UA Blog

How careful songwriting collaborations, Apollo interfaces, and UAD plug-ins fuel Grammy-winning records. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2011, Daniel Nigro has undergone a transformation few could have predicted. A lifelong guitarist, singer and restless member of Indie rock stalwarts As Tall As Lions, Nigro arrived in LA with a dream, but no clear roadmap beyond "wanting to be a songwriter."  What began as Nigro's attempt to record his solo record soon turned into something much bigger — a passion for producing and writing music with others. Hot on the heels of his 2025 "Producer of the Year" Grammy, Nigro has shaped the sound of artists like Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Sky Ferreira, Joe Jonas, Kylie Minogue, and Caroline Polachek. All the while, Nigro has honed a signature production style — one that heavily leans into collaboration, as well as Apollo X Gen 2 audio interfaces and UAD plug-ins .   "If one part of a song feels really good, I don't care about anything else," says Daniel Nigro. "We can workshop the rest. If it takes a year, fine."   Was there a steep learning curve in making the transition from songwriter to producer? Yes, in the sense that it felt like a massive step backwards because I had to prove that I was a producer. That took about 5 years. When I worked with my old writing partner Justin Raisen ( Charli XCX , Drake ), he would always be at the computer — he was the producer. I was just a songwriter. But I watched him and picked up how to produce. I also worked a lot with Ariel ...

Learn how Universal Audio captures the world’s greatest guitar amps in a pedal. Putting the sonic majesty of the world's greatest tube amps into a stompbox isn't easy, especially if you're striving to capture the elusive tonal magic that's not found in a schematic. Universal Audio's Chief Scientist Dave Berners and Senior Product Designer James Santiago have made it their mission to not only emulate these landmark amps, but to go deeper, giving guitarists the exact tone and feel of vintage "golden unit" tube amps. Here, they reveal what goes into developing UAFX amp emulators , and uncover what they do differently that makes these award-winning "amp-in-a-box" pedals sound so good.   Guitarists often say UAFX amp emulators sound and feel like a real miked up amp. How did you achieve this? Dave Berners : James can set the amps, mics, and recording chain up so they sound true to the source right out of the gate. But to make these emulations exceptional, we look at more than the amp's schematic.   Can you explain? Dave Berners: It's the way the amp's components interact that is key. For example, component tolerances vary, so two amps can sound subtly different just because the resistors or capacitors aren’t precisely the same. Then there’s parasitic capacitance — the interactions created simply by components and wires being near each other. James helps us pinpoint these subtleties, and we add them into the emulations. It’s those tiny, schematic-defying details that set UAFX amp emulators apart.   A stripped, vintage Marshall 4x12 miked up with a vintage Neumann during the emulation of UAFX Lion '68 Super Lead...

Bringing authentic UAD sound from studio to stage. Introducing the Apollo E Series, two new peripherals for the Apollo x16D that allow you to take UAD DSP plug-ins directly from studio to stage using Dante audio networking. The Apollo E Series includes the Apollo e1x Remote-controlled Unison™ Preamp and the Apollo e2m Stereo Headphone Amp and Line Interface , both of which feature Dante connections and mic stand mounts for live, broadcast, and networked studio use. The Apollo e1x gives you the sound of Unison mic preamp emulations from API, Avalon, Manley, Neve, SSL, and more using an Apollo x16D audio interface. The Apollo e2m puts stereo headphone monitoring and line level I/O anywhere on your Dante network, using svelte Cat 5e Ethernet cables, for maximum fidelity and flexibility. Powered by the Apollo x16D , UAD DSP processing lets engineers mix with genuine UAD plug-ins like Antares Auto-Tune , EL8 Distressor , Lexicon reverbs , and more in realtime on stage or in the studio. Both E Series peripherals offer convenient network “endpoints” in any Dante system, with or without Apollo x16D. Apollo e1x Remote-controllable Unison™ Preamp Expand any Dante network with remote-controlled mic/line preamps using Power over Ethernet (PoE) Combine with Apollo x16D interfaces to get the authentic Unison™ mic preamp sounds of API, Avalon, Manley, Neve, SSL, and more Link multiple Apollo e1x units with included coupling bracket and integrate...

Our UAD plug-in library features over 200 titles, from simple preamps and guitar effects to complex mastering tools, EQs, channel strips, and more. It can be overwhelming to find the right one. So each year we compile a list of our 11 best-sellers. 1. UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection The original 1176 was designed by UA founder Bill Putnam Sr. and represented a major breakthrough in limiter technology with its ultra-fast FET gain reduction. The UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection gives you the same classic compression heard on some of the greatest recordings in history. 2. API Vision Channel Strip Collection Embrace famous API sound with the API Vision Channel Strip Collection , featuring the signature 212L preamp and 225L compressor that have graced hit records for over five decades — from Stevie Wonder's Innervisions to Radiohead's In Rainbows . 3. Pultec Passive EQ Collection The Pultec Passive EQ Collection is an authentic emulation of the legendary tube EQs used on over 70 years of popular music. Now a classic in its own right, the UAD plug-in collection delivers astonishingly accurate emulations, all of which are used by the world’s top producers and engineers every day. <a href="/p...

