. I had been frustrated a while back by the lack of official support for Windows 8 (which admittedly I had not checked before upgrading.) It worked, but there was a minor glitch with one of the installers - which was resolved in the next release, even though Windows 8 was not yet officially supported.

This may even be on their site somewhere, but the short version is this - they only officially support those operating system versions - and platform versions - that they are actively testing. And they are actively testing the operating environments and platforms used by the majority of their customers. As more customers use Windows 10 it will get suported.
 
They just can't test everything, it's not a huge company. He did say that they are testing Windows 10 now, and anticipate announcing official support for it in the near future (no dates were provided, imagine my surprise.)

In the meantime (and Billy Buck can confirm) they do take advantage of their diverse user population - if you wonder about using a specific device in a specific environment you can ask on their forums, or sometimes even their support team. Not to pick on Billy, but I believe his system is almost always on the leading edge, meaning he is using their hardware in environments that are not yet officially supported. And they work.

UA can be a tad frustrating at times, although they are getting better. And their hardware and software is definitely on the expensive side. But dang, it sounds great!

For the record, I am currently using an Apollo Twin USB and a UAD/2-Quad PCIe card on a homebrew PC running Windows 8 and 10 (still sorting out 10). UA has caused me no problems! Come to think of it, I've really not run into any problems with any of my essential music production tools. I'm probably about ready to throw the switch once and for all...