Undertone Audio
Undertone Audio is a privately held manufacturer of high-end Class-A analog recording equipment — including tube compressors, microphone preamps, summing mixers, reamp boxes, and software plug-ins — founded by Eric Valentine and Larry Jasper, acquired by Royer Labs in April 2026 and serving professional recording studios, audio engineers, and project/home studios globally through an authorized dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWest Hollywood, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Undertone Audio does
Undertone Audio is a privately held manufacturer of high-end Class-A analog recording equipment, founded by recording engineer Eric Valentine and product developer Larry Jasper. The company's portfolio centers on faithful recreations of classic studio circuits paired with modern reliability enhancements, with the flagship UnFairchild 670M II tube compressor/limiter (2 transformers, 4 paralleled vari-mu tubes, MS function, sidechain processing, Feed-Forward/Feed-Back modes) anchoring a broader family that includes the MPDI-4 four-channel microphone preamp/DI, Pyra-Sum passive multi-bus summing mixer, GB Tracker instrument preamp/reamp box, Satellite Re-Amp, UTEQ500 500-series parametric EQ, and the Vari-Cap variable-capacitance instrument cable. The company complements its hardware with software plug-ins (UnFairchild Plug-In, MPEQ-1 Plug-In, the latter offered with a 14-day free trial) that emulate the sonic characteristics of the physical units for in-the-box DAW users. Underlying technology is rooted in tube-based analog circuit design, with engineering choices (e.g., improved tube lifespan over original Fairchild units, bypass-able transformers, switchable THD characteristics) explicitly targeting the gap between vintage sonic character and modern studio reliability requirements.
The company's primary customer segments are professional recording studios and audio engineers (segment one), with project and home studios as a secondary segment. Revenue is generated through one-time capital sales of hardware (tube compressors, preamps, summing mixers, reamp boxes, accessories) and one-time software plug-in licenses, distributed exclusively through a global authorized dealer network — Vintage King, Altomusic, Sonic Circus, Frontend Audio, Soundpure, Pro Audio Design (USA); Economik (Canada); Arda Suppliers, Digital Audio Service, Floating Point Audio, Music Toolz, Prolyd, Golden Age Music, SX Pro, Idee und Klang, Velvet Sound, Recording Gear (Europe/UK); Gear Lounge, Miyaji, Budee (Asia); Planeta Analogico, Playco Store, ATP Audio, Audio Gate Mexico (Latin America); Joav Sh HDEMA, Blue Kite Audio (Middle East); Audio Chocolate (Oceania). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing relies on a long-form YouTube channel ('Making Records With Eric Valentine'), organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, X), email newsletter, and product demonstration videos, supplemented by named engineer endorsements (Shawn Everett, Michael Romanowski, Kid Harpoon).
On April 20, 2026, Undertone Audio was acquired by Royer Labs (a manufacturer of high-end ribbon microphones), itself owned by Sounds Great Holdings, a conglomerate pursuing a portfolio strategy of high-quality professional audio brands. Undertone Audio now operates from Royer Labs' Burbank, California headquarters, with management led by CEO Joe Covey and ongoing founder involvement from Eric Valentine and Larry Jasper. The stated strategic intent is to leverage Royer Labs' global distribution network to expand Undertone Audio's international presence while continuing product development.
Undertone Audio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Undertone Audio
- Legal name
- Undertone Audio
- Website
- https://undertoneaudio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Undertone Audio is a privately held manufacturer of high-end Class-A analog recording equipment — including tube compressors, microphone preamps, summing mixers, reamp boxes, and software plug-ins — founded by Eric Valentine and Larry Jasper, acquired by Royer Labs in April 2026 and serving professional recording studios, audio engineers, and project/home studios globally through an authorized dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Undertone Audio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Audio Equipment
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors) (MPAIAJAB)
Keywords
Where Undertone Audio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Hollywood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Undertone Audio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Hardware Products Sales: Undertone Audio generates revenue primarily through the sale of high-end analog recording equipment including tube compressors, microphone preamps, summing mixers, reamp boxes, and accessories. These are one-time capital purchases sold through authorized dealers worldwide.