Discover the science behind the world's most trusted audio interface. In the crowded field of audio interfaces, Universal Audio’s Apollo has risen above all the rest. Used on hundreds of Grammy-winning albums since its introduction in 2012 — from Kendrick Lamar and the Black Keys to Ariane Grande, Green Day, and Tyler, the Creator — Apollo interfaces are commonplace in pro studios around the world. But what exactly makes them sound better than the competition? In this article, we'll explore the level of detail we've put into the Apollo line of desktop and rackmount interfaces, specifically its elite-class AD/DA conversion, and talk to the people behind its impeccable sound quality. Apollo: A Simple Design Philosophy Dave Rossum is a legendary synth pioneer who led the design of Apollo X Gen 2 converters. Although the birth of Apollo was a massive team effort at Universal Audio, one of its main drivers is UA Technical Fellow, Dave Rossum. A pioneer of the synthesizer revolution, inventor of the polyphonic keyboard, and co-founder of E-mu Systems, Rossum changed the course of modern music with the E-mu SP-1200 sampling drum machine — a groundbreaking device at the center of hundreds of classic pop and hip-hop records over the past four decades. “With Apollo it's not just about specs, we’re looking for sound.” Dave Rossum, UA Technical Fellow Through all of his legendary designs, Rossum uses a single core principle as his guiding light, and Apollo interfaces were certainly no different. "I strive for a simple design," says Rossum. "And for me that me...

Explore how UA’s award-winning interface became the standard in the audio industry. Class-Leading Sound Quality Iconic Preamps Recording in Realtime Built-In Room Correction Grow your Studio Take your Productions to the Stage Apollo Artist Sessions In the tradition of UA founder and audio pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., Apollo audio interfaces are as ubiquitous in professional studios around the world as the Teletronix LA-2A or 1176 compressors . Released in 2012, Apollo audio interfaces quickly became the centerpiece of professional studios and mobile rigs, as well as earning numerous industry awards from Sound on Sound, Future Music, and Electronic Musician — as well as the prestigious NAMM TEC Award for computer audio hardware five years running. From Kendrick Lamar to Green Day, Ariana Grande to Tyler, the Creator, Post Malone, and Chris Stapleton, Apollo interfaces are used to create chart-topping, Grammy-winning albums year after year. But with so many interfaces on the market, why is Apollo considered "the pro's choice?" Here, we'll find out. Just a few of the hit records made with Apollo interfaces, including Sabrina Carpenter, Peter Gabriel, Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, and Rolling Stones. Apollo Gives You Class-Leading Sound Quality Ultimately, you want the highest fidelity from your audio interface to hear every detail in your music — essential for professional recordin...

Learn how to add punch to your mix with the iconic 1176 FET Compressor. In this video, Drew from Universal Audio walks you through everything you need to know about the UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor — from its legendary fast attack to its unique compression ratios. This tutorial covers the best uses for this iconic studio tool, explains its key parameters, and showcases why upgrading to the full UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection unlocks even more tonal options. (0:00) Intro A quick A/B audio demo of the 1176 in action to showcase its power. (0:23) Meet the 1176 An introduction to the history of the 1176 and why it remains one of the most famous compressors in music production. (1:23) Parameters A walkthrough of the key controls on the 1176, including input, output, attack, release, and ratio. (1:48) Threshold An explanation of the fixed threshold design and how input gain determines the amount of compression. (2:22) Attack and Release An explanation of the fixed threshold design and how input gain determines the amount of compression. (3:29) Ratio A breakdown of the ultra-fast attack times that make the 1176 ideal for shaping transients and controlling dynamics. (4:51) Starting Point Settings A recommended starting p...

Learn how to capture your sound anywhere. There's remote recording, and then there's remote recording. Here, with the help of Madeline Dahm and Cameron Crabtree, you'll learn how to easily record yourself with pro sound, even in the bucolic Northern California redwoods. Your Portable Recording Packing List iPad (iOS 14 or later) loaded with free GarageBand recording software Volt 276 audio interface USB-C cable to connect to an iPad with USB-C (or an Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to connect to other iPadOS and iOS devices) External power supply or USB battery bank for your Volt (unless you have an iPad Pro) Two mics (we’re using UA SC-1 Standard Condenser mics) Mic cables and stand Recording in the Northern Californian redwoods using a Volt 276 audio interface, SC-1 Standard Condenser microphones, and an iPad. Let's Get Set Up Volt connects to the iPad via USB-C to USB-A cable and Lightning to USB adapter. An external USB power bank connects to Volt and keeps the iPad battery from draining too quickly. Connect the two mics to the XLR inputs on Volt Engage Volt's Vintage mode on both mics. This gives you a warm analog tone based on the classic UA 610 tube preamp For the vocal mic, use the "Vocal" compressor setting and likewise "Guitar" compression setting for the acoustic For the vocals, the singer is around 6″ from the mic. The windscreen helps control plosives For the guitar, position the mic around the 12th fret, pointed towards the soundhole Press Volt's Direct button twice until it turns blue to hear both inputs centered in your head...