Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder Plug-In

The Rich Analog Sound of the World’s Most Popular Multichannel Tape Machine and Four Tape Formulas in a Single Plug-In.

For more than 30 years, artists and engineers alike have been drawn to the warm analog sound, solid low-end, and overall presence of the Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder. The sheer number of albums recorded on this legendary 2” analog tape machine — including classics from Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, A Tribe Called Quest, and Jeff Buckley — serve as shining examples of the musicality of analog tape.

Features

• Studer-endorsed, UA modeled emulation of legendary A800 Multitrack Tape Machine
• Provides the warm, natural sound and solid low-end response of 2” analog tape — on Mac and PC
• Models complete A800 electronic signal paths, including Input, Sync and Repro paths
• Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide
• View All Features

Authenticated by Studer, and modeled by UA’s world-renowned team of DSP engineers and AES magnetic recording expert Jay McKnight over a 12-month period, the Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in for UAD-2 is the first product of its kind. This plug-in faithfully models the entire multitrack tape circuit path and electronics of a popular A800 machine from Allen Sides' collection at Ocean Way Studios — plus the distinct sounds of multiple tape formulas. Put simply, it's the world’s most accurate representation of professional multitrack analog tape recording, now available on Mac and PC.

History
As the first microprocessor-controlled tape machine, the Studer A800 marked a new generation of professional multitrack recorders when it was introduced in 1978. Years ahead of its time, the A800 remains a sonic benchmark, and can still be found in studios all over the planet. However, with their massive steel frame and meter bridge, twin half-horsepower motors and cast alloy deck plates, original A800 units tip the scales at a backbreaking 900 pounds — not to mention the space required to house such a device. The UAD-2 plug-in version poses none of the hardware hassles of manual calibration and maintenance, nor the potential for tape degradation — while retaining all the beautiful sonic qualities that make tape such a beloved recording medium. Just drop the A800 in your first insert on every track desired, and enjoy the benefits of having recorded to tape.

Parameters
The Studer A800 for UAD-2 provides all of the original unit’s desirable analog sweetness; like magnetic tape, users can dial in a clean sound, or just the right amount of harmonic saturation using the Input and Output controls. The reel deck IPS control steps through three tape speed choices (7.5, 15, or 30 IPS), each with distinct frequency shift, head bump and distortion characteristics. The tape Type control lets users choose from four of the most popular magnetic tape formulas of the last three decades — each with their own subtle sonic variation and tape compression characteristics. The Cal control allows the user to choose between +3dB, +6dB, +7.5dB, or +9dB calibration levels. Input, Sync and Repro paths, plus Thru (bypass) are available for authenticity. A huge time saver, the Studer A800 plug-in features an innovative Gang Controls setting, allowing for instant global adjustment of any parameters for all Studer A800 instances in your session.

Secondary controls are hidden behind the reel deck, and can be exposed by clicking on the Studer badge or the Open label. The Equaliser control allows the user to select between the American (NAB) and European (CCIR) EQs. The HF Bias calibration allows tuning the HF oscillation voltage to the magnetic record head, striking a balance between sensitivity and distortion. This can also be used as an effect — from warm, overbiased sounds, to voltage-starved distortion and chatter. Sync and Repro HF and LF calibration EQs allow for adjusting playback response. All controls can be automatically calibrated via the A800’s Auto Cal feature, or may be disabled. Finally, separate controls for Hiss and Hum are available, with a global noise bypass.

In Use
The Studer A800 plug-in's primary recommended use, and the proper way to "demo" this processor, is as the first insert on every track where you want the sound of tape. This way, you can hear the cumulative "cohesive" effect of recording to magnetic tape as you build up your mix. (Of course, it can sound incredible on mix busses as well.) Be sure to strip away all other plug-ins at first; you may find, for example, that you end up needing far less compression and EQ, and that your mixes "glue together" more easily. See the Tips and Tricks blog entry below for more details.

Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder Plug-In

Features:

• Studer-endorsed, UA modeled emulation of legendary A800 Multitrack Tape Machine
• Provides the warm, natural sound and punchy low-end response of 2” analog tape — on Mac and PC
• Models complete A800 electronic signal paths, including Input, Sync and Repro paths
• Features four of the most popular Tape Formulas and Calibration Levels
• Tape saturation and overdrive via easy-to-use Input / Output controls
• Provides dead-on magnetic tape sound without the hassles of calibration, maintenance, tape degradation, etc.
• IPS Speed/Emphasis Curve chooses between 7.5 NAB, 7.5 CCIR, 15 NAB, 15 CCIR, 30 AES
• Gang Controls allows for fast global adjustment of all instances
• Run 24+ tracks with a single UAD-2 QUAD DSP Accelerator Package
• Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card available from authorized dealers worldwide

See the UAD Instance Chart here

Parameters:

• Input provides -12 to +24 dB gain
• Output provides -24 to +12 dB gain
• Signal Path selection
  • Thru provides plug-in bypass
  • Input provides machine electronics-only path without tape
  • Sync provides path of audio being recorded to tape via record head and playing back via record head, plus machine electronics
  • Repro provides path of audio being recorded to tape via record head and playing back via repro head, plus machine electronics
• IPS Tape Speed provides selection between 7.5, 15 and 30 IPS (inches per second) operation
• Tape Type provides selection between 250, 456, 900 and GP9 formulas
• Calibration provides +3, +6, +7.5 and +9 dB operating levels
• Emphasis Equaliser selects between NAB or CCIR curves at 7.5 and 15 IPS (AES at 30 IPS)
• Auto Cal Off/On provides automatic calibration for Record EQ, Bias, Playback EQs when switching IPS Tape Speed, Tape Type or Emphasis Equaliser
  • Record EQ / HF Driver provides a continuous “boost filter” gain
  • Bias / HF Driver provides a continuous recording head oscillator voltage from 0 to 15.5 volts
  • LF / Sync Playback EQ provides a continuous low frequency filtering gain
  • HF / Sync Playback EQ provides a continuous high frequency filtering gain
  • LF / Repro Playback EQ provides a continuous low frequency filtering gain
  • HF / Repro Playback EQ provides a continuous high frequency filtering gain
• Noise Off/On provides global enabling and disabling of noise components
• Hiss provides independent control for the noise floor component of the tape system ±25 dB
• Hum provides independent control for the 60 cycle (NAB/AES) or 50 cycle (CCIR) AC component of the Studer A800 system  ±25 dB
• Gang Controls Off/On provides temporary global access to all Studer A800 instantiations from one Studer A800 GUI window for all plug-in parameters
• Show/Hide button reveals/hides the calibration and setup controls by clicking the Studer Badge Open/Close label
• VU meter displays post input, pre-output signal

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UAD System Manual

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UA 2011 Product Catalog.pdf