Universal Audio (UA) is now shipping the new Apollo 16 audio interface and new UAD software v.7.0, which provides multi-unit cascading, Virtual I/O, and other enhancements to both the Apollo 16 and Apollo audio interfaces.
Apollo 16 is Universal Audio’s flagship 24-bit/192 kHz audio interface, delivering world-class conversion with 16 x 16 analog I/O.
The FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready interface combines superior sound and flexible routing with onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing, allowing the tracking of audio in real time through the full range of classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins — from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon and more — on both Mac and Windows 7. (*Requires Windows 7 64-bit edition operating system and a qualified PCIe-to-FireWire adaptor. Thunderbolt option is Mac-only.)
Apollo 16 offers meticulous analog circuit design, top-end converters, and DC-coupled outputs. Two Apollo 16 units can be cascaded over MADI for an expanded system with eight UAD processors and 32 x 32 simultaneous analog I/O, capable of handling large professional mixes.
Apollo 16 also offers compatibility with Intel’s high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology on Macs via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately). Thunderbolt provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at high sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in the DAW versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.
Now shipping, Apollo 16 carries an estimated street price of $2,999 US. Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is also now available for an estimated street price of $499 US.
UAD Software v7.0 provides significant enhancements to Apollo’s workflow and expandability and adds the new Ocean Way Studios, SPL TwinTube, and Sonnox Inflator plug-ins to the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.
Among these enhancements is multi-unit cascading, which allows for combining two Apollo 16 interfaces (for 32 x 32 analog I/O) or two Apollo interfaces (for 16 x 16 analog I/O, with eight Apollo mic preamps) into a single elegant system via FireWire or Thunderbolt.
The boost in Apollo connectivity is navigated via a redesigned Console application, offering better visual feedback, a new PT Mode which simplifies outboard hardware integration with Pro Tools, and a new Virtual I/O feature that allows for Realtime UAD Processing of DAW tracks and virtual instruments.
Download UAD Software v7.0 here.
