Our entire native UAD plug-in library and the LUNA Studio DAW, all in one subscription.
Universal Audio has been shaping the sound of recorded music since 1958. Our founder, Bill Putnam Sr., was a favorite engineer of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Ray Charles. His innovations like the modular mixing console, 1176 compressor, and artificial reverb have shaped the sound of countless records.
We’ve spent more than 30 years modeling the world’s most coveted studio gear, working with original manufacturers and using their exact schematics, golden units, and experienced ears.
Start your free trial of UAD Spark Studio today ›
Bill Putnam Sr. pioneered recording techniques that are still in use today, including vocal overdub, stereo music recording, cue sends, and multitracking switching.
UAD Plug-Ins Go Native
UAD Spark launched in March 2022, marking the first time UAD plug-ins ran natively on any Mac or Windows computer with no hardware required. Before that, running UAD plug-ins meant owning dedicated DSP hardware. Going native put tools that had defined the sound of recorded music for decades — like the 1176, Teletronix LA-2A, Neve 1073, and Studer A800 — in the hands of anyone with a laptop and a DAW.
The UAD Spark library has grown steadily ever since. What started as 13 titles has expanded to over 65, with new plug-ins and instruments added every year. Titles like the Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection, SSL E Channel Strip, and Ocean Way Studios Deluxe have joined the collection over time, each one developed with the same care and advanced modeling that goes into every UAD plug-in.
“To say that UAD plug-ins are a big part of my sound would be an understatement. In UAD Spark Studio, you have everything you need to do a professional mix from top to bottom.”
Eric J (Flume, Sabrina Carpenter, ODESZA)
What’s Included in UAD Spark Studio
UAD Native Plug-In Library: An ever-expanding collection of 65+ exclusive titles from Neve, Ampex, Lexicon, and more. The same plug-ins used to mix hit records for decades, now running natively.
UAD Instruments: World-class virtual instruments including Minimoog, Polymax, Electra88, Opal, Anthem, and more.
LUNA Studio: A full-featured DAW equipped with smart tools and advanced editing features. Includes six ARA plug-ins that work directly in the timeline: Celemony Melodyne for pitch editing, Synthesizer V for vocals, WaveLab Go for mastering, and more — plus smart tools including Stem Separation, Audio-to-MIDI, and Lyric Transcription and Chord Extraction powered by Moises.
LUNA Play: A streamlined recording environment inside LUNA, designed for capturing ideas fast. Open LUNA Play and it automatically detects your instrument, sets your input levels, and loads a curated UAD plug-in chain matched to what you’re playing. Drop in any song, isolate the parts you want, and jam along.
UAD Spark Studio — everything you need to make hit records, in one subscription.
UAD Spark Studio in Action
A good signal chain tells you a lot about what a plug-in collection can do. Here’s how producer Karriem Riggins (Common, J Dilla, Kaytranada) builds his go-to vocal chain using UAD Spark Studio.
Karriem Riggins’ go-to vocal chain in UAD Spark Studio: Neve 1073 Preamp EQ, Teletronix LA-2A Silver, Capitol Chambers Reverb.
Karriem Riggins’ Go-To Vocal Chain
- Neve 1073 Preamp and EQ — Shapes tone with the presence and warmth of the classic British console
- Teletronix LA-2A Silver — Delivers smooth optical gain reduction for effortless vocal leveling
- Capitol Chambers Reverb — Places the vocal in the physical reverb chambers at Hollywood’s Capitol Studios
That’s just one vocal chain, using three plug-ins from a library of 65+ — all running natively. Today, music isn’t bound by geography, gear, or budget. Award-winning songs are recorded everywhere from bedrooms to tour buses.
UAD Spark Studio is built for wherever you make music.
See current trial offers and pricing for UAD Spark Studio.
— Miranda Kumpe
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is UAD Spark Studio?
UAD Spark Studio is Universal Audio’s recording subscription that includes LUNA Studio, 65+ UAD native plug-ins from Neve, Lexicon, Teletronix, SSL, Studer, and more, plus virtual instruments including Minimoog, PolyMAX, and Electra88. It’s available as a monthly or annual subscription and runs on both macOS and Windows.
Does UAD Spark Studio include LUNA?
Yes, UAD Spark Studio includes LUNA Studio and both are compatible with Mac and Windows PCs. To keep projects fully cross-compatible, we recommend using VST3 plug-ins on both platforms, but UAD Spark plug-ins run with any AAX, VST3, or AU compatible host.
Do I need an Apollo interface to use UAD Spark Studio?
No, UAD Spark Studio runs natively on any modern Mac or Windows computer with no Apollo or UAD hardware required.
What plug-ins are included in UAD Spark Studio?
UAD Spark Studio includes 65+ plug-ins including the Neve 1073 Preamp and EQ, Teletronix LA-2A Legacy, UA 1176 Classic Limiter, Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder, and Capitol Chambers Reverb. The library continues to expand, and all new additions are included with your subscription.
How does UAD Spark Studio compare to buying plug-ins individually?
The Spark Studio subscription gives you access to the full UAD native library for a recurring monthly or annual fee, rather than purchasing plug-ins one at a time. It’s the most cost-effective way to access the complete UAD plug-in catalog, and it includes LUNA Studio at no additional cost.
