Catalog Universal Audio 2025

Universal Audio, Inc. is well-known to anyone who works professionally with sound. This brand produces a variety of audio signal processing equipment, effects pedals, microphones, audio interfaces, and specialized software.

The company's history began in 1958 in Hollywood, California. It was founded by the renowned American sound engineer, producer, and songwriter Bill Putnam Sr., who worked with legends like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. The new company was essentially a part of United Recording Corporation (founded by Putnam in 1950 in Chicago) and focused on producing equipment that was highly respected by many professionals and used by various Hollywood studios. It was during this time that the 610 tube console was introduced, which became not just popular but legendary.

In 1961, United Recording acquired Studio Supply Co. and renamed it Studio Electronics Corporation (SEC). SEC focused on creating comprehensive studio systems built on Universal Audio equipment, the brand name was maintained. In 1967, SEC acquired two brands: Teletronix and Waveforms. This acquisition granted access to new technologies and allowed the company to expand its product range, introducing the United Recording LA-2A compressor, which became exceptionally popular. In light of these acquisitions and planning for future ones, SEC changed its name to United Recording Electronics Industries (UREI). Following this, the Universal Audio brand was gradually phased out, and by the mid-1970s, all of the company's equipment was exclusively labeled with the UREI brand..

In 1984, the well-known audio equipment manufacturer JBL acquired UREI. It seemed that the Universal Audio brand was permanently discontinued. However, in 1999, it was revived by Bill and Jim Putnam, the sons of Bill Putnam Sr., who decided to bring back the once-famous brand by combining the spirit of the past with modern technologies. The first products of the revived company were reissues of the once-famous solutions, with the original design reproduced and reworked based on extensive notes left by Bill Putnam.

Today, Universal Audio is one of the leading manufacturers of audio equipment, offering a wide range of products, including microphone preamps, compressors, effects, and audio interfaces. The company's products have repeatedly been honored with awards such as the TEC Award, FutureMusic, and several others.