Universal Audio Acquires Townsend Labs Inc.

Scotts Valley, CA (June 14, 2021)—Universal Audio has acquired the assets of modeling microphone manufacturer Townsend Labs Inc., best known for its TEC award-winning Sphere L22 Microphone System.

As part of the agreement, the Sphere L22 microphone will become a UA product; Townsend Labs founders Chris Townsend and Erik Papp will join the UA team, working to develop future microphone products under the UA brand. Townsend Labs was founded in 2015 by thirteen-year Avid alum and DSP architect Townsend, together with Papp, previously CEO of Summit Audio Inc. In July the following year, the company released its modeling system, Sphere.

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It’s not the first time the two companies have been associated with each other—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 of 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,” said Bill Putnam, CEO of Universal Audio. “With UA’s expertise in modeling vintage audio gear, and Townsend’s industry-leading mic modeling technology, we’re poised to bring customers significant innovations in this fast-growing segment of the pro audio industry.”

Universal Audio • www.uaudio.com