I Rank EVERY Universal Audio Unison Preamp Plugin For Vocals
Stop guessing which UAD preamp will give your vocals that million-dollar sound.
I'm ranking all the major Universal Audio Unison preamps—from the Neve 1073 and Manley VoxBox heavyweights to the SSL and the underrated Century Tube—from S-Tier (instant-vibe champions) to D-Tier (the ones you should honestly skip).
After a decade of producing with UAD interfaces, I've spent the money and learned the hard truth: most 'industry-standard' plugins are overhyped.
In this definitive UAD Preamp Tier List for vocals, I break down what makes a preamp S-Tier based on my three criteria: Vibe & Character, Unison Magic, and Versatility.
What to Expect in this UAD Ranking:
D-Tier: The Skips: Why the classic Helios Type 69 and the older API Preamp just don't earn their DSP for modern vocals.
C-Tier: Niche & Overrated: The Avalon VT-737SP and the SSL 4000E Channel Strip are great tools, but are they worth your Unison slot? I explain why they fall short as true character preamps.
B-Tier: The Workhorses: The UA 610-B Tube Preamp is the best free UAD plugin, but where does it stand against the V76 Telefunken and the efficient Century Tube strip?
A-Tier: The Elite: Comparing the punchy API Vision to the luxurious Neve 1084 and the ultimate vocal chain of the LA-6176 Channel Strip.
S-Tier: The Undisputed Champions: The final face-off between the Manley VOXBOX (The Vocal Cheat Code) and the legendary Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ. Which one is my desert island plugin for tracking all genres?
If you're tracking vocals and trying to decide whether to buy the Neve 1073 plugin, the Manley VoxBox plugin, or even the API Vision Channel Strip, this video will save you time and money.
Which UAD preamp is YOUR S-Tier? Drop a comment below and let me know if I disrespected your favorite! 👇
👍 Like this video and Subscribe for more UAD shootouts! My next video ranks the top UAD compressors.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:37 Ranking Criteria
02:28 D Tier
04:30 C Tier
07:36 B Tier
11:18 A Tier
15:35 S Tier
19:08 Final Ranking and Recap
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS
▸ / @martythanks
Watch My Latest Music Video:
▸ • Mando Aries - One & Only (Official Music V...
FOLLOW ME
▸Instagram / martythanks
Gear I Use:
Sony ZV-E10 II + E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II
Sony ECM B1M
DJI Mic Mini
MacBook Pro M1 Pro 16.2'
iPhone 12
CapCut
Shure SM7dB
UAD Apollo Solo
Mogami Gold Studio XLR Cable 2M
Lexar 1800x
Sony MDR-7506
Neumann NDH120