Nick at Sonic State takes a look at the Universal Audio Apollo – a new Firewire audio interface that features real-time audio processing through powered plug-ins range from Universal Audio and partners.
The Apollo created a big buzz at NAMM – but does it live up to the hype?
Check out the video Apollo review and then let us know what you think!
its hard to wrap my head around futuristic space ship audio interfaces that run 9 million plugin instances when im having the most fun in awhile making beats on park benches with dinky ipad apps.
While I think that having fun is an essential part of music-making, I’m afraid you missed the point of this “futuristic space ship”.
The Apollo – and high end AD/DA converters, preams, etc. in general – are in no way directly connected to the fast, mobile beat-making you are refering to. They are professional tools for a studio environment, be it professional or semi-professional.
My point is: if you only want to make some music for the pure fun of it, you don’t necessarily have to wrap your head around such devices. But if you want to make a more professional approach towards audio engineering and audio recording, you will find these space ships very appealing 😉
i’m very happy to not be a “professional” and not to exist in your world. 🙂
I didn’t mean to be condescending. I’m sorry if you perceived it that way.
Again: making music should be fun. I was simply stating the purpose of such devices as the Apollo.
i would like to get my hands on that new intrfc im from South Africa wen it come out
I think its pretty incredible how far UAD has come. I remember buying my first UAD card back when Mackie was still distributing them and I hammered the hell of my UAD-1 before upgrading to a UAD-2 system last year. There is a lot of longevity in all of their products and can only imagine that the Apollo is no different.
I see the Apollo as a perfect marriage of an audio interface and DSP system for their plugin suite. Plus the ability to monitor live and to use it as a full on virtual mixing board via the interface is just fucking awesome. From what I’ve read on the UAD forums there seems to be a hinting of a possibility for a new Windows mobile solution that could be either be a windows friendly UAD Satellite version or a scaled down mobile friendly Apollo version. And being a musician on a budget, that would be most welcome.
Are there many synths for the Apollo?
Currently, the UAD platform exclusively features effects plugins. I once read about the possibility of an UAD synth plugin, but to be honest, I like the puristic focus: high-quality studio rack hardware simulated in a small box (in case of my Satellite).
am selling my soul for a UAD Apollo + sE Munro Egg combo… soon
This looks awesome! I hope they release a smaller version with less in-out hardware at a lower price-point or I will have a hard time getting the thumbs up from the wife.