I was waiting with bated breath for Hugh's review of the new UAD Apollo interface, the review is, of course, very detailed with lots of technical information.

But I'm not sure Hugh stated how it actually sounds!

I'm picking it probably sounds rather good, I couldn't see the usual 'preamps are a bit more colored than..... Cleaner than......... Converters were on a par with........

Personally, I'm running a DAV preamps into a Focusrite 428 then via ADAT into a MOTU 8pre, I'd be interested to know how the preamps and converters compare to this set up.

Maybe it's the Lagavulin getting in the way of my ability to read, so apologies if this is the case...... Hic!

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Can't find the article. Link?

It's in the iPad app version.

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

It sounds great! The preamps are very clean and neutral, probably not quite as large as the DAV or as warm as the focusrite, but definitely on a par as far as quality and resolution are concerned. Neutral and fast. Not quite as much gain on hand. Converters are better than the MOTU, although differences at this level are subtle anyway.

Tech specs are excellent and not far off the prism Orpheus. It's an impressive box with a unique feature set.

H

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Thanks Hugh, that sounds very positive. for a second I thought it might be one of those 'read between the lines' scenarios!

I'm thinking of moving to a portable rig and like the idea of having my UAD plug ins with me on location. this seems an ideal solution and I can largely fund it from selling my current MacPro and card.

Much appreciated.

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

i don't suppose UA let slip when the Windows 7 drivers will be available, Hugh?

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hourglass | random thoughts | doubledotdash!? collective

They seem fairly confident that the Windows drivers will be released 'in the summer' whatever that means...

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

How come New Zealand already has the June issue on iPad? It's not available on mine yet?
Do subscribers get it early or something as I've only just bought the May issue so far...

Sean

No, the June issue hasn't been released yet. There was an temporary anomaly that somehow allowed some regions to access the June ipad edition early.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Ah, thanks Hugh. Mystery solved. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on an exclusive party!

Sean

It's obvious, SoS has a time machine and is publishing in the future.
So it was a temporal SoS anomaly. Phew! A disruption in the spacetime continuum is nothing to worry about folks. Happens all the time.


Edited by Airfix (21/05/12 09:53 PM)

Glitch in the Matrix. Ssh.. nobody noticed.

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SOS Web Editor, Support & Social Media
Friend SOS on Facebook | Follow SOS on Twitter

Quote Jennifer Jones:

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Glitch in the Matrix. Ssh.. nobody noticed.

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I am the Matrix.......

I've just downloaded January 2037 edition......... Paul White's editorial is about musical zimmerframes, and Hugh's written a rather good review on the new UAD 'incontinence' plug in ........

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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...Hugh's written a rather good review on the new UAD 'incontinence' plug in ........

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But does it have a big bottom end?


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Quote Martin Walker:

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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...Hugh's written a rather good review on the new UAD 'incontinence' plug in ........

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But does it have a big bottom end?


Martin

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Yes it does, and of course you only ever use it as an insert!

Bob

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www.bickerton.co.nz

Quote Bob Bickerton:

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Quote Martin Walker:

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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...Hugh's written a rather good review on the new UAD 'incontinence' plug in ........

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But does it have a big bottom end?


Martin

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Yes it does, and of course you only ever use it as an insert!

Bob

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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Quote Martin Walker:

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Quote Bob Bickerton:

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...Hugh's written a rather good review on the new UAD 'incontinence' plug in ........

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But does it have a big bottom end?


Martin

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Yes it does, and of course you only ever use it as an insert!

Bob

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Martin

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YewTreeMagic

I waited for the printed copy since I like to hold the magazine! Did I miss something or was the reviewer being subtle? The Apollo is meant to provide a recording interface to a Mac laptop ostensibly at this point; however, the reviewer had to resort to a 12-core small refrigerator model Mac to get it working.

Would that not be in the category of 'not fit for the purpose intended'? Does the UA Apollo perform suitable with Mac laptops and which one's would be the questions. Assuming I've drawn the proper inferences from the 2nd page of the review, why is that 'feature' not under the "Cons".

Look forward to the magazine every month. Cheers.

You are quite right, most people would want to use the Apollo with a laptop. Unfortunately, the one MacBook that it is not compatible with the Apollo at all happened to be the one I had available! I believe Mr Sod had a rule about that kind of thing...

Given the very short timescale available to get it reviewed and into print the only quick fix option open to me was to plug it into the 12-core Mac monster at the studio of a good friend... which is what I did.

Since all the donkey DSP work is done in the Apollo itself, the power of the Mac isn't actually that relevant when assessing the performance of the interface, and I was assured (and have subsequently confirmed) this to be the case. FireWire speed is more relevant, but even that isn't a huge deal for most applications.

There are some compatibility issues between the Apollo and various MacBooks, and they are all detailed on the UAD website. Most issues are quite minor - several involving FireWire speeds.

Hugh

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Technical Editor, Sound On Sound

Thanks for the clarification