Discover your new secret weapon plug-in for vocals, drums, and more.
Join Universal Audio’s Drew Mazurek as he takes you through the ins and outs of UAD A-Type Multiband Dynamic Enhancer, a faithful emulation of an era-defining piece of hardware. Complete with five modes, explore the time-tested tricks of the original as well as modifications that unlock the full potential of this iconic processor.
Beginning its life as a simple noise reduction device, the sonic signature of this unit can be heard on everything from Queen to Stevie Wonder.
00:56 User interface walkthrough
Understand A-Type’s push buttons, meter, and other controls.
02:48 What is A-Type, and getting started fast with the default preset and basic operating buttons
Know the difference between A-Type and other classic processors.
03:41 Excite Mode
Add amazing clarity and sparkle to any source.
05:27 Expand Mode
Control high end and add smoothness to harsh recordings.
06:52 Air Mode
Enrich dull sounds with signature brightness from this modified mode.
08:45 Crush Mode
Get aggressive parallel compression from UA’s own take on the classic circuit.
09:53 Gated Mode
Rhythmically enhance tracks with added groove and interest.
10:46 Side Chain Filter
Tailor A-Type’s reaction to whatever’s put through it.
11:36 Circuit Mods View-4:1 mode, SC Link, Knee, and Release
Get under the hood on A-Type and experiment with further customizations.
14:17 Cross-Over frequency and gain
Modify the tonality of each effect to best fit any source.
15:41 Output control and Headroom Screw
Compensate for gain reduction and nail down your gain staging.
16:24 AutoCal
Maintain the ideal settings when switching between modes, or disable to compare different effects.
17:28 Full mix comparison
Hear the effect many instances of A-Type has on a single mix.
— UA Staff
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