Red Giant Universe
Publisher: Red Giant SoftwarePlatforms: PC/Mac
Description: Effects Plugin Suite
MSRP: Free (Basic); $9.99 per month (Premium)
Expected Release: Available Now
Official Website: http://www.redgiantsoftware.com
Samples: Click Here
Demo: Click Here
Review Issue: Issue #101 (08/14)
Review By: Mark Colegrove
Final Score: 9.0
Earlier this year, Red Giant, the makers of popular plugins like “Looks” and “Trapcode,” unveiled “Universe,” a subscription based platform that could totally revolutionize the way plugins are delivered in this more rapidly changing landscape of NLE workflows.
Similar to an Adobe Creative Cloud memebership, Universe will be updated regularly, and grow over time. So you’ll always have the “latest version” of a particular effect, and you can rest assured that Universe up to date with the latest version of your editing software.
Universe is currently available for Adobe Premiere Pro & After Effects, as well as Final Cut X & Motion. It launched with 50 effects, and since then, a Universe 1.1 update has added 9 more.
One major focus in Universe is on the plethora of Cartoon effects available. There’s enough to warrant it’s own category.
Ease of Use
Setup and install is quick and easy through Red Giant Link. I found everything integrated seamlessly with Premiere Pro CC 2014 right at the time of its release. Unlike some of Red Giant’s other products, like Looks or PluralEyes, which almost feel like separate programs in their own right (well to be fair, PluralEyes actually IS a stand-alone program), with Universe, your new effects exist right alongside your current ones, and application is the same – a simple drag and drop!
All your new effects appear in your “Universe” folder.
Those familiar with Red Giants products will find that you’ll find a level of control well beyond what you’re used to with your typical built-in effects, so while application is easy, it may take a bit of time to tweak the settings just the way you want them.
Depth of Options
So what do we get for our subscription to Universe? Well, as mentioned before, at the time of this writing you get 59 effects (in the premium version) all across the spectrum from glows to blurs, cartoon looks, distortions, and even some transitions.
As a big fan of retro looks, the Carousel look to mimic a slide projector, or Retrograde can really give you that distressed vintage look you’re going for.
One of the more notable inclusions with Universe, is a scaled down version of one of Red Giants’ more popular plugin sets, Knoll Light Fatory EZ, which features many awesome lights and lens flares that Red Giant has become known for.
If you’re doing music videos or sci-fi, you may have found your new go-to plugin!
Performance
All the effects are robust and well thought out, with a lot of control at your fingertips. Everything is well integrated on the Premiere Pro/After Effects version I installed, and I did not experience any compatibility issues with my editing software or when using Universe effects with other plugins.
Like some other Red Giant products, render times can take some time depending on what effect you’re using.
Value
Did I mention that you can get a Universe subscription for FREE?! Well that gets you a basic membership at least, and access to 34 effects. Not too shabby!
Ripples is just one example of a great stylization effect available with a free membership.
For a very reasonable $10 per month (or $99 per year) you can get a premium membership, which gives you access to everything Universe has to offer, and it was great to see that, unlike Adobe, Red Giant even offers a reasonably priced lifetime membership at just $399.
To boot, as mentioned before, we can expect this to grow over time. There’s even an open forum for feedback on Red Giant’s site where members can vote or offer input on what’s to come. For the full list of available effects, just visit their gallery, to see if Universe is right for your project.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Universe is a great set of plugins across the board. The glows, and inclusion of Knoll Light Fatory EZ is a clear standout. While it would be nice to see additional pricing options to include some of Red Giant’s other popular plugin sets (like Looks or Colorista), I have a feeling we’re just at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Universe will ultimately offer. Additionally, the subscription price is very reasonable, and is the logical next step for plugin delivery that will set the bar for what other companies like Boris or GenArts ultimately offer in turn.
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Breakdown
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Ease of Use
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9.0 |
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Depth of Options
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9.0 |
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Performance
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8.0 |
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Value vs. Cost
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10.0 |
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Overall Score |
9.0 |
Mark Colegrove
Mark Colegrove is the director of 2008's horror/comedy Isle of the Damned, which is self-distributed through his production company, Dire Wit Films. Based in Maryland, he currently produces corporate video and is working on his second feature, Driven to Succeed, a driver's ed comedy.
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