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February 22, 2024
Universal Audio Apollo Twin:
Desktop-Size Interface -- Huge Studio Sound!
Universal Audio's Apollo Twin mkII audio interface puts UAD-2 processing power on your desktop -- along with two mic preamps and all the I/O you need to track and mix with your DAW. What's more, this interface offers Universal Audio's Unison technology for mic preamp emulation, so you get sweet analog-modeled sound even before your signal hits the Apollo Twin mkII's high-end 192 kHz/24-bit converters.
In addition to the studio-quality preamps and I/O, the Apollo Twin gives you access to Universal Audio's UAD-2 plug-in library -- some of the most sought-after plug-ins in the world, relied upon by top recording professionals every day. Powered by SHARC chips, the Twin mkII's dedicated DSP lets you run guitar amplifier simulators, EQs, compressors and more, all without adding any latency, or bogging down your computer.
Need an interface? Need access to Universal Audio's unmatched plug-in library? Look no further -- the Apollo Twin mkII is the culmination of over 50 years of research and development, and puts the power of the world's most sought-after recording gear on your desk.
The second-generation Apollo Twin mkII adds upgraded A/D and D/A conversion, a built-in talkback mic, and monitor functionality with Mute/Dim/Mono/Alt speaker switching, making it the perfect desktop control center for your studio. Grab a Thunderbolt 2 cable and daisy-chain to your rackmount Apollo interfaces to build a massive recording rig up to 64 channels!
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin mkII is available as a Thunderbolt 2 interface for Mac, and as a USB interface for Windows. The Twin X interfaces connect via Thunderbolt 3 for Mac or PC.
Shop all Apollo Twin interfaces »
In addition to the studio-quality preamps and I/O, the Apollo Twin gives you access to Universal Audio's UAD-2 plug-in library -- some of the most sought-after plug-ins in the world, relied upon by top recording professionals every day. Powered by SHARC chips, the Twin mkII's dedicated DSP lets you run guitar amplifier simulators, EQs, compressors and more, all without adding any latency, or bogging down your computer.
Need an interface? Need access to Universal Audio's unmatched plug-in library? Look no further -- the Apollo Twin mkII is the culmination of over 50 years of research and development, and puts the power of the world's most sought-after recording gear on your desk.
The second-generation Apollo Twin mkII adds upgraded A/D and D/A conversion, a built-in talkback mic, and monitor functionality with Mute/Dim/Mono/Alt speaker switching, making it the perfect desktop control center for your studio. Grab a Thunderbolt 2 cable and daisy-chain to your rackmount Apollo interfaces to build a massive recording rig up to 64 channels!
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin mkII is available as a Thunderbolt 2 interface for Mac, and as a USB interface for Windows. The Twin X interfaces connect via Thunderbolt 3 for Mac or PC.
World-Class Preamps with Unison Preamp Modeling Technology
Featuring two high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps, the Apollo Twin mkII stands head-and-shoulders above its competition. Front panel controls let you access low-cut, phantom power, pad, and phase for each input, putting all the control you need right at your fingertips. Link both inputs with the push of a button for recording a stereo pair of microphones, or stereo sources such as keyboards, effects, and more. The 192 kHz sample rate gives you the most accurate and high-quality sound possible in a unit this size.
What truly sets the Apollo Twin mkII apart is Universal Audio's Unison preamplifier-modeling technology, a breakthrough in classic mic preamp emulation. Unison puts models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps at your fingertips, giving you the same tone, impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and component-level circuit behaviors as the original gear. Record through realistic emulations of gear like the UA 610-B tube preamp, and hear the difference in your music.
What truly sets the Apollo Twin mkII apart is Universal Audio's Unison preamplifier-modeling technology, a breakthrough in classic mic preamp emulation. Unison puts models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps at your fingertips, giving you the same tone, impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and component-level circuit behaviors as the original gear. Record through realistic emulations of gear like the UA 610-B tube preamp, and hear the difference in your music.
Record through Two Studio-Quality Analog Inputs
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin mkII is named for its two simultaneous analog inputs. On the back of the Twin, you'll find two balanced mic/line combination inputs for microphones, keyboards, external mixers or anything with a 1/4" or XLR output. The rear inputs offer phantom power for condenser microphone operation, delivering a true +48V charge that suits even the most vintage microphones.
The front panel Hi-Z input is perfectly calibrated for guitar, bass or any other passive pickup-based instrument. Are you a solo singer/songwriter? Plug your guitar into the Hi-Z input, plug your favorite condenser microphone into the back, and hit record -- you'll be laying down studio-quality tracks in no time.
The front panel Hi-Z input is perfectly calibrated for guitar, bass or any other passive pickup-based instrument. Are you a solo singer/songwriter? Plug your guitar into the Hi-Z input, plug your favorite condenser microphone into the back, and hit record -- you'll be laying down studio-quality tracks in no time.
