Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've been using this on a Win7 laptop (P8400 core2 duo, 2.26ghz), along with other "native" plugins. Without the UAD-2 Solo, my cpu would have been at 100% utilization a couple of dozen Fx instances ago. This card "runs" the plugins, freeing your cpu for your DAW software. Using just the laptop's CPU, each instance of a plugin processor or instrument sucks more CPU, at some point causing noisy artifacts (pops/crackles), dropouts, latency issues, etc.. This card is a GREAT BUY, and includes some prominent, highly rated processor plugins with purchase. It makes my laptop a far more powerful DAW than if I used strictly "native" plugins, e.g. Waves (which are mostly excellent, btw). I do have some Waves plugins as well. Before deciding to go with just your CPU, simply Google "UAD-2 SOLO review" and see what the many reviewers have to say about this new DSP Accelerator. Several forums will give an idea of the many users who are already using it, with Win XP and beyond (as well as OS/X).
Installation/Compatibility:
I know of MANY PC users still running XP sp2 that use the UAD-2 Solo card (or even earlier UAD PCIe accelerators who LOVE them!). The SOLO has been out for 2 years now, and been installed on MANY XP/sp2 systems. Pretty sure that some had to upgrade (ExpressCard) drivers, or their laptop BIOS. Even when using a new Audio interface (USB/Firewire), this is often required. Some call it "maintenance", and it's generally a good thing, to update the software that supports hardware as it get's "older" (1.5 - 2 years, let's be honest). Hardware drivers and bios' are upgraded (improved; bugs fixed), and installing these is, sometimes, as important as installing patches to Windows or any OS (esp. for a laptop in which the card slot was perhaps never used). Laptop manufacturers issue updates for the drivers for _fingerprint readers_, for SD Card readers, etc... It is normal. In a case where a SOLO card needs configuration mods, or driver updates in order to work, this would be an issue with the _laptop_, not with the new ExpressCard item you are trying to use. Nowadays, flashing BIOS or upgrading drivers is quite easy, and to be expected if adding hardware or peripherals to your machine. Even PC CHIPSETS (e.g. Intel 45 Express) have upgrades issued sometimes, allowing support for faster, more powerful CPUs, etc.. that didn't exist when the chipset was built. Bottom line: When adding/upgrading hardware, you may have to tweak, modify or upgrade software. This is the nature of the beast. :)
As for UAD software:
UAD plugins are among the most highly rated software plugins you can buy. Many are designed by, or in collaboration with, the designers of the ORIGINAL HARDWARE being emulated; The Neve console/etc plugins are endorsed by Rupert Neve; Empirical Labs' designer Dave Derr endorses the Fatso Jr (and other) UAD-2 plugins. Not that many plugin processor/emulator offerings have such endorsements.
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