Ampex® ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder
-
It's not a record until it's mastered
on an Ampex tape machine.
The ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder plug-in for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces can provide the final “analog polish” to your music, turning songs, into albums. Fully authenticated by the Ampex Corporation, the ATR-102 plug-in faithfully captures the unique dynamics, colorful frequency response, and tape saturation of the original hardware.
Now You Can:
Add analog polish to your mixes with the most popular professional 2-track tape machine ever made
Harness tape “glue” and color to instrument buses for analog cohesion
Artfully color signals through the entire ATR-102 circuit, including transformers, amplifiers, Repro, Sync, and Input paths
Mix with presets from noted ATR-102 users Chuck Ainlay, Richard Dodd, Buddy Miller, Mike Poole, and more
5-Minute UAD Tips
Featuring the Magnetic Tape Bundle
The Most Popular Professional 2-Track Ever
With its cohesive sound, punch, and ability to provide subtle-to-deep tape saturation and color, the ATR-102 has remained a fixture in major recording and mastering studios worldwide since 1976. 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 the Ampex Corporation, the sound of the ATR-102 plug-in is virtually indistinguishable from its analog cousin.
Color Your Sources with the Authentic Sound of Tape
Whether you’re looking to “glue” an entire mix, or add subtle analog shades to individual tracks and buses, the Ampex ATR-102 plug-in gives you myriad magnetic tape colors that can be tweaked to your heart’s delight, thanks to the deep control set.
All the Original Controls
Like the ATR-102 hardware, the plug-in allows you to choose between various Signal Paths (Input, Sync, Repro), different Tape Speeds / Emphasis EQs (NAB, CCIR, AES) and Tape Formula combinations — even including home/consumer tape. You can also use the adjustable Tape Delay feature for Automatic Double Tracking effects on vocals, guitars, and more.
“I set the UAD ATR-102 exactly the way my old Ampex machine is set up, dialed in the gains, switched back and forth… and the sound is nearly identical.”
– Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Norah Jones, Cold War Kids)
“The UAD Ampex ATR-102 is my new secret weapon in my master buss chain, giving me the secret ingredient for that extra touch of flavor.”
– Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Estelle)
“The Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder and Studer® A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder emulations give a nice edge to bass tracks.”
– Armin Van Buuren
“The UAD Ampex ATR-102 tape emulation really captures the hardware’s punchy saturation and chunky warmth.”
– Mike Poole (Robert Plant, Martina McBride, Buddy Miller)
“I've always used limiters and compressors on the mix bus to ‘glue’ the sound together, but I've never been able to achieve the kind of musical cohesiveness like I can with the UAD ATR-102.”
– Ryan West (Eminem, Kanye West, Kid Cudi)
“All of the songs on the Garbage record, Not Your Kind of People were mixed with the Studer A800 plug‑in on all the drum channels. We also used the Ampex ATR-102 plug-in on the final mix.”
– Billy Bush (Garbage)
“The UAD ATR‑102 brings mixes to life with a 3D sound that no other plug-in has ever been able to achieve.”
– Adam Hawkins (Twenty One Pilots, Switchfoot, Keith Urban)Watch The Reviews
Customer Reviews
C. Vazquez
May 26, 2020
Warm tape goodness
I love the warmth this brings to my mixes. It main seem subtle but it definitely makes everything sound better.
Read MoreT. Bäz
May 26, 2020
Amazing Tape-Emulation
I really love this machine on every track of mine. Sounds fantastic!
Read MoreS. Lewis
May 14, 2020
Beautiful Analog Saturation
This plugin has many applications than simply adding some tape color to a master track. Adds excellent warmth and realism to any sound.
Read MoreJ. Forbes
May 14, 2020
Amazing color!
I've used a lot of saturation plugins as well as hardware. This emulation is exactly what I needed on my 2 bus while mixing orchestra overdubs on top of...
Read MoreS. Kenny
May 13, 2020
Subtle. Game Changer.
I was stuck on the Studer 800 until I demoed this. Way more versatile for Rock & Folk Rock. The ATR adds most any flavor you want. Most settings give the professional analog thin...
