Universal Audio APLQF Overview
The Apollo FireWire from Universal Audio is an 18 x 24 computer audio interface that delivers the sound, feel and flow of analog recording. The interface combines high-resolution analog design with on-board UAD Processing, allowing music producers and performers to track audio through a range of classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins in real-time.
Designed to perform a central role in a modern Mac- or Window-based studio, the unit delivers 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, which ultimately translates into high-resolution analog audio, with low THD and high dynamic range. The interface features four premium Unison-enabled microphone preamps for tracking through preamp emulations from Neve, API, and Universal Audio. Each preamp offers switchable phantom power, 20dB pad, polarity inversion, and stereo link.
While the converters are open and transparent, the unit can quickly deliver a wide range of classic analog tones and color via its built-in UAD Processing. The on-board QUAD Core processing provides up to a sub-2 millisecond latency that allows for quickly monitoring, auditioning, and “printing” audio using classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.
Apollo’s Core Audio and ASIO drivers ensure compatibility with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, and more. The included Console application and companion Console Recall plug-in provide control and recall of all interface and UAD plug-in settings within the individual DAW sessions, for exact recall months or even years later.
The Apollo FireWire can be upgraded with the optional Thunderbolt 2 I/O option card, which lowers latency, reduces audio buffer size, improves performance, and offers greater UAD plug-in instances versus FireWire. Additionally, a total of four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices can be combined using the available Apollo Expanded software, allowing Thunderbolt users to expand their I/O and DSP as their studio grows. The Apollo FireWire ships with a power supply, a IEC power cord, a FireWire 800 cable, and four rack-mount screws.
- Audio Interface
- Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length
- 18 x 24 simultaneous input/output channels:
- Eight channels of analog-to-digital conversion via mic, line, or high-impedance inputs
- 14 channels of digital-to-analog conversion via:
- Eight mono line outputs
- Stereo monitor outputs
- Two stereo headphone outputs
- 10 channels of digital I/O via:
- Eight channels ADAT Optical I/O with S/MUX for high sample rates
- Two channels coaxial S/PDIF I/O with sample rate conversion
- Two FireWire 800 ports for daisy-chaining other FireWire devices
- Microphone Preamps
- Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps
- Unison technology for deep integration with UAD preamp and pedal plug-ins
- Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters
- Switchable low cut filter, 48V phantom power, 20 dB pad, polarity inversion, and stereo linking
- Monitoring
- Stereo monitor outputs (independent of eight line outputs)
- Digitally-controlled analog monitor outputs maintains highest fidelity
- Front panel control of monitor levels and muting
- Two stereo headphone outputs with independent mix buses
- Independent front panel analog volume controls for headphone outputs
- Front panel pre-fader metering of monitor bus levels
- S/PDIF outputs can be set to mirror the monitor outputs
- Processing
- QUAD model featuring four SHARC processors
- Realtime UAD Processing on all of Apollo’s analog and digital inputs
- Same features and functionality as other UAD-2 products when used with DAW
- Can be combined with other UAD-2 devices for increased mixing DSP
- Complete UAD Powered Plug-Ins library is available online
- Software
- Console application:
- Enables Realtime UAD Powered Plug-Ins processing
- DSP mixer for realtime monitoring and tracking
- Remote control of all Apollo features and functionality
- Console Recall plug-in:
- Saves Apollo configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall
- Enables control of all front panel parameters from within the DAW
- VST, RTAS, and Audio Units plug-in formats
- UAD Meter & Control Panel application:
- Configures global UAD-2 and Powered Plug-Ins settings and monitors system usage
- Console application:
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