Powered Plug-ins with Undeniable Analog Sound
Universal Audio designed the UAD platform to bring you plug-ins that can rival the rich, analog sound of real hardware. The processing these plug-ins require would normally cripple your host computer, but UAD Powered Plug-ins use super-powerful Analog Devices SHARC processors to run these awesome-sounding plug-ins with ultra-low latency. This liberates your host computer’s resources for your DAW session and virtual instruments. You’ll notice that your mixes sound fuller and more vibrant when you mix with UAD Powered Plug-ins, and you’ll never have to worry about running out of CPU resources for power-hungry native plug-ins again.
Powerful DSP for your PCIe, Thunderbolt, or FireWire-equipped computer
It’s easy to add powerful UAD Powered Plug-ins to your desktop or laptop computer. UAD-2 PCIe cards install directly inside your computer, while the UAD-2 Satellite connects to your computer via Thunderbolt or FireWire. While most studios will choose the PCIe-based UAD processors, the Satellite is a powerful solution that’s also perfect for mixing on the go on your laptop. Both are high-performance solutions for running UAD Powered Plug-ins. And whichever UAD solution is right for your setup, we’re sure you’ll never want to mix with native plug-ins again.
Apollo audio interfaces with real-time UAD processing
Leveraging UA’s impressive history of creating amazing analog studio gear, the Apollo family combines class-leading analog circuitry with top-notch digital conversion and tops it off with built-in UAD DSP processing. You’ve got the ability to mix and even record in real time with UAD Powered Plug-ins, all without taxing your host computer. Once we had a chance to work with the Apollo series, we quickly realized that these are outstanding interfaces in every respect – the built-in UAD processing is just icing on the cake.
| Apollo Twin SOLO | Apollo Twin DUO | Apollo Twin DUO USB | Apollo Twin MKII QUAD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processors | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Mic Preamps | 2 Mic/Instrument | 2 Mic/Instrument | 2 Mic/Instrument | 2 Mic/Instrument |
| A/D Resolution | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz |
| Simultaneous I/O | 10 x 6 | 10 x 6 | 10 x 6 | 10 x 6 |
| Analog Inputs | 2 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 1 x Hi-Z | 2 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 1 x Hi-Z | 2 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 1 x Hi-Z | 2 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 1 x Hi-Z |
| Analog Outputs | 2 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones) |
| Digital Inputs | 1 x Optical | 1 x Optical | 1 x Optical | 1 x Optical |
| Digital Outputs | None | None | None | None |
| Clock I/O | None | None | None | None |
| Connection | 1 x Thunderbolt | 1 x Thunderbolt | 1 x USB 3.0 | 1 x Thunderbolt |
| Computer Platform | Mac | Mac | PC | Mac |
| Included Plug-ins | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus |
| User | Home Recordist | Project Studio Owner | Project Studio Owner | Project Studio Owner |
| Apollo 8 DUO | Apollo 8 QUAD | Apollo 8p QUAD | Apollo 16 QUAD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processors | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Mic Preamps | 4 x Mic, 2 x Instrument | 4 x Mic, 2 x Instrument | 8 x Mic, 2 x Instrument | None |
| A/D Resolution | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz | 24-bit/192kHz |
| Simultaneous I/O | 18 x 24 | 18 x 24 | 18 x 24 | 18 x 20 |
| Analog Inputs | 4 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 4 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Hi-Z) | 4 x XLR-1/4″ Combo, 4 x 1/4″ (Line), 2 x 1/4″ (Hi-Z Instrument) | 8 x XLR, 2 x 1/4″ (Hi-Z) | 2 x DB-25 |
| Analog Outputs | 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 4 x 1/4″ (Line), 4 x 1/4″ (Line/Alt), 2 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 4 x 1/4″ (Line), 4 x 1/4″ (Line/Alt), 2 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x 1/4″ (Monitor), 6 x 1/4″ (Line/Alt), 2 x 1/4″ (Headphones) | 2 x DB-25, 2 x XLR |
| Digital Inputs | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x XLR (AES/EBU) |
| Digital Outputs | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x Coax, 2 x Optical | 1 x XLR (AES/EBU) |
| Clock I/O | 2 x Word Clock | 2 x Word Clock | 2 x Word Clock | 1 x Word Clock |
| Connection | 2 x Thunderbolt | 2 x Thunderbolt | 2 x Thunderbolt | 1 x Thunderbolt |
| Computer Platform | Mac | Mac | Mac | Mac |
| Included Plug-ins | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus | Realtime Analog Classics Plus |
| User | Project Studio Owner | Pro User | Pro User | Pro User |
Premium software effects and processors
UAD-2 DSP processing lets you track through UAD-2 Powered Plug-ins, giving you the sound of Ampex, Lexicon, Neve, Manley, and more — at near-zero latency regardless of your DAW’s buffer size. You can also work with your plug-ins from inside your DAW to polish your mix while lightening the load on your computer’s processors.
