Universal Audio Studer A800

^# 87

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

5.0 (5)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

Find out who is using UAD Studer A800

4 wishlisted

18 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Transform your digital tracks with the Universal Audio Studer A800 plugin, a meticulously crafted emulation of the iconic Studer A800 tape machine. Revered in studios worldwide for its rich, warm analog sound, the A800 brings the essence of tape saturation to your digital workspace, enhancing your recordings with unparalleled depth and character. Whether you're mixing or mastering, this plugin captures the unique harmonic distortion and subtle compression of tape, offering an authentic vintage vibe.

Designed to seamlessly integrate into your digital audio workstation, the plugin features a user-friendly interface that allows you to effortlessly dial in the perfect amount of saturation. With the A800, you can tailor your sound with precision, thanks to its authentic controls for tape formulation, speed, and bias. This level of detail ensures you can recreate the classic tape sound on individual tracks or entire mixes with ease.

Key Features:

Faithful emulation of the legendary Studer A800 tape machine.
Provides classic tape saturation, harmonic distortion, and subtle compression.
User-friendly interface with controls for tape formulation, speed, and bias.
Compatible with major DAWs for seamless integration.
Ideal for mixing and mastering, enhancing digital recordings with analog warmth.

Videos

Add video

wickiemedia

UAD - Studer A800 Plugin Explained (Complete walkthrough)

wickiemedia

Studer A800 Tape Machine | UAD Quick Tips

Universal Audio

Studer A800 Tape Machine Plug-In Sound Examples | UAD Native & UAD-2

Universal Audio

UAD & UADx Studer A800 Secrets

Steve Kinney

Universal Audio UAD Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder Plug-in Demo

Sweetwater

"The [MIND-BLOWING] Audio Tool You've Been Waiting For!" - UAD Studer A800 Review

Mixed By Jellz

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Universal Audio Studer A800.

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Studer A800 is often used on buses to provide clean tape warmth and subtle sparkle, enhancing the presence of each element in the mix.
Source
0 0

The 250 tape type, set to +3db, 15 IPS, and CCIR EQ, is favored for smoothing out piano tones, offering a distinct warmth and clarity.
Source
0 0

Employing the plugin on both individual tracks and a bus can add layers of saturation, but it's recommended to reduce drive on individual tracks to avoid over-saturation.
Source
0 0

The Studer A800 is often used as the first plugin on all tracks to simulate recording to tape, enhancing the analog feel of each element.
Source
0 0

Employing 30 IPS with a low bias setting on drum overheads helps maintain dynamics while using the Studer A800.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

Users frequently adjust IPS settings between 7.5 and 15, with 7.5 IPS preferred for achieving a punchy low-end reminiscent of Michael Beinhorn's production style.
Source
0 0

Using the Studer A800 on individual tracks can create a unified sonic character, but can also overwhelm a mix if applied indiscriminately across all elements.
Source
0 0

Users note the lack of gang controls in the native version complicates simultaneous adjustments across tracks.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

Some owners favor Kiive Tape Face for its tape compression and punch, finding it provides a more defining click when clipping compared to the Studer A800.
Source
0 0

The 30 IPS speed with GP9 tape is noted for providing the best fidelity, making it suitable for preserving high-quality sound in recordings while still offering tape warmth.
Source

User experience

0 0

The absence of the gang function controls in the native version frustrates some users, as it limits functionality when auditioning settings across multiple tracks.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

It's recommended to adjust input levels to avoid excessive saturation, especially with high transient instruments like drums.
Source

Software and compatibility

0 0

Optimal input for most UAD2 plugins is around -18 dBFS, aligning with analog gear's 0 dBVU standard.
Source

Critic Reviews

Universal Audio Studer A800

soundonsound.com

Universal Audio's Studer A800 plug-in impressively captures the essence of analogue tape compression, offering authentic tape-like warmth and cohesion without the maintenance hassles of physical tape machines. It's a powerful tone-shaping tool that excels in adding subtle saturation to mixes, making instruments sit together beautifully. While only available for the UAD2 platform, its precision and versatility make it a standout option for those seeking the nostalgic charm of tape in a digital format. However, matching the exact low-end punch of a real 16-track A800 can be challenging. Overall, a remarkable achievement in digital emulation, bridging the gap between classic tape sound and modern convenience.

positive

Full Review

Universal Audio: Studer A800 tape recorder plug-in | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

Universal Audio's Studer A800 plug-in is a remarkable emulation of the iconic tape recorder, offering the authentic sound of analog with modern convenience. The plug-in impressively replicates the original's settings and sound quality, even holding up in direct A/B comparisons with the actual machine. While its authenticity is commendable, the requirement of a UAD-2 system might limit accessibility for some users. Overall, it delivers exceptional audio quality, making it a worthy investment for those seeking classic tape warmth without maintenance hassles. A must-have for vintage sound enthusiasts, despite lacking the physical allure of real tape.

positive

Full Review

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

omka_deliba

251

over 10 years ago

amazing emulation from uad

amazing emulation from uad just turn it on.

Artist usage

Add artist

Armin Van Buuren

Music Producer

Major League

Verified via Uaudio

Armin Van Buuren says he uses the UAD Studer A-800 tape emulation plugin in this interview

Disclosure

Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

In a breakdown of their track "Ultimatum" on YouTube, Disclosure's Guy Lawrence is shown using the UAD Studer A800 plugin extensively.

Tocadisco

Music Producer

Verified via Instagram

Tocodisco wrote: "if this would be real it would cost 15.000€ (used) and weigh 400kg... thanks UAD to get the sound very close #studerA800plugin."

Selena Gomez

Singer

Selena Gomez & the Scene

Verified via Sound On Sound

Selena Gomez uses the UAD Studer A800, as confirmed by her engineer: "The 'Live Drums' aux has a more involved chain, starting with the Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor, which is not doing much, followed by the UAD A800 [tape simulator], which is the greatest thing" (Source: Sound On Sound, "Inside Track: Selena Gomez 'Rare'").