Apollo Twin DSP audio interface by Universal Audio
The Apollo Twin is a two-in, six-out desktop recording interface for Mac computers with Thunderbolt connectivity, that combines the same 24-bit, 192kHz audio conversion of its predecessors with UAD Solo or Duo processing. The Apollo Twin is the third interface in the Apollo series, putting the power of UAD processing into an audio interface, allowing a plethora of high-quality UAD plug-ins to be run in recording and monitoring paths at low latencies (in the region of 2ms).
There’s something a bit different about the preamps in the Apollo Twin. They use a new system called Unison Preamp Technology which combines digitally-controlled analogue preamps with real-time plug-in processing to emulate a range of preamps and their interactions with microphones. The 610B Tube Mic preamp plug-in communicates with the physical preamp to adjust impedance, gain structure and behaviour, depending on which emulation is selected. The same technology is also set to roll out across the rest of the Apollo range soon. We’ve seen similar preamp emulation technology from Focusrite in their Liquid Channel, but this was some time ago, and it will be interesting to see whether UA have improved upon the concept.
Clearly aimed at smaller project and home studios, the Apollo Twin has two mic/line preamps using Unison technology, a high-impedance instrument input, a headphone output, two digitally controlled monitor outputs and a further two line outputs. For users who want to tackle bigger sessions from time to time, there are also up to eight additional input channels available via an ADAT lightpipe input, which doubles as a two-channel S/PDIF input.
The new DSP audio interface ships with the Realtime Analogue Classics bundle, featuring emulations of studio workhorses such as the LA-2A, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and the Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer. For guitarists, there’s also Softube’s Amp Room Essentials, a flexible amp modelling plug-in. These plug-ins aren’t just for use when tracking, they can also be used as UAD powered plug-ins in a DAW. Audio Units, VST, RTAS and AAX 64 versions are supplied ensuring compatibility with all major recording software and all versions have been tested with both OS X Mountain Lion and Mavericks.
At $699£729 for the interface with UAD Solo processing, or $899£929 for the Duo, the Apollo Twin is rather an intriguing prospect. The Apollo Twin is set to ship early in 2014.
