Universal Audio (UA), the iconic brand behind some of the most revered studio gear and audio plugins in the world, is taking a trip back in time—literally. Known for marrying analog warmth with digital precision, the company has announced a new project rooted in one of the most legendary consoles in recording history: the UA 610 tube console.
This isn’t just a story about resurrecting old equipment. It’s about honoring a legacy, reviving a sound, and perhaps most intriguingly, revisiting the very place where that sound was born—Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Muscle Shoals has long been hallowed ground for music lovers. It’s where artists like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, and even The Rolling Stones laid down some of their most iconic tracks. And behind many of those timeless recordings? The 610 console, designed by UA founder Bill Putnam Sr., a pioneer in modern recording whose influence still echoes through studios around the world.
Now, his son and UA CEO, Bill Putnam Jr., is leading the charge to build a “new” 610—one that’s deeply informed by its roots but crafted for a modern era of music-making.
A statement from the company discloses that “Universal Audio CEO Bill Putnam [is on] a journey of ‘audio archaeology,’ as he travels to Muscle Shoals with the goal of learning about this iconic console, and designing a modern ‘new’ 610 using vintage modules purchased from Neil Young.”
Yes, those vintage modules come courtesy of Neil Young—a name synonymous with analog fidelity and sonic authenticity. That detail alone speaks volumes about the level of respect and precision being poured into this project.
While most companies are racing toward the next big technological leap, UA is taking a different route: looking backward to move forward. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s craftsmanship. The original 610 wasn’t just a piece of hardware; it was a sound-defining force, and Putnam Jr.’s mission is to capture that same character in a console that speaks to today’s studios.
By returning to Muscle Shoals, UA is reconnecting with the roots of American recording history—and proving that in music, some of the best ideas are worth bringing back to life.
