Universal Audio Apollo Twin DUO with Realtime UAD Processing
High-resolution desktop recording interface for use with Mac computers with onboard, realtime plug-in processing.
Apollo Twin reinvents desktop recording by delivering legendary analog studio sound, feel, and flow to music creators everywhere. This 2×6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac combines the same impeccable 24/192 kHz audio conversion of Universal Audio’s acclaimed Apollo series with onboard Realtime UAD SOLO or DUO Processing. So you can record your music in real time (at near-zero latency) through the full range of UAD plug-ins — from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, API and more* — putting racks of vintage EQs, compressors, tape machines, reverbs, and guitar amps at your fingertips.
A Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo Twin’s Unison technology gives you the tone of the world’s most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors. Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, Unison lets you record through stunning emulations like the bundled UA 610-B Tube Preamp plug-in.
Apollo Twin’s smart feature set includes two class-leading mic/line preamps, two analog line outputs, two digitally controlled analog monitor outputs for full resolution at all listening levels, and up to eight additional channels of digital input via Optical connection. The Twin’s onboard UAD SOLO or DUO Processing lets you use UAD plug-ins both during realtime tracking and for mixing within Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live and more.
With its ergonomic desktop design, rugged aluminum construction, and front panel headphone and instrument connections, Apollo Twin has all the right tools, all in the right place.
Hover over features below to learn more
Digital Conversion to Back It Up
Just like the original Apollo and Apollo 16, the Apollo Twin is designed first and foremost for impeccable, class-leading sound. The mic/line inputs employ top-of-the-line components for rich and vibrant sound with ultra-low noise: Burr-Brown PGA2500 preamps and JFET DIs for the instrument inputs. Compared to any audio interface, the Apollo Twin is outstanding, with an incredibly wide dynamic range (118dB) and amazingly low distortion and noise (-112dB).
Capture the Sound of Legendary
Preamps with Unison Technology
The Apollo Twin’s Unison preamp technology goes so far beyond traditional software modeling and emulations that it’s really in a category all its own. In essence, Unison is a bi-directional communication between the Apollo Twin’s mic preamp and a Unison-capable plug-in, such as the included 610-B plug-in that re-creates the sound of UA’s classic LA-610 preamp.
The plug-in actually adjusts the preamp circuit itself, including parameters such as impedance, analog gain structure, and much more. When you adjust the Apollo Twin’s preamp gain knob and physical controls, the plug-in adjusts the preamp’s behavior to match the target preamp. So you’re not simply filtering your audio to approximate the character of a famous preamp — your microphone is now interacting with the Apollo Twin’s input the same way it would behave with the “modeled” preamplifier.
UAD plug-ins astounded the recording world with their incredible ability to sound like analog processors, eliminating the need for large racks of gear in the studio. Unison preamp technology will do the same thing for your mic inputs, eliminating the need to collect and maintain expensive hardware preamps just for sonic variety.
Thunderbolt Gives You Ultra-low
Latency and Unrivaled Bandwidth
The next generation of connectivity, Thunderbolt gives you the speed and ultra-fast performance of a PCI Express system — but with the convenience of a single cable! Apollo Twin’s Thunderbolt connection lets you run projects with high track counts at incredibly low latency. In fact, you can even record through UAD plug-ins in real time with less than 2ms latency!
UAD-2 Power
Built In!
There are times when your computer just doesn’t have the power and speed to run all the plug-ins your recording session needs. With UAD Powered Plug-ins, the processing load is taken outside of the computer and borne by UAD’s super-powerful Analog Devices SHARC processors. Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin interface has these SHARC processors built in and is available in SOLO (one SHARC) or DUO (two SHARCs) configurations.
Digitally Controlled Analog
Monitor Outputs — This Is Huge!
