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Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3 QUAD Core

4-core Thunderbolt 3 DSP Accelerator with UAD Analog Classics Plus Plug-in Bundle - Mac/PC, AAX 64, VST, AU, RTAS
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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 QUAD model — four 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, and 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 QUAD Core Features:

  • Portable DSP Accelerator unit plus UAD plug-in package
  • Run UAD Powered Plug-ins via Thunderbolt 3
  • Juiced performance at higher sample rates with less than 2ms of latency
  • 4 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: 4 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: TB3SATQ-C

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Really good, necessary upgrade

I was using my twin duo and kept running out of DSP. This was just what I needed. Now I have tons of room and haven't come close to running out of DSP. If you're looking at this you're probably in the same boat I was in: do yourself a favor and get it. Thanks Drew and Sweetwater fam, y'all are the real ones.
Rated 5/5

Can't Beat UA!

This unit allows you to harness the power of Universal Audio plugins within your DAW. I only wish I would have purchased the 8-Core instead of the 4-Core. This is the industry standard for personal studio recording. It's well worth it! My music came alive with the integration of UA plugins...
Music background: Songwriter
Rated 5/5

Love my unit

Sweetwater's Jon got me my unit ASAP as we were in the middle of a mix and really needed it. He's on top of it and we appreciate him so much. Great job Jon and the whole Sweetwater team!!!
Music background: Was a writer with David Foster then to Universal for 13+ years now a mixer. Love my life!!!
Rated 2.5/5

Only works under the right circumstances...

I'm sure this works great for some users, but it didn't serve my purposes at all. I'm not entirely sure why this is the case, but even though UAD Console recognizes the additional SHARC processors from the Satellite DSP Accelerator, it can only take advantage of that DSP when loading plugins into a DAW. So if you—like me—bought this hoping to use more Unison Plugins/get a more powerful workflow within Console, look elsewhere, because Console can only access the DSP within your Apollo (i.e. I have an Apollo Twin MKii Solo, and Console can only use the 1 DSP chip housed in the Apollo itself, not the additional 4 from this Satellite Accelerator). Looks like I'll be returning this and upgrading my interface.
Music background: Freelance commercial trumpeter, educator, composer/arranger
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