Universal Audio Apollo Twin Audio Interface | Review, Setup, & Test

What makes the UA Apollo Twin interfaces so good? Is the Apollo Twin worth the money? In this video, we will unbox, setup, test, and review the Universal Audio Apollo Twin audio interface. I'll walk you through the inputs, outputs, and features. Then, we will test the microphone preamps, latency, instrument input for guitar and bass, as well as the UAD plugins included with the UA Apollo interfaces.
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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/Ao1XkN
zZounds: geni.us/0wrcr
Thomann: geni.us/AIRVfOg
Amazon: amzn.to/3G6NbwX
Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/universal-audi...
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/mgoaG1
Musician's Friend: musicians-friend.pxf.io/qnO0zj
B&H: bhpho.to/3d8zBwx
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/vn1a7j
zZounds: geni.us/PmOfyvZ
Thomann: geni.us/qEKgB
Amazon: amzn.to/3G5ncGw
Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/universal-audi...
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/QO2Gb3
Musician's Friend: musicians-friend.pxf.io/9Wy9E3
B&H: bhpho.to/3jojzBB
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII DUO
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/do3z6K
zZounds: geni.us/8A26x
Thomann: geni.us/p5ZyAm4
Amazon: amzn.to/3vt8bt7
Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/universal-audi...
Guitar Center: guitar-center.pxf.io/jWJ5m0
Musician's Friend: musicians-friend.pxf.io/P0mAbQ
B&H: bhpho.to/3jnG3CV
Thunderbolt 2 Cable
Amazon: amzn.to/2Z6y9XK
B&H: bhpho.to/3B02J21
Thunderbolt 3 Cable
Amazon: amzn.to/2Z6qIQl
B&H: bhpho.to/3jjR4oC
Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt 3 Adapter
Amazon: amzn.to/3n6vwgo
B&H: bhpho.to/3n6hYkQ
Studio Essentials Checklist (Free): audiouniversityonline.com/fre...
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - What Makes Apollo Interfaces So Good?
02:27 - What's The Difference Between Apollo Twin DUO and QUAD?
03:14 - Unboxing
03:43 - Build Quality
04:07 - Settings & Features
06:04 - Microphone Preamp Test
06:41 - Hi-Z Input Test (DI, Instrument, Bass & Guitar)
08:08 - Latency Test
08:34 - Headphone Amplifier Test
08:51 - Talkback Microphone Test
09:23 - Universal Audio Console Software
09:43 - Pros & Cons
10:31 - Subscribe To Audio University!
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Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

[@tecnica-de-voz]

you're a gifted communicator, thank you for this excellent review.

[@rubyrodstewart]

Just found your channel today. This is one of the best music/audio channels out there. Wonderful, thanks for doing this work.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for your support, Rhuby Rod Stewart! Glad to help.

[@renefrater2394]

Great video! You made my day! Finally someone who did explained to me, what I needed to know. Thank you!

[@shaunboy07]

Great review! Super clear and informative.

[@Nebraska66]

Great presentation! Your video helped me greatly. This is a great channel. Thank you!

[@daviddorrian5349]

Amazing video thanks you. I've litterly never done any recording and bought this unit. Felt intimidated by the task of getting my moneys worth out and had buyers regret. This really help clear that.

[@Revelations-bc1vk]

Thank you for all this information super useful

[@marcusstubbs1662]

You literally answered all my question thank you bruv

[@modernmusicstudio303]

This was really helpful, thanks!

[@damelos4039]

What a great review. Covers everything and clearly stated so it's very easy to understand. Well done!

[@owentilbedtime]

Really great content man

[@hearheresingapore]

Good review - detailed and well thought out. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Kenn! Do you think the interface is a good fit for you?

[@hearheresingapore]

@@AudioUniversity yes, the specs and routing options via Console make it ideal for tracking into ProTools, although the plug-ins on the Twin are limited by the on-board chips, so bounce-to-disk is significantly slower than when using AAX plugins - a simple podcast ep will render 20-30x speed with all AAX plugins, but once UAD plugins are used, it drops to 6x. Not an issue for rendering songs, but for fast turnaround podcast productions, I will stick with AVID AAX plugins

[@AudioUniversity]

That’s a good point, Kenn. I had not considered that! Thanks.

[@calmabeats]

Amazing video, very nice job👏thanks !

[@GetThunderbolt]

This was a great overview, thanks for doing this!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, @Thunderbolt!

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@AudioUniversity Absolutely, we added this to our playlist and will share it and tag you on Twitter in the next few weeks

[@AudioUniversity]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@tubeo94]

You have the same interface progression as mine, im coming from 2i2 straight to the apollo. Worth the investment

[@waynemiller6070]

Thanks for the review.

[@GabrielXDrums]

I’ve had mine since early 2019, sent it only once for repairs to UAD, but it works great. My Presonus fire studio crapped on me so now I’m stuck with just two mics for my whole kit which is fine for now, one kick and one overhead behind the kit and the twin gets that done nicely. I recommend it too.

