UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye…

It seems like only yesterday... Actually, it was January 14, 2004, when Universal Audio released UAD version 3.4.0 and the birth cries of the new UAD Fairchild 670 plug-in could be heard. ("Waaaaah…. Hiccup!") The world rejoiced! Now the sound of the Fairchild 670’s 14 transformers and 20 vacuum tubes would sing in many a DAW (huzzah!).

Remember that mix, when you put that mono AU Fairchild 670 on the vocal track? Remember the smile you got when you heard the rich and silken sound? Ahh, good times, good times.

Time flies, so we fast forward to July 29, 2009. UAD version 5.4.0 hit the streets of a new world with many new features and plug-ins. But, as the sun rises, so does it set, and thus we have the passing of an old friend: the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in.

Background

Some UAD users experienced problems using the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in, and so we decided to remove it from the new UAD v5.4.0 software to improve the performance and reliability of your UAD products.

So the question arises, What do I do if I have some old sessions/projects that use the Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in, and I’ve just installed UAD v5.4.0? First of all, if you try to load these sessions you will get a "plug-in not found" error message. When you get this message, do not save the session, or else the settings for your UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in will be lost.

Next, and most importantly, Do Not Panic!! (Shout-out to Hawkwind fans.) The solution is very simple, so please read on, dear friends.

How to update old sessions that use the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in

Before we get started, I want to point out two things:

1) The regular version of the UAD Fairchild 670 AU plug-in does not use any additional DSP resources on your UAD card compared to the mono version.

2) Only the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in has been removed from the UAD 5.4.0 software. The UAD Fairchild 670 VST Mono plug-in still exists.

Ok, now let’s move on!

Step One: Install UAD v5.3.0

First of all you will need to download and install the previous UAD software version 5.3.0.

After you have installed UAD v5.3.0 on your computer, you will need to reauthorize your plug-ins. Launch the UAD Meter and open the Plug-Ins window, then click the Authorize Plug-Ins... button to update.

Step Two: Update your session file

Open the session that uses the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in. For each UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono instance, load a regular UAD Fairchild 670 in the same track, group/buss, or output. Now use the UAD plug-in toolbar to copy the settings from each instance of the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono plug-in.

Next you should paste these settings into the regular instance of the UAD Fairchild 670 plug-in you inserted.

Once this is done, you can delete the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono instances (POOF!). Now save the session with all the updated settings.

Step Three: Install UAD v5.4.0

Once you have updated and saved your sessions, you can reinstall the UAD version 5.4.0 software. Don’t forget that after you have installed UAD v5.4.0 on your computer, you will need to reauthorize your plug-ins. Launch the UAD Meter, open the Plug-Ins window, and click the Authorize Plug-Ins... button to update. The session will now load properly using UAD v5.4.0 and no settings will be lost! That’s it! You’re done!

WOW! THAT WAS EASY!! (See, I told you.)

And we bid a fond farewell to the UAD Fairchild 670 AU Mono Plug-In. This plug-in is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late plug-in! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! Its metabolic processes are of interest only to historians! It's hopped the twig! It's shuffled off this mortal coil! It's run down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! This....is an EX-PLUG-IN!

See you next time kids! Play nice and enjoy the rest of the day!!

And I am OUT of here!! (Curtain closes…lights dim…)

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— Dan Becker