First Look: UA Apollo X Desktop Quad

[@maniacmagee1493]

So you mean to tell me these guys are still not providing a thunderbolt cable? Sickening.

[@DopplerSoundlab]

Yeah, and their reasoning for not providing a cable is quite meh! They could at least bundle it with a 0.5m or 1m cable. :/

[@rocnroll0065]

Lol.....you nailed it there....1800.00 product without a nice pro quality thunderbolt cable that might cost them 10.00 when purchase by bulk.

[@mchild1983]

Least you shouldn't need a adapter too..like a 20 to 50 tax..rather 80 100..like for us mk2. S

[@ampent4204]

@@rocnroll0065 Focusrite clarett interfaces blows UA out of the water as far as sound quality, what matters is how the company stands behind the product in ALL phases of purchase

[@ampent4204]

Lol, terrible, gouge you, the make you scramble to use it by not adding a cable, they need to be ashamed.

[@rocnroll0065]

I really think these products need to be reviewed with the plugins that are used within them. If your buying into Universal Audio ecosystem, it's for the plugins. Being said that, the ability to process these plugins should be evaluated for users to know if the DSP shark processors will accommodate their plugin needs.

[@thebaac2794]

they offer that on UA audio website.

[@jamalaugustin7934]

This product is one of the most expensive interfaces on the market .The least you could do is give the people a Thunderbolt cable!!!

[@busch028]

“Cables you get with your mac.” Blahahaha Oh Nick.....if only

[@electricharmonyac7354]

🤣🤣🤣😃😃😃😄😔😕

[@gilbycoyote]

Adat in out is the big one! Wonderful!

[@my4trackmachine]

I have wanted to switch to an apollo since the line’s initial launch. The one thing stopping me from purchase is the lack of midi in the apollos. It is impossible for me to use any of their line as my main work horse without that support.

[@NyakzOTSD]

no

[@russell_szabados]

You can get a MIDISport for under $100 US.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Huh? Just get a separate midi interface. Impossible problem solved.

[@kristiaanmusiek8033]

The X4 looks great. More or less exactly what I was hoping for.

[@wadewilliams1892]

Mac thunderbolt is lead £50 - needs addressing - we should strike until it’s included in the box

[@mchild1983]

And strike for all of.us who got mk2...with tb2...honest if mk2 wasnt released and x came out last time ...no cable wouldn't have had bugged me as much..became depends on what host..u may of had too buy a difference cable.anyways ..

[@mchild1983]

Also u can find tb3 for cheaper. Now days..just make sure 40mps rather anything lower..oh..and 100w..that's basically what a tb3 by apple is AND yes u can find for alot cheaper nowadays

[@RonnieVaiArovo]

Best video I have seen that explains the Twin X Audio interfaces of 202X. This guy explains advanced concepts with simplistic ease, unlike others. Yes I agree that Universal Audio should provide a short thunderbolt 3 cable with these gorgeous interfaces. But I will say, it is worth paying an extra £20 for the cable because of the supreme power this interface offers 👌

[@MrZambooni]

Why is it so hard to include a frkn´ Thunderbolt cabel in the box? It´s almost as bad as not including a power brick....

[@creatorsremose]

Nick, the only thing you get *with* a Mac Book is the liability for buying an outdated product that is packaged as new. Everything else is aftermarket.

[@jfg09]

Creator's Remorse yes but no

[@mchild1983]

All u older.mbp users..and want a mk2 apollo that has tb2 connection lmk let's work out a trade

[@mchild1983]

@G T buy my apollo mk2 thunderbolt 2 .

[@Swizzenator]

Why not connect actual equipment, show and demo live options. Guess connecting that power cord was overwhelming?

[@soupforare]

X4 looks like a fantastic desktop counterpart to a rack Apollo system. I've got the Duo Twin to work with my 8 which I love. Does the X4 play nice with "old" thunderbolt devices?

[@cornellclark1432]

soupforare Yes

[@monowelt]

Good one Nick with the question for Midi control...guess it will never happened, it’s a shame

[@jbkivontop]

So dose the "X" models sound better then the normal Apollo's?

