Spanning the course of more than 60 years, Universal Audio (UA) is one of the most revered names in pro audio history. Their innovative developments include the ubiquitous 1176 compressor, as well as the venerated 610 recording console that captured the brilliance of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Van Halen. In 1999, Universal Audio relaunched to embrace the digital recording revolution, releasing the first analog-emulated UAD plug-ins just two years later. In 2012, UA introduced its renowned Apollo interfaces to professional and hobbyist engineers alike. These interfaces, with onboard DSP, allow real-time monitoring through UAD plug-ins, as well as recording through Unison-enabled analog preamp emulations.   

Ever a pioneering force in recording, mixing and mastering technologies, Universal Audio began its first foray into the world of guitar as recently as 2018 with the OX Amp Top Box—a reactive load featuring powerful speaker and rig emulations for quiet or silent recording with your favorite guitar amplifier. Following the OX Box’s success, Universal Audio applied its proven analog modeling prowess to the UAFX pedal lineup, which places the sonic fingerprint of classic gear in stompboxes for guitarists.

The foundation of each UAFX guitar pedal is a powerful processing engine that delivers the same emulation accuracy as the brand’s acclaimed plug-ins. At a glance, the extensive UAFX collection includes amp simulators, time-based effects, modulation and compressors, covering a range of recognizable favorites that have shaped the sound of live and recorded music for decades. Universal Audio UAFX pedals “shrink” timeless studio processors, iconic amps and vintage effects to a rig-ready form factor.

Table of Contents

A Brief History of Universal Audio
Universal Audio UAFX Guitar Pedals Guide
   UAFX Amp Modeling Pedals
     Dream '65 Reverb Amplifier
     Ruby '63 Top Boost Amplifier
     Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier
     Lion '68 Super Lead Amp
     OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator
   UAFX Time-Based Effects Pedals
     Golden Reverberator
     Starlight Echo Station
     Del-Verb Ambiance Companion
     Galaxy '74 Tape Echo & Reverb
     Evermore Studio Reverb
     Heavenly Plate Reverb
     Orion Tape Echo
   UAFX Modulation Pedals
     Astra Modulation Machine
     Brigade Chorus & Vibrato
     Flow Vintage Tremolo
   UAFX Compressor Pedals
     Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
     Teletronix LA-2A Studio Compressor
     1176 Studio Compressor
Find Your Holy Grail Tone With Universal Audio's UAFX Guitar Pedals

A Brief History of Universal Audio

Universal Audio was founded by the late Bill Putnam in 1958—a talented engineer and tireless trailblazer widely recognized as the “father of modern recording.” Putnam helped establish the legendary Universal Recording facility in Chicago during the 1940s, which quickly became the Windy City’s most successful independent studio. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he designed and built United Recording out of an old film studio on Sunset Boulevard. United Recording was host to Putnam’s own list of clientele, as well as the go-to spot for television and movie voice overs. In the studio, his expertise and groundbreaking techniques were preferred by musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Ray Charles, to name a few. As an innovator, Putnam is credited with inventing the modern recording console, multi-band EQ and the vocal booth, in addition to being the first engineer to use artificial reverb. He was also friends with Les Paul and closely involved in the development of stereo recording.

Bill Putnam has left an indelible mark on pro audio with all three of his entrepreneurial endeavors: Universal Audio, Studio Electronics and UREI. Putnam designed the iconic 1176 FET compressor for UREI in 1967, and Studio Electronics acquired Teletronix and its famed LA-2A tube-opto compressor that same year. Universal Audio continues to produce both hardware classics that are still used in studios around the world every day. It’s common for engineers to employ each of these legendary dynamics processors in series, for the 1176’s ultrafast peak-grabbing ability and the LA-2A’s smooth, musical leveling. Whether using the real-deal outboard, UAD plug-in or UAFX pedal, each of these compressors has helped craft hits in every genre.  

