The Universal Audio Apollo is first to the plate with a thunderbolt interface, although it is an optional extra, they have managed not to make this just an audio interface, but actually combine it with UAD-2 Processing power which This really differentiates it from the likes of the RME UFX, which is pretty similally specced. The Universal Audio Apollo comes in Quad or Duo varieties, refering to the number of UAD-2 DSP processors onboard.It also comes with an “analog classics” (im quoting here, everyone knows analog should be spelt analouge)

The Interface is not just about thunderbolt though, it also has two firewire 800 connectors for connection to PC’s and older Macs.

Universal Audio are really gunning for the high end market with this, the converters are specced to 118dbA, and it features 4 digitally controlled analouge Mic Preamps (anyone else think this might be the That! 1570 /1571 chip combination?), as well as eight analogue io, ADAT and a pair of sp-dif connectors.

No pricing info has been released yet, but i would at least expect the cost of a RME UFX plus a UAD-2 card.

Anyway, here’s the details.

 

Universal Audio Apollo 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
• 32-bit and 64-bit device drivers

Microphone Preamplifiers

• Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps
• 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

Onboard UAD-2 Processing

• The Universal Audio Apollo DUO and QUAD models featuring two or four SHARC processors
• Realtime UAD Powered Plug-Ins 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
• Includes UAD Powered Plug-Ins “Analog Classics” bundle
• Complete UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins library is available online 24/7

Software

• The Universal Audio Apollo 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 the Universal Audio 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

 

Specifications

System

• I/O Complement
  • Microphone Inputs 4
  • High-Impedance Inputs 2
  • Analog Line Inputs 8
  • Analog Line Outputs 8
  • Analog Monitor Outputs 2 (1 stereo pair)
  • Headphone Outputs 2 stereo (independent mix buses)
  • ADAT Up to 8 channels via dual I/O ports with S/MUX
  • S/PDIF 1 stereo input, 1 stereo output
  • FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) Dual ports
  • Thunderbolt (via Option Card) Dual ports
  • Word Clock 1 input, 1 output
• A/D – D/A Conversion
  • Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192
  • A/D Bits Per Sample 24
  • Simultaneous A/D conversion 8 channels
  • Simultaneous D/A conversion 14 channels
  • Analog Round-Trip Latency 1.1 milliseconds @ 96 kHz sample rate
  • Analog Round-Trip Latency with four serial UAD-2 plug-ins via Console application 1.1 milliseconds @ 96 kHz sample rate

Analog I/O

• Microphone Inputs 1 – 4
• Jack Type XLR Female
• Phantom Power +48V, Switchable
• Dynamic Range 118 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –110 dB
• Hi–Z Inputs
  • Jack Type ¼” Male (Mono TS plug required)
  • Dynamic Range 117 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 117 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –103 dB
• Line Inputs 1 – 4
  • Jack Type ¼”Male TRS Balanced
  • Dynamic Range 117 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 117 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –107 dB
• Line Inputs 5 – 8
  • Jack Type ¼” Male TRS Balanced
  • Dynamic Range 117 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 117 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –107 d
• Line Outputs 1 – 8
  • Jack Type ¼” Male TRS Balanced
  • Dynamic Range 118 dB
  • Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –106 dB
• Monitor Outputs 1 – 2
  • Jack Type ¼” Male TRS Balanced
  • Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
  • Dynamic Range 115 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 114 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –103 dB
• Stereo Headphone Outputs 1 & 2
  • Jack Type ¼” Male TRS Stereo/Unbalanced
  • Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB
  • Dynamic Range 113 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio 113 dB
  • Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –101 dB

Digital I/O

• S/PDIF
  • Jack Type Phono (RCA)
  • Format IEC958
• ADAT
  • Jack Type Optical TOSLINK JIS F05
  • Format ADAT Digital “Lightpipe” with S/MUX
  • Channel Assignments @ 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 8, Port 2 = 1 – 8 (mirrored)
  • Channel Assignments @ 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 4, Port 2 = Channels 5 – 8
  • Channel Assignments @ 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz Port 1 = Channels 1 – 2, Port 2 = Channels 3 – 4
• Word Clock
  • Jack Type BNC
  • Lock Range ±0.5% of any supported sample rate
  • Word Clock Input Termination 75 Ohms, switchable
• Synchronization Sources
  • Internal, Word Clock, S/PDIF, ADAT

Electrical

• Power Supplies External AC to DC Power Supply Brick, Internal DC to DC Power Supply
• AC Connector Type IEC Male
• AC Requirements 100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
• DC Connector Type XLR 4-Pin Locking Male (Neutrik P/N NC4MDM3-H)
• DC Requirements 12 VDC, ±5%
• Maximum Power Consumption 6.5 amperes

Mechanical

• Dimensions
  • Width 19”
  • Height 1.75” (1U rack space)
  • Depth, Chassis Only 12.125”
  • Depth, Including Knob & Jack Protrusions 13.5”
  • Shipping Box (Width x Depth x Height) 24” x 17” x 8”
• Weight
  • Shipping Weight (with box & accessories) 18 pounds
  • Weight (bare unit) 9.1 pounds

The Universal Audio Apollo Homepage