Universal Audio Apollo interface

[sigmatibet]

Originally Posted by gollumsluvslave

I don't think so - as far as I understand it, the latency is so low (at least when used in tracking or monitoring) as it is not interacting with your DAW host in any way other than passing the incoming audio streams (with plugin processing already applied fully inside the Apollo). However, it would be good to clarify; my assumption is that buffer settings and so forth have no bearing on plugs used during tracking and monitoring.

It will be different at mix time, where your host latency will always come into play.

Of course if I'm talking mince, someone correct me!

yeah it makes sense. I'd love to see a 2TopNotchChannel version of it because for my daily task it would be: track track track, > mixdown

[grooveminister]

Originally Posted by gollumsluvslave

I don't think so - as far as I understand it, the latency is so low (at least when used in tracking or monitoring) as it is not interacting with your DAW host in any way other than passing the incoming audio streams (with plugin processing already applied fully inside the Apollo). However, it would be good to clarify; my assumption is that buffer settings and so forth have no bearing on plugs used during tracking and monitoring.

It will be different at mix time, where your host latency will always come into play.

I´m pretty convinced that a "Satellite Thunderbolt" would offer way shorter latencies than 256 samples (current Satellite FW800) - but it will be pretty hard to do even get near sub 2ms when a DAW is involved.

So I think that everything you said is pretty much spot on!

[subspace]

When you track the band live, you can have them playing against some Lexicon and EMT effects in the console, plus EQs/compressors, but what happens when you hit playback if you don't print everything wet? I don't see any software returns in the console app, just inputs. Is there any way to switch the console monitoring from input source to DAW playback? You don't have to build a duplicate monitor mix in the DAW and feed it to another set of unused outputs on the interface, right?

[chrisrulesmore]

I may be misreading the question, but sales tax in the US is only levied if the product is purchased in the same state in which you reside and is typically around 7-8%. However most consumers prefer to buy online from an out of state dealer so that they can avoid the tax. This is precisely why it is so difficult to have a pro audio retail store in the USA. Margins on high end gear are often below 15'%, so by the time you discount the sales tax and eat the credit card fees for a local buyer to actually compete with the online dealers you are lucky to make 4% on the sale. Factor in how most online dealers sell below MAP, and it is game over.

Best,
Chris

Originally Posted by basmartin

Think it's different between states, but around 7%.

[isma]

apparently (hopefully), shops are taking the piss in th UK, the DUO version is 1999 euro in France, about £1660, this is the actual priced announced by UA, wich is not bad!
Boutique Audiosolutions - UNIVERSAL AUDIO - APOLLO DUO CORE

[LeMauce]

Originally Posted by isma

apparently (hopefully), shops are taking the piss in th UK, the DUO version is 1999 euro in France, about £1660, this is the actual priced announced by UA, wich is not bad!
Boutique Audiosolutions - UNIVERSAL AUDIO - APOLLO DUO CORE

Damn thats "cheap"...
They really try to get people onboard these interfaces... Will they lower the prices on the UAD2 cards itself also?

Infact the interface itself cost around 1200euros, extra on top the price of a uad duo / quad card...
UA Apollo Duo 1999euro - Uad2 Duo 749euro = 1250euro
UA Apollo Quad 2499euro - Uad2 Quad 1333euro = 1166euro...

[bigbone]

According to the Spec. Apollo has 8 total analog inputs — 4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps, is that mean that i can use 8 ext pre's and the 4 pre's in the apollo for a total of 12 pre's when i record....... am i right ?

[Kevinlane]

Originally Posted by bigbone

According to the Spec. Apollo has 8 total analog inputs — 4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps, is that mean that i can use 8 ext pre's and the 4 pre's in the apollo for a total of 12 pre's when i record....... am i right ?

I'm pretty sure it's 8 total

[Pr0blem]

man i must know what the A/D/A is like on this unit if it beats out apogee's ensamble .. im sold ...

[gearsux]

Originally Posted by Kevinlane

I'm pretty sure it's 8 total

8 Total A/D channels, the first four channels have multiple input sources that you can choose from the front panel or from the console app:
- Channels 1-8 = Balanced Line
- Channels 1-4 = Balanced Line / Mic
- Channels 1-2 = Balanced Line / Mic / Hi-Z

[Highphi]

I'm in the same boat! Was just about to buy some Aurora converters, I may wait just a little while longer.

