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. Doerschlag
February 23, 2020
Nice warmth
I really like the warmth and character this gives my music
Read MoreS. Kaufman
January 21, 2020
Excellent
Actually, I bought it for myself, based on a mixing session that I worked on in another studio . Very impressed. Does what I expected and more. Adds warmth, all of the features others have...
Read Mores. yang
January 21, 2020
Secret weapon that makes my music alive!
If I only recommend one analog tape recorder plug-in, I would definitely recommend Ampex atr-102. Ampex atr-102 tape recorders make music even more vibrant. Its unique punch, comp and...
Read MoreD. Borgers
January 15, 2020
Spot on!
I've been producing since I was 22 and used countless numbers of the ATR-102 over the many years during mixing, and later in the process, for mastering projects. Digital recording can...
Read MoreD. Borgers
January 15, 2020
Spot on!
I've been producing since I was 22 and used countless numbers of the ATR-102 over the many years during mixing, and later in the process, for mastering projects. Digital recording can...
Read MoreT. Crémier
January 15, 2020
Ultimate tape emulation !
This tape is the best plugin to obtain rich and fuller sound, cannot imagine myself not using it for mixing and mastering !!
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. Doerschlag
Nice warmth
I really like the warmth and character this gives my music
J. Bell
Kind of...
It does a thing, I guess.
it doesn't really sound much like a 102 though, but it's kinda hard and gritty if you like that sort of thing..S. Kaufman
Excellent
Actually, I bought it for myself, based on a mixing session that I worked on in another studio . Very impressed. Does what I expected and more. Adds warmth, all of the features others have already described.
Will have to spend more time with it, post some mixes to to soundcloud and Bandcamp to get a feel for how maxes with it react to their algorithms. Will post an update sometime soon. A+.s. yang
Secret weapon that makes my music alive!
If I only recommend one analog tape recorder plug-in, I would definitely recommend Ampex atr-102.
Ampex atr-102 tape recorders make music even more vibrant.
Its unique punch, comp and even analog saturation make for a very interesting change.
It is arguably one of the most satisfying plugins of the UAD plugin.D. Borgers
Spot on!
I've been producing since I was 22 and used countless numbers of the ATR-102 over the many years during mixing, and later in the process, for mastering projects.
Digital recording can sound 'sterile,' even using tube gear emulations. But slap this on a 2 mix and feel it instantly get 'warmer' with the 'glue' us older guys were used to with tape. More like a 33 rpm record; recordings that are easier to listen to, and with less ear fatigue. And no maintenance or calibration. When a sale comes up, buy this plugin!
The three tape types are pretty accurate. 456 always sounded 'brighter,' 900 with less coloration, and so on. This sounds like the ATR-102s I remember.D. Borgers
Spot on!
I've been producing since I was 22 and used countless numbers of the ATR-102 over the many years during mixing, and later in the process, for mastering projects.
Digital recording can sound 'sterile,' even using tube gear emulations. But slap this on a 2 mix and feel it instantly get 'warmer' with the 'glue' us older guys were used to with tape. More like a 33 rpm record; recordings that are easier to listen to, and with less ear fatigue. And no maintenance or calibration. When a sale comes up, buy this plugin!
The three tape types are pretty accurate. 456 always sounded 'brighter,' 900 with less coloration, and so on. This sounds like the ATR-102s I remember.T. Crémier
Ultimate tape emulation !
This tape is the best plugin to obtain rich and fuller sound, cannot imagine myself not using it for mixing and mastering !!
j. cleere
Love it!!!
Makes a mix sound like a proper record at the end. Other tape emulators I've tried from other brands don't even get close theres no comparison
C. Manchester
Thank goodness I don't have to buy tape
Since I bought this I have used it on the master of everything I have done. My clients have been over the moon with the results. One very high profile client was shocked that it was a plugin and not the real thing, he loved the sound that much. It would be costing me a fortune if I had to buy real tape!! Great work UA.
t. billonare
good
perfect
L. Cohen
Sounds good but...
It adds tape hiss and a ton of latency. Sucks up quite a bit of DSP as well. Nice saturation effect. I recommend using this on final mix down and not live performance.
R. Invernizzi
A must have!
One of my "everyday plugin". I use it always in my master bus. On every work I do i use it. It gives great sound and character to the song. A top one!
UAD User
Amazing Plugin
This is a night and day sounding plugin. On the master bus this takes a dull sounding recording and puts a finished record sheen over the entire mix. Nothing like I’ve ever used. A must every go round.
P. Bonney
Nice plugin!
This is a great plugin. I'm not familiar with the actual hardware, but having toyed around with this, it is clearly designed to bring some shimmer and punch to your final mixes. It's sensitive, and so I'm still tweaking around under the hood. But I like the results, and find myself comparing different settings with bounced mixes.
b. boyd
Analog goodness with digital ease
Makes all the difference in the world! We’re talking going from cold and lifeless to classic “finished” record sound just by putting this thing on the master bus......incredible!!!
J. Davies
Ampex is a mastering must!
I wasn’t sure this was going to be worth the expense for mastering recordings. On a new release I used this plugin on every single track’s master fader. You can really notice the difference, whereas the Studer on individual tracks is more subtle. The Ampex is now something I (always) use to master recordings just like the SSL G-Buss compressor is a staple. Highly recommended.
J. Kim
I cant imagine master a track without this.
move to next level
P. Nichols
Exceeds Expectations
I presently use the Oxide Tape as well as Waves plug-ins for tape emulation and am most satisfied with the Ampex ATR-102 software. The depth and versatility of the plug-in enables further sonic adjustment but I have found that the default settings with minimal to zero fuss ticks all the boxes for me.
In concert with other tape plug-ins like Oxide, which I use on individual channels, the ATR-102 exhibits an accretive quality that you would expect to find in an analog environment. It is now the first plug-in I use in a mix (master bus first insert-point) and am using it 90% of the time on drum busses as well
I have experimented with using an instance of the plug-in on all sub groups (drums, bass, guitars, vocals) and really liked the result, however I also like Oxide for this as well - considering the trade-off regarding DSP, I'll probably reserve those times for when I have plenty of DSP headroom
I made the purchase as part of a bundle but would pay for the individual plug-in at full-price - the plug-in has improved my time-to-final mix and is likely a permanent aspect of my workflow at the first insert point on my master bus (or subgroup) with the Neve 33609 in the following insert
P. FRATTINI
The ultimate tape solution.
You will come here for the looks and stay for the feel, the warmth and the style.
It truly is a game changer.
This emulation is just perfect. It glues any mix, warm up any track and puts an analogue vibe to basically everything.
The options, the possibilities are quite astonishing. It’s an open world of solutions for your tracks and your mixes.
You just can’t go wrong with it.R. Fernandes
Perfect
Perfect sound! Great!
