History of Universal Audio
Universal Audio (UA) was founded in 1958 by audio engineer Bill Putnam Sr., a pioneer in recording technology. Putnam was instrumental in developing groundbreaking studio equipment, including the iconic LA-2A compressor and the 610 tube console, which became staples in the music industry. His innovations shaped the sound of legendary artists such as Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles.
After a period of dormancy, Universal Audio was revived in 1999 by Putnam’s sons, Bill Putnam Jr. and Jim Putnam, with a mission to blend vintage analog gear with cutting-edge digital technology. The company introduced the UAD platform, offering high-quality audio plugins that faithfully emulate classic studio hardware. Today, UA is a leader in professional audio, producing premium interfaces, plugins, and analog hardware used by musicians, producers, and engineers worldwide.