Universal Audio, a manufacturer of high-quality vintage audio hardware and DSP software plug-ins for digital audio workstations, recently announced the launch of two new single-channel mic preamplifers with instrument DI, as well as the new UAD-1 Flexi Pak, DSP Card & Powered Plug-Ins™ system.
The Solo/610 classic vacuum tube mic pre/DI and the Solo/110 Precision Class-A mic pre/DI will bring UA into a new price segment, while the UAD-1 Flexi Pak includes the UAD-1 PCI DSP card and on registration automatically activates a $500 voucher redeemable against the customer’s choice of UAD-1 plug-ins at the my.uaudio.com online store. The UAD-1 Flexi Pak has an MSRP of $899 ($699 estimated street price) and will ship immediately to arrive in stores early November.
“The Solo Series mic pre/DI combo are all about bringing UA quality, without sonic compromise, to a new audience and at a more ‘wallet-friendly’ price than ever before.” Said Mike Barnes, director of marketing for UA. ” These are the real deal—revered 610 and 110 mic pre’s maintaining only the most essential features—what we call ‘functionally lean, sonically mean,’ making the coveted UA sound more affordable but without sacrificing the signature sound.”
The Solo Series has been designed for use in the control room or recording room, on stage or desktop, due to the portable design, and is hand-assembled by Universal Audio in California.
“We took on the challenge to design a truly great-sounding mic-pre in a new portable form-factor while still including premium components, boutique hand-assembly and quality control in the USA.” Said Bill Putnam Jr., UA’s founder and CEO, who personally oversaw the establishing of new in-house manufacturing techniques. “This is a significant shift for us and will enable us to be ‘big boutique’—a manufacturer bringing many of the benefits of meticulous hand-built care to more mass-market audio products.”
Regarding the debut of the company’s Flexi Pak, Barnes says that, “The Flexi PAK is the product our customers have told us they want. Customers love the value a bundle offers, but don’t always want the plug-ins chosen for them. Flexi Pak is the ideal UAD-1 for those who want to customize their DAW and literally ‘pick and mix’ a few specific UA plug-ins, or want to expand/upgrade an existing UAD-1 system adding more DSP power and select additional plugs. The $500 voucher included has no expiration, so it can be used immediately or gradually over time against whatever UAD-1 plugs the customer wants.”
The UAD-1 Flexi Pak combines Universal Audio’s revolutionary DSP acceleration hardware with a customizable selection of UA’s no-compromise plug-ins. Use the included $500 USD plug-in voucher at the my.uaudio.com online store to select from UA’s entire library of world-class plug-ins and customize the accompanying UAD-1 processor card. The Flexi Pak comes already equipped with staples like the 1176SE (low DSP limiting amplifier); the Pultec EQP-1A program equalizer, RealVerb Pro room modeler, CS-1 channel strip and Nigel guitar effects processor.
The Universal Audio Solo 110/Solo 610 and DI will be available from Universal Audio dealers worldwide in volume in Q1 2006. Final pricing is TBA, but will be well under $1,000.
For more information and to register, please go to the company’s Website at www.uaudio.com.
