UAD-2 Powered Plug-in maker, Universal Audio, has released its new EP-34 Tape Echo plugin for -- you guessed it -- the UAD-2 platform.

The EP-34 Tape Echo plugin provides guitarists and mix engineers alike the rich, warm tape delay effects of vintage Echoplex units, and makes those effects available on the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform for Macs and PCs. Want to hear the original Echoplex in action? Universal Audio suggests listening to classic recordings from Jimmy Page, Brian May, Chick Corea, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Johnson, and Andy Summers.

According to Universal Audio, the EP-34 plugin is unlike other Echoplex emulations in that it targets specific behaviors of both the EP-3 and EP-4 Echoplexes. The new plugin is described by UA as the most accurate model for those who want the distinct, chaotic Echoplex sound, "warts and all."

EP-34 Tape Echo Powered Plug-In features include the following:

• Emulates the sound of original EP-3 and EP-4 Echoplex tape delay units
• Makes vintage Echoplex effects available in a UAD-2 plugin for Mac or PC
• Tape echo effects are said to be indistinguishable from those used on classic recordings
• Movable record head design creates a warm, rich sound

About the plugin, the company's president Matt Ward comments, "The rich tape echo sounds and tactile controls of the original EP-3 and EP-4 hardware units have been cherished by musicians and engineers alike for decades. We’re elated to be the first to provide the dead-on sonic qualities and controls from both of these classic units as a software emulation."

The EP-34 Tape Echo plugin is available as part of the new UAD Software version 5.7.0 release (available to current users as a free download from Universal Audio's Web site). In addition to the EP-34 Tape Echo, version 5.7.0 includes the dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter plugin, along with further performance enhancements for all UAD-2 users on the Windows platform.

Universal Audio's EP-34 Tape Echo plugin is now available from UA’s Online Store for $199. For more information, please visit uaudio.com.