If two seminal hardware units under the UA umbrella aren’t enough, Putnam also developed the celebrated 610 tube recording console. The modular desk is arguably one of the most revered designs in audio history, both for its sonic signature and its practicality. If a channel failed during a session, engineers could quickly replace it without hindering the project. Putnam’s 610 tube recording console was prominently used on massive records throughout the ’60s and ’70s, including The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Neil Young’s Harvest and The Doors’ L.A. Woman.

Universal Audio was re-founded by Putnam’s sons, James and Bill Putnam, Jr., in 1999, with the notion of reproducing classic analog equipment in the footsteps of their father, and to establish contemporary digital recording tools with the same tonal character as vintage analog gear. To that end, UA continues to manufacture analog hardware such as the SOLO/610 tube preamp, UA 1176 FET compressor and Teletronix LA-2A, alongside their famous UAD plug-ins and Apollo series interfaces. In recent years, Universal Audio introduced its line of Volt USB interfaces with plug-and-play connectivity for recording music, livestreaming and podcasting. Microphones have also become part of the UA domain, which include the Standard series SD-1 dynamic, SP-1 pair of pencil condensers and the SC-1 large-diaphragm condenser. Additionally, the Universal Audio Sphere system consists of a dual-capsule microphone and a plug-in modeling 38 legendary studio mics, giving users an entire locker’s worth of flexibility from a single condenser.      

On the software side, UAD plug-ins are an authoritative suite of effects representing the gold standard of modeling technology, including analog emulations of time-honored outboard processing, from Pultec EQ and SSL G Bus compression, to Neve 1073 preamplification and EMT 140 plate reverb. Apollo interfaces are renowned for their exceptionally detailed recording quality and outstanding conversion, simultaneously providing a DSP-powered platform for UAD plug-ins. While the studio classics emulated by UAD may not be familiar to the average guitarist, rest assured, these tools have played an enormous role in crafting legendary guitar tones. Currently, the Universal Audio Apollo ecosystem sets the modern standard for music production, and it’s been used to record albums by a variety of artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Coldplay and countless others.    

While Universal Audio’s renewed legacy is firmly cemented by classic-contemporary hardware and game-changing plug-ins, the brand took an experimental dive into the realm of guitar with the OX Amp Top Box that launched in 2018. The OX is a premium reactive load box giving guitarists the ability to record studio-miked tones from their tube amp at neighbor-friendly volumes. With 22 cabinets and six microphones, the OX Amp Top Box offers a generous grouping of tonal options. It also comes with four world-class Universal Audio effects built in, including EQ, compression, reverb and delay. More than just an attenuator, the UA OX Amp Top Box is a complete recording solution for guitar, enabling users to capture their amp’s purest sound with a fleet of expertly emulated cabinets and microphones. Even more, users have the option to control the OX RIG settings over Wi-Fi via a dedicated app for Mac, Windows and iPad.

The success of the OX Box spurred Universal Audio to explore further possibilities for guitarists in subsequent years. The UAFX pedal series debuted in 2021 with the flagship Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo Station and Astra Modulation Machine. These pedals delivered reputed Universal Audio fidelity to pedalboards everywhere through a unique dual-engine processing system built on UAD modeling. Today, the Universal Audio UAFX guitar pedal lineup includes a multitude of classic studio effects and amplifiers, including models of the Roland Space Echo, Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, Marshall Plexi, VOX AC30 and a whole lot more. UAFX pedals bring unmatched sonic authority to any guitar rig, all with the intuitiveness of a standard stompbox.

Universal Audio UAFX Guitar Pedal Guide

Our Universal Audio UAFX guide is here to walk you through all 18 current pedals, from amp modelers to time-based effects, and from modulation to compression. There’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re looking to flesh out an entire pedal-based rig or supplement your existing effects with something fresh. Whatever the case may be, UAFX guitar pedals offer unprecedented, studio-grade audio quality that’s easy to dial in and effortlessly portable. Plus, Universal Audio pedals are USB-C compatible for access to the UAFX Control app, where you can unlock advanced customization, download presets and keep your firmware up to date. Finally, UAFX pedals share either a one- or two-footswitch chassis and layout across the series, so once you’ve gotten familiar with those, you can navigate them all. The larger, dual-footswitch pedals include Bluetooth as a convenient protocol for connecting to the UAFX Control app.

