Press Release

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • September 24, 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 Enigmatic '82 Overdrive Special Amp emulator to the award‑winning UAFX guitar pedal lineup.

Built on powerful dual‑engine processing and world‑class UAD modeling, Enigmatic ‘82 Overdrive Special Amp gives guitarists the mythical "D‑style" tube tones made famous by John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Joe Bonamassa, and Carlos Santana.*

With exclusive access to numerous original Overdrive Special amplifiers, UA perfectly captured the sound and feel of custom Overdrive Special amps spanning 30 years — from the first 1970’s Santa Cruz models to later iterations built in Los Angeles in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

By emulating the Overdrive Special's colorful FET preamp and HRM overdrive voicings and mysterious tone stack mods — including the late‑’80s Skyliner option — Enigmatic '82 gives guitarists the crystalline clean tones and touch‑sensitive, blooming grind that made the Overdrive Special the most lusted after amplifier ever built.

"With original Overdrive Specials, there was constant innovation in every amp," says Universal Audio Sr. Product Designer James Santiago. "Each circuit tweak revolved around the player’s touch, and the desire for tones that made their personal style musically speak. With Enigmatic '82, we're giving players of all genres the evolving magic that made these amps so legendary with more customization than we've ever put in a UAFX pedal."