Universal Audio Apollo interface

[Sean Sullivan]

I have a feeling that they will have a promotion where if you get the Duo version, you'll get certain additional plug-ins, and if you get the Quad you'll get more (like last fall when if you bought a Quad card you got the EMT 250, Massive Passive, and Studer A800).

[Jason Rabbit]

All I want to make clear is
whether Apollo is gonna make me achieve MEGA HITs or not.

[rosemeister]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

This thing looks awesome - but I am really surprised how much attention it is getting. Isn't it just an interface with plug ins?

The reason it's getting attention is that it is doing what a Protools HD system does but all in one box.

[gollumsluvslave]

The reason that the Apollo is getting some serious attention is as follows:-

• UAD Plugins are generally regarded as some of the best in existence, and their recent ones have been extremely highly regarded
• Some people for various reasons do not have UAD 2 hardware cards and therefore do not have access to UAD plugins
• Some people may well have been looking at buying some kind of UAD card especially for the recent Studer plugins
• Some people are looking to upgrade their current interface
• Some people already on the UAD platform may be looking for more DSP to run higher instances

For someone like myself, points 2,3 and 4 all apply. I currently have a Duende PCIe system, but have cross-graded it to Native and was looking at getting a UAD Duo / Quad and getting some different flavours of plugins, especially the Studer.

Additionally, being able to track with the plugins is great for someone like me that wants to get as close to how I want something to sound at tracking, I love the idea of tracking with the something like the Studer and having something akin to tape (which I love) - I don't care about destructive stuff (the effect of tape itself when used for real can't be undone but I bet no one a real Studer minds that much!), I actually like being limited to a degree, the more decisions I can make without second-guessing myself, the better.

It means I can upgrade my interface for not much more than what I was already considering for getting a UAD 2 card in any event, and I'm additionally future-proofed with Thunderbolt.

I can't afford much more outboard to be honest, and it comes with a host of issues for me (leccy bill, space etc), this looks like a winner from someone in my position.

In terms of converters, sure, it might not be Orpheus level, but I suspect it will be an improvement on my Edirol UA-1000 (as great as that guy has been for me!)

My 2c

[Mazrak]

Originally Posted by Sean Sullivan

I have a feeling that they will have a promotion where if you get the Duo version, you'll get certain additional plug-ins, and if you get the Quad you'll get more (like last fall when if you bought a Quad card you got the EMT 250, Massive Passive, and Studer A800).

I'm on the fence about the Apollo at the moment, without any reviews on the preamps and converters. If UA bundled some promotional plugins, that would probably have me reaching for my credit card.

[jeremy.c.]

Originally Posted by Jason Rabbit

All I want to make clear is
whether Apollo is gonna make me achieve MEGA HITs or not.

Yes.
Or maybe no.
I mean, it depends.

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by Jason Rabbit

All I want to make clear is
whether Apollo is gonna make me achieve MEGA HITs or not.

Depend if you got talent or not..........

[Melgueil]

Originally Posted by Avening

On the other hand, you do have a product made by a company with a very highly regarded pedigree in conversion and analog design. Even though this is not going to be the 2192 made by Richard Williams (now owner of Burl Audio, former UA employee), UA does own that design. I wouldn't be surprised to see some trickle-down technology in the Apollo. This new interface also specs better on paper than pretty much every FW/USB interface on the market (including the UFX which I own two of, and the Prism Orpheus). Take that for what it's worth, but there is the potential that this could be really good.

Someone like me has no interest in the UAD section of the Apollo. Metric Halo, RME, and others already have on-board DSP. Nothing new here. I think that people keep forgetting that:

a) This is made by Universal Audio. A good company with good analog products.
b) RME has made a fantastic interface in the UFX that also has on-board DSP like the Apollo, with more I/O for the same price. Why is it so difficult to think that UA could do similar?

I'm not in the market for a new Interface at all, but I have a feeling that the Apollo is going to be really successful.

