Apollo FireWire
Customer Reviews
Apollo FireWire
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C. Lonkar
Pretty awesome - room for improvement
Have had the Apollo a couple weeks now - is pretty great. Sounds wonderful and the hardware works well.
My main issues are with the software and drivers. I get a Firewire interrupted error a fair amount along with a UAD-2 crashed error when I'm working in a DAW - neither SEEM to have any effect, but it doesn't give me a good feeling. Also, the routing in the Console is EXTREMELY limited. If UA fixes that and the errors / drivers, this will be a 5 star killer.
R. University
Anthony "ToK" Norris - ToKwerX & RMIT University
Recent purchase of the Apollo interface and accompanying UAD processing has been an excellent choice for the University and our student cohort. Not only the flexibility of accessing the UAD platform of plug-ins for mixing but now printing through them in next to real-time is wonderful. This was previously only available with the PCIe card versions of the UAD hardware, with the Satellite versions simply not being fast enough to cope with such a demand.
The layout of the virtual mixer, including signal path, headphones, monitoring and effects AUX's is clear and simple to use. Add to this the quality of the four Mic Pre-amps and the Apollo presents itself as the new first choice of interface for any Firewire and now Thunderbolt based DAW.
M. Sjöquist
Super happy!
I have just tried my new Apollo for a few times yet but so far I'm super happy with it. The interaction with my computer via the Console is great and being able to record with a near mix ready sound is really great!
Thanks!
/Magnus Sjöquist
Sweden
J. François
That undeniable feeling...
After receiving our Apollo Quad. We immediately put it through its paces. Recording everything from guitar to vocals to drums even some horns. The clear, crisp fidelity you've come to expect from high end converters, along with the onboard mic preamp's smooth transparent response makes this system very, very desirable. Having the UAD platform on the front end or in the mix is a bonus. The drivers and software design is very stable and allows for the most flexible work flow you could have ever imagined within the digital domain. But the most significant feature, quality I could not fail to mention is the surreal feeling of analog signal flow! That life like sound and feeling that's oh so familiar. Treat yourself to that experience and see!!
R. Dwyer
Apollo Quad
Great product and does sound amazing compared to my old interface. Also being able to use in conjunction with the plugins is a stroke of genius!
The DAC's sound extremely clear and it is just like taking the cotton wool out of your ears!
The preamps are pristine and clean, meaning no colouration to the source. That way if you do decide to use the plugins, it sounds awesome.
However, one word of caution!
In the manual it states that the Apollo will work with am ext FW400HD. In reality it is not a great way of working as it is unstable and difficult to find a happy medium due to bandwidth issues. If you're going to invest in one of these then make sure you have a ext FW800HD! It will then run sweetly!
Otherwise..Game changer!
D. Kallmeyer
Apollo quad first impression
Apollo quad, maxed out macbook pro/ retina display. Thunderbolt card on order.
A big step up in sound quality from my previous (high quality) interface. Great pres!
The plugins are by far the best i've heard.
FW800 with thunderbolt adapter stable. Impressive plug-in count, allocation of bandwidth and metering is accurate.
Console needs midi control and the ability to sum outputs and insert on the mix buss.
The system has been completely stable under operation, but there have been a few
odd occurrences with startup order and interface recognition, including a few inaccurate allocation and authorization prompts.
The latency on input plug-ins is astounding!!!!
Looking forward to updates and the thunderbolt card.
O. Oting
I love it!
I like Mic Pre's truly clean and wonderful,
I couldn't be happier with the Apollo.
Now I mix on it with Protools, It has everything I need .
its the perfect workstation for me.
P. Graham
As advertised
UAD Apollo is a revolutionary piece of equipment. It radically alters workflow bringing together the best of analogue and digital domains. The preamps are totally transparent, leaving you to colour your tracks with the plugins that perform as advertised with practically zero latency on the way in. The Mac loves it, as do Cubase, Protools, Ableton, and Logic. The controls are logical and easy to use. There could be some improvements to the console software, but they are minor in comparison to the lift in potential this machine beings to digital recording.
A. Medina
Awesome sound!
I like so very much....a couple of things... To be perfect for me, I would like to see the MIDI port and combo connectors XLR and 1/4. But it's working for me very nice!
S. Ziethen
Hervorragendes Interface
Ich habe das Apollo jetzt seit ca. 5 Wochen und bin vollkommen begeistert. Auch wenn ich es (noch) über ein Thunderbold-Firewire-Adapter betreiben muss, ist doch die rein technische Einbindung in das MacBook fantastisch (schon die Registrierung läuft ohne lästiges Ablesen der Seriennummer) allein über die Firewire-Einbindung. Ebenso das "Ausprobieren" der PlugIns (14tägige Freischaltung aller UAD2-PlugIns). Die Klangqualität ist brilliant (für meine Ohren weit besser als Apogees Ensemble, fast so brilliant wie das Symphony, das allerdings auch um Einiges teurer ist und nicht die Möglichkeit der prozessorsparenden UAD2-PlugIns bietet. Latenzzeiten konnte ich keine feststellen - mit der niedrigst möglichenEinstellung hatte keine Probleme!