Gain Access to Industry-Standard UAD-2 Plug-ins
Universal Audio's most affordable Apollo interface, the Twin mkII is an economical way to tap into the world of UAD-2 analog-modeling plug-ins -- highly sought after for their sound quality and faithful recreations of the most prized analog gear in the world.
So what's really all that special about UAD-2 plugins? They are not native, which means they do not need your computer's CPU bandwidth to run. Every UAD-2 plugin is processed on board the Apollo interface itself, thanks to to Universal Audio's proprietary SHARC chipset. This frees up your computer's CPU for other audio processing -- and provides your UAD-2 plugins with a dedicated memory source, ensuring stability, sound quality and performance.
Your Twin comes with the Realtime Analog Classics plug-in bundle, which includes the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, 610-B Tube Preamp, and more!
So what's really all that special about UAD-2 plugins? They are not native, which means they do not need your computer's CPU bandwidth to run. Every UAD-2 plugin is processed on board the Apollo interface itself, thanks to to Universal Audio's proprietary SHARC chipset. This frees up your computer's CPU for other audio processing -- and provides your UAD-2 plugins with a dedicated memory source, ensuring stability, sound quality and performance.
Your Twin comes with the Realtime Analog Classics plug-in bundle, which includes the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, 610-B Tube Preamp, and more!
Mix and Route with Universal Audio's Console 2.0 Software
Running alongside your DAW, Universal Audio's Console 2.0 software controls all of the Twin's functions, including audio routing, input/output gain, and individual UAD-2 plug-ins. With the Console, you can activate UAD-2 plugs and place them on your input channels while you record. You can choose to commit the plug-ins' sound to your track, or simply monitor the signal through your plugs, record your raw tracks "dry," and process later.
You'll find that Console 2 is perfect for setting up headphone mixes as well -- since it has near-zero latency, you can add effects like compression and reverb on a vocal and keep your artist happy without introducing latency. Commit your effects or simply monitor through them -- whatever you choose, the system will run smoothly,
In addition to hosting UAD plug-ins in Console 2, you can also run them via VST, RTAS and AAX 64 within your favorite DAW.
You'll find that Console 2 is perfect for setting up headphone mixes as well -- since it has near-zero latency, you can add effects like compression and reverb on a vocal and keep your artist happy without introducing latency. Commit your effects or simply monitor through them -- whatever you choose, the system will run smoothly,
In addition to hosting UAD plug-ins in Console 2, you can also run them via VST, RTAS and AAX 64 within your favorite DAW.
Monitor in Full Resolution with Studio-Quality Outputs
The Apollo Twin mkII features six audio outputs, and allows you to route audio as few other desktop interfaces can. You get stereo headphone outputs, a pair of monitor L-R outputs, and an extra "3-4" pair of independently assignable balanced line outputs -- greatly expanding your monitoring and routing options. Use them for an additional cue mix, or to feed outboard gear in your hybrid analog/digital studio.
The Twin's digitally controlled stereo outputs maintain full resolution at any volume -- unlike voltage-controlled outputs found on lesser interfaces, which are known to skew the stereo imaging, transient response, and harmonic content of your music when turned down too low. The digitally controlled output of the Apollo Twin ensures audio output is accurate at any level, so you can be confident in your mixing decisions.
The Twin's digitally controlled stereo outputs maintain full resolution at any volume -- unlike voltage-controlled outputs found on lesser interfaces, which are known to skew the stereo imaging, transient response, and harmonic content of your music when turned down too low. The digitally controlled output of the Apollo Twin ensures audio output is accurate at any level, so you can be confident in your mixing decisions.
The Best of Analog & Digital
Universal Audio has been producing industry-standard recording equipment since 1958. Legendary pieces of gear like the 1176, LA-2A, 610 preamp, and many more have played a vital role in nearly every single recording since their debut -- redefined the way we record music. More than 50 years later, Universal Audio continues to be at the forefront of quality and innovation with Universal Audio's first-ever desktop interface -- the Apollo Twin.
Housed in an attractive and durable chassis made for the home studio, the Twin boasts an array of user-friendly features like a locking power supply, easily updatable firmware, 64-bit and PCIe device drivers, and a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor.
If you've always wanted the power of UAD-2 plugins but could never justify the investment, this is the perfect opportunity to seriously upgrade your interface -- and simultaneously give yourself access to the world's greatest analog-modeled plugins.
Housed in an attractive and durable chassis made for the home studio, the Twin boasts an array of user-friendly features like a locking power supply, easily updatable firmware, 64-bit and PCIe device drivers, and a one-year warranty that covers parts and labor.
If you've always wanted the power of UAD-2 plugins but could never justify the investment, this is the perfect opportunity to seriously upgrade your interface -- and simultaneously give yourself access to the world's greatest analog-modeled plugins.