Read More -
Key Features
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.
Models entire ATR-102 electronic path, including transformers, amplifiers, Repro, Sync, and Input paths
Features multiple tape formulas, head configurations, and calibration levels
Adjustable Wow, Flutter, Hiss, Hum, Crosstalk, and (L/R) Tape Delay
Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide
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
-
Customer Reviews
Ampex® ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder
C. Vazquez
Warm tape goodness
I love the warmth this brings to my mixes. It main seem subtle but it definitely makes everything sound better.
T. Bäz
Amazing Tape-Emulation
I really love this machine on every track of mine. Sounds fantastic!
M. Nadolski
Must Have!
Killer...
S. Lewis
Beautiful Analog Saturation
This plugin has many applications than simply adding some tape color to a master track. Adds excellent warmth and realism to any sound.
J. Forbes
Amazing color!
I've used a lot of saturation plugins as well as hardware. This emulation is exactly what I needed on my 2 bus while mixing orchestra overdubs on top of historical recordings. Not just a vintage vibe as I'm using it on contemporary pop mixes as well. Best money I've spent in a long time.
S. Kenny
Subtle. Game Changer.
I was stuck on the Studer 800 until I demoed this. Way more versatile for Rock & Folk Rock. The ATR adds most any flavor you want. Most settings give the professional analog thin screen you're looking for to smooth harsh, digital edges & bring it all together. Analog quality - I love it. A very powerful tool in the Master chain.
F. Leclercq
Euh ...c’est ça qui me manquait en fait !
Je n’arrivais pas à finir mes mix parcequ’il manquait toujours quelque chose... bah j’ai trouvé ! Profondeur , légère saturation, unité du son global... top. Merci UA !
L. Hulme
Where’ve you been all my life??
Jeepers creepers what an incredible and versatile piece of software!
There are at least 3 reasons to buy this
1) The way the 2bus sounds with it on - AKA like a record, wider, smoother, more analog, very simple eq settings to transform the mix
2) On vocals - compresses, smooths and saturates (really helps with my lousy tuning) experimenting with different ips and bias settings yields very different results + all the delay settings (instant John Lennon short delay is possible for instance, far more authentic than any plugin I have used)
3) ips and bias settings - this allows you to change the character of your tracks immensely. Lower ips with lower bias vs higher ips and higher bias, yield totally different results though still sound so analog
G. Rios
SINGER, MUSIC PRODUCER
I have recorded numerous albums and quality is equal to or similar to when I mixed in the original Ampex.
M. Erroz
Great for drum&bass
It brings the mix to a smooth-balanced saturation. Can't go wrong!
A. Feygin
Beautiful saturation plugin
I love under the hood configurations. They are just wonderful
J. Underdue
UAD Magic, WOW!
If you don't have this, you should, a mastering MUST have!
N. Mieczkowski
Awesome saturation!
Ampex ATR-102 brings a kind of saturation I couldn't achieve with any other plugin - it adds life to the entire mix being very subtle at the same time. I wasn't sure about it at first because I thought tape saturation won't be suitable for digital/electronic music I produce mostly but currently it's a must-have in my plugin library!
D. Stanchev
magic plugin
Very serious plugin. Suitable for groups and master . Managing these small buttons is a little tricky, but once you find the right settings - it's priceless! Adds a lot of density to digital recordings .
UAD User
Great for saturation, compression and suprise.
Alsways does something cool to your mixbus. Saturation and compression and with the element of suprise. Jump between presets and try out different settings.
J. Romero
Mix downs and mastering must!
For the width and warmth from the original 2 inch recordings.... This is your Huckleberry !
m. coles
A quite handy tool!
This product is such a versatile tool to have in the toolbox. Not only can it give the saturation and glue to a mix, the delays and harmonic distortions are just right to fit into a track.
A. Kashimov
Magic
A fantastic tool that just lifts up sound quality of a track in so many different ways
P. Polkovykh
Обязательно для мастеринга!
Необходимый инструмент для мастеринга, аналогов очень мало!
C. Doerschlag
Nice warmth
I really like the warmth and character this gives my music