[@saltypancreas5866]

I’m about to pull the trigger and buy the Apollo interface But the issue and reason I’m asking Is in order for my PC to accept thunderbolt I’m going to need to upgrade the motherboard I just want to know if I should pull the trigger on the twin duo (USB) for Windows Or get the Apollo twin x ( thunderbolt) (Because there both the same price point ) N wait till I can upgrade my PC I wish to know if the upgrade is worth the time I’d be waiting Since I’ve heard the converters are better and pre amps are better I’ve also heard low end is more controlled But I’m going around asking

[@danimolina08]

Hi I have two questions: -Are the AD/DA really the SAME as the Apollo x6/8/8p? -Can I integrate an Apollo x4 with a first gen Apollo to expand i/o and DSP power?

[@johndean5860]

danimolina08 no you cannot

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

It's just a fantastic piece of kit. Hands down. That cable situation is a bit of a shame (sic) but apart from that? The Apollo gat me back to just recording sounds and getting on with my life.

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

If they'd only make an App for the Console software....

[@saren6538]

Great ... literally just bought the twin Apollo duo mk2 😒

[@cornerliston]

Bought it online within two weeks? If so you can probably send it back : )

[@wildmilne]

But you probably got the extra free Plugin Bundle and $100 off. Didn't see if the new release still included the extra plugins. I also purchased recently.

[@cornerliston]

@Techno Assassin For sure but since you don't know WHEN it will be out it's a bit difficult to plan. Last time it took UA two years to release the Twin mk2 after the black face Apollos were out. This time it took one year.

[@MwtcultureisSHE]

Same here lol might be worth an exchange 😂 plus already got the free plugins, worth the pain I guess

[@saren6538]

corner liston Na was just over as I called them up and the returns had expired

[@mintyswirljoy]

The only lame thing is no TB3 out. So this has to be LAST in the chain, which means you can't put a TB2 UAD Satellite in the chain as you'd lose the TB3 by converting.

[@sveinarildvats9843]

Nice video! apart from double inputs on x4, it's worth it comparing with the Apollo twin x? I'm in the early stages of music production, and I don't have much knowledge. But I want the best equipment 😀👍🏻

[@Itseightysix]

Svein Arild Vatsø Duo and quad is just the difference in processing power that handles plugins , and the x4 is just more I/O , I’ll just get the Apollo x quad or Duo if you just doing recording for yourself or another person don’t need 4 I/O

[@richardwilliams1310]

Can you use any of these new interfaces with Thunderbolt 2 Macs?

[@mchild1983]

Last gen mk2..has tb2 I have a brand new 1...if u wanna get the x...duo.and trade....dam near.same price same thing

[@mchild1983]

😂😂😂

[@jonashuckphoto]

Yes. You need anTB3 to TB2 adapter and it works fine. I have it working like that.

[@richardwilliams1310]

@@jonashuckphoto thanks for the reply, I was thinking that adaptor may work but wasn't totally sure being new to Mac. I bought an older Mac Mini on sale not too long ago just to test as I had never used a Mac. I have it running dual boot with Boot Camp and may end up running the OS from an external SSD or swap the internal drive for a SSD which looks like a fiddly procedure but doable. I understand that Thunderbolt 3 has much higher bandwidth but I doubt that for my usage, even USB 2.0 interfaces would be adequate. Video editing would certainly benefit from TB3 vs TB2 when using external GPUs when rendering large files shot in high quality and also gaming, but I don't fit either of those usage scenarios and if I was to do video editing with Final Cut Pro, Adobe, DaVinci Resolve, Sony, etc it will still work but take longer

[@rp1891]

I was hoping for this for years but its double the price I was expecting

[@stevo7730]

Fortunately for anyone who has recently purchased a Apollo Twin Quad the unit won't become obsolete, these new ones will be around 1K more expensive

[@iantanner7579]

Looks very tempting, - although, and i'm sure it's just me, but i always feel the little guitar icons on these devices looks a little lame... i know i'm being superficial.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

Yeah, it's a total dealbreaker.

[@summerWTFE]

I’ll keep using my Scope platform until this tech has new DSPs and synths. In any case these new features Scope has had for 20+ years.

[@EquestrianSport]

so the big question is, can a MOTU device connect to the ADAT light pipe and work with this. Because if it does, I'm buying one. I have 3 MOTUS that won't work with the new iMac Pro. Anyone out there have any insight?

