Universal Audio In Trouble

[Sugarnutz]

David Bock just posted on Facebook that he and a majority of other employees have been laid off.

[sslechta]

Whoa.... Also, Dave Tremblay has been recruited to be the Senior Manager of Apple's Audio Systems division from Universal Audio.

[Sugarnutz]

Further explanation from David Bock is that the new CFO does not like hardware, perusing a software only direction.

[TOM@METRO]

I hope this doesn't translate to the demise of another great company.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by Sugarnutz

Further explanation from David Bock is that the new CFO does not like hardware, perusing a software only direction.

No doubt the trend is toward software, but I've never felt that UA is having trouble finding customers for their existing hardware.

Dave's feelings aside, 'laying off the majority of their employees' is far more serious than just letting go of a couple hardware guys. I'm now very curious to know what's really going on. No one else is even talking about this.

[LDS]

Originally Posted by Sugarnutz

Further explanation from David Bock is that the new CFO does not like hardware, perusing a software only direction.

It makes sense, I guess. Avid's CEO has reiterated similar intentions a number of times now, saying that there are just too many hardware manufacturers vying for business within the market.

[LDS]

Originally Posted by Eric Lambert

No doubt the trend is toward software, but I've never felt that UA is having trouble finding customers for their existing hardware.

Dave's feelings aside, 'laying off the majority of their employees' is far more serious than just letting go of a couple hardware guys. I'm now very curious to know what's really going on. No one else is even talking about this.

Gearspace I think is doing a lot of active filtering to prevent it, I think. UA is one of their major sponsors, after all. They also suspended telephone support entirely a week or two ago.

I have definitely seen a huge number of UAD devices up for sale on the used market locally over the past few months. Perhaps a reflection of the rate of adoption of UADx.

In any case, it is hard to imagine the number of bottom-dollar 1176 style hardware clones on the market isn't chewing UA analog sales out big time.

[James Steele]

Originally Posted by LDS

In any case, it is hard to imagine the number of bottom-dollar 1176 style hardware clones on the market isn't chewing UA analog sales out big time.

Or the LA-2A clones. I got a Warm Audio WA-2A not long ago and it's pretty decent for the money. I just don't have $4500+ laying around for the real deal.

[UniversalAudio]

Originally Posted by Sugarnutz

David Bock just posted on Facebook that he and a majority of other employees have been laid off.

Hey Sugarnutz,
This is of course not true. Here's some details for you.

Universal Audio has made the difficult but necessary decision to part ways with 10 employees from our worldwide workforce. It was difficult but required to meet new macro economic realities, in the interest of the company's long-term health.

This of course sucks and we feel for those affected. But it doesn't impact our ability to bring new things to market and continue to deliver all the amazing products we have in our line up.

[BScout]

You just bought Bock's company.
And now he's out?
No real confidence building there.