Universal Audio

Universal Audio traces its roots to Bill Putnam Sr., a recording engineer and studio builder who is credited with early use of artificial reverb and with pioneering studio console design. The first Universal Audio was founded in 1958; Putnam's related company UREI developed the 1176 compressor and, after acquiring Teletronix in 1967, produced the LA-2A and LA-3A.

Putnam died in 1989, and his sons James Putnam and Bill Putnam Jr. re-established the company in 1999 (some sources say 1998), starting with a reissue of the 1176LN compressor. They then moved into digital with the DSP-accelerated UAD plug-in platform, and in 2012 launched the Apollo audio interfaces, which let users record through UAD plug-ins in real time.

For guitarists the company has brought the same modeling approach to the UAFX stompbox line, which includes 1176 and LA-2A compressor pedals as well as reverb, chorus, tremolo and tape echo pedals, and to the Ox Amp Top Box. Guitar Radar follows UAFX pedal releases and updates.