UA EMT 140 & 250 Reverbs Go Native

Universal Audio has announced the release of two of its highly acclaimed reverb plugins, the EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator and the EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverb, in native format. This significant update means that these iconic effects can now run directly on macOS and Windows CPUs, eliminating the previous requirement for an Apollo audio interface or UAD-2 accelerator. For nearly two decades, these plugins were exclusive to users with qualifying UA hardware. Consequently, this native release broadens access, allowing any digital audio workstation (DAW) supporting VST, AU, or AAX formats to utilize them. Current owners of the Apollo DSP versions are eligible for special upgrade pricing, which can be accessed through their Universal Audio account.

The EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator

The EMT 140 plugin meticulously models three distinct plate reverb units sourced from The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California, rather than a single reference instrument. Firstly, Plates A and B feature the original EMT electronics. These units had not undergone re-tuning for some time, which imparts a denser and slightly darker character to their sound. In contrast, Plate C utilizes more modern Martech electronics and was fully serviced during the modeling process. As a result, it delivers the brightest and most full-frequency response among the three emulations. Furthermore, the plugin faithfully retains the original damping controls and system input filters from both the stock EMT 80 Hz and the Martech circuits. For enhanced modern workflow, additional plugin-only controls are included, such as a two-band shelving EQ, predelay, width, balance, and modulation.

The EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverb

The EMT 250 plugin harks back to 1976, when its hardware counterpart emerged as one of the first commercially available algorithmic digital reverbs. Universal Audio’s emulation was modeled from a specific unit located at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles. Significantly, it employs the exact same algorithm found in the original hardware, and this authenticity is underscored by an endorsement from EMT International, recognizing it as the only authorized emulation. Beyond its renowned reverb capabilities, the EMT 250 functions as a versatile multi-effects processor. Indeed, the same core algorithm drives various effect modes, including delay, phasing, chorus, and echo. To further integrate with contemporary DAW environments, three essential controls not present on the original hardware have been added: Dry/Wet Mix, Wet Solo, and Hard bypass. The original EMT 250 hardware, for instance, necessitated external handling of the wet/dry balance via the mixing desk.Features

EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator: Models three distinct EMT 140 units from The Plant Studios, endorsed by EMT International GmbH.
Plate A/B features original EMT electronics for a worn-in character; Plate C uses modern Martech electronics for a brighter response.
Includes original damping controls and system input filters (EMT 80 Hz and Martech).
Plugin-only controls: two-band shelving EQ, predelay, width, balance, and modulation.
EMT 250 Classic Electronic Reverb: Models the 1976 EMT 250, utilizing the original hardware algorithm, endorsed by EMT International.
Offers multiple effect modes: reverb, delay, phasing, chorus, and echo.
Plugin-only controls: Dry/Wet Mix, Wet Solo, and Hard bypass for DAW integration.

Availability and Pricing Details

Both the EMT 140 and EMT 250 native plugins are available now. There is an introductory price of $79 each, valid until August 31, 2026. After this period, the regular price will be $149 each. As mentioned previously, upgrade pricing is also available for existing owners of the Apollo DSP versions. Moreover, these plugins are bundled within the UAD Mix Tape Pro collection, which includes 10 plugins, available for $119 during August 2026. Alternatively, they are included with a UAD Spark subscription, offering another flexible access option. The plugins support VST, AU, and AAX formats on both macOS and Windows operating systems. Bill Putnam Jr., CEO of Universal Audio, commented, “Some sounds never go out of style. The EMT 140 and EMT 250 have inspired generations of great recordings, and we’re excited to bring them to even more creators.”