Yesterday, Universal Audio announced the release of UAD Software v9.5, along with an exciting cache of plugin collections. The new releases include a vintage-voiced preamp and EQ, as well as emulations of a classic flanger and the Friedman Buxom Betty amplifier. Keep reading for a short roundup of each.
As with all UA software, you'll need to own either a UAD-2 hardware platform like a UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt Octo or a UA audio interface like the Apollo Twin Duo Interface to use the plugins.
Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Plugin Collection — $299
Leading the charge alongside the updated v9.5 software is the Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Plugin Collection. Famous for its ubiquity in the Golden Age of rock 'n' roll, the Helios Type 69 preamp lent its fat growl and punchy midrange to countless iconic albums by the likes of Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Bob Marley, and Black Sabbath.
UA engineers studied the internals of two original Type 69 Olympic-era "golden units," faithfully modeling the units' feedback-style, 70dB input section, as well as emulating the coveted Lustraphone mic input transformer. The plugin also features an exacting version of the original Type 69's inductor-based three-band EQ.
Brainworx for UAD Plugins
Alongside the Helios Type 69, Universal Audio announced two plugin titles from its direct developer partner, Brainworx. Like the rest of UA's software products, both = plugins are available exclusively for UAD-2 hardware and UA audio interfaces.
A/DA Flanger — $149
The first plugin is an emulation of the legendary A/DA Flanger—a bucket-brigade flanger effect pedal that rose to popularity in the late 1970s and early '80s. UA promises that the plugin "captures all the expansive depth of the original's Panasonic MN3010 bucket-brigade circuit," along with mixing in a few bonus plugin-only features, like tempo sync, mix control, and dual stereo modes.
Friedman Buxom Betty Amplifier — $149
Rounding out the new releases is the new Friedman Buxom Betty Amplifier plugin. The original Friendman Buxom Betty is a boutique, dual EL-34-powered amp with dynamic cleans and delightful crunch, and this plugin boasts a faithful capture. Not only that, but the plugin also adds 100 high-end recording chains and onboard effects that include a noise gate, vintage delay, and lo- and hi-pass filters.