5 Reasons You NEED An Universal Audio Apollo Audio Interface

[@EdThorne]

Which feature do you like the best? COMMENT! MONITORING IN CONSOLE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnW9fmyva9mgeLM MORE UNISON PREAMPS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hn6bh2yol553lZY Neve VS API Summing in LUNA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX-ap5edi7mZf5I

[@davidmaraisthecampfireguit2596]

Excellent - thank you! I have been using UAD for a few years and it's been such a joy. There is something gorgeously multi-dimensional and authentic about their plugins and their AD/DA converters that makes me forget I'm capturing sound in the digital domain. The ability to track in non-latency fashion, through these emulations brings a wave of inspiration each time. Of course, I'm sure there are many other brilliant interfaces out there that are as good, but for me, the UA collection has been just a joy. Each to their own - it's all good, as long as we're making music and being creative.

[@Starkillers]

I just had to send my Apollo in for service I bought it in 2017, and it's awesome, when I sent it in, it forced me to have to use my old Spl Crimson, I was able to use the slate plugins the neve and the new opto on an aux track to get processing on the way in, it was my only option although I had to lower my buffer it worked really well and made me think about other options when my apollo goes on the fritz.

[@MasterOneMusic]

As an Apollo user, these things certainly need a refresh, no outdated chips, better conversion and why having DSP when todays machines are beasts that can handle plenty plug-ins and with stark, everything gotta change 🔥

[@EdThorne]

The system is still more relevant than ever for ALL the reasons explained in the video when it goes live at 4pm (UK) 🙂

[@MasterOneMusic]

@@EdThorne I’ll be waiting Keep rocking 🔥 PD: also un update for atmos would be nice!

[@EdThorne]

@@MasterOneMusic I have a feeling UA will be keeping an eye on the comments section for this video so I’m sure they’ll see your suggestions 🙂

[@brianvillage5]

If they update the chips all the plugins I have will change to a different platform. Share chips are still used on a lot of devices stop parroting what you hear online. And why get rid of dsp when it lends to a system? If you remove the dsp all you’re doing is making less of them. That’s why uadx is great as they expand it.

[@bighousemusic628]

Even acoustica audio who are cpu hungry a budget ryzen cpu can eat those plugins and burp 3300x

[@rogermakarov]

I'm happy with my Antelope Zen. Once you get over the learning curve it's very nice.

[@Kevinbabbmusic]

quantizing transients like that is incredible. thats a god send. i think ill make the jump

[@jacobwing406]

Maybe you were going for the clickbate thing with “Professionals” in your title. But almost everything you listed can be achieved by cheaper, easier to find, and better means. Your almost building a false wall to climb for engineer that, until they own Apollo gear they are not real or serious. It’s been said hundreds of times already in these comments, but it’s worth saying again. With everything available today to us all, the label “Professional” should be a flag to anyone with any integrity or honesty. Not your best concept for content. BUT your filming and editing and even your personality in your videos in fantastic! You will continue to grow. You don’t need to go this route. But that’s just another no one from no where’s humble opinion. Take it as you will. Best of luck going forward!

[@jermaineflowers1538]

The best interface I've used is RME. I consistently record a 32 buffer size. they sound is noticably cleaner and the it's ridiculously stable and reliable. They support their hardware 10-20 years out. Idk why they don't market themselves better.

[@EdThorne]

I’ve heard they’re very supportive of old hardware, it’s nice to hear from a company. I agree they’re marketing is virtually non existent. I’ve reached out numerous times about reviews and never heard back… hence the many UA videos and no RME videos… UA are super responsive and helpful.

[@woutervandijk9961]

Same, love my RME after trying a bunch of fancier interfaces over the years.. Their marketing department truly is terrible, in my local music shop their Babyface Pro (which is an amazing device for its price range) just sits there gathering dust behind the Scarletts which are flying off the counter.. The Scarlett comes in a box twice the size, which allow for a huge, slick, nicely angled photo of the device while the Babyface Pro comes in a cardboard box with late 70ies coloring, tiny photo and descriptive text basically saying "it's allright". The original Babyface was even worse, the packaging featuring.. an actual baby images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--XWP6xxHF--/t_card-square/v1642795054/dwfjzbgrut1ncaupulsy.jpg

[@jermaineflowers1538]

@@woutervandijk9961 🤣 that packaging is hilarious I never saw that one. I think that they are more popular in Germany where they're made. Bigger studios use the ufx more than home studios because they need a more stable system and a lot of io.

