Universal Audio Launches Apollo Twin – High Resolution Desktop Interface

It turns out there was yet another dimension for Universal Audio to occupy.

The latest breakout from UA puts their ideas onto the desktop, via the Apollo Twin High-Resolution Desktop Interface with Realtime UAD Processing.

An eye-catching 2×6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac, it’s a full-featured unit that puts the 24/192 kHz audio conversion of Universal Audio’s Apollo series of interfaces together with onboard Realtime UAD SOLO or DUO Processing.

The Apollo Twin introduces UA’s Unison technology, for an even deeper tracking experience.

On the outside, users will experience an ergonomic design, rugged aluminum construction, and front panel headphone and instrument connections. From there, the Apollo Twin allows Mac users (no word yet on PC) to record in real time (at near-zero latency) through the full range of UAD Powered Plug-Ins available in the UA Online Store, including titles from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, API and more.

But it goes much deeper than that. Apollo Twin is the vehicle for UA’s rollout of its new Unison technology (which will be available for Apollo DUO and Apollo QUAD in early 2014.) According to UA, Unison is built on an integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, allowing it to unlock “the authentic tone of the most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage ‘sweet spots,’ and component-level circuit behaviors.”

All these characteristics are adjusted in real time prior to analog-to-digital conversion to accurately emulate the target mic preamp model. Furthermore, every Apollo mic preamp is already Unison-ready, with the UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ standing as the first of many Unison-enabled plug-ins for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform. In addition to being included with the Apollo Twin, it will be available for all Apollo customers in Q1. It’s a development that sounds appealing to recordists of all types, to say the least.

Apollo Twin ships with Universal Audio’s “Realtime Analog Classics” UAD plug-in bundle. That bundle features legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, the all-new 610-B Tube Preamp plug-in, and more.

The Apollo Twin is available in both SOLO and DUO models (with either one or two Analog Devices SHARC processors, respectively). It is now shipping, with estimated street prices of $699 (SOLO) and $899 (DUO).

Here are more specifics on the Apollo Twin, followed by details on Unison, from Universal Audio:

●    Desktop 2×6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion

●    Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through vintage Compressors, EQs, Tape Machines, Mic Preamps, and Guitar Amp plug-ins with near-zero (sub-2ms) latency

●    Thunderbolt connection for blazing-fast PCIe speed and rock-solid performance on modern Macs

●    New Unison technology offers stunning models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps

●    2 premium mic/line preamps; 2 line outputs; front-panel Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output

●    2 digitally controlled analog monitor outputs for full resolution at all listening levels

●    Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical connection

●    Includes “Realtime Analog Classics” UAD plug-in bundle, featuring Legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, 610-B Tube Preamp, and more

●    Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via Audio Units, VST, RTAS & AAX 64

●    Available with either UAD-2 SOLO or UAD-2 DUO DSP processing onboard

Check the connectivity.

Unison Key Features:

• An exclusive analog/digital integration system that’s already built into every Apollo mic preamp
• Enables Apollo mic preamps to sound and behave like the world’s most sought-after tube and solid state preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage sweet spots, and component-level circuit behaviors.
• Continuous, realtime, bi-directional control and interplay between Apollo’s physical hardware and UAD software preamp model.
• Requires an Apollo Interface.

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