Would be nice to see UA come out with an expander interface with just 8ch (no DSP) of the same converter set to complimate the 8ch adat i/o.

I kinda like to keep my converters all the same when possible.

[Jimmy kiddo]

Originally Posted by kreeper_6

I understand that I can plug microphones, guitars, and line-level devices into Apollo and get low latency performance, but what about using virtual instruments with UAD plug-ins in real time?

For that workflow, we recommend using the ADAT or S/PDIF digital I/O as a “loop” (ADAT OUT to ADAT IN). For example, route your virtual instrument to an ADAT path and you will see it show up in the UAD Console application. Then, you can add UAD plug-ins on the Console ADAT input, and you will hear how latency becomes inaudible. You can also use analog I/O as a loop, but using ADAT or S/PDIF does not incur generational loss.

******************

So theoretically you could use this to get near Zero latency with UAD plugs on 8 channels coming from a DAW?



I think you can. There is a button in the console app that turns printing on/off.

Check out the sweetwater video.

this guy does not look to be impress about the preamps (preamps sounds good ,yada yada) i know that look......it seems to be all about the plug in tracking........i don't want good preamps ...i want really good preamps in my interface!

[gollumsluvslave]

bigbone:

According to the Spec. Apollo has 8 total analog inputs — 4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps, is that mean that i can use 8 ext pre's and the 4 pre's in the apollo for a total of 12 pre's when i record....... am i right ?

gearsux:

8 Total A/D channels, the first four channels have multiple input sources that you can choose from the front panel or from the console app

I'm assuming you can record another 10 channels at the same (18x24 in the press conference) using the ADAT / SPDIF inputs. So for me I could use both my 4-710d (8 ADAT out) and API-A2D (spdif out) for a total of 18 inputs at tracking time (assuming all word-clocked properly).

So for bigbone, he could use another 8 external pres as long as he has another converter that can output ADAT

I'm also assuming that all 18 channels can have plug-ins simultaneously at tracking.

If that's not the case (and for example it's a choice between the analog and ADAT inputs) then it's far less appealing.

However I'm pretty sure this is the case, otherwise it wouldn't be an 18x24 interface - all interfaces I've seen use '-x-' in terms of simultaneous ins and outs.

[phunk2]

I really hope the pre's and the ad/da are bad ass on this dude. that would make this a no brainer. otherwise I'd get the ULN2 or wait for apogee to come out with something new in the same range.

It has been too much talk about the plugins, yeah yeah yeah we get it, you like your plugins, they're awesome... and like nothing on what kind of pres and ad/da is in it, almost, _almost_ trying to hide something. do i smell something fishy?

[AmbientArchitect]

Originally Posted by isma

apparently (hopefully), shops are taking the piss in th UK, the DUO version is 1999 euro in France, about £1660, this is the actual priced announced by UA, wich is not bad!
Boutique Audiosolutions - UNIVERSAL AUDIO - APOLLO DUO CORE

Yeah you're not wrong there!

I'm really hoping it will settle down to a better price before it's available. Typical rip off Britain!

[_Ludovico]

Originally Posted by phunk2

I really hope the pre's and the ad/da are bad ass on this dude. that would make this a no brainer. otherwise I'd get the ULN2 or wait for apogee to come out with something new in the same range.

It has been too much talk about the plugins, yeah yeah yeah we get it, you like your plugins, they're awesome... and like nothing on what kind of pres and ad/da is in it, almost, _almost_ trying to hide something. do i smell something fishy?

We all wish the unit would be top notch overall, but at 2500$ for the quad version, I try not to have too much great expectations. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than disapointed.

Let's wait and see... all that's left to do really.

[AmbientArchitect]

Just checked Thomann but can't find it on their site. Let's see what price they put it up for.

[satissounds]

Originally Posted by isma

apparently (hopefully), shops are taking the piss in th UK, the DUO version is 1999 euro in France, about £1660, this is the actual priced announced by UA, wich is not bad!
Boutique Audiosolutions - UNIVERSAL AUDIO - APOLLO DUO CORE

Yea the UK shop price is over the top. If i could get a DUO for 1990 euro (£1660) I'll buy one tomorrow.

