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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Customer Reviews
  • 4.9/5
    (415)
Try it Free
$349.00

The rich analog sound of the world’s most popular multichannel tape machine.

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.

Fully authenticated by Studer, and modeled by UA’s world‑renowned team of DSP engineers and magnetic recording expert Jay McKnight, the Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in is the first product of its kind. By faithfully modeling the entire circuit path of the famous A800 machine from Allen Sides' collection at Ocean Way Studios, this is the most accurate representation of multitrack analog tape recording available.

Included Versions

UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.

Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.

UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.

  • Track and mix with the complete Studer A800 electronic signal paths, including Input, Sync and Repro paths
  • Add warmth, presence, cohesion, and low-end punch that only genuine tape can provide
  • Create complex analog textures with the distinct sounds of multiple tape formulas
  • Use the Studer A800 LUNA Extension to easily add warmth to your entire mix on a per channel basis

Want to Try It?

Use this plug-in free for 14 days and find out if it's right for you.

Try it free

TAKE A LISTEN

LUNA Extension — Integrated Multitrack Tape

LUNA Extension — Integrated Multitrack Tape

With LUNA Recording System, you can use the Studer A800 as a LUNA Extension, and easily get tape character on every audio and instrument track, intuitively tweaking settings across all channels. As you build up your mix, you'll hear the cumulative "cohesive" effect of mixing from magnetic tape. Far beyond a simple tape plug-in, the Studer LUNA Extension is woven into the fabric of LUNA's mixer, giving Apollo interface users an analog inspired workflow with bona fide analog sonics to match.

A Groundbreaking Tape Machine

A Groundbreaking Tape Machine

Introduced in 1978, the Studer A800 was the first microprocessor-controlled tape machine. Years ahead of its time, the A800 remains a sonic benchmark, and can still be found in studios worldwide. 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. The Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder poses none of the hardware hassles, yet retains all the beautiful sonics that make tape a beloved recording medium.

Capturing the Magic of Tape

Capturing the Magic of Tape

Just like magnetic tape, you can dial in a clean sound, or just the right amount of harmonic saturation using the Studer A800's Input and Output controls. The IPS control steps through 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 — each with their own subtle sonic variation. There is also a secondary set of controls like Noise, EQ, and Bias for an even more jaw-dropping palette of tape textures.

Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in
Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in

Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder plug-in

Demonstration video

Key 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 or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide

Customer Reviews

Studer® A800 Tape Recorder

Overall Rating

4.9/5
(415)

M. WRIGHT

February 14, 2024

Studer A800 ‘MULTITRACK’

As a harmonic colouration device this is nice. The controls do things. It isn’t noisy. It can do subtle and extreme shifts. BUT, it’s supposed to be a 24 channel tape recorder. It’ll work in mono or stereo, but that’s it. Where are the other 22 channels? Without the nonlinearities of a fully modelled machine spread across 24 sources, and the depth which that creates, it’s just a two channel preamp with tape-style eq. UAD missed an opportunity to make something truly awesome here.

B. Wright

February 6, 2024

Awesomeness

Easy to use and sounds great

E. George

January 30, 2024

Classy

I spent a long time waiting for the Native versions of this plug in. I’m glad it has finally arrived. It’s such a joy to use. Gets you to the tape sound you’ve been looking for without the hassle of machine maintenance and high costs of tape. Sure, you don’t get to brag about your 1/2 inch, 1 inch or 2 inch (for the big machines) girth but if no one ever sees you producing then genuinely what’s the worry. I put one on each buss on a gentle setting and stack the sound into the mixbus. It gives me what I need sound wise. The interface could do with a refresh for higher screen resolutions maybe….my only criticism.

O. Hoady

January 25, 2024

Tried & True Classic Nailed on the Head!

If you know what an actual multi track reel to reel sounds like, you’ll be familiar with the sound that this plug in imparts. It’s amazing to be honest and will save a ton of time and physical tape cost in the future. Not that I’d get rid of the actual machines, but I can see a lot more ease of use and sonic benefits from this wonderful emulation of a tried and true classic.

O. Hoady

January 25, 2024

Tried & True Classic Nailed on the Head!

If you know what an actual multi track reel to reel sounds like, you’ll be familiar with the sound that this plug in imparts. It’s amazing to be honest and will save a ton of time and physical tape cost in the future. Not that I’d get rid of the actual machines, but I can see a lot more ease of use and sonic benefits from this wonderful emulation of a tried and true classic.

N. Crouch

January 24, 2024

A must have plug in

Killer warm vibes.
Makes demos sound like lost records from the 70’s.
Sounds amazing any way you use it

M. Saxon

January 24, 2024

Tape goodness

I have tried other tape emulators but this one has some real character and makes a sonic difference. Even just adding it to my tracks on the default setting gives them some analog goodness. I do like tweaking the settings on slower tape speeds for bass and drum tracks. Loving it!!

A. Hillman

January 22, 2024

spark is a waste of time

the ilok on spark never works, it is incredibly frustrating as it works on some plug ins and and not on others and changes regularly. Universal Audio customer support is nonexistent, takes weeks to get back and never really give an answer, yet they can send 3 emails a day selling their products! it's pretty shameful

E. Esper

January 20, 2024

Studer Tape 800

Great Vintage Tape Sound Lots of Great Presets and easy to use

R. Porrello

January 16, 2024

Don't leave this one out of your locker

There just isn't another like this out there. The sound, the controls, the design. You will want to have this one handy.

D. Acevedo

January 15, 2024

Sabor a Cinta

Realmente no hay que hacer mucho. solo colocarlo y sentir como suaviza las transientes. Uno de mis favoritos.

b. Ramos

January 14, 2024

Best Tape sim i know

I'm a regular user of the A800 hardware and the plug un is very practical, realistic and well designed. The interface is complete and malleable. Excellent plug-in.

G. Thomas

January 14, 2024

The Studer A800 is a gem

This plugin sounds wonderful! I'm using it to enhance two-channel mixes.

M. Ferreira

January 14, 2024

One of the best UAD Plugins so far!

Brings the warmth of analog tape!

V. Stepanski

January 13, 2024

Studer a 800 is great

Amazing, magic and great sounding.

J. Music

January 13, 2024

Mind and ear- blowing

Admittedly, after buying the Waves J37 plugin, I no longer wanted tape emulation on my songs because the sound was flat, empty and loveless. When I bought the Studer A800 few days ago because of a promo, it was exactly the sound I had been looking for for so long. Warm saturation, rich in detail, deepening and a slight shimmer that brings depth to the songs. I am so thrilled. The only downgrade is the heavy CPU load and that the native version doesn't have the Gang CTRLS feature. Please update this version - if that is possible for you. Thanks to you incredible UAD Team.

M. Keating

January 9, 2024

Worth the purchase

Love this plugin, tried a few different tape plug-ins but this one tops the lot, great job UAD

M. Woolnough

January 7, 2024

A Must Have When It Comes To Tape Emulation.

I tried the J37 and couldn't get the desired interaction of the audio transients hitting the tape machine and sounding authentic as I remembered it. Also with different tape formulas and tweaking that can be done it really sets this apart from other Tape Emulation plugins. From subtle and realistic too really slamming it and realistic !
Nice one UA - you nailed it again.

J. Anderson

January 7, 2024

Warmth and presence

Brings the warmth of analog with a presence that is lost in other tape emulations.

B. Simon

January 5, 2024

High quality plugin

Mixing is never be the same. Thank you UA!