Just thinking aloud

OK, fair enough. Still - UFX - remote record, no host. For remote location gigs, UFX all by itself for now. Also, tracking through plugs ? Why ? Hardware you have the effect applied real time pre A/D. If that's what you want - HW is where its at. Again, not knocking UA - but for cryin out loud - next to no one has heard the box and folks are already building a shrine to it. Welcome to GS.
Cdlt

[grassrootking]

Originally Posted by Melgueil

Again, not knocking UA - but for cryin out loud - next to no one has heard the box and folks are already building a shrine to it. Welcome to GS.
Cdlt

+100000000

And this coming from a longtime UAD user with a Quad and just about every plug they make! This is getting rather ridiculous with all of the speculation and no one has even heard it yet.

[TAFKAT]

Originally Posted by rosemeister

The reason it's getting attention is that it is doing what a Protools HD system does but all in one box.

Not even close.

Its is not integrated natively at DAW Host level, it is simply allowing monitoring/tracking with the DSP's in their separate proprietary mixer at lower latency than what is available thru the host DAW.

The mileage of that will vary for each individual , but it is not anywhere near the dedicated and fully integrated native DSP implementation of PTHD.

The hype surrounding this box is bordering on hysteria.

As one of the previous posters noted, no one has even heard the box , let alone put its drivers thru their paces under the various interconnect protocols offered , and many are already raising it above more established units.

Man, I hope for UA's sake this thing delivers at the controller /driver level , otherwise many here are going to come back to earth with an all mighty thump !

[DR Music]

People don't believe me but, it's basically 8 channels of 4710 conversion, there are ok.. no ones claiming the 7410 conversion to be great.
Which I have bytheway.
My BLA modded Profire2626 A/D def the one to track with!

[Duardo]

Also, tracking through plugs ? Why ? Hardware you have the effect applied real time pre A/D.

The nice thing about this box is that you can track through plugs without actually printing them...and then you can keep them through the mix, or change them slightly to fit the track, or replace or remove them entirely. It's similar to the way Pro Tools TDM-based systems have worked for years. I prefer to use high-end analog gear on the front end whenever possible, but when you have more inputs needing processing than you have outboard gear being able to track with plugins can be nice, especially if you don't have to "keep" them.

I do agree, however, that the amount of excitement for this thing is a little odd, especially all of the speculation about its quality since next to nobody has actually heard the thing yet (already asking about BLA mods? Really?).

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by Duardo

The nice thing about this box is that you can track through plugs without actually printing them...and then you can keep them through the mix, or change them slightly to fit the track, or replace or remove them entirely. It's similar to the way Pro Tools TDM-based systems have worked for years. I prefer to use high-end analog gear on the front end whenever possible, but when you have more inputs needing processing than you have outboard gear being able to track with plugins can be nice, especially if you don't have to "keep" them.

I do agree, however, that the amount of excitement for this thing is a little odd, especially all of the speculation about its quality since next to nobody has actually heard the thing yet (already asking about BLA mods? Really?).

BLA says they will mod it based on what they see in the 4710, if it's anything like it, YUP.
BLA Apollo Mod that would def be a great box. Based on their reputation.

[Avening]

Originally Posted by DR Music

People don't believe me but, it's basically 8 channels of 4710 conversion, there are ok.. no ones claiming the 7410 conversion to be great.

Source? I thought that too, but it's not likely. Look at the specs. Not even close to the same. All we have is product manuals to go on at this point.

And to note, the more hype that gets built up with the Apollo, the more difficult it's going to be for the final product to overcome it. Just like a movie your friends hype up for you to see, and it ends up being mediocre. Could have been great if you weren't told a million times that it was the best. Kind of a shame, really.

[kreeper_6]

Must...Buy...Apollo...

[Mazrak]

What's wrong with the 4710d converters?

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by DR Music

BLA says they will mod it based on what they see in the 4710, if it's anything like it, YUP.
BLA Apollo Mod that would def be a great box. Based on their reputation.

