Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder
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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
TAKE A LISTEN
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
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
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
Demonstration video
“The Studer A800 plug-in is tape in a box. Tracks that are thin and dull become full of life and tone... so creative, and musical. ”
– Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
“No tape emulation has ever achieved this level of... should I say, completeness? I expect to smell the tape when I hit play!”
– Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
“The Studer A800 plug-in is the missing link for in-the-box mixing.”
– Ryan West (Eminem, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z)
“I tried the Studer A800 plug-in on drums, guitar and overheads to get a saturated, punchy sound. It sounded great, and it works for me.”
– Michael Brauer (The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket)
“I've been really loving the Studer A800 on bass, kick, overheads, horns and strings. It adds a tonal color that is very musical. ”
– Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Ziggy Marley, Motley Crue)
“The UAD Studer A800 gives my drum bus a raw hard tone with a little distortion — all the while keeping the sound together.”
– Dean Coleman
“All of the songs on the Garbage record, Not Your Kind of People were mixed with the Studer A800 plug‑in on all the drum channels. We also used the Ampex ATR-102 plug-in on the final mix.”
– Billy Bush (Garbage, Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney)
“The UAD Studer A800 gives me all the analog goodness, without any of the cross-talk, maintenance issues, alcohol swabs, or tape alignment.”
– Glenn Rosenstein (Ziggy Marley, U2)
“The UAD Studer A800 adds great personality to drums, bass, guitar and vocals.”
– Jeff Balding (Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Florida Georgia Line)Customer Reviews
S. Apted
December 18, 2024
The plugin that changed how I mix
To say I love this plugin would be an understatement. It’s the plugin that single handedly changed how I mix drums entirely....
Read MoreM. Kulev
December 5, 2024
STUDER A800
The UAD - STUDER A800 is an indispensable processing for my taste, versatile in use, flexible and a wonderful instrument that sets the character of the...
Read MoreV. Larcher
September 30, 2024
Amazing plugin !
I use it on my guitars, it fits perfectly into my mixes. I do really recommend it.
Read More -
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
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Customer Reviews
Studer® A800 Tape Recorder
S. Apted
The plugin that changed how I mix
To say I love this plugin would be an understatement. It’s the plugin that single handedly changed how I mix drums entirely. Focusing more using saturation instead of compression, this plugin can get you that massive led zeppelin drum sound. I always have it on my master fader as well, using it for mastering jobs, as well as simple saturation. It’s super simple to use, and very musical. I can honestly say it gets used on every session I do, generally multiple times!
F. Alekperov
AMAZING
SOUNDS HUGE!!!
M. Kulev
STUDER A800
The UAD - STUDER A800 is an indispensable processing for my taste, versatile in use, flexible and a wonderful instrument that sets the character of the timbres.
Just try the A800 on a group of drums, on vocals, on guitars, listen carefully to how it condenses the sound, making it more lively, collected. Using the A800 on guitars, listen to how life, movement and vibe appear, how sharp attacks are gently cut off, and the sound seems to round off, becomes warmer.V. Larcher
Amazing plugin !
I use it on my guitars, it fits perfectly into my mixes. I do really recommend it.
G. Vitale
It's fantastic!
Best emulator ever!
G. Sant'Anna
Maravilhoso!
incrível a fidelidade de som desse plugin!
E. Joseph
Wonderful
Best emulator ever in the studio wonderful element ..
S. Lord
I Love it
Best tape emulation I've heard, I can't wait for more UAD plugins to go native!
T. Tally
STUDER A800 TAPE RECORDER
I love it, and use it on every mix. 2 thumbs up
I. Kumpel
Studer® A800 Tape Recorder
Soft saturation, realistic sound.
A. Kharalgin
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
Beautiful organic sound - Studer A800
Quite useful in many ways. Warms up , distorts nicely if you want. Organic sounds. Beautiful!
S. Sotiriadis
UA
Amazing Staff
D. Vera
Studer A800
Exelente, very good
E. STEIGER
Wahoo!
So nice for mastering!
D. MALUL
love it!
love the warm sound of this crazy plug in!
B. Montonatti
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
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
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
The best !!!
The best tape emulation!
