Universal Audio Apollo interface

[Palaver]

Originally Posted by work2do

The firewire connection will not give you the same amount of dsp the pcie version of UAD2 will give you. You get less instances of plugs through firewire. More bandwidth on thunderbolt.



what if you have 2 sets of monitors. Can the control room output switch between both pairs?

You could sell one set of monitors?



I'm a 'one monitor type' guy. I can totally understand why someone would want multiple monitor outs, but for me, it's not necessary. You could always use a pair of balanced outs in tandem with the dedicated monitor outs if required. The balanced line outs also 'spec' better than the monitor D/As which I find kind of strange.

This is a setup I envision being totally awesome:

The UA Apollo into a Tonelux Tilt EQ, and a Radial Workhorse loaded with compressors. You'd then have a super high-end analog mixing/summing rig with 8 analog EQs, and 8 compressors.

This is why the 2 extra monitor outs are so nice. You can do super clean and portable setups.

Cheers,

PB

[Cody]

I've been waiting for an Ensemble 2 w/thunderbolt and more i/o, but this looks quite tempting. I don't use UAD, but this could be a step in the right direction for me...

[fantastic222]

Originally Posted by choukette

interesting idea frankly,

but it's also demonstrate how UAD dongle is limited too

True indeed. But even if I had to get rid of my Quad satellite in order to get a Duo Apollo, I'd still be a happy man. A Duo of DSP going in, and a Duo at mix?? I'll take it.

Originally Posted by Broken_English

Offline processing would seem to be the better option...

...to some people, maybe not for others. That's why I rhetorically asked if it depends on genre/style... What makes it the better option for you?

I'd rather get closer to what I hear in my mind before I press record. That's not to say I would print a vocal with the Lex 224 embedded in it, for instance, but if it means that myself and the artist(s) can hear a more defined picture going in, it's a win-win. Aside from that point, it seems that you can create an Aux bus within the Apollo console, which is cool if you wanna get some FX treatments in there that might need further tweaking at mix time.

[imaginaryday]

Originally Posted by bee

Subscribed.

bee, to subscribe you simply go to the top of the page and click on the "subscribe" drop window.

i really like the idea of using this for my band to perform live with the built-in effects.
kudos to universal audio!

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by 6strings

I don't understand why in the world anyone would track with plug-ins? Please explain this to me...

Why? People have tracked with hardware like the LA-2A, 3A, etc, and Neve pres using the EQ section forever....

[kreeper_6]

Originally Posted by choukette

in a world of indignation with 99 % of poor people it's perhaps time to think about them.

We already send them rice. Can't they take care of themselves for a change?

[6strings]

Originally Posted by Cody

I've been waiting for an Ensemble 2 w/thunderbolt and more i/o, but this looks quite tempting. I don't use UAD, but this could be a step in the right direction for me...

That's what I'm thinking... This is VERY tempting!

My only concern is reliable support in regards to the complexities of the DSP and interface drivers... Those of us with UAD cards know how long they can take to resolve (or not resolve) compatibility issues with various machines...

I'm in no hurry for a new interface, so I'll wait and see what RME, MOTU and Apogee offer in the coming months...

[6strings]

Originally Posted by oceantracks

Why? People have tracked with hardware like the LA-2A, 3A, etc, and Neve pres using the EQ section forever....

What is the advantage to committing the effect to tape, so-to-speak, versus being able to tweak the effect during mixdown? I mean, that's one reason you hear big-name mixers using UAD plugs more-and-more; because they can make changes after-the-fact.

Furthermore, hardware compressors and limiters happen before the signal hits the converters. Plug-ins happen afterwards, so you can't rely on them to prevent clipping, for example.

[Clonkified]

This looks really quite sweet and a great way to get into UAD without feeling like you have to buy a really expensive dongle (since first and foremost, this is an interface). Loving the fact that it has 2 headphone jacks with independent controls right there - very useful for me when tracking vocalists in my project studio. I have an Mbox 3 Pro right now, which is really fantastic in terms of features - only thing I don't see is a monitor / output select button which the Mbox has.

Given that the UAD2 Duo is $900 usually, this would seem like a great upgrade for me...definitely more enticing than the RME UFX if the quality holds up (converters, preamps, drivers).

I like that they've "futureproofed" it as well with TB.

[foldback]

Back in 2006 I graduated from a bunch of Motu audio conversion to a UA 2192, WOW, what a difference, the 2192 was like being reborn with young ears again.