UAFX Amp Modeling Pedals

Amp modeling pedals, complete with mic/speaker pairings, let you take legendary amplifiers with you anywhere. Using a Universal Audio UAFX amp pedal, it’s possible to replace your existing rig and run straight to FOH, and it’s never been easier to record into your DAW with mix-ready tones at your fingertips. One of the key aspects of UAFX amp modelers is each pedal’s trio of microphone and speaker emulations, with additional options opening up through the app. These provide a complete signal path for authentic tone right out of the box.

Dream '65 Reverb Amplifier

The UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb pedal embodies the voice of an essential American tube amplifier that’s influenced guitarists for six decades. A diverse selection of artists has derived their bell-like cleans and overdriven crunch from the golden era of this amp—Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Elvis Costello are just a sample. The UAFX Dream ’65 faithfully replicates the tube-driven spring reverb and vibrato that’s helped define genres like surf, while its tried-and-true vintage tone is perfectly suited to rock, blues, country and indie. This pedal even contains selectable emulations of two popular mods and has a built-in clean boost for added variety. 

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Dream '65 Reverb Amplifier

Ruby '63 Top Boost Amplifier

The Rolling Stones. The Beatles. Queen. U2. Radiohead. A list of musicians who’ve not used the 2x12 valve combo that shaped the sound of the British Invasion would be easier to manage. The UAFX Ruby ’63 Top Boost meticulously captures the essence of one of the most beloved British amplifiers ever made, including three distinct channels covering chimey cleans, ’60s-style breakup and even an edgy, vibrato-laden circuit. Two classic boosts are modeled as well: the ’60s Dallas Rangemaster germanium treble booster and the preamp from the ’70s Maestro EP-3 tape delay. The Universal Audio UAFX Ruby ’63 amplifier pedal is a one-way ticket to some of the most iconic guitar tones in history.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Ruby '63 Top Boost Amplifier

Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier

The UAFX Woodrow ’55 is an end-to-end replica of the famous 1x12 American tweed combo from the mid 1950s—an extensively recorded amplifier used by everyone from Chuck Berry to Neil Young to The Eagles. The Woodrow pedal dependably pulls off the sweet cleans and overdriven growl of the original, along with the hot-rodded sounds of later revisions. Three boost options are available at the flip of a switch, including a standard clean boost, a Maestro EP-3 preamp boost and a KORG SDD-3000 rack delay preamp push. Universal Audio further derives its hyper-realistic audio quality from detailed emulations of vintage speakers and microphones, with three selections optimized for each of the boost settings.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Woodrow '55 Instrument Amplifier

Lion '68 Super Lead Amp

Authentic plexi roar is one of the most sought-after sounds in rock, and the UAFX Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp guitar pedal models three distinct 100W specimens down to the grooviest nuance. Hendrix, Van Halen, Zeppelin and AC/DC have all scaled the mountain of rock godliness with these impeccable late-’60s amps at their backs, and the Lion brings you the aggressive Super Lead, the spongy Super Bass and the inimitable “Brown” sound for decades of iconic tone. Rock and metal guitarists can lock down an entire rig starting with the Lion ’68 as a foundation; the Super Bass setting pairs especially well with separate fuzzes and overdrives for true flexibility and seamless pedalboard integration.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Lion '68 Super Lead Amp

OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator

The OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator expands your current amp modeler with a complete range of ideally miked speaker cabinets. It features authentic room modeling, speaker breakup and the UAFX mobile app for thorough, refined control. The OX Stomp pairs with any of the previously mentioned UAFX amplifier pedals on this list, introducing many more cabinets and microphones to their onboard offerings, or with an existing third-party modeler you might already own. Think of the OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator as the missing link between head-turning realism and lifeless, static IRs in a simulated rig. You can even run the OX Stomp with a real tube amp so long as it has a dedicated line-level output—many modern amplifiers include this feature for direct recording, and the OX Stomp is the perfect complement for album-worthy tone.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX OX Stomp Dynamic Speaker Emulator

UAFX Time-Based Effects Pedals 

UAFX time-based effects introduce depth and dimension to dry signals. From modest slapback to haunting cascades of reverberation and dizzying discrete repeats, these pedals play a huge part in actualizing lead tones, ambient washes and immersive, three-dimensional soundscapes.   

Golden Reverberator

Universal Audio released the Golden Reverberator as one of the first UAFX pedals at launch. A trio of reverbs at your feet include hazy ’50s plate, splashy ’60s spring and lush, grainy late-’70s digital, covering an impressive amount of sonic ground. For guitarists, that means having accurate and vibey reverb emulations for rockabilly, surf, classic rock, new wave and other styles underfoot and at your fingertips. Each type of ’verb has its own A, B and C selector, for a total of nine distinct sounds. Switching between reverb types and settings is also a breeze, thanks to the ability to save and recall your favorites. You can change tones instantly, swapping effects for different sections of a song, if the job calls for it. While its sound harkens to previous decades, the UAFX Golden Reverberator is a state-of-the-art stompbox from top to bottom, and the rightful recipient of a 2022 TEC Award for innovation.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Golden Reverberator

Starlight Echo Station

The UAFX Starlight Echo Station blasts your sound into the cosmos with two styles of vintage delay and one ultramodern setting. Represented are early ’70s tape echo, American bucket-brigade delay and UA’s own pristine digital algorithm with high-fidelity flange and chorus textures. A truly versatile pedal, the Starlight Echo Station subdivides each primary delay flavor into three additional types, and you can take full control of the tonal character with universal Color and Mod knobs. The Starlight Echo Station ultimately serves to add motion and intrigue to your guitar parts, from subtle widening to uncontrollable feedback looping. With this powerful delay on your board, you can explore uncharted star systems of sound.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Starlight Echo Station

Del-Verb Ambience Companion

For an all-in-one solution to time-based effects, look no further than the UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion. Reverbs include the Spring 65, Plate 140 and Hall 224 emulations, while onboard delay consists of Tape EP-III, Analog DMM and Precision models, borrowing algorithms from the award-winning Golden Reverberator and the Starlight Echo Station, respectively. The Del-Verb makes a great desert island pedal considering it packs the best of Universal Audio reverb and delay emulations into a single, easy-to-use unit. Whether pedalboard real estate is a hot commodity, or you just want to streamline the approach to liquefying your tone, the UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion is a standout choice.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Del-Verb Ambiance Companion

Galaxy '74 Tape Echo & Reverb

If the Universal Audio mission could be distilled to a single sentiment, it would be a relentless pursuit of sonic veracity. The Galaxy ’74 pedal is an idealized representation of the UA cause, painstakingly recreating the iconic Roland Space Echo from the 1970s. The pedal features the rich analog sound of multi-head tape delay, the robust assertiveness of the Space Echo’s coveted preamp and the ambient glimmer of bona fide spring reverb. A Main/Alt switch changes the functionality of controls based on the chosen position, adding another layer of tonal contour. For example, activating the Alt function turns the Input Vol into a Tape Age control to increase wow and flutter; Dwell becomes a low-end EQ for the echo; and Reverb Vol becomes a top-end EQ. The UAFX Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb is the go-to effect for mid-’70s analog delay goodness.

