UA News

Available natively, new UAD plug-in delivers classic tweed tones from the dawn of electric guitar SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • April 15th, 2025 — Universal Audio Inc. (UA), a worldwide leader in audio production tools, is proud to introduce UAD Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifie r, a UAD plug-in that gives you the authentic tone of the American tweed guitar amp that shaped the sound of rock ’n’ roll, blues, and soul music. Available natively, the Woodrow ’55 plug‑in captures every nuance of the iconic amp, giving players the punchy cleans and rich tube-driven overdrive made famous by artists from Chuck Berry and Neil Young to modern players like Jason Isbell, Joe Bonamassa, and Ariel Posen.* UAD Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier – $199 USD The UAD Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier plug-in captures the classic tweed circuit in end-to-end detail, from its tube preamp and power section to tone stack and transformer. Built upon Universal Audio’s industry-leading amp modeling and component-level circuit analysis, UAD Woodrow ’55 puts a world-class studio amp with expertly paired mic/speaker cabinets at your fingertips — no mics, pedals, or live room required. “This is the amp that defined what electric guitar sounds like — from the first fuzzed-out rock records to today’s alt-country and Americana,” says Lev Perrey, VP of Product at Universal Audio. “With UAD Woodrow ’55, we’ve made that iconic tone accessible to anyone producing music in the box.” <a href="https://www.uaudio.com/products/uad-guitar...

New Apollo e1x adds remote-controllable Unison ™ mic/line preamps to Apollo x16D, while Apollo e2m expands Dante ® networked systems with I/O and monitor control SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • March 18, 2025 — Universal Audio Inc. (UA), a worldwide leader in audio production tools, is proud to announce the Apollo E Series – two new peripherals for Dante‑networked audio systems and the Apollo x16D audio interface, aimed to bring acclaimed UAD plug‑ins from studio to stage. The Apollo e1x Remote‑controllable Unison ™ Preamp gives engineers legendary Unison ™ mic/line preamp sounds from API, Avalon, Manley, Neve, SSL, and more when paired with an Apollo x16D audio interface, while Apollo e2m Stereo Headphone Amplifier and Line Interface puts elegant stereo headphone monitoring and line level I/O anywhere on a Dante audio network. Both Apollo E Series devices feature convenient mic stand mounting for live, broadcast, and networked studio use, and are compatible with any Dante audio system, adding sleek network "endpoints" using Power over Ethernet (PoE) for all users, with or without an Apollo x16D interface. "The Apollo x16D and new Apollo E Series are milestones for us," says Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio. "Many Apollo users have been asking to be able to use realtime UAD plug‑ins with Dante‑networked systems, both in live sound applications and in recording studios. The Apollo x16D and Apollo E Series peripherals make it easy." The Apollo E Series is now available to pre‑order through select local retailers, and shipping worldwide in May, 2025. Apollo e1x Remote‑controllable Unison ™ Preamp $399 MAP USD <img src="https:...

UA's new Dante ® ‑enabled interface is now on tour with Bob Dylan, Shakira, Pitbull and more SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • February 27, 2025 — From sold-out arenas to global festival stages, Universal Audio's Apollo x16D is transforming live sound, bringing the power of UAD plug‑ins and Dante ® connectivity to top‑tier touring acts. Designed for professional front‑of‑house (FOH) and monitor engineers, the Apollo x16D allows artists and engineers to harness the same world‑class audio tools used in the studio – now in real time, on the road. Already on major international tours, Apollo x16D is trusted by industry veterans working with top artists, from Shakira and Pitbull to Bob Dylan and Pantera. With seamless integration into digital mixers, instant recall of plug‑in settings, and the ability to link multiple units for a 64‑channel Dante system with network redundancy, Apollo x16D is setting a new standard for live sound. Tour‑Tested and Engineer‑Approved Live engineers across genres have embraced Apollo x16D for its pristine audio quality, reliability, and game‑changing workflow. "As a live engineer, nothing is more important than consistency and reliability. The Apollo x16D has brought me the ultimate peace of mind for my live performances, delivering top‑notch quality and unrivaled processing standards. I absolutely love it!" – John Buitrago (J Balvin, Karol G) "Thanks to the quick connectivity of Dante, I am able to use my favorite UAD plug‑ins in a more convenient way than I had before. Being able to connect to my console with just two cables – rather than the need for analog breakout cables – makes for a much quicker setup. Using UAD plug‑ins live allows me to bring the studio to the audience." – Ashton Parsons</strong...

UA-powered artists take home awards for Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, and more SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – February 20, 2025 – Universal Audio, a leading manufacturer of music production tools, is proud to celebrate the nominees and winners from the UA community at the 67th Annual GRAMMY ® Awards. UA-powered artists were represented in coveted categories including Producer of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, and more. In total, 61 UA-endorsed artists were nominated across 11 categories. “This year’s GRAMMY ® winners continue to push the boundaries of recorded music, and we're honored to be a part of their creative process,” said Bill Putnam Jr., CEO and founder of Universal Audio. “From legendary engineers to rising stars, it’s inspiring to see so many artists crafting award-winning music with UA tools.” Trusted by Grammy-winning producers like Daniel Nigro and Jack Antonoff, UA’s Apollo interfaces and UAD plugins are the industry standard for unmatched quality and performance. Producer of the Year: Daniel Nigro UA artist and award-winning producer Daniel Nigro (Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo) served as lead producer for Chappell Roan's studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess . "Universal Audio’s Apollo and UAD plugins are necessary for every single song I work on," says Nigro. Beyond celebrating artistic excellence, this year’s GRAMMY ® Awards carried a renewed sense of purpose—raising funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery of first responders. Universal Audio is proud to stand with the Recording Academy and MusiCares in their Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, prov...