[@spinespindle9872]

Beautiful guitar solo👌🏻

[@bsingh1838]

Great informative video 🙏

[@jetlag_beats]

It was your review that made me do it...To get me one for my studio setup. And boy, am i glad now that I made that investment. It's insane what difference it makes to the more 'amateur' tools I used before. Just to mention the EQ-spectrum quality of the sound that I hear via the headphones out now, on the same (pro) studio headphones that I've been using already for 2 years now.... it's an amazing difference: I hear crisps and bumps that I have never heard before, although I was pretty sure that the quality with the other tools was good too. and then... finally working without all that latency-shit. Halleluya! I can recommend the Apollo to anyone who is serious about high quality audio productions.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you like it!

[@sacredinstrumentals1360]

Very helpful thanks

[@winstontk]

Great video. Thanks for this.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Tony! Did you decide to order an Apollo?

[@macdon2351]

this was so helpful

[@EDawg_32]

Great Video thank you!

[@HandsNFeetGOD]

Great video! Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching! Did you decide it’s the right interface for you or not?

[@djariadash]

great vid 👏👏

[@gibson2623]

That s what I have, also. Nice one Kyle ❤

[@mychess5821]

Talented teacher 👏 ❤

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks!

[@ParkerCharlesGabriel]

Great Channel 👏🏽

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Parker!

[@xntricity6446]

Thanks for the video ❤ As the wheels have fallen off for Antelope audio software I have decided to use my antelope interface as an adat converter. May I ask can the adat input be routed through the plugins also, I assume yes?

[@minstinct280]

Cool vid! You should do a vid on how to optimise your Mac for music production, cos lotsa people wanna know that kinda thing, & you explain things much better than others on YT.

[@AudioUniversity]

Great suggestion! Thanks.

[@rewind2play]

Great video..

[@nadeemahmed2622]

Apollo twin USB is a great interface for my Windows 10 system. Wonder why I had waited so long to update my previous one!

[@Noq92]

this thing is a absolute beast. I recommend everyone to consider buying this instead of any Scarlett. the plugins that come with it are insane

[@mikechansw748]

Hi, 10 months later. Is it still an insanely good product? How good are these plugins?

[@AlexM-si9zn]

Excellent review my friend, it is one of the most complete and clear explanations, thank you very much! i have a question i just bought a mkII when i wanted to buy the thunderbolt 2 with the converter i realized the two cables cost £80, if you add it up with the mkII it would cost the same as the twin X, my question is do you think Is it worth returning the MkII for the twin X? thank you so much

[@dredayproductions4063]

This was well explained I've done lot of work from 2.1 million dollar studios to Home Studio setups and that's super great to know for people who would like to take their set up to higher levels thank you

[@istike29]

im curious if this current UA hardware and software is optimized for the new apple silicone M1 chips, or if its worth waiting for any future more optimized products?

[@Rumpa1]

Hello I have the same issue with the Apollo Twin Solo Duo Thunderbolt 2 interface I have a nuc pc with Thunderbolt 4 port Did you find a solution I'm running on Windows 11

[@AlexDany]

your windows pc has thunderbolt 3 or 4? can i connect my apollo twin x to a laptop with thunderbolt 4?

[@TheSlim1]

I do have m audio air 192|4 is it worth it to get apollo solo or i upgrade my mic my mic is behringer b1

[@Rossdink]

The real question is is it a significant upgrade over the apogee duet interface. Will it be better with latency than my apogee?

[@tr3mar38]

Just came across your video‼️ I have a 2017 MacBook Air and I’m trying to connect the Apollo twin... what do you think I should do to get the Apollo interface to work?

[@Kyoutube121]

Do i have to download all of that to make the audio interface my audio output on sound setting on my mac? or is this download only for tools for mixing? (I bought mine just for connecting to speakers for listening, not recording)

[@rajkamaljangir3618]

Hi sir, uad apollo twin x adapter does not have three pin plug, only two, All the wires whether mic, Headphones or monitors is connected to twin x all have electric current, In our studio earthing cable is properly connected, But apollo has only two pins in its adapter, I'm getting electric shocks by apollo, please solve the problem, Thanks

[@chrisvento78]

I use Helix floor and have zero latency recording direct. It’s also acts as a sound card itself which I love. I use it for vocals, guitar and bass.

[@kastrosiete]

I have a UA twin finity pre amp with a first gen focusrite that i want to upgrade. If I get this interface, would you still recommend me keeping my pre amp or is the pre amp on this interface better then the twin finity?

[@renefrater2394]

I have Nord electro 5D. Can you explain me how to record it on stereo and is it possible to record keyboard at same time with bass guitar?

[@marcelomoyano6918]

Great review! I just bought this yesterday. Do you know if I can get a 10ft Thunderbolt 3 cable somewhere? I can't find one longer than 6ft... Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

I've been using a 6ft cable, too... Hope you enjoy the interface! Congrats, Marcelo!

