Tape type, Cal level – Universal Audio UAD POWERED PLUG-INS ver.6.1 User Manual
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UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual
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Chapter 55: Studer A800
Repro
Repro mode models the sound of recording through the record head and
playback through the reproduction head, plus all corresponding electronics.
Tape Type
Tape Type selects the active tape stock formulation. Four of
the most popular 2” magnetic tape formulas are modeled in
the A800 plug-in: 250, 456, 900, and GP9. Each type has
its own subtle sonic variation, distortion onset, and “tape
compression” characteristics.
Generally speaking, the lower the
for each for-
mula, the higher the signal level required to reach saturation and distortion.
Cal Level
Cal Level automatically sets tape calibration/fluxivity. The Cal
Level setting takes care of the setup one would need to make
under equivalent hardware operation, and sets the reference
tape/flux level without disturbing the (unity) gain of the
plug-in.
The record, repro, and sync gain trims found on the A800
channel cards are not present on the plug-in. Instead (when
is enabled), these controls are amalgamated into this single Cal
Level gain control.
As tape formulas advanced, their output level increased, thus lowering rela-
tive noise floor. +3, +6 and +9dB output formulas were available in the 2”
format. Under normal use, the machine would be calibrated to the tape’s out-
put level. However, users would sometimes under-calibrate to leave more
headroom for a broader sweet or to prevent electronics from clipping. There-
fore, the user can go traditional and calibrate to the recommended levels, or
select a non-corresponding calibration setting with Cal Level.
As an example, if 456 is the selected Tape Type and when Cal Level is set at
+6 (6 dB higher than the NAB tape standard), the reference fluxivity level is
355 nW/m (nanoweber per meter) and is 10 dB below the point where THD
reaches 3% (referred to as the maximum operating level). Therefore, with a
1kHz test tone at –12dBFS sent to the plug-in, with Tape Type set to 456, Cal
Level set to +6, and Auto Cal enabled, output levels of the plug-in will match
the input level and fluxivity on the tape will be 355 nW/m.
The manufacturer’s recommended calibration settings for each
as follows: