Universal Audio has introduced the Apollo x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface.
With A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from the Apollo X rackmount interfaces, four Unison-enabled mic preamps, and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for Mac and Windows, the Apollo x4 is what Universal Audio calls “the world’s most advanced desktop audio interface.”
The 12 x 18 Thunderbolt 3 desktop interface features dual front-panel Hi-Z inputs and four mic preamps with 127 dB dynamic range, plus Realtime UAD Processing via built-in UAD-2 QUAD Core DSP — letting you track and mix with the full library of UAD Powered Plug-Ins with near-zero latency.
Unison technology gives Apollo x4 mic preamps the exact impedance characteristics, gain stage “sweet spots”, and unique circuit behaviors of some of the world’s most sought-after tube and solid state preamps, guitar amps, and stompboxes — including emulations from API, Neve, Manley, SSL, UA and more.
Features:
- Flagship 12 x 18 Thunderbolt 3 desktop audio interface for Mac and Windows
- A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from acclaimed Apollo X rackmount interfaces
- 4 Unison mic/line preamps offering models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps and guitar amps
- UAD-2 QUAD Core Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins with near-zero latency
- 2 front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs and 2 independent headphone outputs
- Built-in talkback mic for communication with studio talent and recording slate cues
- Includes monitor remote functions and Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controls
- Up to 8 channels of additional digital I/O via Optical ADAT/SPDIF input and output
- Includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus UAD plug-in bundle featuring the Teletronix LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild 670 compressors, plus Pultec EQs, UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more
See the Universal Audio site for details.
Universal Audio has also introduced the Apollo Twin X, now shipping and available in stores worldwide.
Available in UAD DUO or QUAD Core formats for running UAD plug-ins in real time, this 10 x 6 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface provides 127 dB dynamic range.
Apollo Twin X also features dual Unison-enabled mic preamps and a front-panel Hi-Z instrument input. Unison technology gives Apollo Twin X users the impedance characteristics, gain stage “sweet spots”, and unique circuit behaviors of some the world’s most sought-after tube and solid state preamps, guitar amps, and stompboxes — including authentic emulations from API, Neve, Fender, Manley, SSL, Helios, UA and more.
Features:
- 10 x 6 Thunderbolt 3 desktop audio interface for Mac and Windows
- A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from acclaimed Apollo X rackmount interfaces
- 2 Unison mic preamps offer models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps and guitar amps
- UAD DUO or QUAD Core Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins with near-zero latency
- Front-panel Unison-enabled Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output
- Built-in talkback mic for communication with studio talent and recording slate cues
- Improved monitor functionality including monitor remote functions and Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controls
- Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical ADAT or S/PDIF
- Includes the Realtime Analog Classics UAD plug-in bundle featuring the Teletronix LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec EQs, UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more
- Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via VST, RTAS, and AAX 64 in all major DAWs
For more information on the Apollo Twin X, see the UA site.
Builds “The World’s Most Advanced Desktop Audio Interface”. Still doesn’t include MIDI.
why would you want midi plugs on your audio interface? i think you’re looking for MOTU products..
Motu products are not compatible with UAD interface console. Why would you not want a midi i/o to use together with your UAD interface as controller?
you want midi so you can sync to your Mother32 or other synths … and then run the audio back into your interfaces. VSTs still don’t sound as good as analog synths/
Yeah and with only 6 actual hardware analog in’s I’d hardly call this ‘the most advanced desktop audio interface’. My RME ucx wins by a mile.
UA builds “The World’s Most Advanced Desktop Audio Interface”. Still doesn’t include MIDI.
The UAD console needs MIDI implementation. Imagine the performance benefits of controlling UAD plug-ins with MIDI via Ableton, sequencers, and controllers.
its interesting the midi port removal in modern music devices. Don´t know the reason . I suppose usb is “the new midi port” replacing the old 5 pin. And i suppose uad developers think that you can buy a cheap midi interface for only 20-30 bucks. don´t know. In my opinion a fundamental part in any sound card must be a midi in/out port. I
It’s an audio interface, why y’all crying for midi? Dedicated midi interfaces are a dime a dozen, most modern instruments do midi via USB anyway and many controllers and master keyboards offer midi as well. I don’t see why we would need another midi jack on an audio interface.
Then you missed the comments above 🙂
I don’t understand the idea of leaving out the option. I hope they remember to implement it in their next interface 🙂
Me neither, why would you want to add yet another box to your clutterfir something as simple as midi.
> I don’t see why
Reasonable comment.
For an interface that does nothing but forward and receive audio without processing your comment makes sense.
Most modern interfaces including this have integrated effects, and sometimes work in standalone mode as mixer, multitrack recorder, and effect devices. Not sure about whether this works standalone or does mixing and recording, hence my skepticism that it’s the “world’s most advanced” device. but it does seem to self host plugin effects and not just ones included at the factory. I’m not sure from the ad copy if that’s the case, but if so: well done!
Effects and mixers need automation through MIDI control. I absolutely require 14 bit volume and 7 bit pan automation, 14 bit EQ frequency automation, 7 bit resonance, in any digital device. Sure maybe you or others don’t need that but I do. Just because you don’t need something doesn’t mean others don’t. This is the source of much conflict. I absolutely require automation of nearly all mix and effects parameters in my work. Devices that don’t support this are deficient. It’s totally OK if others don’t do this, but they shouldn’t try to ruin my life by claiming such capabilities are unnecessary for everyone just because they don’t want them. It’s like people complaining about space exploration because they themselves live as simplistic agrarians without electricity and therefore think everyone else should do the same. The idea that one knows best and everyone else should do the same is the philosophy that has lead to more wars and genocide than any other.
I think we are talking about two different subjects here. I am talking about the lack of physical midi inputs/outputs on UA audio interfaces (which I think is fine as there are better options for midi available anyway) You seem to talk about missing midi automation of UA plugins. I do not quite understand your issue though. Can’t you automate UA plugins within your DAW like any other kind of plugin?
“which I think is fine as there are better options for midi available anyway” < I don’t understand this, why leave out the option and force the other end-users to have two separate boxes taking more desk space?
An example:
Midi-in would be useful for Vocoder plugins.
I would be impressed if it had a solution for stable midi clock out.
Wish I could spend $1800 on an audio interface.