Apollo Hardware Manual
Introducing Apollo
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Introducing Apollo
What is Apollo?
Apollo is a high-resolution audio interface with Realtime UAD processing onboard that gives musicians and
recording engineers a no-compromise monitoring, tracking, and mixing solution. The combination of Apollo’s
high quality preamps, converters, and digital signal processing help you achieve the goal of making music
without the common latency and potential processor shortcomings of an all-native system. Apollo leverages
Universal Audio’s expertise in DSP acceleration, UAD Powered Plug-Ins, and analog hardware design by
integrating the latest cutting edge technologies in high-performance A/D-D/A conversion, DSP signal
reconstruction, and host connectivity. Apollo acts as both an audio interface with integrated DSP effects for
tracking and monitoring as well as a fully integrated UAD-2 DSP accelerator for mixing and mastering.
Apollo is available in two different configurations, which are differentiated by their DSP complement: Apollo
DUO with 2 SHARC DSPs, and Apollo QUAD with 4 SHARC DSPs. Apollo DUO and QUAD have identical I/O
features and functionality; the only difference is how much simultaneous plug-in processing that is available
for tracking and mixing. Either way, you have an amazing sounding interface that can achieve the professional
sound quality of any era in recording history by using UAD Powered Plug-Ins.
Apollo uses FireWire or Thunderbolt for computer connectivity. FireWire 800 doubles the performance of FireWire
400 and ensures the ability to use all of Apollo’s I/O as well as its DSP processing. Thunderbolt is a high-speed
data transmission protocol that provides faster throughput than FireWire. The Thunderbolt Option Card can be
easily installed in Apollo’s option card slot allowing Apollo to connect with Thunderbolt-enabled computers.
To fully realize the low latency potential of Apollo, the Console application is included and provides a familiar
analog mixing console interface where you can load your favorite combination of Realtime UAD plug-ins.
Setting up two custom headphone mixes is quick and intuitive and you can also set up reverbs and delays (or
any other UAD effects) on two auxiliary buses for comfortable tracking of live microphones and instruments.
Achieving deep integration of Apollo’s features with your favorite audio workstation software is simple thanks
to the Console Recall plug-in that is compatible with VST, Audio Units, and RTAS host software. Simply place
the Console Recall plug-in in any session and you have instant control over Apollo’s monitoring, headphones,
and Realtime UAD plug-in wet/dry options. A single button on the plug-in will automatically recall the Console
configuration within the DAW session without having to manage separate Console preset files, so you can be
sure that the Console mix you are working with today will be accurately recalled tomorrow.
Done tracking? Use Apollo just like any other UAD-2 device for mixing in the DAW. The full UAD Powered Plug-
Ins library works with Apollo, offering the best analog emulation plug-ins available from the best companies in
pro audio like Neve, SSL, Pultec, Teletronix, Studer, Lexicon, DBX, Roland, MXR, Harrison, Empirical Labs,
Manley, Ampex, and many more. A single button in the Console lets you decide to “print” or “monitor” the
Realtime UAD plug-ins – so if you want the sound of your favorite console and tape machine committed into
your DAW, you can print those effects on the way in.
Quite simply, Apollo delivers the sound, feel, and flow of analog recording with all the conveniences of modern
digital equipment.
