It’s called ‘LUNA’ and it is Universal Audio’s next version of ‘Console’.
The included software is a seriously impressive, fully-featured DAW. This is something most desktop interfaces lack and will be invaluable for those working with other musicians! This model also includes a ‘talkback’ function, giving you a built-in microphone for communication and recording through your monitors in your live room. This lets you have a lot more plugins running at the same time and more processing means you can utilize more CPU taxing plugins. This unit is also available with a 4x Core DSP option which is the “Quad” version. The DSP in this unit is the ‘UAD2’ DSP and you get 2 of them (hence ‘Duo’). You get the Realtime Analog Classic Bundle, eight additional inputs using the ‘ADAT Optical’ expansion, six output channels, stereo headphone outputs and line outputs 3 & 4.īut there are also a few differences. The Apollo Twin MKII is very similar to the Twin USB model.
Unfortunately, the Apollo Twin USB is only compatible with Windows due to the type of USB 3 card. This unit has six output channels of digital-to-analog conversion via digitally controlled stereo monitor outputs, stereo headphone outputs and line outputs 3 & 4. You can also add eight additional inputs using the devices ‘ADAT Optical’ in. You will also get the ‘Realtime Analog Classic Bundle’ with legendary compressors like the Teletronix LA-2A and EQs like the Pultec EQP-1A, stunning guitar and bass amp emulations from Softube, as well as UA’s landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in. The levels for these can be adjusted either on the interface itself or in the software ‘Console’. This device has fantastic quality A/D converters and also features extra outputs for monitoring. It has a -20dB pad, Ø reverse and can link stereo inputs. USB 3 delivers up to 5Gb/s which is more than enough for multitrack recording and as the plugin processing is done onboard with its two (Duo) SHARC DSP processors, you can still get ‘near zero’ latency when using the ‘UAD’ plugins.Īs mentioned, there are two mic / line combo inputs and a Hi-Z input for direct guitar or bass. It’s also the only USB device in this article as it was released in 2014, however it’s still a fantastic unit. As the name suggests, it’s a USB 3 device.
The first in the Apollo Twin Series is the Apollo Twin USB. Just plug the interface in, load up the software, and jam away. Universal Audio devices come with a large collection of these plugins so you can work with them straight out of the box. This also allows you to add extra processing to the input before the sound hits your DAW, with special guitar sims, compressors and EQs based off vintage circuitry. These plugins are exclusive to UAD and can’t be used without a UAD device! Universal Audio are well known for their DSP technology which allows users to run special high end analog emulation plugins with near zero latency.
Although they are designed to be used with the Universal Audio software, they are compatible with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live. The Apollo Twin series consists ofĪll of these devices can record up to 192kHz at 24 bits per sample. The Apollo Twin series currently has three main models to the Arrow’s single model. These products are similar in size and almost similar in functionality. In the market now are the Universal Audio Apollo Twin series and the new Universal Audio Arrow. Universal Audio have provided ingenuity and great design to bring you high sample rate, fantastic A/D converters and iconic preamp emulation all with UAD’s ‘Near Zero Latency’ technology. Now they have started to include this technology in their desktop interface range making them incredible in terms of quality, functionality and portability.Īll the devices featured in this article are excellent units. Universal Audio’s studio rack audio interfaces are considered top of the range. If cost is your main concern then we’d suggest looking at the Arrow, however if you can afford a little more and are really focussing on audio quality then the Twin X is for you. Whilst the Arrow is more affordable – its quality processors, converters and compatibility make for fantastic value.īut it really comes down to my particular needs, and of course, everyone is different. The spectacular converters and other features of the Twin X give you the best quality and great usability for the cost. Apollo Twin vs Arrow: Who Wins?įor me, if I have to choose a UAD interface, it’s a tie between the Arrow and the Apollo Twin X. It’s easily one of the best Thunderbolt audio interfaces out there, and an affordable way to get your hands on the classic UAD sound.Īlready well known for their Apollo series, UAD recently introduced the Arrow line which is similar, but different enough to warrant comparison. Universal Audio has set a lot of standards over the years, and their Arrow interface continues this tradition.