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Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 OCTO Core

8-core Thunderbolt 3 DSP Accelerator with UAD Analog Classics Plus Plug-in Bundle - macOS/Windows
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Item ID: UAD2SatTB38
Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 OCTO Core
Price:$1,194 and 89 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $34/month with 36 month financing*

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Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 OCTO Core
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The World's Most Authentic Analog Emulation Plug-ins

Want to shift your music production into high gear? The Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 will do just that. This is the OCTO model — eight SHARC processors deliver a massive level of DSP, enabling you to pack your mixes with the world's most authentic analog emulation plug-ins. What’s more, this DSP accelerator’s Thunderbolt 3 connectivity gives it sub-2ms latency and enough bandwidth to build massive daisy chains of Thunderbolt-equipped devices. The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 includes UA’s Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle; plus, you can access over 90 optional plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Studer, Neve, and more. The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 sports updated cosmetics with a convenient front-panel power switch and eye-catching backlit UA logo.

Note: The Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 requires a Thunderbolt 3 cable (not included).

Portable UAD plug-in power

The UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 not only includes UA's Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, it also provides you access to more than 90 plug-ins from brands including Ampex, Manley, Lexicon, EMT, Empirical Labs, Neve, Roland, Fairchild, Pultec, Studer, SSL, and more (sold separately). This desktop-friendly unit connects to your Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer, turbocharging your Thunderbolt-based studio with the most authentic analog emulation plug-ins on the planet.

Truly scalable mixing power

Sweetwater knows that when you've got a monster project with a suffocating deadline, it's what's under the hood that counts. That's why the Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 is available in QUAD or OCTO models (with either four or eight SHARC processors), letting you customize your studio horsepower to the demands of your workflow. They may also be integrated alongside UAD-2 PCIe cards and Thunderbolt-enabled Apollo interfaces for truly scalable mixing power.

Thunderbolt 3 — ultra-low latency and unrivaled bandwidth

When Thunderbolt technology burst onto the scene, UA was one of the first to adopt it. And now, thanks to Thunderbolt 3, this blazing-fast connectivity is better than ever. For starters, it offers lower latency and greater stability than USB or FireWire, clocking in with the speed and ultra-fast performance of a PCI Express system. In fact, the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 runs projects with high track counts at latencies of less than 2ms! On top of that, its near-infinite bandwidth blows Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 out of the water, enabling you to place multiple Thunderbolt-equipped devices — even 4k or 5k monitors — at the end of your signal chain without issues. You don't even need a brand-new computer — the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3’s two built-in Thunderbolt 3 ports are backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 (adapter sold separately).

Includes the Analog Classics Plus Plug-in Bundle:

  • UA 610-B
  • Fairchild 670 Legacy
  • Precision Enhancer Hz
  • UA 1176LN Legacy
  • UA 1176SE Legacy
  • Pultec EQP-1A Legacy
  • Pultec-Pro Legacy
  • Teletronix LA-2A Legacy
  • Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
  • RealVerb Pro

Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 OCTO Core Features:

  • Portable DSP Accelerator unit plus UAD plug-in package
  • Run UAD Powered Plug-Ins via the Thunderbolt 3 connection
  • Juiced performance at higher sample rates with less than 2ms of latency
  • 8 SHARC processors provide a massive DSP boost for running large professional mixes
  • Access over 90 plug-ins (sold separately) from Ampex, Lexicon, Studer, Neve, Manley, SSL, EMT, and more
  • Compatible with Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more
  • Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for convenient daisy-chaining of Thunderbolt peripherals
  • Fan-free construction for quiet operation
  • Great for mobile mixing with UAD plug-ins on your Thunderbolt 3-equipped computer
  • Expands the DSP power of your Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo audio interface; can be combined with other UAD-2 DSP Accelerators
  • Updated cosmetics with convenient front-panel power switch and eye-catching backlit UA logo
  • Backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 (adapter sold separately)

*Note: The Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 can daisy-chain and provide bus power for a Universal Audio Arrow interface via one of its Thunderbolt 3 ports.

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Tech Specs

  • Type: UAD-2 Satellite DSP Accelerator
  • Processor: 8 x SHARC Processors
  • Connectivity Type: 2 x Thunderbolt 3
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Software: Analog Classics Plus Plug-in Bundle
  • Format: AAX, VST3, AU
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 10.15 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later
  • Power Source: 12V DC power supply (included)
  • Manufacturer Part Number: TB3SATO-C

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Reviews

a must have for heavy plugins
i love mixing and the ability to keep adding plugins without interuptions. this is what you need to keep everything running smoothly.
Amazing!!!
I am seriously considering buying a 2nd one. I only wish after buying a 3rd UAD hardware unit, a Twin X dual and the 1st. Octo, UA would either discount the price of duplicate unit or allow you to pick at least 3 plugins you don't already have.
Music background: Song Writer, Bassist, Semi Audio Engineer
Nice
So far this satellite has solved my issue of running out of dsp juice.
Music background: Hobbyist
Still relevent!!!
I have an x4 and plenty of UAD2 and UAD Native plugins. I was having to freeze tracks to free up DSP and finish a mix. This remedied that.

Plugged in... went to registration page... BAM!!!

Worked!!! Easy peasy....
Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 OCTO Core
Purchased for my new (unsold) 2022 Mac Studio M1 Ultra running Ventura 13.3. Hookup was seamless and recognized instantly. Added my old Octo8 card in a PCI chassis and now I have plenty of "firepower" to run multiple plugiins. Everyone is happy and "talking with one another" quite well. If you need more UAD brain power, this is the way to go!
Music background: arranger, musician, producer, writer