UA Announces A-Type Plugin, Bringing the Dolby A Vocal Trick to Apollo Users
Universal Audio just announced the A-Type Multiband Dynamic Enhancer, and for engineers in the know, this is a big one. Modeled on the rare Dolby A trick—a multi-band processing method originally designed for tape noise reduction but later misused to sweeten vocals—the A-Type aims to give UAD and Apollo users access to one of the most coveted secret weapons in analog-era vocal production. It’s the kind of thing that’s quietly shaped the sound of classic records by Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Journey, and more. But this isn’t just a retro nostalgia plugin. A-Type goes beyond vintage emulation, offering five distinct processing modes (Air, Excite, Expand, Crush, and Gated), plus a Circuit Mods panel that lets you bend the original behavior into bold, modern directions. Whether you're after transparent lift, vintage-sounding polish, or straight-up analog grit, this plugin feels like a toolkit disguised as a single effect.
TL;DR — A-Type at a Glance
What it is – A multiband enhancer plugin based on Dolby’s famous “compansion” effect.
What it’s for – Polishing vocals, adding air and presence, dynamic shaping, and analog-style compression.
What’s new – Five modes (Air, Excite, Expand, Crush, Gated) plus a mod panel for deeper shaping.
Why it’s different – It’s the first full end-to-end Dolby A-style emulation available in plugin form.
Who it’s for – UAD and Apollo users who want secret sauce-style vocal enhancement or retro grit.
Alternatives – AudioThing Type A, Waves MV2, Soundtoys Radiator.
Available now for UAD hardware and Apollo interfaces only
Click here to check compatibility and pricing
What Is the A-Type Multiband Enhancer?
A-Type is Universal Audio’s modern take on a once-obscure trick: misusing the Dolby A-Type noise reduction system as a vocal enhancer. Engineers in the '70s and '80s discovered that running vocals through just the encode stage of the Dolby system would brighten and clarify the signal without harshness—essentially a multiband compander that added “air” and presence without introducing distortion. That same trick became a quiet fixture on iconic albums by Queen, Fleetwood Mac, AC/DC, and others. With A-Type, UA gives that once-hardware-only secret a home inside your DAW—if you’re running Apollo or UAD gear.
What makes A-Type more than a straight emulation is how Universal Audio expanded its creative potential. You get classic modes like Air, Excite, and Expand, each designed to enhance clarity and lift the top end in subtly different ways. But you also get more aggressive options like Crush and Gated, which let you drive the compression for analog-style saturation or that unmistakable gated vocal sound from vintage pop and rock records. There’s even a Circuit Mods panel, which lets you fine-tune the dynamic behavior, add subharmonics, or shape transients—giving you more control than the original hardware ever offered.
Feature Rundown: What Makes It Unique
End-to-End Dolby A Emulation
While other plugins may mimic the sonic character of the Dolby A trick, A-Type is the first to emulate the full signal chain with precision. That means you get true multiband companding behavior modeled on the original encode stage—with none of the guesswork or DIY signal routing needed.
Crush & Gated Modes
In addition to subtle enhancement, A-Type includes more extreme modes that push the dynamics engine into saturation and rhythmic pumping territory. Crush gives you thick, analog-style compression, while Gated can be used to recreate iconic '80s vocal textures or punchy drum FX.
Circuit Mods Panel
This is where A-Type goes beyond mere emulation. The Circuit Mods section gives you access to tools like subharmonic generation, transient shaping, and customizable expansion behavior. It turns a vintage mastering box into a modern sound design unit.
Apollo DSP Optimization
Like many UA exclusives, A-Type runs on DSP via Apollo interfaces or UAD hardware, which means zero-latency tracking and real-time performance use—perfect for vocal chains, live input processing, or fast mix workflows.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re not in the UAD ecosystem or looking for similar tools, AudioThing’s Type A is the closest conceptual alternative. It also emulates the Dolby A encode stage and was designed specifically to recreate the vintage "vocal stressor" trick. While it doesn’t offer the same circuit-level depth or DSP integration, it runs natively, sounds fantastic, and costs a fraction of the price. Waves MV2 is another handy dynamics tool—more modern in approach—but it delivers a similar kind of upward/downward compression effect that can make vocals pop. And for vintage warmth and gentle harmonic lift, Soundtoys Radiator remains a go-to classic.
That said, A-Type stands alone in combining true multiband expansion, vintage coloration, and customizable shaping in one workflow-ready plugin. For Apollo and UAD users, it’s a unique option that fills a very specific gap: dynamic vocal enhancement that feels vintage, sounds hi-fi, and fits in a modern mix chain. If you're exploring more tools in this space, check out our full roundup of the best vocal processing plugins to find the right chain for your sound.
Final Thoughts: Who Is It For?
A-Type isn’t a flashy all-rounder—it’s a specialized tool built for engineers and producers who want that upfront, polished vocal sound without reaching for a full stack of EQs and compressors. If you’re working on vocals that need lift and clarity, or if you’ve always wanted to capture that vintage “air” from classic records without layering enhancers and exciters, A-Type delivers that tone in a streamlined way. It’s also great on drums and synths when you want presence without harshness.
The main caveat is that it’s only available for UAD hardware and Apollo interfaces, which limits its accessibility. But for users in that ecosystem, A-Type fills a niche that other plugins don’t really cover. It’s a tastefully expanded take on a legendary trick—now made trackable, tweakable, and far more flexible than the original hardware ever was.
Click here to learn more or pick up A-Type from Universal Audio
Only available for UAD and Apollo systems
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