# Bill Putnam Jr.

> Bill Putnam Jr. is the co-founder and CEO of Universal Audio, which he re-established with his brother Jim in 1999. An electrical engineer with doctoral study at Stanford’s CCRMA, he helped connect vintage analog recording equipment with digital modeling, UAD plug-ins, and integrated recording hardware and software.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Universal Audio
- **Organizations:** Universal Audio, Kind of Loud Technologies
- **Education:** Doctoral studies in electrical engineering; worked at CCRMA; described leaving before completing the degree, Stanford University
- **Known for:** Co-founded the modern Universal Audio in 1999., Led the company’s work connecting analog recording hardware with digital signal processing., Accepted Universal Audio’s 2009 Technical Grammy, an award to the company.

## Career timeline

- **Childhood** — Built a Globe Patrol shortwave receiver with his father and developed an interest in radio electronics.
- **Before 1999** — Studied electrical engineering at Stanford and worked within CCRMA; co-founded Kind of Loud Technologies with Jonathan Abel.
- **1999** — Re-established Universal Audio with his brother Jim.
- **2009** — Accepted the Technical Grammy awarded to Universal Audio.
- **2012** — Universal Audio introduced Apollo audio interfaces.
- **2015** — Recorded a NAMM Oral History interview on January 21.
- **2026** — Appeared with Richard Hoover in Blue Stripe Sessions; UA announced Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max interfaces.

## Achievements

- Co-founded the modern Universal Audio in 1999.
- Led the company’s work connecting analog recording hardware with digital signal processing.
- Accepted Universal Audio’s 2009 Technical Grammy, an award to the company.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — UA announced six Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max USB audio interfaces on October 1; the release identifies Putnam as CEO.
- **2026-10** — A Blue Stripe Sessions video features Putnam in conversation with Santa Cruz Guitar Company founder Richard Hoover about craftsmanship and longevity.

## Links

- Website: https://www.uaudio.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-putnam-jr-56538533

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bill-putnam-jr
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Last updated: 2026-10-22