T. Schuchhardt
Well done but....
i have found 3 points i dont like - and i also cannot understand:
1. Why it isnt possible to "insert" an effect on the master out ? (like an EQ for bad mixed sound to cut off the bass)
2. Why it isnt possible to control the master volume with my mac osx keyboard like it was possible with my fireface uc
3.Would be cool to use output 7/8 for another couple of monitor speakers - so if the master out could be routed also to those and the volume could be also controlled of this output with the master volume control AND the keyboard, i could DROP my mackie big knob - ok this is a special case - it would just need some afford to make the routing more transparent and control able to the user like on sourcards from earlier age.(creamware scope)
A. Regan
Pro sound for live sound, tracking, and mix/mastering
After working with entry and mid-level audio interfaces, the Apollo has taken my sound to a new level previously unreachable. Recordings that used to sound flat and lifeless now take on a 3D richness, especially when combined with the Twin Finity preamps. The best plug-ins in the business can be integrated in the tracking stage, the mixing/mastering stage, and even in a live setting since the Apollo operates under 2ms of latency.
S. Berujanyan
I LOVE IT
Thank you Universal Audio.
This is the best purchase I have ever made. I'm pleased with the audio quality.
I like very much, and the ability to monitor with low latency and use UA plugins (which I loved already) .Its a fantastic box that lives up to the UA name, and I'm very pleased.The drivers are flawless,but i need Windows drivers.
Best Regards,
Stepan
B. Conolly
Apollo landing
OK...it took me a few years, but finally I set up my studio. Knew nothing about audio interfaces, but after a bit of reading decided on the UA Quad. Turns out to be exactly the right decision.
Have it hooked up with a Focusrite OctoPre MkII for extra 8 channels of input off the ADAT interfaces.
Still need to work out all the monitoring with Logic Pro. Software monitoring etc blaa blaa blaa. Still need to try the million plug ins that all look insane.
Overall it just works like a dream... how long will this digital thing run?
Thanks UA, you've saturated my life.
T. Smith
Simply Amazed!
I purchased Apollo last week in hopes that it would help me track better vocals. When I added the Studer A-800, Neve 88RS, and Real Verb Pro on the front end, I was simply blown away with the quality of sound. I'm so happy that I can now record vocals just the way I want them to sound without mixing on the back end. This has saved me a tremendous amount of time in delivering the final song to my clients. "Apollo" truly is a first in it's ability to handle incoming audio with no noticeable latency and up to 4 plugins. This is by far one of the best investment I've made in my studio. GREAT WORK UNIVERSAL AUDIO!!!
T. Hunter
Apollo Quad
I been waiting for you my whole life Apollo Lol but serious this is hands down the best purchase I've made in years period... The way this unit sounds out the box with out using any UA plug ins is amazing... Trust me I A B it with other units and there is no comparison & when you add the UA plugs to it its like heaven. I'm a kid in a candy store SSL Oxford Space Echo & all the tape plugs i can keep going... A must have if your serious about the quality of you music.
M. Van
Apollo interface
I planned getting an Apollo as soon as windows support was a fact, but since I already own a mac I could not wait any longer and took the plunge.
Installing was easy, everything worked flawlessly from the 1st moment.
The Apollo interface is great, but there are a few thing I would like to see added in new software revisions, the possibility to change the channel names, bassdrum instead of adat 1 f.i.
Also I would like to be able to route the channel to individual outputs when using the Apollo in stand alone modus, so I could use the Apollo with is effects on the insert busses of my analog mixer.
Cascading several unit also has great potential, I will get me a 2nd Apollo as soon as this is possible.
But as said it works great as is.
P. Bourgeois
apollo quad
i really appreciate the new apollo!
been using a lot interfaces, but that one is the best!
no latency and amazing plug ins !
M. Danello
Apollo is awsome
I got the Apollo to streamline my studio setup and it's worked exactly has I hoped. I was able to remove a mixer that was letting me monitor my last few hardware synths. Also, I can now enjoy using the UAD plugs when I'm cutting vocals.
Also, I think it's cool to track using the Studer tape plug and print that effect so that I don't have to use processing power for that while I'm mixing.
J. Meador
Apollo Lives!!
I had been looking to upgrade my Digi 002 Rack for a few years, but there just wasn't anything available that fit my needs and budget. When the UA Apollo came out I knew I would purchase one since I was already invested in the UAD platform. I have always had reservations about getting an interface that required me to use an additional software mixer to build my monitor mixes, but the Apollo console is real straight forward and works great with Pro Tools Low latency monitoring. Overall I am really blown away by the quality of the interface and the sound. I love the DSP too. UA does it again. I always want to invest in some other brand of gear but UA always hits the market with the best product to get the job done!