Universal Audio Apollo Series Audio Interfaces

Apollo X Rack

The Universal Audio Apollo range is in its third generation, which introduced the Apollo X rackmount interfaces with a new dark “space grey” colour.

The UA Apollo x16, x8p and x8 and x6 are all rackmount interfaces designed to be an entire studio in a box. Each interface in this series varies slightly - with different amounts of I/O, Unison-enabled mic preamps, I/O, and UAD-2 DSP processing power.

18-in/20-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA x16 is an 18 x 20 audio interface is built for commercial studios. It features elite-class A/D and D/A conversion with the widest dynamic range and lowest signal-to-noise ratio of any audio interface on the market. It also includes HEXA Core plug-in processing, the ability to connect to professional studio gear with 16 x 16 analogue I/O via DB-25 connections and switchable +24 / +20 dBu headroom settings.

16-in/22-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA x8p is a 16 x 22 audio interface that’s designed for tracking larger projects with more mic inputs. It features elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, HEXA Core processing to run more UAD-powered plug-ins in real-time with 8 Unison-enabled mic/line preamps. It offers the ability to connect to pro-level studio gear with switchable +24 / +20 dBu headroom settings, integrated talkback and built-in cues for easy communication, along with 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs and 2 headphone outputs.

18-in/24-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA x8 is an 18 x 24 audio interface that features elite-class conversion with 129 dB D/A dynamic range, 4 Unison-enabled mic preamps, UAD HEXA Core plug-in processing and built-in Surround Sound monitoring. It offers the ability to connect to pro-level studio gear with switchable +24 / +20 dBu headroom settings, integrated talkback and built-in cues for easy communication, along with 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs and 2 headphone outputs.

16-in/22-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA x6 is a 16 x 22 audio interface that’s perfect for electronic music and post-production, featuring 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps, UAD HEXA Core plug-in processing, 5.1 Surround Sound monitoring, flexible digital I/O, 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs and 2 headphone outputs.

Apollo Desktop

UA Desktop Audio Interfaces are ideal for those who may not need as many I/O as the rackmount interfaces and want something that will easily fit on their desktop for home recording or mobile studios.

The Apollo desktop line has on-board UAD-2 DSP, letting you use UAD plug-ins on the move for recording & mixing. There are Thunderbolt 3 models that can be used with both Mac and PC, and USB models for Windows 7+ users. All Apollo desktop units have class-leading A/D & D/A conversion, Unison-enabled mic preamps and system integration with Apollo Rack units for future expansion.

12-in/18-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA x4 is a 12 x 18 audio interface that’s built for collaboration, featuring 4 Unison-enabled mic preamps, Elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, and UAD QUAD Core plug-in processing.

10-in/6-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA Twin X QUAD is a 10 x 6 audio interface with 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps and UAD QUAD core plug-in processing.

10-in/6-out Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA Twin X DUO is a 10 x 6 audio interface with 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps and UAD DUO core plug-in processing.

10-in/6-out Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface

The UA Twin MK II is a 10 x 6 audio interface that’s the global standard in professional desktop interfaces, with world-class A/D and D/A conversion, 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps and UAD DUO Core plug-in processing.

10-in/6-out USB Audio Interface

The UA Twin USB is a 10 x 6 audio interface that allows you to get classic Apollo sound on your Windows computer, featuring world-class A/D and D/A conversion, 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps, and UAD DUO Core plug-in processing.

2-in/4-out Bus-Powered Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The UA Solo is a 2 x 4 bus-powered audio interface that offers a portable studio full of classic gear, with class-leading A/D and D/A conversion, 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps, UAD SOLO Core plug-in processing.

2-in/4-out USB Audio Interface

The UA Solo USB is a 2 x 4 audio interface for Windows only, featuring class-leading A/D and D/A conversion, 2 Unison-enabled mic preamps, and UAD SOLO Core plug-in processing.

The Universal Audio Apollo Series offers world-class audio quality, aimed at professionals who need the very best gear. The Apollo range lets you create professional-sounding music productions, live streams, podcasts and more.

There are rackmount and desktop models available, so you can get the audio interface that suits your needs. All interfaces feature superior A/D and D/A conversion, onboard UAD plug-in processing for a range of authentic vintage sounds, mic preamp modeling powered by Unison technology, and lightning-fast Thunderbolt connectivity to Mac and PC for near zero-latency rock-solid performance.

UA are also renowned for their incredible build quality, sleek design and rugged metal construction. Apollo interfaces can be used in various scenarios day after day and they won’t let you down.

Unison-Powered Mic Preamp Emulations

With Universal Audio Apollo Audio Interfaces, you can easily add the rich, full sound of iconic mic preamps with authentic emulations from the likes of Neve, API, Helios, SSL, Manley, Fender, and many more.

