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 StuderA800 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.”

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

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.

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

http://www.uaudio.com/store/special-processing/ampex-atr-102.html

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ is an award-winning mastering EQ, named as the “Gear of the Decade” by Future Music magazine. The bx_digital V2 EQ offers three modes — M/S Mastering, M/S Recording, and L/R Stereo — with a unique “SixPack” Master Section, 11-band EQ with Shifter EQs to 22 kHz, and built-in M/S De-Esser, Dynamic EQ, and extensive metering options. An included bx_digital V2 Mono plug-in provides the same Mastering EQ-quality sound for mixing applications. For many engineers, this incredibly smooth-sounding processor is simply the ultimate software equalizer.

The SPL Vitalizer MK2-T is an authentic emulation of the popular tube-based Vitalizer hardware unit, a longtime staple of top mixing and post-production engineers. Offering a patented technology for greater perceived loudness and clarity without unnatural artifacts, the Vitalizer provides independent Bass and Mid-Hi processing that works in both the time and frequency domains to effectively unmask overlapping sounds. As both a fixative and an enhancement tool, the Vitalizer MK2-T is a mixing must-have.

These new UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins are noteworthy both in their unique sonic capabilities, as well as their being developed in their entirety for the UAD-2 platform by the software engineers at SPL and Brainworx — two of the audio industry’s most respected brands — as part of a new UAD-2 SDK (software development kit).

“With the opening of the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform to select Direct Developers, we wanted to start with partners that would deliver exceptional results. That meant turning to our friends at SPL and Brainworx,” commented Matt Ward, president of Universal Audio. “The SPL Vitalizer and the Brainworx bx_digital V2 have already proven themselves as standout mixing tools on Mac and PC. Now they are available to UAD-2 DSP Accelerator owners, offering a way to offload processing power for running more tracks and virtual instruments on the host computer.”

“We’re extremely pleased to see the new UAD software version being released and featuring our first SPL & BX plug-ins for the UAD-2 community,” says Dirk Ulrich, CEO of Brainworx and head of SPL Software. “We spent many months developing the SDK with UA, and it´s been a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time. Now it´s time for UAD-2 users to rock the new SPL & BX tools UA is offering them with this new release. Enjoy!”

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ and SPL Vitalizer MK2-T plug-ins are now available as part of the new UAD Software v6.0 release, which includes the new Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In, as well as significant improvements to Pro Tools and support for Mac OS X Lion.

Available for purchase via UA’s Online Store, the Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ sells for $329.00, and the SPL Vitalizer MK2-T sells for $249.00.

http://www.uaudio.com/store/equalizers/brainworx-bx-digital.html

http://www.uaudio.com/spl-vitalizer-mk2-t.html

Universal Audio has announced the release of the highly anticipated Manley Massive Passive EQ plug-in. Working with Manley Labs, Universal Audio’s Massive Passive EQ plug-in represents the most ambitious hardware EQ modeling project to date, bringing UAD-2 users both the standard and mastering versions of this world-renowned EQ in one package.

The two-channel, four-band Manley Massive Passive EQ utilizes design strengths from choice console, graphic, parametric and Pultec EQs — delivering a fundamentally different EQ that’s beyond compare. The Massive Passive’s natural treatment of a signal lends itself to both radical tonal shaping as well as delicate vocal shading or subtle mastering enhancement.

“The Massive Passive EQ is one of our best-known products. We didn’t even want to entertain the idea of doing a plug-in unless it was really going to be done right,” commented EveAnna Manley, Owner, Manley Laboratories, Inc. “Our expectations were high for the plug-in emulation to be spot-on. Working with Universal Audio, we believe they’ve totally nailed it.”

The Manley Massive Passive EQ Powered Plug-In features include:

• Highly coveted 2-channel, 4-band, passive, tube EQ emulation plug-in, both standard and mastering versions
• Painstakingly modeled over a six month period and rigorously scrutinized by Manley Labs for authenticity
• Filter curves, band interdependencies, distortion and hysteretic behavior all represented in plug-in — yielding a unique, very musical and “open” sound

“The Massive Passive is truly the ultimate in mastering grade EQs. It sounds warm without ever being dull; it stays precise while remaining highly musical,” offered UAD Powered Plug-Ins Product Manager, Will Shanks.

“Manley Labs represents quality, sonic excellence and unequivocal analog design expertise,” enthused Matt Ward, President of Universal Audio. “There has always been a special affinity between our companies, and we are elated to have EveAnna Manley joining us a plug-in partner for the UAD-2 platform.”

The Manley Massive Passive EQ plug-in is available for purchase via UA’s Online Store for $299. It is part of the new UAD Software v5.6.0 release, in addition to The EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb, and the Precision Enhancer Hz plug-ins. UAD Software v5.6.0 is available as a FREE download to Mac and PC users worldwide.

www.uaudio.com/products/software/manley/

Discuss the Massive Passive EQ on our Effects forum.

Universal Audio recently announced the release of the EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb plug-in for the UAD platform. The EMT 140 replicates the sonic signature of three uniquely different EMT 140 plates formerly installed at the Plant Studios in Sausalito, CA and is licensed and endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik GmbH as the world’s only authentic EMT plate reverb emulation.

“EMT is certainly excited to partner with Universal Audio; I am confident our endorsement of UA’s emulations of EMT’s well-loved classic audio processors will bring both companies great success,” said EMT’s President, Jules Limon. “It’s very inspiring to see a team like UA’s take such a keen interest in accurately recreating the devices of the past with their scientific approach to digital signal processing.”

The EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb Powered Plug-In features include:

• Highly prized, fully endorsed, smooth and natural EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb emulations
• Includes three distinct plate models – each with a unique sound and discrete mechanical damper controls
• Includes original EMT 80 Hz input Shelving Filters or custom aftermarket Martech Low-Cut Filters
• Pre Delay, Low & High Shelving Filters, Wet/Dry Mix, Balance and Width controls with Hard Bypass via the lighted EMT power icon
• Also includes Modulation controls to add additional movement to the stereo field

“EMT’s impact on the way records are made is right up there with the Neumanns and Studers of the world,” commented Universal Audio President Matt Ward. “Their reverbs, both analog and digital, are still among the most prized and protected possessions a quality studio can have… So EMT’s endorsement of our Powered Plug-In is truly an honor.”

The EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverb plug-in is available for purchase via UA’s Online Store for $199. It is part of the new UAD Software v5.6.0 release, in addition to the Manley Massive Passive EQ, and the Precision Enhancer Hz plug-ins. UAD Software v5.6.0 is available as a FREE download to Mac and PC users worldwide.