  

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Galaxy '74 Tape Echo & Reverb

Evermore Studio Reverb

The UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb contains bit-for-bit models of the Room, Small Hall and Large Hall programs found in an enduring late-’70s digital reverb unit. Used on innumerable recordings from its inception, the pristine, lush and dimensional ambient textures produced by the legendary “224” have molded iconic guitar tones for decades. The Evermore’s Bass, Mid and Treble knobs let you sculpt the decay by individual frequency band, and the Mod control increases or decreases the amount of early digital texture reflected in the sound. Remarkably simple to operate, the UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb pedal is a full-blown inspiration machine that’s loaded with versatility despite its streamlined layout. An accurate emulation of one of the most popular digital reverbs ever designed, the Evermore will never be out of fashion. 

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb

Heavenly Plate Reverb

The critically acclaimed Golden Reverberator set the table for the Heavenly Plate algorithm to stand alone as a brilliantly meticulous emulation of the 600-pound monster EMT 140 plate reverb, introduced in 1957, and the first “artificial” reverb processor to see action in recording studios. Each of the pedal’s three voices are characterized by a sense of density and moodiness. The “weight” of the reverb can be intense, but it’s easily scalable from an injection of subtle warmth to an ambient wave of decay. Using the EQ dial fine-tunes the high- and low-end response, while the Mod control adjusts the speed and intensity of the reverb’s movement. If you’re looking for a plate reverb pedal that outclasses the others, the UAFX Heavenly Plate is it.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb

Orion Tape Echo

Returning from a voyage on the flagship Starlight Echo Station, the Orion Tape Echo brings the sound of vintage Maestro Echoplex EP-3 delay back to earth. It may be a compact delay pedal, but there’s nothing “small” about the Orion Tape Echo sound. From the fatness of its emulated solid-state preamp (Rec Level) to the bold analog charm of its tape repeats, the Orion is a certified time traveler. Mint, Worn and Old machine types offer their own unique color, and the Wonk knob turns up the modulated weirdness that’s an inherent characteristic of the tape reels used in the original units. The Orion Tape Echo, based on TEC Award-winning UAFX modeling, is an analog emulation in a world of its own.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Orion Tape Echo

UAFX Modulation Pedals 

Popular modulation effects include chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo and vibrato. The Universal Audio UAFX pedal line covers the most popular vintage renditions of these widely used sound manipulators, giving players the best that time has to offer. Like all UAFX pedals, these effects have been faithfully emulated and reproduced in exquisite detail to inspire guitarists every time they stomp it on.

Astra Modulation Machine

The Astra Modulation Machine is a flagship UAFX pedal featuring chorus, flanger and tremolo. Experience authentic BOSS bucket-brigade chorusing circa 1976, legendary MXR rackmount studio flanging/doubling and 1960s tube-based optical tremolo straight from your favorite Fender amps. Astra chorusing is luxurious, chewy and gesticulating; its flanger is thick, characteristically whooshing and capable of impossible complexity; and the opto-tube tremolo is deep, undulating, gently shimmering and chaotically choppy. The Astra Modulation Machine puts all these textures and tones at your fingertips with six intuitive controls and an A/B switch to alter their response. Astra is a one-stop shop for all your modulation needs, rivaling virtually every pedal in its class.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Astra Modulation Machine

Brigade Chorus & Vibrato

The UAFX Brigade Chorus & Vibrato delivers powerful effects from the mid-’70s, emulating the classic BOSS CE-1 bucket-brigade pedal. The original Chorus Ensemble was made famous by titans like Rush, The Cure, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Herbie Hancock. Transform your tone with definitive analog chorusing, explore the detuned warbles of vibrato and enhance your sound with the Brigade pedal’s perfectly captured vintage analog preamplifier. The latter feature can impart additional sustain and punch on your overall tone—a hearty analog boost to flatter any guitar or amplifier. If you had to model one chorus, there’s no better choice than the mythical 1976 CE-1.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Brigade Chorus & Vibrato