Bundled with amazing plug-ins
Whether you choose an Apollo interface or another UAD-2 processing solution, you’ll receive an outstanding bundle with essential UAD plug-ins from Universal Audio, Fairchild, Pultec, and more. And when you buy your Apollo interface or external UAD-2 processor from Sweetwater, you get the chance to bundle even more great UAD plug-ins for a price that’s simply too good to pass up.
Next-gen digital conversion
From capturing subtle nuances on the way in to providing pristine detail and broad spacial imaging on the way out, digital converters play a critical role in your sound. Sweetwater engineers have put the Apollo series to the test, and we’re happy to count these converters among the best we’ve heard, particularly at a project-studio-friendly price.
Unison-enabled mic preamps
Unison mic preamps nail the tone of sought-after tube and solid-state mic preamps from Neve, API, and Universal Audio. Hardware/software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD-2 processing completely controls the impedance and gain staging of these classic hardware circuits, providing an unprecedented level of authentic character and sonic detail.
Cascade up to four Apollo interfaces
Thanks to the combined power and flexibility of Thunderbolt connectivity and UA Console 2.0 management software, it’s incredibly easy to combine up to four Apollo interfaces (plus two additional Satellites) into a single powerhouse production system. Cascaded Apollos share DSP and I/O, and you can easily manage it all via a single Console window.
Convenient front-panel monitoring
It’s amazing how much functionality Universal Audio managed to pack into the front panel of their Apollo interfaces. Onboard, you’ll find multi-segment LED metering, as well as hands-on controls for highpass filters, phantom power, pad, polarity reverse, and more. Rackmount Apollos offer additional monitoring controls.
Ideal I/O options for any studio
From the 10 x 6 configuration of the Apollo Twin to the 18 x 24 capacity of the Apollo 8, the Apollo line includes I/O options to satisfy any studio engineer. Whatever your needs, there’s an Apollo interface that’s right for your workflow, and the ability to expand your Apollo setup over Thunderbolt means your system can grow with your creative ambitions.
High-speed Thunderbolt for Mac and Windows
Thunderbolt is one of the most important technologies to impact digital audio production in years, and UA was one of the first to adopt it. Thanks to its blazing-fast performance, Thunderbolt offers lower latency, more bandwidth, and greater stability than USB or FireWire.
Getting started with UAD-2 Powered Plug-ins
Whether you go the PCIe, Satellite, or Apollo route, you’ll get a bundle of analog-sounding plug-ins to get you started. You’ll have spot-on emulations of vintage audio gear, such as the Teletronix LA-2A leveling amplifier and Pultec equalizers. You also get stunningly realistic ambience from RealVerb Pro and versatile guitar amplifier modeling from Softube Amp Room Essentials, and new plug-ins are being developed by top manufacturers constantly. Call your Sales Engineer today to learn more about Universal Audio’s UAD Powered Plug-ins.