[Highphi]

It appears UA has been working on this for three years. The way I see it, they basically wanted to corner the market on the $2000 interface. They saw the popularity Apogee experienced with the Ensemble, as well as RME, with the Fireface 800 and UFX.

If they can successfully add DSP, excellent conversion, and solid drivers, then I think they have a slam dunk here. It's in their best interest to achieve this as previously mentioned this could result in a huge increase of revenue from new plug in sales and further investment in the UAD platform with other developers.

Now just for fun... what do you think it will sound like with a Big Ben?!!

[AmbientArchitect]

Originally Posted by satissounds

Yea the UK shop price is over the top. If i could get a DUO for 1990 euro (£1660) I'll buy one tomorrow.

It's got to be wrong surely? I mean they even quote $1999 in the NAMM video for the DUO. £2149 even taking into account
import taxes etc is way off!

She mentions the pricing at 3mins 20.


UAD Apollo Audio Interface with Thunderbolt Musicianews Namm 2012 - YouTube

[satissounds]

Originally Posted by AmbientArchitect

It's got to be wrong surely? I mean they even quote $1999 in the NAMM video for the DUO. £2149 even taking into account
import taxes etc is way off!

She mentions the pricing at 3mins 20.


UAD Apollo Audio Interface with Thunderbolt Musicianews Namm 2012 - YouTube

Yea i saw that too. I know there's taxes to be added but i agree it's just seems a rip off to me.

[Ulkke]

I´m so pumped to read the first reviews on the Apollo!

UA Apollo - NAMM 2012 - YouTube

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by phunk2

I really hope the pre's and the ad/da are bad ass on this dude. that would make this a no brainer.

That's what i'm looking for the most, the converter.

[Category 5]

Originally Posted by Jimmy kiddo

this guy does not look to be impress about the preamps (preamps sounds good ,yada yada) i know that look......it seems to be all about the plug in tracking........i don't want good preamps ...i want really good preamps in my interface!

I'll be surprised if they are not PGA 2500 base pres like the UFX, orpheus and Apogee boxes have.

[grooveminister]

Originally Posted by Highphi

Now just for fun... what do you think it will sound like with a Big Ben?!!

All the fancy reference clocks only make sense if you need to sync multiple devices with ADCs or DACs on them.
In fact no serious device will lock better to an external source than it will run on it´s own clock.

When a device uses a PLL to follow a reference clock, it´s like a bicicle rider trying to drive perfectly parallel to a "reference" bike.
When a hi-quality AD/DA converter-box runs on its own clock it´s like being the "reference" bike.

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by grooveminister

All the fancy reference clocks only make sense if you need to sync multiple devices with ADCs or DACs on them.
In fact no serious device will lock better to an external source than it will run on it´s own clock.

When a device uses a PLL to follow a reference clock, it´s like a bicicle rider trying to drive perfectly parallel to a "reference" bike.
When a hi-quality AD/DA converter-box runs on its own clock it´s like being the "reference" bike.

Not true my... We've done tests.. There is a difference... Sometimes huge.. Depends on which A/D D/A..

[_Ludovico]

Apollo + MacMini Server.

How does that sound?

[dbjp]

Originally Posted by grooveminister

All the fancy reference clocks only make sense if you need to sync multiple devices with ADCs or DACs on them.
In fact no serious device will lock better to an external source than it will run on it´s own clock.

When a device uses a PLL to follow a reference clock, it´s like a bicicle rider trying to drive perfectly parallel to a "reference" bike.
When a hi-quality AD/DA converter-box runs on its own clock it´s like being the "reference" bike.

If the bicycle rider isn't that great at pacing himself, having a pacer/'reference' bike in front of him will more than likely help him keep to a specific pace..

[method1]

there are lots of arguments for and against external clocking, but let's stick to the topic on hand, shall we?

I'm also very interested in seeing how the convertors stack up against the competition

[lllubi]

Originally Posted by satissounds

Yea the UK shop price is over the top. If i could get a DUO for 1990 euro (£1660) I'll buy one tomorrow.

1999€ at
Universal Audio Apollo Duo