- Software Plug-ins: The company also sells software plug-in versions of their hardware products, including the UnFairchild Plug-In and MPEQ-1 Plug-In, available through their digital platform. The MPEQ-1 offers a 14-day free trial.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Undertone Audio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Undertone Audio designs, manufactures, and sells high-end Class-A analog recording equipment — including tube compressors, microphone preamps, summing mixers, re-amp boxes, instrument cables, and 500-series equalizers — alongside DSP plug-in emulations of its hardware products. Offerings target professional recording studios, mixing/mastering engineers, and project-studio producers seeking authentic vintage analog sound characteristics with modern reliability. All sales flow through a global authorized dealer network plus the company's own digital platform for software plug-ins.
Product overview
Undertone Audio is a manufacturer of high-end recording equipment known for its UnFairchild compressor and premium audio products. The company offers a portfolio of hardware products centered around the UnFairchild 670M II flagship tube compressor/limiter, complemented by the UNFa-1 accessory box that extends its functionality. Additional hardware includes the MPDI-4 four-channel mic preamp/DI, Pyra-Sum passive summing mixer with cascading busses, GB Tracker reamp box with Satellite Re-Amp companion, Vari-Cap variable capacitance instrument cable, and UTEQ500 500-series EQ. The company also offers software plugins (UnFairchild Plug-In and MPEQ-1 Plug-In) that recreate the sonic characteristics of its hardware in digital format. Founded by Eric Valentine and Larry Jasper, the company was acquired by Royer Labs in April 2026 under Sounds Great Holdings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- UnFairchild 670M II A flagship Class-A tube compressor/limiter that recreates the classic Fairchild 670 vari-mu circuit for professional recording studios and mixing/mastering engineers. Sold through authorized dealers worldwide with a 2-year warranty.
- UNFa-1 Accessory Box An extension box for the UnFairchild 670M II that adds parallel compression, sidechain high-pass filtering, output gain control, M/S feedforward compression, and averaged stereo linking. Sold as a standalone add-on to existing UnFairchild owners.
- MPDI-4 Microphone Preamplifier A 4-channel Class-A microphone preamplifier and DI in a 1RU chassis, designed for professional studios needing flexible preamp coloration from pristine to warm, with switchable transformer, impedance, and headroom options.
- Pyra-Sum Passive Summing Mixer A passive analog summing mixer with multiple cascading busses for hybrid mixing workflows, allowing studios to add console-style summing coloration driven by their choice of external preamps.
- GB Tracker Reamp Box A combined instrument preamp and re-amplification device that captures clean DI signals for later reamping through guitar/bass amplifiers, with detented gain-matched controls for transparent unity gain.
- Satellite Re-Amp A standalone re-amp unit that pairs with the GB Tracker to expand re-amping workflows to multiple amplifiers, with a custom transformer, matched gain steps, ground-lift, and phase reverse.
- Vari-Cap Instrument Cable A 10-foot premium instrument cable with a continuously variable capacitance control from 150 pF to 1650 pF in 100 pF steps, letting guitarists and bassists dial the guitar-to-amp tonal interaction.
- UTEQ500 Equalizer A 500-series equalizer featuring 3 Super-Parametric bands, range switching, shape control, Q from .3 to 10, notch filter, and a unique Vari-Phase mode, designed for project and professional studio use.
- UnFairchild Plug-In A software plug-in emulation of the UnFairchild 670M II hardware compressor, available as a one-time license download for DAW-based mixing and mastering workflows.
- MPEQ-1 Plug-In A software plug-in providing EQ and saturation based on the UTA console EQ and MPEQ-1 channel strip, available via one-time license with a 14-day free trial.
Quantifiable outcome
- UnFairchild compressor compared favorably to original vintage Fairchild in A/B testing by professional engineers
Companies that use Undertone Audio
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Undertone Audio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Undertone Audio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Eric ValentinecoreCo-founder of Undertone Audio along with Larry Jasper. Eric Valentine is a renowned recording engineer who also hosts the 'Making Records With Eric Valentine' YouTube channel and provides product demonstrations and technical expertise for the company.