[@jermaineflowers1538]

@@EdThorne yea the no videos thing annoyed me the most when I was first setting it up but the quality is top notch so I kept it. Only found out about it because I started building my studio when the m1 Mac first came out and the Apollo wasn't supported yet.

[@samiksax]

RME is a workhorse it beats UAD to the death from all angle

[@msdeltabrisket]

API blew away the competition.

[@Official_RIDM]

The quantize option is crazy.. omy. I need one!

[@briansrensen8204]

Unison is nice for monitoring, but I never record the inserted plugins. I like the idea of a having a clean sheet when mixing and I can always add the AUD plugin in my daw.

[@j_dublay]

The virtual channels are a huge bonus for me. I use them as virtual outboard racks as well as pushing system audio through them. Possibly one of my favorite features.

[@EdThorne]

That’s a good idea. Virtual outboard racks and printing the insert effects?

[@j_dublay]

@@EdThorne Yeah exactly. My main use is for live streaming music. I will basically use them as send/return effects that record back into the DAW. The benefit being, I can push all the verb/delay plugins that add latency in the DAW out into console. If there is a small bit of latency when they come back, it doesn't matter since they are verbs and delays anyways.

[@EdThorne]

@@j_dublay That’s a great, creative use of virtual channels. Good work 🙂🤘

[@j_dublay]

@@EdThorne There is also a UA MIDI Control app written by Radu Varga that adds even more functionality. That lets me call presets via MIDI for plugins in console, or manipulate individual parameters via MIDI CC. Effectively that gives me an unlimited variety of reverb and delay in a live environment, while only running a handful of plugins/less complex routing.

[@brianvillage5]

Standalone Kontakt for multiout!

[@gregcano417]

Good video brother. Thank you for explaining and showing love the channel.

[@EdThorne]

Much appreciated

[@zorroinhell5549]

If I were going for a darker sound for the drums, I would use the 1073's. But for me, the API's would be a more versatile sounding plug-in and the API had more clarity on the lows meds and highs.

[@EdThorne]

Bear in mind these were both EQ’d slightly differently using the Unison plugins. I didn’t show this in the video because it’s long enough as it is 🙂 But I agree, the APIs have some great drum kit qualities.

[@GregWilliamsTU]

I always like the api better myself

[@daviddepauw3245]

Both Luna and Spark are Mac only (for now, Spark should be available for Windows fall 2022, no promisses made for Luna). I don't think you've mentioned that. So it's not really for all Apollo interfaces.

[@mooremusic96]

Love my Apollo X8 👏🏻. Excited to pick up a twin x quad soon!!

[@GospelDjshane]

Antelope Synergy is the next Beast with a lot of feature @antelope🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jacksp8de]

Nice video! Currently testing out an Apollo Twin X duo and Symphony Desktop. Trying to decide which one to keep. Leaning towards the Apogee but the Apollo system is pretty dope. Plus It’s harder to monitor with reverb on the apogee

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Jack. I'm not experienced wth the Apogee interfaces, besides using a friend's once, so I can't comment. They're sending me a couple of interfaces soon, but not the symphony.

[@jacksp8de]

@@EdThorne Cool, zzounds actually sent me some gear to make videos with. The sound out of the symphony is pretty amazing

[@Leele0]

legend man! pretty rock solid precise drumming there bro! always great content from you mate!

[@Leele0]

hahahah damn bro, youre drumming really is good man. simple drum loop, but precise as hell...even after the quantize hehehe

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Leandro. Appreciate the support, as always! Peace!

[@JeffFaulknerCD]

Ed, solid! Thank you. Would LOVE to see you dive deeper into Luna. Been on it from day 1 and love it, but an expert take would be awesome.

