I can feel for you guys, but I must admit....I have 2 UAD-1's here working perfectly in Sonar using Win 7. The problem with this whole community is people constantly feel the need to upgrade to the latest and greatest instead of just using "what works". Seriously, anyone that is serious about recording knows that when you get something that works, you stick with it. Especially if you rely on the income from recording.
I knew the UAD-1 would be discontinued, I knew what software would cripple the card and I stayed away from it. Why would I even attempt to mess up a well oiled machine? I've had the UAD-1 since it came out. It works perfectly. However, I also have 2- UAD-2 Quads and 2- Duo's. You do yourself an injustice if you don't upgrade to at least a Duo in my opinion. I have a wide array of plugs in my library that are supposedly models of things. The UAD versions always sound better to me either because they sound like the hardware, or have a unique sound that the others just don't have.
I feel for those of you experiencing trouble....I really do. However, in these times, the key for me is a system that works without issues. If it takes Windows XP and old drivers for that to work, so be it. I have an XP machine running the UAD-1 cards that also has an old Layla 24/96 in it. Old technology...but it works and it hangs right with my new boxes running Win 7 with RME, Lynx and Apogee along with UAD-2 cards. I don't have access to the newer plugs with the UAD-1, but I have no problems using the old stuff simply because...it works.
The other problem with todays times is, when you upgrade something, it's safe to say you need to upgrade everything. That part of this business is truly sad, but there's nothing we can do about it other than boycotting. If you do that, you cut your nose off to spite your face. I'd be lost without my UAD's. If they cancel Sonar support tomorrow, I have machines set up to run them that work so that I'm not screwing around with drivers and experimenting with what may or may not work. I could care less if they stop support or not. I can make them work and understand the deal. Complaining about it doesn't help yourselves or anyone else. You make it work using the requirements or you just use something else. It's that simple really.
And stop upgrading all the time unless you have to. Too many people cripple themselves because of that. Screw Windows 8 until you absolutely need it. If your choice is to have all the latest and greatest stuff on the market, sit there and be a tweaker if you choose. I'd rather get work done...even if it takes using a machine running Windows 98 SE running Sonar 2.2....which I actually have that works like a champ. While you tweak, I'll work. It's really cut and dry to me.
I'm not trying to stir up any controversy or sound un-affectionate to anyone having problems....honest. I just don't see why people put themselves in this position when in reality, they don't need to. I can use Sonar 2.2 all the way up to 8.5 without needing the additional bells and whistles we have now if I had to. I'd be fine using them as well as the operating systems that support them along with UAD-1. It pays to have a few pc's around with different operating systems. Selling off old systems doesn't get you any money anyway...so I save mine because you just never know. :)
-Danny