UA Launches Blue Stripe Sessions: New Series Celebrating the People, Ideas, and Craftsmanship Shaping Music

First episode features Santa Cruz Guitar Company owner Richard Hoover reflecting on 50 years of building world-class acoustic guitars — plus a chance to win one

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA – October 19, 2026 – Universal Audio, Inc. (UA), a worldwide leader in audio production tools, is proud to announce Blue Stripe Sessions, a new series hosted by CEO Bill Putnam Jr. that brings together artists and innovators to explore music, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Named after the iconic 1176 “Blue Stripe” compressor created by Bill Putnam Sr., the series connects UA's analog heritage with the people and ideas shaping music today.

The first Blue Stripe Session features Richard Hoover, owner and master luthier of Santa Cruz Guitar Company, in conversation with Bill Putnam Jr. about what it takes to build something that lasts.

The episode celebrates the shared roots of two Santa Cruz companies that have each spent decades building tools musicians love.

Enter to Win a Santa Cruz Guitar and Full UA Recording Setup

UA and Santa Cruz Guitar Company have teamed up for a giveaway celebrating both the series launch and SCGC's 50th anniversary.

One grand-prize winner will receive:

•    Santa Cruz OM Pre War 50th Anniversary Limited Edition guitar
•    UA Apollo Solo Audio Interface
•    UA Bock 187 microphone 
•    UAD Native Pro Bundle

The celebration continues with UA sponsoring Santa Cruz Guitar Company's 50th Anniversary event and making a donation to Barrios Unidos, a Santa Cruz-based organization supporting youth and families in the community.

The Blue Stripe Session with Richard Hoover is available now on UA's blog.

Watch the full episode:
uaudio.com/blogs/ua/blue-stripe-sessions-bill-putnam-jr-and-richard-hoover-on-building-things-that-last

Enter the Giveaway:
exclusive.uaudio.com/apollo-santa-cruz-guitars-giveaway 

Learn more about Santa Cruz Guitar Company:
santacruzguitar.com/ 

Learn more about Universal Audio:
uaudio.com/ 

Download images and press materials:
u.audio/bluestripe-scguitars-pr 

About Santa Cruz Guitar Company
Santa Cruz Guitar Company (SCGC) is a custom acoustic guitar builder celebrating 50 years of craftsmanship, innovation, and community. Founded in 1976 by master luthier Richard Hoover and his original partners, SCGC combines traditional violin-making techniques with acoustic innovation to create heirloom-quality instruments tailored to each player’s musical voice. Every guitar is individually hand-voiced and tap-tuned, using carefully selected woods sourced through reclamation and responsible harvesting. Based in Santa Cruz, California, the company is dedicated to sharing knowledge, supporting its community, and building instruments that inspire creativity for generations.

About Universal Audio Inc.
Universal Audio (UA) is a pioneer in audio and music production tools, with a rich 60-year history of craftsmanship and innovation. UA today enables millions of audio and music creators worldwide, with industry-standard Apollo and Volt recording interfaces, UAD plug-ins, UAFX pedals, advanced audio machine learning, LUNA recording suite, and UA Custom Shop hardware. UA is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, with passionate employees worldwide — united by our goal of "Inspiring Sound for Generations."

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