[@EdThorne]

Thanks, Jeff. You may know than I do then 🙂 The UA tutorials on their channel are very useful.

[@owlmuso]

I won't lie, I actually prefer the clean, non - unison recording. Just seems to have more integrity of sound. Really good drumming, btw

[@EdThorne]

Yeh they’re good preamps. And thank you 🙂🙏

[@TheTony0h]

excellent delivery. thanks for the great info

[@stoneroofstudios4700]

How do you like the SP-1 P mics? Great video thanks Ed

[@EdThorne]

They’re good. Clear, tight transient response, not coloured. Good value for money.

[@Stupid_Genius_09]

Really appreciate your efforts doing these video am here to stay.😅. API is epic

[@EdThorne]

You’re very welcome. I hope it was helpful 🙂

[@HomeStudioRescue]

Cool Video. I'm gonna have to give Luna a good look.

[@msdeltabrisket]

Do you know how I can use a Windows based Apollo twin usb with ADAT in conjuction with Apple M1 thunderbolt with apollo x8? I really want to use LUNA. Got any ideas. I want to play live with 8 channels and use plugins live while recording and streaming live show. All without an Internet connection besides KZbin and facebook live just for video.

[@samnarjinary]

ED, long time fan of your work here. Could you also review the Apogee Symphony Desktop? Would love to have your review.

[@EdThorne]

Hi Sam. I’ve reached out to Apogee a couple of times about reviews but they don’t respond.

[@samnarjinary]

@@EdThorne oh well. How about kush audio. Another of my favorite. Can you try that

[@GregWilliamsTU]

I love api. I try neve sometimes but most of the time I seem to love the api

[@EdThorne]

Have you tried the API Vision or SSL channel strips? They’re great for processing on the way in.

[@chadkyle4904]

API in my opinion - just the right punch without frequency wash...

[@NRSoundDesign]

Hi guys I'm a sound designer for media (Linear and Videogames) and I've been thinking of upgrading my audio card to an Apollo X6 for surround support. I don't do music production (only from time to time) so do you think it's worth it to buy the heritage edition?

[@EdThorne]

Check with your retailer which is available because I believe the Heritage edition exists to cover supply chain issues on parts not available for the original X6. It comes with a different set of plugins, so if they’re useful to you, result. Either way it’s a great interface!

[@thecoastCoverband]

Hi Ed thank you for this advice. Question:Can I expand the Apollo twin duo with more inputs? Gr. Ness

[@EdThorne]

Absolutely. 8 Optical inputs via an ADAT unit such as the Audient ASP800. Or of course, a X8p 🙂

[@AByallo]

check out some older a/d/d/a units. you can get some amazing 2nd hand stuff for pretty cheap. i use a lucid 88192. amazing box, broadcast quality. up there with cranesong, lavry etc and i got it for €500 on ebay. plenty of em up there now.

[@AByallo]

but only inputs on the twin. x8/x8p you can do i/o

[@aceedmond8053]

​@@EdThorne yes I have an X4 with an audient asp880 via ADAT for another 8.

[@EdThorne]

@@aceedmond8053 Great combination! The ability to record the monitor inserts on the ADAT channels as inward processing is immense!

[@farhaansiddiqui]

I don't miss your episode's but as VO artiste i don't get much info , you are multi talented with singing and music , how about Apollo twin and how to create voice chain for VO artistes )

[@EdThorne]

Thanks. I had scheduled a video on VO vocal chains/audio processing but my Podcast video did so badly I didn’t think it worth doing. It seems Podcast content is too far off my channel niche (mostly interfaces it seems).

[@TheOnlineBusker]

Great vid as always Ed!

[@EdThorne]

Thanks for the support - as always :-)

[@marioaguilera9463]

Mmm I think is very brave to keep saying are the real deal, personally I'm a focusrite user and clarett 8pre+ sounds terrific snd the focusrite control its pretty much flexible and let you do advanced monitoring and the price you just can't beat it, the plus UAD had was the DSP but nowadays that's not relevant anymore as it used to be, the analog summing well, there are a lot amazing plugins from slate and acústica and other brands, not pretty sure whar to pay for an interface twice the price that offers the same things than any others and the couple of "better things" it has to offer it just doesn't justify the price

[@asiergonzalez5260]

How much dsp is needed to run medium/big sessions? Is the power of the computer also important?

