Jan 20, 2012 7:31 PM

Universal Audio (UA) announces Apollo, a recording system that is compatible with Mac OS 10.6 and 10.7; Windows 7 support is coming in summer 2012. Apollo allows users to track through UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time, via a professional 18x24 audio interface for FireWire/Thunderbolt that delivers 24-bit/192kHz sound quality.

Apollo is a high-resolution audio interface featuring premium mic preamps and top-end converters to deliver low THD and high dynamic range. Its Core Audio and ASIO drivers promise compatibility with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more. Moreover, Apollo’s Console application and companion Console Recall plug-in (VST/AU/RTAS) provide control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings within individual DAW sessions, including months and years later.

Apollo offers onboard UAD-2 DSP Acceleration, which allows for recording through UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins—with nearly instant sub-2ms latency—so that music producers can quickly monitor, audition, and “print” audio using a wide range of popular analog emulation plug-ins from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more. The onboard UAD-2 processors are also available for mixing and mastering, offloading processing from the host computer.

Notably, Apollo offers compatibility with Intel’s new Thunderbolt technology, as found on the newest iMacs, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs. Available via a user-installable Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately), Thunderbolt provides lower latency, reduced audio buffer size, improved performance at high sample rates, and greater UAD plug-in instances versus FireWire.

Apollo is said to incorporate numerous design hallmarks from classic UA analog gear, including fast, easy workflow. Dedicated front-panel controls are present for all the most common features, including preamp gain, channel selection, mic pad, +48-volt phantom power, low cut, monitor level, and dual headphone controls.

Apollo’s connectivity includes four digitally controlled analog mic preamps, eight balanced line inputs and outputs, dual front panel JFET DIs, digitally controlled analog monitor outputs, eight channels of ADAT, two channels of S/PDIF, word clock I/O, FireWire 800 (standard), and a Thunderbolt expansion bay.

The Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface will be available in both Duo Core and Quad Core processing formats (with either two or four Analog Devices SHARC processors, respectively).

Universal Audio states that it will ship Apollo in the first quarter of 2012, with an estimated street price of $1,999 (Duo processing model) and $2,499 (Quad processing model). Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card will ship in the first half of 2012, with an estimated street price of $499.

Individual UAD Powered Plug-In titles are sold separately at www.uaudio.com/store.

Learn more about Universal Audio Apollo.

Learn more about the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.