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Press Release

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SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • September 1, 2011 — Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio recording hardware and software, is proud to announce that the Ampex® ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder –– considered by many engineers to be the best-sounding tape machine for final mixdown –– is now available as a faithful plug-in emulation on the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform.

For more than three decades, the two-channel Ampex ATR-102 Tape Recorder has turned music recordings into records. The perfect complement to the workhorse Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder Plug-In, the officially sanctioned ATR-102 plug-in provides the final, cohesive analog polish and punch for any in-the-box mastering session, without the ongoing maintenance and calibration of a physical tape machine.

Impeccably developed over a nine-month period in the renowned UAD engineering tradition — and incorporating presets from noted ATR-102 users Chuck Ainlay, Richard Dodd, Buddy Miller, and Mike Poole — the ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In faithfully replicates the unique dynamics, frequency response, and saturation characteristics of the original hardware. Scrutinized and fully authenticated by Ampex Corporation, the sound of the ATR-102 plug-in for UAD-2 is virtually indistinguishable from its analog cousin.

"With the Ampex ATR-102, we've taken the time to provide all the popular tape formulas and hands-on calibration options of the original hardware," said Matt Ward, President of Universal Audio. "With a mastering tape deck as iconic as the ATR-102, we wanted to make sure that its sound remained fully intact in the virtual world."

"To bring the complexity of a such an iconic tape recorder as the ATR-102 to the digital world is no small feat," said Gordon Strickland, Chairman and CEO of Ampex Corporation. "Universal Audio is the only company we could trust to faithfully and accurately model our Ampex legacy products, as they too have a legacy that spans back half a century with their analog products."

Available for purchase via UA's Online Store, the Ampex ATR-102 Tape Recorder Plug-In sells for $349.00.

The Ampex ATR-102 Tape Recorder Plug-In is available as part of the new UAD Software v6.0 release. In addition to the Ampex ATR-102 plug-in, v6.0 includes the release of the Brainworx® bx_digital V2 EQ and SPL® Vitalizer MK2-T direct developer plug-ins, as well as highly anticipated Pro Tools compatibility enhancements and Mac OS X Lion support.

ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In features include:

  • Ampex®-authenticated plug-in emulation of the ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder — the most popular professional 2-track machine ever made
  • Provides rich, cohesive tape sound, without the hassles of calibration, maintenance, tape degradation, etc.
  • Adjustable (L/R) Tape Delay, Wow, Flutter, and Crosstalk
  • Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide
  • Models entire ATR-102 electronic path, including transformers, amplifiers, Input, Record. and Repro paths
  • Featuring multiple Tape Formulas and Calibration Levels for mix down
  • Independent L/R Input Gain (Record) and Output (Reproduce) Level
  • IPS Speed/Emphasis Curve chooses between 3.75 NAB, 7.5 NAB, 7.5 CCIR, 15 NAB, 15 CCIR, 30 AES
  • Independent L/R record Bias, Record EQ, and Playback EQs, with Auto and Manual Cal capabilities

More information on the ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In:
http://www.uaudio.com/store/special-processing/ampex-atr-102.html

Promotional video for the ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNkCWJbFDRU

UAD Software v6.0 is available as a FREE download for Mac and PC users worldwide:
http://www.uaudio.com/support/uad/downloads.html

Learn more about the award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform here:
http:// www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html

About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr. and based in Scotts Valley, California, Universal Audio is best known for its vintage analog reproductions and advanced Digital Signal Processing technology, including the award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins Platform. The company is focused on merging the best of classic analog and modern digital technology. UA is devoted to this endeavor, following its rich recording heritage and motto, "Analog Ears. Digital Minds." www.uaudio.com.

The Universal Audio name, the UA "Diamond" logo, "UAD", "UAD-2", and "Powered Plug-Ins" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. Pro Tools is a trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.