[@cornerliston]

With UAD you can never really have a large effects chain on a quad dsp system : ) All depending on what plugin you use off course. Some of them use A LOT of dsp. Some of them are quite conservative. However very good feature with the dsp pairing. Didn't see that feature until now.

[@cornerliston]

@G T It gives you more for sure but certainly not endless : ) I have 8 cores and that's not efficient for many of the plugs demanding a lot of processing power. Plus unfortunately the satellites doesn't work if you want to track with plugs. Only in the mix stage.

[@cornerliston]

@G T For sure. But I'm happy with what I have. I don't use UA plugs only. They're only really useful when tracking and when mixing. When writing music they introduce too much latency. But they are in some cases the best sounding plugs so I pick a few when mixing.

[@spacemanpope1805]

I thought that was Mark Hunt for a second.

[@D-One]

He's like half the size tho

[@Shane-zo4mg]

UAD if you're reading this please consider releasing a solo version of twin x

[@GuitarPlayingTV]

Check the UA arrow. I think it's pretty much the new solo version

[@Shane-zo4mg]

@@GuitarPlayingTV yeah that's what they suggested. I think that's what I'll end up getting. Love the single tb3 is all that's needed

[@GuitarPlayingTV]

@@Shane-zo4mg I'm thinking the same right now. I was waiting for them to come up with the 3rd update for the twin/quad using USB C and bus powered but after all it seems the arrow is the only one that dooes that. I am all about reducing cables and the single tb3 with a Macbook just looks really good ... we'll see

[@Shane-zo4mg]

@@GuitarPlayingTV yeah plus arrow doesn't need that stupid adapter for pc

[@GuitarPlayingTV]

@@Shane-zo4mg Let me know if you get it

[@smalltown4855]

Will this interface fire peanuts at accountants?

[@VersatileLifestyle1]

Can u use this on a Windows PC?

[@VANDYKEDAN]

Yes you can, I'm doing so now. You just need to add a TB3 card. I'm using a Gigabyte Alpine Ridge card. No problems at all.

[@alexgwiza]

Did he say one dsp processor or what?

[@jameswallace5967]

I wish Universal Audio would provide an alternative to Thunderbolt for PC users.

[@tobyb8511]

I have a very effective ASUS T3 card in my PC - Apollo X8 plugged in fine!

[@PaulWilliamsIE]

I have a lenovo thinkpad P51... it has thunderbolt.... its not just macs

[@therealrussellsmyth]

I’ve had an Apollo mk2 quad for the last couple of years... Wondering if there is a noticeable difference in sound quality with new version

[@NyakzOTSD]

no

[@therealrussellsmyth]

Nyakz that settles it so 😂😂😂

[@NyakzOTSD]

@@therealrussellsmyth I went to the shop... And they said while it may be better... it's nothing we can hear lol

[@therealrussellsmyth]

Nyakz ok ta

[@user-bx5zi1mv5t]

@@therealrussellsmyth Check this out. I can hear the difference but only through my monitors of course. Most people who use cheap headphones wouldn't notice it. www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/2019/3/15/from-tracking-to-mixing-a-deep-dive-into-recording-a-band-using-two-universal-audio-apollo-x16-audio-interfaces (this is the x6 but it has the same convertors)

[@A1DULLU]

Will this work with Usb type c ?

[@sonicstate]

No. It needs to be thunderbolt. Which uses the same kind of connector but it's not the same

[@A1DULLU]

@@sonicstate thank you....i want to buy one is there any way around this issue ?

[@DaraM73]

Mic balance levels. Gees

[@RubiksCubism]

UA platform is great but I think they need to innovate more with their software, half their plugins you can get with PA or Softube, which aren’t DSP locked to some sharc chip. Feels like a very expensive ilok.

[@nicholassturgess-monks4458]

RubiksCubism Softube plug-ins use quite a bit of CPU (don’t get me wrong, I love them, but they are HEAVY), the Apollo uses its own processing chip rather than tying up computer resources. That sharc chip is a feature, not a problem.