Engineers prefer 24-bit audio because of its exceptional dynamic range, which is crucial for capturing the best audio possible. But did you know that you may not even be hearing your audio at its full 24-bit potential? Many audio interfaces have a volume control that reduces the bit depth as you lower the volume. So unless you’re listening at max volume level, you’re not really hearing your mix as you should be. The Apollo Twin sports digitally controlled analog monitor outputs, where your audio passes through at its full resolution and is attenuated in the analog realm. Even at low volume levels, Apollo Twin lets you accurately determine if your mix has the punch, impact, and detail that it needs.
Smart I/O Selection
for a Desktop Interface
For smaller studios and mobile producers, the Apollo Twin zeros in on what you need for productive sessions. You’ve got a pair of Unison mic/line inputs with Burr-Brown PGA2500 preamps, which sound detailed and transparent. If you need more inputs, an optical input lets you add up to eight more inputs via ADAT. Four analog outputs and a high-quality headphone output give you enough outputs for most small tracking sessions.
It’s just the right setup for producers on the go, for engineers that need to mix with powerful UAD plug-ins outside of their studio, and even for DJs that want the best possible live sound they can get. If you’re not sure how you would integrate the Apollo Twin into your existing setup, just give us a call!
Sample Setups
Tracking
By adding an 8-channel mic preamp with ADAT out, the Apollo Twin can record 10 tracks simultaneously even while tracking through UAD Powered Plug-ins with ultra-low latency.
Mixing/Mastering
Thanks to the analog sound of UAD Powered Plug-ins, you can get world-class results mixing and mastering with just your Apollo Twin and your DAW. Outputs 3 and 4 let you integrate your favorite hardware processors too while monitoring your mix from the main outputs.
Live Performance/DJ
If you perform electronic music live, your mixes will sound bigger and fatter when you use the Apollo Twin as your live interface. You have two inputs you could use for mics or synthesizers, four outputs to send to the PA system, and the ability to run your mix through awesome UAD Powered Plug-ins.
Bridging the Gap Between Your UAD-equipped Studio and Everywhere Else
If you mix with UAD plug-ins in your studio, but also like to record and mix outside your studio, the Apollo Twin is the missing link you’ve been waiting for. With just your laptop and the Apollo Twin, you can easily take powerful UAD processing anywhere you go.
And the live sound possibilities are awesome: use the Apollo Twin as a real-time processor for your bass or guitar, and take your studio sound onstage. If you’re an electronic music producer that also DJs, using the Apollo Twin as your live performance interface will give you huge, detailed sound that will make other DJs jealous.
So while the Apollo Twin is a great entry point for the new UAD users, it’s also the perfect way to take your existing UAD-powered projects on the road.
With best-in-class audio quality, real-time UAD plug-in processing, and truly amazing Unison mic preamp technology, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin will change the way you look at recording on your Mac. Based on the exact same award-winning technology found in UA’s Apollo rackmount interfaces, the Apollo Twin gives you incredible recording and mixing capabilities in a format that’s perfect for smaller studios, mobile mixing, and live performance. Whether you want a serious upgrade in audio interface quality or have been eager to jump into the world of UAD Powered Plug-ins, the Apollo Twin is an outstanding solution.
Features
UAD-2 DUO DSP Processing onboard
- Desktop 2×6 Thunderbolt Mac audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
- Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through vintage-style plug-ins with near-zero latency*
- High-bandwidth Thunderbolt connection to modern Macs
- 2 premium mic/line preamps; 2 line outputs; front-panel Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output
- 2 digitally controlled analog monitor outputs for full resolution at all listening levels
- Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical connection
- Uncompromising analog design, superior components, and premium build quality
- Includes “Realtime Analog Classics” UAD plug-in bundle, featuring Legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, and more
- Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via Audio Units, VST, RTAS & AAX 64 in all major DAWs
- Thunderbolt cable sold separately
System Requirements
The host computer system must meet or exceed these requirements to use Apollo Twin
Apple Mac computer with available Thunderbolt port
Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks
Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins
Compatible VST, Audio Units, RTAS, or AAX 64 plug-in host application software
2 gigabytes available disk space
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