Universal Audio and Ampex Corporation announce partnership to develop magnetic tape emulations at the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California
January 14, 2009, NAMM, Anaheim, California - Universal Audio, renowned manufacturer of high-quality audio hardware and award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-ins for Mac and PC, today announced, at the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, a partnership with the legendary Ampex Corporation. Ampex is famous in the professional audio world as innovators of magnetic tape and tape recorder technology - widely praised for its rich, almost magical sound quality. For the first time ever, Universal Audio's renowned team of DSP engineers will exhaustively and faithfully model these complex devices and media, bringing accurate emulations of Ampex magnetic recording tape to the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform.
"Ampex is not only the most recognizable maker of US-made tape machines; they really pioneered the concepts that gave way to modern multi-tracking and overdubbing," commented Universal Audio President Matt Ward. "But it's really the sound of these amazing machines, along with their well-guarded tape formulas, that birthed the golden-era of record production. The fact that these designs are still in use today is a testament to the Ampex brand's iconic status in the world of professional recording."
"Ampex is quite pleased to be returning to the professional audio market after many years away; and in such a unique fashion," stated Gordon Strickland, President and CEO of Ampex Corp. "It took a company like Universal Audio, who understood that the Ampex name could be made 'new' again for multiple generations of audio customers through the latest advancements in DSP technology. We are well aware of the value of the Ampex brand, and we protect it accordingly. Our discussions with UA convinced us that they would be a good partner and would create products that we could all be proud of."
"We've long known that Tape machines would be considered the 'holy grail' of audio plug-ins. This is something that our customers have been demanding for quite some time," confirmed UAD Plug-In Product Manager Will Shanks. "So we're taking great pains to ensure that our efforts will satisfy our most discriminating customers' expectations, not to mention our own. We're very excited to have both the Ampex Corporation and former Ampex engineers closely involved on the emulations of the classic devices and media we're targeting."
About Ampex Corporation
Ampex Data Systems Corporation, headquartered in Redwood City, California is a world leader in design, development and manufacture of airborne recording systems and storage solutions for rugged application. To learn more about Ampex, and the complete line of miniR™, TuffServ™, and other products for use with IRIG 106 Chapter 10 systems, NAS and SAN network appliances and solutions, and high-definition video offerings, please visit our website at www.ampex.com.
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." |