- Larry JaspercoreCo-founder of Undertone Audio along with Eric Valentine. Larry Jasper collaborated on the development of products including the Vari-Cap instrument cable.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Undertone Audio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Arturia: Software and hardware maker of virtual instruments, effects, and controllers with growing outboard hardware (AudioFuse, Compact series). Comparable as a hybrid plugin-plus-hardware boutique competitor targeting modern hybrid studios.
Broad incumbents
- Solid State Logic (SSL): Global pro-audio brand making consoles, bus compressors, EQs, and production tools. Competes with Undertone for the same mix-bus and outboard processing dollars at professional and high-end project studios.
- Royer Labs: Acquirer of Undertone and a respected manufacturer of ribbon microphones and pro-audio electronics. Comparable as a peer in the high-end boutique pro-audio space, and now relevant as parent/portfolio brand under Sounds Great Holdings.
- AMS Neve: Premium manufacturer of recording consoles, outboard preamps, and EQ/compressor units with strong heritage in the professional studio market. Comparable buyer base and product overlap with Undertone's vintage-style processors.
- API Audio: Long-established pro-audio manufacturer of consoles, preamps, EQs, and 500-series modules. Overlaps with Undertone's preamp and 500-series EQ offerings for the same professional studios, though at a much larger scale.
Direct peers
- Waves Audio: Large plugin developer with extensive hardware partnerships. Directly comparable to Undertone's UnFairchild and MPEQ-1 plugin offerings and competes for the same in-the-box mixing workflows.
- Universal Audio: Major manufacturer of pro-audio hardware (compressors, preamps, interfaces) and the UAD plugin platform. Directly competes with Undertone across tube-style compressors, channel strips, and plugin emulations of hardware.
- Chandler Limited: Manufacturer of high-end pro-audio hardware that reissues and reimagines classic EMI/Neve, Abbey Road, and other vintage circuits. Competes head-on with Undertone's vintage-recreation compressors and EQs in professional studios.
- Manley Laboratories: Boutique manufacturer of high-end tube-based recording equipment including variable-mu compressors, mic preamps, and EQs. Closely comparable to Undertone's UnFairchild 670M II and UTEQ500 in customer, price point, and design philosophy.
- Empirical Labs: Pro-audio manufacturer of the Distressor compressor/limiter and Fatso Jr., staples in professional recording and mixing. Direct overlap with Undertone's compressor franchise among the same professional engineer buyer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Undertone Audio social profiles
Digital presenceUndertone Audio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Undertone Audio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Undertone Audio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Undertone Audio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Undertone Audio
What does Undertone Audio do?
Undertone Audio designs, manufactures, and sells high-end Class-A analog recording equipment — including tube compressors, microphone preamps, summing mixers, re-amp boxes, instrument cables, and 500-series equalizers — alongside DSP plug-in emulations of its hardware products. Offerings target professional recording studios, mixing/mastering engineers, and project-studio producers seeking authentic vintage analog sound characteristics with modern reliability. All sales flow through a global authorized dealer network plus the company's own digital platform for software plug-ins.
Is Undertone Audio a public or private company?
Undertone Audio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Undertone Audio founded?
Undertone Audio was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Undertone Audio based?
Undertone Audio is headquartered in West Hollywood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Undertone Audio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Products Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Plug-ins.
Who are Undertone Audio's main competitors?
Arturia is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Solid State Logic (SSL), Royer Labs, AMS Neve and API Audio. Direct peers are Waves Audio, Universal Audio, Chandler Limited, Manley Laboratories and Empirical Labs.
Does Undertone Audio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Undertone Audio.
What industry is Undertone Audio in?
Undertone Audio's product category is Professional Audio Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAB, Pro Audio Equipment (Mics, Interfaces, Mixers, Studio Monitors). Its NAICS code is 33431 and its SIC code is 3651.