[@patricknoonan5854]

I’m up an Apollo owner for PC I have the twin USB however after watching this I’m definitely going to go the Apple route and get myself a high-powered system with all of the DSP backing 16 inputs and go to Luna route and invest all my money in completely kitting out that system .This video really open my eyes to what is capable thank you so much for that and you’re a great KZbin presenter and I’m really jealous of your studio peace❤

[@Rolf74]

I use the Apollo X4 with Logic Pro X, but I don't use LUNA because it's a step back in comparison to Logic Pro X, for the reason that it doesn't offer quick swipe comping als Logic Pro x does! This is a super important feature! Do you agree?

[@EdThorne]

I agree Luna isn’t a fully fledged DAW (yet) but I love it for tracking drums and analog summing.

[@hugolosker]

Nice video! Can you make a video about presonus quantum 2626?

[@bighousemusic628]

Acoustica audio plugins are light years ahead of UAD i mean hatdware in plugin form nebula

[@GospelDjshane]

Totally agree they just don't get enough credit Acustica all the way baby🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@theoldtreespot]

Love Apollo plugins, but I wish that it would only run on sharc processors if they are run in the Console

[@EdThorne]

All UA DSP plugins run on the Sharc processors. Including the plugins available to use in Console - they're all DSP based - so run on your Apollo. The Native UADx (new) plugins are the versions that run on your comupter's CPU.

[@Sonmz]

Notice you are using WesAudio's _RHEA, which is a great choice in my opinion. 😉

[@EdThorne]

It’s my go to guitar buss comp👌

[@cornelcata3113]

Hi Ed, is there a way of having Luna being more stable and not choke on me? I love the platform and the API capabilities, but stopping every other bar is just annoying. Any thoughts??

[@EdThorne]

What system are you running? I had problems on my old 2015 MPB because LUNA is quite GPU intensive and that Mac couldn’t handle it and would overheat. My M1 works flawlessly.

[@onairmastering]

Yep, Metric Halo is the pro's choice. Their customer service is unparalleled.

[@ericsentel5636]

Me two MH right here 🤩

[@helmanfrow]

Reasons to avoid Apollo: 1a) ~15-year-old DSP handily outperformed by nearly any modern CPU. 1b) Even UAD see the writing on the wall, what with the native plugins. 2) Walled garden ecosystem with outrageous prices. GPU processing will be upon us soon and then dedicated DSP will be all but defunct. I think I hear a death rattle.

[@EdThorne]

The DSP is still relevant though for the long list of reasons outlined throughout the video. 🙂

[@helmanfrow]

@@EdThorne Vive la différence!

[@sideast]

100% Correct

[@JanusJanavas]

Specialized DSPs are always better than non-specialized DSPs (GPUs). GPU isn't going to be as stable as DSP.

[@samiksax]

Their DAC is inferior almost same quality like focusrite 18i20. Yet people fall in the trap outdated overpriced ecosystem 🤣🤣🤣 I simply can laugh for UAD user 🤣🤣

[@RaddDronzy]

So basically software is better. I know the hardware is good but how much. So if you exclude the software then how good it is with any other hardware? That's the real question.

[@barrakingbeatz7794]

Arturia audiofuse

[@CirclesandSounds]

Been in the industry for decades. Some interesting points here, but some serious bias as well. It’s a subjective world where most anything now sounds good and is usable. Of all the commercial multimillion dollar studios I’ve worked in, not one used an Apollo. Some of the VA’s and small studio owners I’ve worked with, yes. But not one commercial facility of many I’ve worked in. Not a bad series of units, just not the best game in town, certainly not the only.

[@Sixhundun487]

What would u recommend

[@aceedmond8053]

All the bitchers and whiners go create your own channel... love the channel Ed.