Flow Vintage Tremolo

Universal Audio evolved the Flow Vintage Tremolo from its flagship Astra Modulation Machine to mimic three unmistakable styles of modulation. From the early ’60s American “Brown” amps to the definitive 1965 opto-tube tremolo/vibrato, Flow encapsulates the very best forms that these effects have assumed. For modern variety, Universal Audio also included its own virtual optical photocell that generates square waves for rhythmic tremolo patterns that work well for R&B, pop and indie rock. Emulated tube preamp tone informs the Flow pedal’s sound, lending it a deeper, more harmonically dense flavor that is sonically palpable. The UAFX Flow Vintage Tremolo oozes ’60s swagger that’s as hip today as it was then.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Flow Vintage Tremolo

UAFX Compressor Pedals

Given that Universal Audio has a history with compression, it’s only natural that the UAFX pedal collection would include two of the most famous studio processors of all time. It should come as no surprise that the 1176 and LA-2A would make their appearance eventually, and why not carry time-proven recording and mixing effects with you as part of your pedalboard? 

Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

The Max Preamp & Dual Compressor is a tone beast, packing not one, not two, but four prominent effects into a single pedal. The signal path starts with a UA 610 tube preamp that enriches every sound with harmonics, grit and the ability to drive Max’s dynamics section harder. As a dual compressor, the UAFX Max lets you run a UA 1176, Teletronix LA-2A or MXR Dyna Comp simultaneously, in any combination and with any A/B blend. Experience the undeniably fierce color of 1176 studio compression, in addition to the softer, warmer control of the LA-2A. The Dyna Comp generates funky, grimy tones at will, squeezing the signal for every ounce of mojo it’s got. The UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor isn’t just a dynamics pedal—it's an entire palette of colorful sound waiting to be unleashed.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Teletronix LA-2A Studio Compressor

The UAFX LA-2A puts the sound of the Teletronix LA-2A—perhaps the greatest optical tube compressor/limiter ever made—on your pedalboard. The expertly emulated tube section adds weight to every sound, and smooth optical compression rounds off sharp peaks with gentle precision. Everything about the LA-2A is designed to enhance existing material, and it works exceptionally well on bass—just like the original. Use the Peak control to adjust the amount of reduction, the Gain knob to make up volume and the Mix contour for easy parallel compression. There’s even a modern inclusion on the UAFX LA-2A that lets you enable a faster release time than the original hardware, should you want to stylize the compression just a bit more.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Teletronix LA-2A Studio Compressor

1176 Studio Compressor

There’s no studio compressor more renowned or more widely used than the UA 1176. Invented by Bill Putnam in 1967, the unanimous king of audio dynamics processing has been heard on more hit records than any other compressor in history. The UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor pedal offers the same iconic coloration and dynamic range-limiting power that helps mix elements find their place in an arrangement. Included are three modes: Single provides standard compression, Dual emulates two 1176s in series, and Sustain recreates the sound of parallel compression for maximum note decay. The infinite Ratio knob offers settings from 2:1 to the celebrated (and not in the original manual) “all buttons in” mode, discovered by a British recording engineer, that beautifully punishes signals and puts guitar tones right in your face. The UAFX 1176, with its true-to-original controls, is as easy to dial in as the studio version.

Pictured: Universal Audio UAFX Teletronix 1176 Studio Compressor

Find Your Holy Grail Tone With Universal Audio UAFX Guitar Pedals

Universal Audio UAFX pedals combine the brand’s analog heritage with its contemporary leadership in the digital domain. With design expertise and pro audio stewardship lasting more than 60 years, UA continues to innovate and push boundaries in pursuit of sonic superiority. The UAFX series, with its amp modelers and various effects, blurs the line between vintage analog and modern digital. Each is a piece of hardware, and each is not just an homage, but a top-to-bottom replica of some of music’s most treasured equipment. Universal Audio modeling technology makes capturing these sonic snapshots, in unparalleled fidelity, possible, for newer generations of artists to enjoy traditional sounds that have shaped the face of recorded music for decades. Every UAFX pedal is deserving of a spot on your pedalboard.