For years, Universal Audio has set the bar in analogue modeling with the world’s most authentic software emulations of classic analogue hardware and vintage instruments, created in collaboration with some of the biggest brands in audio. The UA Apollo range lets you access the full award-winning UAD powered plug-in library of analogue style plug-ins running on their real-time UAD Processing. With a range of vintage reverbs, compressors, classic equalizers, tape machines and channel strips from well-known brands such as Ampex, Fender, Manley, API, Neve, SSL, Studer, Lexicon and more, all at near zero-latency.

SOLO, DUO, QUAD and HEXA Core Processing

SOLO, DUO, QUAD and HEXA refer to how many DSP processors there are in each interface - with SOLO having one chip, DUO two, QUAD four and HEXA having six chips. The more you have, the more plug-ins you can run at the same time. If you already have an Apollo interface and decide you want to add more DSP for mixing, you can add a UAD-2 Satellite unit to your rig. The Satellite will provide more power for mixing your tracks inside the DAW. If you need more power for recording live inputs with real-time UAD processing, it’s best to go big and add another Apollo interface.

UAD-2 Satellites come in either QUAD or OCTO core versions. You'll also find both Thunderbolt 3 and USB types, so both macOS and Windows users can access the wonderful UAD library.

You can stack up to six Satellites over Thunderbolt (48-core system), or add a pair to four Apollo interfaces (one desktop, three racks) for an incredibly powerful and professional system. On USB - you can use up to two USB Satellites, or pair one with an Apollo USB interface for mixing power expansion. UAD Satellites provide plug-in power for mixing and offline rendering but cannot be used in real time during recording like the Apollo UAD DSP - so think of them as a standalone turbo-boost for your computer when mixing.

High-Speed Connectivity For Mac and Windows

UA Audio Interfaces offer lightning-fast Thunderbolt connectivity — for near-zero low latency and the ability to join up to four units as your studio grows.

Apollo Heritage Edition

Universal Audio is known for being at the forefront of the interface and software market, with their boundary-pushing hardware and UAD plug-ins featuring on tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Tycho, Glass Animals, Finneas as well as countless other leading artists.

If you’re serious about your production, UA and their incredible UAD software is hard to beat. In addition to the fantastic “Realtime Analog Classics” suite - a plug-in package included with your Apollo features the powerful UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Teletronix LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp, Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp, Pultec EQs and more - the Apollo Heritage Editions boasts an additional set of premium plugins.

• Apollo Desktop units get an additional 5 plug-ins - Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, Pultec Passive EQ Collection, 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Pure Plate Reverb & UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection

• Apollo x4 & Rack units get an additional 10 plug-ins - Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ, V76 Preamplifier, Oxide Tape Recorder, Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler, Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection, Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection, Pultec Passive EQ Collection, 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, Pure Plate Reverb & UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection

With Heritage Edition versions of the Apollo range, UA is combining Apollo’s critically-acclaimed engineering (groundbreaking audio conversion quality, real-time UAD plugin processing and Unison preamp tech, which replicates the tone and feel of classic preamps & guitar amps) with an extended software bundle that makes the Apollo range better value than ever before.

A huge bonus of using Universal Audio interfaces is the ability to use plug-in emulations of legendary studio outboard gear, amplifiers and effects from icons such as SSL, Neve, Avalon, Fender, Marshall and countless others - you can have access to a world-class studio on your computer. You need a lot of under-the-hood power to be able to run UAD’s CPU-intensive plugins and the Apollo range has it in spades.

System Requirements - Thunderbolt:

Mac:

• Available Thunderbolt port

• macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, or 11 Big Sur

Note: FireWire connections are incompatible with macOS 11 Big Sur. First-generation Apollo (silver) models with a Thunderbolt Option Card installed can be used with Big Sur when connected via Thunderbolt.

Windows:

• Available Thunderbolt 3 port

• Windows 10 (64-Bit Edition)

• Qualified Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter* (sold separately)

*See the Apollo Thunderbolt Windows Compatibility article for details

All:

• Thunderbolt cable (sold separately)

• 6 gigabytes available storage

• Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins

• Compatible VST, Audio Units, RTAS, or AAX 64 plug-in host DAW software

• Quad-Core i7 or better processor recommended

Operating systems not listed above are untested. Although untested operating systems may work, they are not supported by Universal Audio. Prior UAD software for older operating systems and discontinued UAD products is available in the UAD software archives.

Pre-release and beta versions of operating systems are not supported.

2-in-1 systems (notebook/tablet) are not recommended.

System Requirements - Apollo Twin USB (Windows only):

• Windows 7, 8,.1, or 10 (64-Bit Editions)

• Available built-in USB3 SuperSpeed port

• Intel Core i3, Core i7 or Xeon processor

*See the Apollo USB Windows Compatibility article for details.