[@theredfaceofficial]

Sorry but comparing Softube and PA plugins as direct replacements to the sonic quality of the UAD plugins is lame. The UAD stuff is much better quality and more closer to the hardware they aim to emulate. Softube’s Pultec version just sounds rubbish and so generic, nothing like a Pultec. PA plugins are ok, but lack the warmth of UA plugins. The others just don’t cut it.

[@soupforare]

I was very excited for the OTO Biscuit, thinking it would also include the Der Oto synth inside. I don't know if it's a control thing over their internal bus or what, they REALLY are sitting on a gold mine of SYNTHESIS power that they're just not using. I don't get it.

[@TheWeazel01]

@@theredfaceofficial They all sound great and with all of them you can do a great mix. UAD is not better that PA or Softube, they're only slightly different. Just like two 1176's aren't the same.

[@theredfaceofficial]

TheWeazel01 I agree that you can do a great mix with any of them. Tools are tools at the end of the day. But when it comes to authentic analog modelling, and we consider things like sound quality, width, depth and headroom of the gain controls, the UAD just sounds more authentic IMHO. I find myself comparing my racked Neve 1073’s to the UAD versions and always smiling at how close the UA plugins sound, same goes for API EQ’s and the same goes for SSL strip. The Softube plugins are not the same quality, they sound flat and two dimensional. I’m a user of Softube plugins too, such as Console 1 with Class A Channel, and SSL 4000. They get the job done, but just less authentic to the analog hardware equipment. The same goes for many of the PA plugins. UAD just got it right, and they’ve been at it for many many years.

[@albyanez7]

surprised tom didn't snap with the amount of times he got interrupted

[@MichaelinLosAngeles]

Alberto Yañez Was very aggravating..

[@rickmason6157]

yes more DSP!!!!!

[@andreburch7047]

$2k and no 5.1 or 7.1 monitoring... seems like a raw deal for a desktop unit. Its not much cheaper than their new racks. Just shell the extra couple of hundred dollars to get something more useful.

[@anastav6915]

2k and no usb connection also for the windows users. UAD doesnt GIVE A FCK about us. So im gonna spend double the amount for the companies that include TB AND USB + having 5.1 and 7.1 monitoring and give a fuck about ALL users.

[@Check-it-out]

No surround sound monitoring. So... No Sale !

[@gravityfreaksmusic]

Do people still do surround?

[@Check-it-out]

Video producers also use Apollos ! And what you can do in music with 5.1 is amazing. Listen to Pink Floyd’s records in surround ! Surround is not commonly used in music production because mainstream music needs to be radio-compatible.

[@rareview362]

You gotta be a hacker to understand this stuff bro I'm just trying to make some music why do these tech companies keep producing more and more technical stuff?

[@rustinpeacemaster]

TruthSeeker because the features are aimed for Audio Engineers

[@soundofmonolith1215]

1000 channels of.. footsteps :)

[@matthewhaggard9734]

Wow 1 year later this piece of gear is 500 dollars more. Talk about inflation

[@LexvanDijk]

"Yeah, you can hook it straight up to your mac without any hassle!!" but he didn't say that..

[@mchild1983]

No adapter now at least...🤯🤔

[@johndean5860]

Not compatible with windows 7 or 8.1. It Doesn’t Matter if your machine has thunderbolt 3 !!!The Uad console 2.0 software no longer supports it.Windows 10 is required to use these devices Just A Heads Up Before you go out there and spend your money.

[@Boissinova]

LITCHRALLY 😂🇬🇧

[@naturecollision]

why off center design?

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

for those of us who like to torment people with OCD

[@reginaldbowls7180]

What do you mean? everything is in the centre.

[@JosBlomsma]

Sounds good! 😎

[@ampent4204]

Tooo Damn expensive for a desktop unit, Tired of these companies GOUGING us with this mess!

[@rocnroll0065]

Yes...one more guitar input and two more microphone and a extra headphone input for 500.00 dollars. Were is the product that gives back to the consumer? They should of dropped the price on the mkii and sold the X4 for the 1300.00.....and still that is expensive taking most people will need or want other plugins that are very expensive also.

[@ampent4204]

@@rocnroll0065 People need to reject this obvious money grab. We need to reject this mess until these companies give us the product and features thats geared for success not our pockets. Get you a focusrite instead !!