If BLA has to mod it, it's not worth buying. BLA has no place really moving forward IMO. They did do a great job with older/inferior units, but today, there is really no need, unless you are hanging on to the past. I can't see the need as we move forward. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Seriously, with all the recent boxes that have really made significant improvements in conversation, I can't possibly see how UA can put something out that is not good, actually, excellent. The new Avid M-Box Pro, Apogee Duet, & Recent RME Boxes (Older ones were great too) to name a few, I mean with technology today, it's pretty easy to make a very good converter for not a lot of money. Especially in the 250.00 per channel converter. When it comes to price per channel, the Avid Mbox Pro units are the best value out there.

You can make very good recordings with any of the converters I just mentioned. Heck, the vast majority of music recorded digitally was recorded on worser converters than these.

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

If BLA has to mod it, it's not worth buying. BLA has no place really moving forward IMO. They did do a great job with older/inferior units, but today, there is really no need, unless you are hanging on to the past. I can't see the need as we move forward. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Seriously, with all the recent boxes that have really made significant improvements in conversation, I can't possibly see how UA can put something out that is not good, actually, excellent. The new Avid M-Box Pro, Apogee Duet, & Recent RME Boxes (Older ones were great too) to name a few, I mean with technology today, it's pretty easy to make a very good converter for not a lot of money. Especially in the 250.00 per channel converter. When it comes to price per channel, the Avid Mbox Pro units are the best value out there.

You can make very good recordings with any of the converters I just mentioned. Heck, the vast majority of music recorded digitally was recorded on worser converters than these.

They only make them better.. You pretty much said it yourself, most are pretty good. Why not make them better? What we don't deserve it? I love when my HD guys eyes flip everytime they hear what they have me work on.
You can stay on your awesome converter, I've heard it and use it, non believer once, jumped on the wagon and I'm staying.. All makes sense...
And the mbox3, really that your story.. wow..

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by Avening

Converters are on par with my old 192 I/O's

that's not the answer people want to hear I don't think. 192 is 1/2 the reason everything on the radio sounds so awful

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by bdenton

Quint posted:

In the end, I think that the Apollo is as much about selling plugins as it is about selling the hardware itself.

The marketing concept of "give away the razor, sell the blades" demonstrated its success a long time ago...

yeah this unit is a marketing thing
buy a used 2192 and UAD-2

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by robertshaw

yeah this unit is a marketing thing
buy a used 2192 and UAD-2

YES!!!!
Thank you!!!!

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by DR Music

They only make them better.. You pretty much said it yourself, most are pretty good. Why not make them better? What we don't deserve it? I love when my HD guys eyes flip everytime they hear what they have me work on.
You can stay on your awesome converter, I've heard it and use it, non believer once, jumped on the wagon and I'm staying.. All makes sense...
And the mbox3, really that your story.. wow..

But do they make them better? I've seen some interesting tests, where's your proof?

[DR Music]

Originally Posted by ShadowAMD

But do they make them better? I've seen some interesting tests, where's your proof?

My proof is in my ears... Going out of my way, spending days and tons of hours to compare different converters. Taking time of my busy and useful engineers and producers, working ones. Plus their opinions that I respect...!!!!
Anyhow, a part of me hopes most feel like you so I have a superior product then most. You won't find many unsatisfied BLA customers.

[ShadowAMD]

Originally Posted by DR Music

My proof is in my ears... Going out of my way, spending days and tons of hours to compare different converters. Taking time of my busy and useful engineers and producers, working ones. Plus their opinions that I respect...!!!!
Anyhow, a part of me hopes most feel like you so I have a superior product then most. You won't find many unsatisfied BLA customers.

Your ears could be broken for all I know, some tests have shown BLA make no real difference. Whether I believe them or not is another matter, but I need a little more persuasion to care than one man's subjective opinion.

I have a MH-ULN8, is your BLA superior somehow? Also had some lavry's at some point?

[smoovemode]

If I'm not able to scrape up the money for a Symphony system, I may just get it!

[robertshaw]

Originally Posted by Avening

Which is funny because I actually did order the UA today. No joke! I want to see what it's all about. UA will either have a customer, or there will be a mint condition UA Apollo on the GS classifieds. Only way to tell for sure is to try it. That's always been my motto.