Until February 28, creators can get the new UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor Plug‑In for free, no UA hardware required SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • February 14, 2025 — Universal Audio Inc. (UA), a worldwide leader in audio production tools including Apollo and Volt audio interfaces, UAD plug‑ins, UAFX pedals, UA mics, and UAD Spark, is offering a free version of the 1176 Classic FET Compressor plug‑in, no Apollo or UAD hardware required. Originally built by Bill Putnam Sr. in 1967, the Universal Audio 1176 remains the king of audio limiting, heard on more classic records than any other compressor. The new 1176 Classic FET Compressor plug‑in is a faithful emulation of this legendary compressor, delivering the same punchy, expressive tones as the original hardware. One of the most enduring studio compressor designs, the UA 1176 gives creators fast, radio‑ready results on drums, vocals, and anything in between. "We pride ourselves on our analog modeling and the craftsmanship behind UAD plug‑ins," says CEO and founder, Bill Putnam Jr. "We're hoping to inspire musicians and producers with this free 1176 plug‑in and can't wait for folks to add this iconic compressor to their productions." From February 14-28, 2025, creators can redeem their free plug‑in license at uaudio.com or from a participating retailer. UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor Plug‑in Features Add color, character, and vibe with one of the most famous compressors ever made Get ultra‑fast attack time on bass, guitars, vocals and more Track and mix with the original legendary FET‑Style Compressor from UA Harness the 1176's entire elec...

UA honored across multiple product categories for Apollo X audio interfaces, UAD plug‑ins, and UAFX pedals SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • February 4, 2025 — Universal Audio is thrilled to have been honored with three Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Awards at the 2025 NAMM Show on January 23 in Anaheim, California. Since 1985, the TEC Awards have recognized outstanding achievements in professional audio production and product innovation. With hundreds of entries for nominations that are voted on by a panel of veteran industry professionals in the U.S. and abroad, the TEC Awards are widely regarded as the highest honor dedicated to the pro audio and sound recording industry. "We're honored to accept these three TEC Awards," shares Bill Putnam Jr., CEO and founder of Universal Audio. "It's been a game‑changing year for UA, and we're excited to continue pushing the limits of audio, all while staying true to our commitment to timeless sound and exceptional craftsmanship." Apollo X Twin USB Winner, Computer Audio Hardware Apollo Twin X USB gives Windows‑based musicians and producers elite‑class audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow of analog recording. Letting you record through preamps from Neve, API, Manley, and more – with near-zero latency – Apollo Twin X USB is born to make records. UAFX Lion '68 Super Lead Amp Winner, Musical Instrument Amplification &amp; Effects Built on powerful dual‑engine processing and world‑class UAD modeling, the flagship Lion '68 Super Lead Amp Emulator delivers the unm...

New stompbox delivers the authentic raw sound of punk, alt rock, and metal along with legendary boosts and award-winning mic/speaker modeling SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 22, 2024 — Universal Audio Inc. (UA) , a worldwide leader in audio production tools, including the popular Apollo and Volt audio interfaces, UAD plug‑ins, and UA microphones, is proud to welcome the Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier emulator to the award‑winning UAFX guitar pedal lineup. Built on powerful dual‑engine processing and world‑class UAD modeling, Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier gives guitarists the searing high‑gain tone that powered legendary punk, alt rock, and metal bands from Foo Fighters and Incubus to Nevermore, Dream Theater, and more.* By authentically capturing the original amp's famed green, orange, and red channels, Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier gives players the same perfect cleans, bone‑crushing crunch, and smoldering lead sounds of arguably the most versatile multi‑channel amp ever made – right on their pedalboard. "The "Recto" is a modern day rock and metal classic that delivers inarguably the most powerful, larger‑than‑life tones ever to come out of a guitar speaker", says UA Sr. Product Manager Tore Mogensen. "As a long time user of the original amp, I couldn't be more excited to add Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier to the UAFX line of amp‑in‑a‑box pedals." UAFX Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier Pedal – $399 (MAP USD) UAFX Knuckles '92 Dual Rec Amplifier pedal gives guitarists the iconic tones from the "King of California High Gain" that fueled punk, alt rock, and metal from the '90s onward. ...

Hit Broadway show recreates the authentic sound of a vintage ’70s recording studio using UA hardware and UAD analog emulation plug‑ins The look and sound of a vintage ’70s studio, with Apollo and UAD plug‑ins providing the realtime analog sound to front‑of‑house. SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 16, 2024 — Garnering a record 13 Tony nominations, Stereophonic recently made history, taking home five wins including Best Play and Sound Design. Set in a music studio in 1976, the play explores the agony and ecstasy of music creation, following an up‑and‑coming rock band on the cusp of superstardom as they record their new album. To recreate the warmth and fidelity of a ’70s‑era analog studio, Stereophonic 's audio production crew relied heavily on Universal Audio's award‑winning Apollo interfaces and UAD plug‑ins to capture the performers in real time. "To pull an ambitious production like this off every night, the crew needed to speak a common language," says Stereophonic sound designer Ryan Rumery . "UAD plug‑ins, Apollo, and the Console app are the tools [music director] Justin Craig , [composer] Will Butler , and myself use everyday." Stereophonic 's instantly memorable songs like "Masquerade," "Bright," and "Seven Roads" conjure the sonic magic of Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney and Wings, and The Eagles, among others with minimalist drum parts, puffy kick drums, rich‑sounding keyboard textures, and lush guitar arrangements. "We were determined to give the music the same ’70s‑style polish that you would've heard in the studio back then," explains Rumery. "We ran all the live instruments and vocals into several Apollo x16 interfaces and processed everything in real time, running UAD plug‑in emu...