[@rocnroll0065]

@@ampent4204 I agree....I've been researching other interfaces and plugin bundles that I could get for the price I paid for my apollo mkii quad. Universal Audio makes alot of money off of their hardware alone and you can't use their plugins without the hardware. The thing that is crazy is in universal Audio's plugin bundles, if you spend 1000.00 dollars you can get 10 plugins....if you spend 2500.00 dollars you get 99 plugins priced at 25.00 each!!! Universal Audio needs to sell all their plugins from 50.00 - 100.00 and watch how fast their users will purchase those plugins.

[@ampent4204]

Or at least do what waves did, break down their plugins and sell them, I never was able to afford their interfaces. I have friends that have them and I really dont see anything spectacular about the converters or sound quality

[@hitthesynth6417]

UAD still thinking that users can afford 4k € to use their product and make it again only Mac users... (Around 1k interface and 3k apple) So when you got a 2k ryzen workstation that blow any Mac you want UAD converters you can only buy a +5 yo interface with Apollo USB mk1... 😂 Even Intel PC are still tricky with thunderbolt and uad drivers...

[@hitthesynth6417]

No just that a brand launch new products so sure of themselves that they think that they need only Mac users to survive (Mac users are less and less in audio industry) and that this is to the IT company to fix this problem of UAD being incapable of making a USB 3 + thunderbolt interface (every direct competitor of UAD does that and this as become a standard )

[@hitthesynth6417]

Lol I can afford it don't advance yourself on people life mate! Just I don't like to be fucked by a brand (I speak from apple ) so by extension UAD is a difficult choice except to get 5 to hardware! And yeah sure your the best on Earth you know all the pro studios in the world blablabla Go back to bed kid seriously you have nothing better to attack somebody that just lift a real problem of a brand/product? I don't even want to enter your game of who as the biggest but seriously you should talk with big seller of hardware for pro like normal people... They don't recommend UAD anymore in most of the case There is lot of alternative today in high end industry that as understand that thunderbolt 3 is just a protocol (revolutionary in the time but now kinda hated by everyone in IT) and the important is the quality of connection so lot are using thunderbolt with USB and FireWire even sometimes Ethernet I don't know why you are so hostile even if I was just giving my opinion But the fact that you came here presumptuous on my income and financial capabilities is just fun and won't make me entertain any more débat with you! My studio and I thank you and Wich you a good life! 👋

[@mchild1983]

Tb3 too usb seems like it could be possible

[@tobyb8511]

@@hitthesynth6417 I have a very effective ASUS T3 card in my PC - works great on these X's

[@hitthesynth6417]

@@tobyb8511 yep I don't say that this is impossible to work but from a brand like UAD you shouldn't have to workaround to use a product on any system

[@Piratebreadstick]

I never know what these people are talking about. If you want people to buy this stuff, please don't assume we all have a PhD in digital babble.

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Alot of noth'n.!

[@harvesteroftone5473]

The Apollo x4 costs $3400 in Australia, and these tight arse bastards won't even include a Thunderbolt cable. Wankers.

[@newsflash5275]

ARE YOU F**** KINDIN ME NO THUNDERBOLT CABLE IS LIKE SELLING A PORTABLE HARDDRIVE WITH OUT A USB CABLE VERY STUPID SPEDING 1400 FOR A TWIN QUAD AND IT DOESNT EVEN HAVE A TB CABLE WHAT A JOKE KEEPING MY MKII NOT UPGRADING

[@anastav6915]

Amazing how UAD doesnt give a FUCK about windows users. MOST windows users DONT HAVE FCKIN THUNDERBOLT mobos. And NO im NOT gonna buy new mobo, new cpu, new anything JUST TO TEST if the fckin UAD will be compatible to the mobo and no problems will occur and im definitely NOT gonna buy a new thunderbolt 3 laptop if i want to have my card while traveling. UAD, IS IT SO FCKIN HARD TO HAVE A USB CONNECTION ALSO in your cards? Until you think its time to include the WINDOWS users on your market list im gonna spend my 2-3k on companies that GIVE a fuck about BOTH MAC AND WINDOWS, and have stable drivers for BOTH. RME it is and many more.