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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Customer Reviews
  • 4.8/5
    (445)
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Regular Price: $349.00

$174.00

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4.8/5
(445)

The rich analog sound of the world’s most popular multichannel tape machine.

For more than 30 years, artists and engineers alike have been drawn to the warm analog sound, solid low-end, and overall presence of the Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder. The sheer number of albums recorded on this legendary 2” analog tape machine — including classics from Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, A Tribe Called Quest, and Jeff Buckley — serve as shining examples of the musicality of analog tape.

Fully authenticated by Studer, and modeled by UA’s world‑renowned team of DSP engineers and magnetic recording expert Jay McKnight, the Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in is the first product of its kind. By faithfully modeling the entire circuit path of the famous A800 machine from Allen Sides' collection at Ocean Way Studios, this is the most accurate representation of multitrack analog tape recording available.

Included Versions

UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.

Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.

UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.

  • Track and mix with the complete Studer A800 electronic signal paths, including Input, Sync and Repro paths
  • Add warmth, presence, cohesion, and low-end punch that only genuine tape can provide
  • Create complex analog textures with the distinct sounds of multiple tape formulas
  • Use the Studer A800 LUNA Extension to easily add warmth to your entire mix on a per channel basis

Want to Try It?

Use this plug-in free for 14 days and find out if it's right for you.

Try it free

TAKE A LISTEN

LUNA Extension — Integrated Multitrack Tape

LUNA Extension — Integrated Multitrack Tape

With LUNA Recording System, you can use the Studer A800 as a LUNA Extension, and easily get tape character on every audio and instrument track, intuitively tweaking settings across all channels. As you build up your mix, you'll hear the cumulative "cohesive" effect of mixing from magnetic tape. Far beyond a simple tape plug-in, the Studer LUNA Extension is woven into the fabric of LUNA's mixer, giving Apollo interface users an analog inspired workflow with bona fide analog sonics to match.

A Groundbreaking Tape Machine

A Groundbreaking Tape Machine

Introduced in 1978, the Studer A800 was the first microprocessor-controlled tape machine. Years ahead of its time, the A800 remains a sonic benchmark, and can still be found in studios worldwide. However, with their massive steel frame and meter bridge, twin half-horsepower motors and cast alloy deck plates, original A800 units tip the scales at a backbreaking 900 pounds. The Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder poses none of the hardware hassles, yet retains all the beautiful sonics that make tape a beloved recording medium.

Capturing the Magic of Tape

Capturing the Magic of Tape

Just like magnetic tape, you can dial in a clean sound, or just the right amount of harmonic saturation using the Studer A800's Input and Output controls. The IPS control steps through tape speed choices (7.5, 15, or 30 IPS), each with distinct frequency shift, head bump and distortion characteristics. The tape Type control lets users choose from four of the most popular magnetic tape formulas — each with their own subtle sonic variation. There is also a secondary set of controls like Noise, EQ, and Bias for an even more jaw-dropping palette of tape textures.

Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in
Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in

Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in

Demonstration video

Key Features

Studer-endorsed, UA modeled emulation of legendary A800 Multitrack Tape Machine

Provides the warm, natural sound and punchy low-end response of 2” analog tape — on Mac and PC

Models complete A800 electronic signal paths, including Input, Sync and Repro paths

Features four of the most popular Tape Formulas and Calibration Levels

Tape saturation and overdrive via easy-to-use Input / Output controls

Provides dead-on magnetic tape sound without the hassles of calibration, maintenance, tape degradation, etc.

IPS Speed/Emphasis Curve chooses between 7.5 NAB, 7.5 CCIR, 15 NAB, 15 CCIR, 30 AES

Gang Controls allows for fast global adjustment of all instances

Run 24+ tracks with a single UAD-2 QUAD DSP Accelerator Package

Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide

Customer Reviews

Studer® A800 Tape Recorder

Overall Rating

4.8/5
(445)

V. Larcher

September 30, 2024

Amazing plugin !

