Universal Audio purchases Townsend Labs

Universal Audio (UA) has announced an asset purchase agreement with Townsend Labs Inc that will see the latter’s TEC award-winning Sphere L22 Microphone System join the UA product line-up. With the agreement, Townsend Labs founders Chris Townsend and Erik Papp will join the UA team, working to develop future microphone products under the UA brand.

Powered by proprietary microphone modelling technology, the Sphere L22 mic system provides a wide range of mic sounds, allowing for auditioning and the selection of various mic types and polar patterns after audio has been recorded. UA has partnered with Townsend Labs since 2017, most notably on the Ocean Way and Bill Putnam Microphone Model Collections for Sphere L22 on the UAD and Apollo platforms. UA will continue to support all the Sphere L22 system’s current audio platforms, including UAD, AAX DSP, AAX Native, VST and AU.

“The Sphere L22 microphone is the perfect platform for us,” commented Bill Putnam, CEO of Universal Audio. “With UA’s expertise in modelling vintage audio gear and Townsend’s industry‑leading mic modelling technology, we’re poised to bring customers significant innovations in this fast‑growing segment of the pro audio industry.”