That led me to a Protools rig with Apogee X converters which was also very sweet.

Divorce led to my studio mysteriously disappearing, never to be seen or recovered.....

and that led to an Apogee Duet

which led to my first Ensemble

which led to me auditioning A/B comparing a Symphony system with my Ensemble recorded tracks

which led to me buying another Ensemble for our newest broadcast studio in LA.

The Apollo looks like UA combined an Ensemble with their audio plugin platform. As to sound quality only time will tell. I like that they included a slot for Thunderbolt upgrade in the future, that will be fun to see how well it works.

Personally I hate having to run extra mixing consoles for monitoring. I like the way the Apogee interface is integrated into Logic. It's worked really well for us and the sound quality is up there with the best I've ever heard or used personally.

If the Apollo sounds as good as a 2192 then it's a fantastic deal.

[barryjohns]

With a unit like this, assuming it sounds great, and based on the 2192, we should believe it will, this will slow down sales of both PTHD Native, and cause those looking to buy used PTHD Cards. We already know that the plugin processing on the UAD cards is much great than that of the TDM cards, the ability to track through plugins (huge benefit for TDM users) and to use Thunderbolt for even better latency. I can't possible see how PTHD Native or better can beat this with the only exception of needing more I/O than 18 at a time.

If these can be chained along with other I/O devices in Mac OSX, then all I can say is WOW!

[PopularDemand]

Originally Posted by 6strings

What is the advantage to committing the effect to tape, so-to-speak, versus being able to tweak the effect during mixdown? I mean, that's one reason you hear big-name mixers using UAD plugs more-and-more; because they can make changes after-the-fact.

We routinely record thru autotune and guitar amp sims on TDM. Been like that in this industry for a very long time. Artists prefer to bend the autotune as the lay down their performance as an effect that just is not possible after the fact.

I never have, but many are printing thru plug-in dsp compressors on Metric Halo ULN, RME, Focusrite, Steinberg and of course TDM. The market for it is very big.

Originally Posted by barryjohns

With a unit like this, assuming it sounds great, and based on the 2192, we should believe it will, this will slow down sales of both PTHD Native, and cause those looking to buy used PTHD Cards.!

I don't see why. If you need TDM, you need TDM or HDX. I don't think they are going to give us multiple 2192 quality converters for that price. They should be good and clean though.

[ludvista29]

This in conjunction with the 4710D for extra mic pres would be SUPER cool.. for a middle of the road guy like myself!

[norbury brook]

looks interesting, i was however an early UAD-2 adopter after using UAD for many years with great results. After a whole year of it not working properly with Nuendo I eventually gave in and sold my lovely UAD-2. I still have the same UAD-1 card which still works great in x86 but it's sat in a drawer as I'm fully x64.

My antenna were tweaked again when I read ' windows and summer 2012' and 'no onboard firewire' my 816;s have run flawlessly on my on board gigabyte TI chipsets for years. Doesn't instill confidence based on my nightmare of UAD-1 to 2 transition.

It's a great concept and nice to see thunderbolt making an entry, i wonder when we'll see thunderbolt cards or native on windows MOBO's? unless Apple has done a deal with intel I see no reason why it won't be here soon.

MC

[spiral]

Coming from a bedroom studio perspective, this seems awesome: great pres and conversion in one little box.

Does anyone know how you control the levels of the 4 preamps? I see the preamp knob, but do you press it to select the preamp you want to change the gain on?

[kreeper_6]

"Sonnox becomes new UA Direct Development Partner"

"Rod Densham, Managing Director at Sonnox, had this to say, "We're excited that Universal Audio chose our award-winning mixing and mastering plug-ins to be added to their UAD-2 platform. We're impressed with commitment to the quality of the software available on their platform, and looking forward to including our best plug-ins on UAD-2 in the near future."

Any word on whether the Apollo acts like a UAD-2 card, as in, not just printing on the way in?

[DIGI ENT]

Just placed an order with Ryan M. @VintageKing. Was going to get the UFX, but this is more tempting.

[intolerance]

Originally Posted by spiral

Coming from a bedroom studio perspective, this seems awesome: great pres and conversion in one little box.

Does anyone know how you control the levels of the 4 preamps? I see the preamp knob, but do you press it to select the preamp you want to change the gain on?

'Digitally Controlled' analog preamps. Controlled via their console application and/or a multifunction physical knob on the front, selecting channels/function by pressing the knob...I would think.

I'm totally in love with the concept of this product. Kudos to UA for doing it right...again.

[BrandNew]

Originally Posted by barryjohns

With a unit like this, assuming it sounds great, and based on the 2192, we should believe it will, this will slow down sales of both PTHD Native, and cause those looking to buy used PTHD Cards. We already know that the plugin processing on the UAD cards is much great than that of the TDM cards, the ability to track through plugins (huge benefit for TDM users) and to use Thunderbolt for even better latency. I can't possible see how PTHD Native or better can beat this with the only exception of needing more I/O than 18 at a time.

If these can be chained along with other I/O devices in Mac OSX, then all I can say is WOW!

Obviously has not the same quality of 2192 converters.
Considering that Apollo has 8 A/D + 8 D/A + 4 preamps + 10 Digital I/Os + UAD Dsp's, for $1990.00 - and just the 2192 (2 A/D + 2 D/A) was $3500.00...

[spiral]

Originally Posted by intolerance

'Digitally Controlled' analog preamps. Controlled via their console application and/or a multifunction physical knob on the front, selecting channels/function by pressing the knob...I would think.

Thank you. I couldn't read the text under the knob in the photos but with that drawing i can: "push to select channel". Nice! So at the very least you can set gain levels w/ the hardware. Based on the buttons to the right you can toggle all the other normal preamp things too: pad, polarity, mic/line, phantom, & low cut. I dream of selling all my rack stuff now.

[barryjohns]

Originally Posted by PopularDemand

I don't see why. If you need TDM, you need TDM or HDX. I don't think they are going to give us multiple 2192 quality converters for that price. They should be good and clean though.

Don't agree with that. I have an HD system today, the only reason I use HD is so I can track with no latency at any point I want to through plugins. I don't use my TDM card for plugins for anything more than Aux channels or when I'm tracking. Its RTAS for everything else. TDM plugs get changed to RTAS after I'm done tracking.

I also never track more than 18 inputs at one time.

If this were available before I bought my TDM system, I would have gone this route, no question. Assuming of course that the conversation is on par with a 192. That is a big if at this point.

[kreeper_6]

I can already Print ADC'ed coming in using Presonus Studio One's input channels, the latency can he high but I can monitor coming in. This is something I've been hoping to see from UA for a long time, so if this reports latency, this it it.

Will the console be a plugin that reports latency so it is ADC'ed?

[lukejs]

Wow ! This apollo , and a fast macbook pro, and you're off to the races ! This has to be one of the best product ideas in history ! Packing so much dsp, low latency, and analog/digital options.... Great job Universal Audio !!!!!

[Johnkenn]

Well, it's "Steeped in history and poised for the future..." So, it's got that going for it.

[bishop666]

Thunderbolt capability is sold seperatly. You need a little add on card for the apollo later.
So pricing is for firewire 800 only atm.

[Johnkenn]

Originally Posted by bishop666

Thunderbolt capability is sold seperatly. You need a little add on card for the apollo later.
So pricing is for firewire 800 only atm.

Yeah - just saw that...Also, the Thunderbolt Mac is $2000 +

BTW - it has knobs from the 1176...does that mean it pinches the top end?

[Red Baron]

If Apollo converters have not same quality as 2192, UA should produce a new top ADDA converter unit.

[George Necola]

A lot of people will buy it.
Clever marketing, good pricing on the hardware, kiddies buying tons of plugins afterwards.

Very good. I will buy UA shares.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Gearslutz.com

[djmmjd]

Oh My God. This is EXACTLY what I want. Now one can only pray that the quality comes near Apogee or Lynx. Goodbye Mbox 3 Pro. Now I can finally use the power of my beastly I7 Imac (w/o T-bolt) and it actually has a FW800 interface so I don't have to use an adapter to drop down my Firewire bus to 400. And 8 analog outs. Finally, I can get a Dangerous D-Box and start analog summing in my f*ing product studio! I am mesmerized. The only thing I hope is that I don't get sucked down the rabbit hole of UAD plugins because I have used them at a friends studio and they are GOOD. But I already want too many of them. Finally a company steps up. Apple hasn't used FW400 in forever and now T-bolt is gonna take over. People won't even know what latency is in 10 years.

[miscend]

Originally Posted by 6strings

I don't understand why in the world anyone would track with plug-ins? Please explain this to me...

Defeats the whole purpose of plug-ins i.e. they are meant to be non-destructive.