I use it on my guitars, it fits perfectly into my mixes. I do really recommend it.

G. Vitale

July 24, 2024

It's fantastic!

Best emulator ever!

G. Sant'Anna

July 22, 2024

Maravilhoso!

incrível a fidelidade de som desse plugin!

E. Joseph

July 12, 2024

Wonderful

Best emulator ever in the studio wonderful element ..

S. Lord

July 11, 2024

I Love it

Best tape emulation I've heard, I can't wait for more UAD plugins to go native!

T. Tally

July 8, 2024

STUDER A800 TAPE RECORDER

I love it, and use it on every mix. 2 thumbs up

I. Kumpel

July 4, 2024

Studer® A800 Tape Recorder

Soft saturation, realistic sound.

A. Kharalgin

July 3, 2024

Studer A800 отзыв

Ребята, те кто еще сомневаются, берите плагин - не пожалеете! И цены сейчас на продукцию UA очень даже хорошие и совсем недорогие. Я вот недавно его приобрел и мне его теплота и мягкость ну просто в кайф.

J. Segundo

June 24, 2024

Beautiful organic sound - Studer A800

Quite useful in many ways. Warms up , distorts nicely if you want. Organic sounds. Beautiful!

S. Sotiriadis

June 10, 2024

UA

Amazing Staff

D. Vera

June 3, 2024

Studer A800

Exelente, very good

E. STEIGER

June 2, 2024

Wahoo!

So nice for mastering!

D. MALUL

May 29, 2024

love it!

love the warm sound of this crazy plug in!

B. Montonatti

May 27, 2024

Warm and authenticity


The Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Emulator Plugin is a game-changer for anyone seeking to infuse their digital recordings with the warmth and character of analog tape. From the moment you apply it to your mix, the A800 imparts a rich, warm tone that adds depth and dimension, making the low-end tighter, the mid-range more pronounced, and the high-end smooth and silky. Its multiple tape formulas and calibration settings provide exceptional flexibility, allowing precise control over tape saturation and compression to suit any mix.

Moreover, the plugin excels in providing a cohesive glue to the mix, enhancing unity and harmony across all elements. Its intuitive user interface, coupled with minimal CPU usage, ensures a seamless experience even in larger projects. The Studer A800 is not just a tool but an essential asset for achieving professional-sounding mixes, capturing the essence of the legendary tape machine with remarkable authenticity. Universal Audio has truly set the bar high with this outstanding emulation.

G. Patro

May 26, 2024

Controls Height and one of the Depth parameters

Magnetic Tape Formula Type, IPS, Secondary controls such as Repro EQ, Sync EQ, HF Driver acts like an EQ that controls Frequencies (Height Parameter to localise the sound at Top, Centre or Bottom).

The Bias from Secondary controls acts like a Low Level Compressor that controls Distance (Depth parameter to localise the sound at Near, Mid or Far field) and provide strength to weakest audio signals to make it sound located at Near field.

The Calibration acts like a Harmonic Distortion Unit that add certain amount of Harmonics according to users' preference.

R. Oksman de Aragao

May 24, 2024

Excellence Again!

Man, this is worth the price just for the Repro HF knob alone!

I'm fairly knew to using UAD stuff, but they live in my heart now!

H. Marek

May 19, 2024

The best !!!

The best tape emulation!

l. french

May 15, 2024

A-800

Surprised by the warmth, harmonics, saturation that it produces. Helps tremendously with the stereo field and depth. A little CPU hungry but does an amazing job!

J. Guerra

May 13, 2024

Studer A800

Totally love it!

G. Beretti

May 5, 2024

Magical Warmth and precision !

I've just put it on my drum bus and that's magical. The most impressive thing is the precision and the natural warmth it brings on the mix. Really, i'm impressed like i was by the SSL G Bus when i first tried to work with...