[@EdThorne]

Thank you 🙂🤘

[@samiksax]

No DANTE, NO MADI, UAD Converters are inferior to avid, Apogee, Prism, Burl, Antelope, RME. This is for your misleading title i have not seen great mix and mastering engineer using UAD. Must be UAD with no digital expandibility. Overrated preamp and expensive for no reason. While companies like RME, Antelope, avid offers the best of everything in their devices and that equals the cost.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

The one thing I do not understand with UAD and I love their analog gear, but why did they stay in that walled off ecosystem for soooo long. If they allowed their plugins to run native on ANY hardware they would literally smash and damn near wipe out the entire plugin market, because they would be flooded with new customers. Call me crazy, but it would make a better business model, because what has happened is other plugin companies, some good and some well let's say garbage, have now come in a grabbed that market and obtained a loyal customer base as consumers sought alternatives to the cost of the admission of UAD. It appears they are slowly realizing that, but I think the moves are too slow and at some point will be irrevocable.

[@EdThorne]

I think they’re just very different business models. I suspect the Spark subscription is as far as they’ll go into ‘releasing’ their plugins.

[@qddk9545]

Not a lotta love for UAD in the comments 🙂 I am sorry to say, but I think the drums in EZ Drummer 3 sounds better out of the box.

[@EdThorne]

A lot of mis-understanding, too, almost as if people are voicing preconceived opinions before watching the content (I’m not referring to you).

[@jcalzada74]

I still trust my behringer um404hd 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EdThorne]

The BEST interface is always the one you have when inspiration strikes!

[@tomverswyvel6370]

Rather like prism ..

[@gibson2623]

Too expensive.....and you need to stash more money in processors also, it s great, but extremely expensive

[@JayfkProductions876]

1 Reason MOST PROFESSIONALS don't use UAD cards is bcoz The cards with the better features, dsp & Satellite support are THUNDERBOLT ONLY 👀

[@EdThorne]

I’d say more professionals are on Mac than PC, surely…? I’ll do a poll on my community page for us 🙂

[@maxwally6772]

Bruh I have a windows laptop that has thunderbolt. It's relatively common. Also certain desktops have them as well. If you build your own you just have to have a compatible motherboard that already has them or you can them if you have the compatible slots

[@donjave7146]

Apollo is overrated IMHO, motu m2 with a good mic is 10x better, the preamps on Apollo are colored and you have no way of bypassing them dsp is not relevant anymore with gpu audio coming soon, it's overpriced, I would probably get an ultralite mk5 and I would have transparent preamps, lots of ins and outs and low noise

[@EdThorne]

Preamps can be bypassed on X models. DSP is still very relevant for all the reasons in this video - Unison preamps (Motu don’t have these), input channel Monitor insert processing in zero latency, DSP mixing, etc. Did you watch the entire video?

[@donjave7146]

@@EdThorne yes you cannot bypass the coluring it is still there, there is no point of the dsp at that price I can buy a second pc and run audiogridder

[@Rhythmattica]

@@EdThorne Technically, there cannot be "Zero" latency monitoring on any Digital system in/out path...Plug ins or not..., AD/DA's themselves introduce latency. Let me reiterate... Unless its an analog path, in to out... Zero is not a label that should be used.

[@EdThorne]

@@Rhythmattica Sub 2ms technically, but let’s be realistic, no-one can hear that therefore it may as well be zero. I accept your point though🙂

[@samiksax]

@@EdThorne zero must be zero in engineering

[@stichtingblaxparx]

No Appollo 4 Me Solid State Logic !

[@ampent4204]

YOU FORGOT ONE FEATURE.....Universal Audio is a MONEY PIT !!

[@EdThorne]

Like all good things in life - analog gear, children, holidays 😜

[@ampent4204]

@@EdThorne Right😅

[@hearmenow909]

Apollo Twin is limited, only one-way ADAT, which is pointless. Audient are better value for money and have 2 way ADAT.

[@EdThorne]

One way ADAT is great for recording drums. X4 and above have two way ADAT. Audient great but no expandability or DSP - hence the price difference. Both great brands 🙂