Technical Specifications:
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD is an industry-leading 10-in/6-out Thunderbolt interface for both Windows and Mac, which boasts many of the same specifications as its esteemed larger siblings. An updated version of the Apollo Twin, itself still a popular classic among mobile interfaces, the Apollo Twin X QUAD sports Unison-enabled preamps, elite-class 24bit/96kHz converters with dual-crystal clocking technology and, in this model, QUAD Core UAD processing, powered by four SHARC DSP chips – enough power to run multiple instances of the famed UAD plugins to run at zero CPU cost. Importantly, the Apollo Twin X QUAD can be cascaded with other units, providing an excellent foundation for evolving mobile setups. The Real Time Analog Classics Plus collection of Core UAD plugins as well as the Luna DAW software environment (Mac only) are included, providing immediate access to the privileged world of UAD-powered music production.
UAD plugins are renowned worldwide for their remarquable realism and pioneering technology. Unison technology allows the Apollo Apollo Twin X QUAD's two preamps to seamlessly blend into this environment by subtly modifying their dynamic response depending on which preamp emulation is being used, adding a further layer of realism when recording in real time through the legendary mic preamp emulations. The "Realtime Analog Classics Bundle" provides numerous meticulously crafted classics, including the UA 610-B classic preamp, Marshall's Plexi Classic Amplifier, Ampeg's SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp, and a selection of popular dynamic processors and EQs such as the Teletronix LA-2A and the Pultec EQP-1A. Multiple instances of these plugins can be run latency-free and at zero CPU load via UA's "Console" software, during both the recording and the mixing phases of a project, in DAW environments such as Cubase, Logic, Live, and Pro Tools.
Though compact in size, the Apollo Twin X QUAD is fitted with plenty of inputs and outputs, including two DSP-integrated Unison preamps, an optical ADAT input, four analogue line-outs, a high impedance input, and finally a professional-grade headphone amp – which should satisfy even the most demanding musicians and producers. When not on the road, the Apollo Twin X QUAD can easily be cascaded with other units and seamlessly become part of a much larger system, including up to four Apollo interfaces and six units in total - including UAD2 Satellite units (which provide extra DSP power via Thunderbolt, PCIe, USB, and FireWire). Many setups and configurations are thus possible, whether mobile or in a studio, and can evolve accordingly.
Few manufacturers can draw upon a wealth of audio engineering experience comparable to that of Universal Audio. The company's founding father Bill Putnam, along with his friend Les Paul, have an admirable reputation as trend-setting music producers and developers of legendary analogue studio technology. Putnam recorded Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Sarah Vaughan, and was Duke Ellington's favourite sound engineer. He developed the famous 1176 Peak Limiter and distributed the Teletronix LA-2A level amplifier. This earned him a posthumous "Technical Grammy Award" in 2000. In 1999, Putnam's sons, Bill Putnam Jr. and James Putnam, re-founded Universal Audio, transferring their father's analogue vision and craftsmanship to the digital music world. Their product range includes audio interfaces, dedicated DSP farms, and a variety of plugins, as well as analogue hardware devices.
The Apollo Twin X is held in high regard worldwide by the most demanding singer-songwriters, electronic music creators, and stage musicians, whether self-producing or in a wider context. A great variety of studio setups are possible depending on configuration, ranging from post-production, where few inputs and preamps are required, to full-fledged recording and mixing setups (up to 142 channels!) - all with "album-ready" Core UAD sound quality – including legendary Neve or SSL channel strip emulations, vintage compressors and effects units, classic guitar and bass amps, and more.
The new Apollo Heritage Editions deliver a premium software suite of five award-winning UAD plugins, including the full Collections of Teletronix, Pultec, and Universal Audio, as well as the Pure Plate Reverb, which will augment and update the already impressive Realtime Analog Classics Bundle to their latest and expanded versions. The UA 1176, Teletronix LA-2A, EQP-1A, and the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection are thus fully included. For those who already own one or more of the plugins of the Heritage Edition, there are plenty of alternates available on the website, which can be chosen from instead during the registration process.
Each Apollo interface contains one or more SHARC DSP chips which run the Console mixing software as well as the Core UAD plugins. Depending on their complexity, plugins require varying degrees of computational resources, represented by a percentage of a DSP processing power (between one and sixty percent). A small percentage of DSP resources are also allocated to the internal operations of the interface, which include signal processing, routing and running the Console utility. The number of SHARC DSPs present in a Universal Audio device is one in a SOLO device, two in a DUO, four in a QUAD, six in a HEXA, and eight in an OCTO device.