Studer A827

The Studer A827 is Studer’s final analog multitrack and, for many engineers, the finest 24-track tape machine ever made. Introduced in 1989 and built for nearly 15 years, until a limited Gold Edition closed the line around 2004, it remains the centerpiece of many analog tracking rooms.

History and specs

The A827 followed the A800 and A820. It dropped the A820’s automatic alignment and bar-graph meters and used external noise reduction only, while redesigned electronics cut the circuitry to five boards per eight channels for better sound and reliability. It runs 1-inch and 2-inch tape in 8-, 16- and 24-track formats at 7.5, 15 and 30 inches per second with varispeed, on 14-inch reels. DC disc-rotor spooling motors wind at up to 590 inches per second. The Gold Edition was limited to 95 units with amorphous-metal heads.

In the studio

The A827 is associated with records by Madonna, Steely Dan and Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. Sound on Sound has reported it was used to track OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003). Because it launched in 1989, it cannot be the machine behind the classic rap records of 1986 to 1988.

Buying one today

As the newest Studer multitrack, a well-maintained A827 is among the most desirable and expensive 2-inch machines on the used market. Ask about head wear and alignment history and whether the remote and autolocator are included.