All seriousness aside Robert, it's the internet. I actually do enjoy getting in to it with you on this website. It's genuinely entertaining. You're one of the more opinionated individuals on this site, and good on you for that. I like people with a sense of humor and speak their minds ... you've been a good sport!

Now with that out of the way .... go blow a Rosetta or something

well let me know how much better it is than your RME, shouldn't take much!
but I was doing the 'retail' math earlier.


UAD Processing w/ UAD Powered Plug-Ins = $400 for the cheapest UAD card
4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps = what is the cheapest decent mic pre you can buy? $200 a piece?
8 balanced line inputs? so what $25 ea for opamps and circuitry?
10 channels of digital I/O ? what's that worth? minimum? $500 even if they sound bad?

$400 - uad card
$800 - pres
$200 - line amps
$50 headphone amps
$500 - 10 channels of digital i/o
_________________________
$1950

hmmmmm
how is anyone making a profit on this?
and these numbers don't include that sleek package?, firewire?, thunderbolt?, drivers? and “Analog Classics” plug-in bundle????!!!

where are they cutting corners?...?

we'll find out?...?

how is Sweetwater going to make their usual 30% profit margin? should be interesting?

is $1999 introductory price maybe?

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by DR Music

They only make them better.. You pretty much said it yourself, most are pretty good. Why not make them better? What we don't deserve it? I love when my HD guys eyes flip everytime they hear what they have me work on.
You can stay on your awesome converter, I've heard it and use it, non believer once, jumped on the wagon and I'm staying.. All makes sense...
And the mbox3, really that your story.. wow..

What converter is it you think I use? Hum? Not any one of the ones I mentioned. Why don't you take a gander? Hint, BLA does not mod any of the three converters I use with my HD system.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by DR Music

They only make them better.. You pretty much said it yourself, most are pretty good. Why not make them better? What we don't deserve it? I love when my HD guys eyes flip everytime they hear what they have me work on.
You can stay on your awesome converter, I've heard it and use it, non believer once, jumped on the wagon and I'm staying.. All makes sense...
And the mbox3, really that your story.. wow..

I am curious since you seem to have ordained yourself as the defacto expert on all things conversion, what converter did you have BLA Mod?

Let me guess, I bet you that you are one of those reaper guys. Got yourself a Motu box, or better yet hanging onto that BLA modded 002/3 box?

[CeretoneAudio]

Originally Posted by robertshaw

well let me know how much better it is than your RME, shouldn't take much!
but I was doing the 'retail' math earlier.


UAD Processing w/ UAD Powered Plug-Ins = $400 for the cheapest UAD card
4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps = what is the cheapest decent mic pre you can buy? $200 a piece?
8 balanced line inputs? so what $25 ea for opamps and circuitry?
10 channels of digital I/O ? what's that worth? minimum? $500 even if they sound bad?

$400 - uad card
$800 - pres
$200 - line amps
$50 headphone amps
$500 - 10 channels of digital i/o
_________________________
$1950

hmmmmm
how is anyone making a profit on this?
and these numbers don't include that sleek package?, firewire?, thunderbolt?, drivers? and “Analog Classics” plug-in bundle????!!!

where are they cutting corners?...?

we'll find out?...?

how is Sweetwater going to make their usual 30% profit margin? should be interesting?

is $1999 introductory price maybe?

The pres will be IC based and therefore should not cost much more than the line inputs, definitely not 200 a piece and they are definitely not Class A discrete transformer balanced etc they are cheap IC pres,

The chips on the UAD card are worth about 20 bucks each so even for a quad its like 80 bucks max

etc

etc

but yeah i agree with you overall, this is a new way to sell plugins

[Lenzo]

Originally Posted by grassrootking

+100000000

And this coming from a longtime UAD user with a Quad and just about every plug they make! This is getting rather ridiculous with all of the speculation and no one has even heard it yet.

Yeah, this happens so much here...it's laughable really.
L.