[@paparinga]

What's the best way to use Apollo having one headphones in the mixing room and another pair of headphones in the recording booth? Buying a little mixer and putting it into the recording booth and then connecting it via outputs 1 / 2?

[@user-hu6ey5ow7h]

I hesitated between Antelope Zen Q and Apollo, I took the Antelope. Big mistake, so many problems with it, 1 year after I had to send it back to Antelope, I had no interface to work, I had to wait so i finally bought the Apollo. Don't hesitate! Apollo!

[@barankaypakoglu7643]

Great review and superb clear explanation. I am trying hard to justify the purchase of this while having a Focusrite Clarett. The chart in 08:24 helped. - Your buffer size is 64 samples and the resulting latency is 4 msec. At that sample rate I get the same latency value with Focusrite Clarett thunderbolt on M1 Macbook Pro. Soo yea...that was a bit off putting..

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Baran! Remember - 4 ms is the round trip latency (through the DAW). The Apollo provides even lower-latency monitoring when monitoring through the internal DSP. The Clarett and M1 still have excellent performance, though!

[@barankaypakoglu7643]

@@AudioUniversity 4 ms is the round trip latency through my DAW also. When I am monitoring through Focusrite I also have zero latency (without any processing of course). I guess what sets Apollo aside is that you can monitor with zero latency while there is processing in the chain using built-in plugins. But then, why would I need that if I have a guitar amp. Bear with me please while I try to understand what is going on here. Let's say I want to record guitars. I have a splitter in my chain. One signal goes to my guitar amp, the other to my audio interface. I turn off monitoring in my daw and listen to my playing through the amp with zero latency while recording. After I am done, I can process my recording in any way that I want. Considering that this is my setup, do you think I would still benefit from the built in DSP of the Apollo?

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

@@barankaypakoglu7643 Good point! Wish I knew the answer as I am also considering buying this

[@xtrem_acc]

Your video explains even better the Apollo interfaces than UAD does.

[@anonymohipp9097]

Thank you. Great review! How would you connect a synth to this? Would you have to use some sort of amp plugin to get a good sound?

[@AudioUniversity]

Does the synth have line outputs? If so, you can use 1/4” TRS cables.

[@anonymohipp9097]

@@AudioUniversity Yes. Thank you!

[@LeviKerrison]

What Digital Audio Workstation do you use? Pro Tools, Ableton, Fruity Loops or any of the others?

[@mehebbet.memmedov]

Hello, please reply, we bought this sound card, do we have to pay extra 399 USD to download the plugins?

[@samphelps856]

Thank you

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks for watching, Sam!

[@garyclement2888]

I'm thinking about purchasing this unit, but I'm curious- which one to purchase, the one with the Thunderbolt connection or the USB-C connection for MAC. I currently use a iMac 2020 machine with USBC- Which connection is faster, and I believe that Thunderbolt will be a thing of the past soon, like Firewire. With that in mind, what are your thoughts about my purchase? Plans are to purchase the MAC Studio M2 and the MacMini M3 at some point to grow into.

[@Krthaspecialist]

Oh your good!

[@reantixxmangata7302]

tysm

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

Which drums did you use ?

[@alfonsothegreat4481]

So the plug ins run on the UA processors ???

[@sonylynce738]

Can you connect the Apollo interface into a mixer?😢 or you can only use them individually?

[@astory0608]

Great review! May i know if the Apollo Twin X works with apple silicone (M1 chip)? Thank you!

[@ZeroGITC]

It does!

[@ktownt.v5009]

Do you need an ilok usb for the feature plugging’s

[@Sjsiisnwbe]

Bro, im really breaking my head about this. I just wanna record vocals and thats it, no instrument. Will a apollo twin mk2 SOLO be able to run enough plugins or do i need to go for the mk2 DUO. Only for vocals!!!????

[@andrewantczak4637]

Quick question regarding this interface. I use a Focusrite Clarett 2Pre usb interface and while I love it, I’m considering grabbing this interface just to have the ability to use less plugins in my daw. Does anyone else know if this interface has any tonal differences than the Clarett? Thanks!

[@dirtyharry292]

Great review, I am new to all of this. If I buy an Apollo twin with a thunderbolt output will it work with a windows computer or is it a mac feature? Thanks

[@AudioUniversity]

I use mine with windows. For recording and mixing, it works great! But there are issues with video conferencing apps like Zoom and Teams, so I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for that stuff.

[@jacksonville4932]

@Audio University these problems, were they fixable?

[@peterk3556]

Can i have the scarlett and switch up with apollo from time to time

[@TheSquash]

Quick question here! I was looking to use this as part of a two PC streaming setup because of how high quality the DSP is. If I was to connect the line out to another mixer, would it carry the already processed audio to that mixer or does it only send the raw signal?

[@billesposito2112]

I'm not quite sure what you mean but anybody can run it to it's full potential which one Mac or PC, I think you can use a PC also now . I use an Mac M1 and have nothing but good luck and it works tremendous.

[@TheBlackJewelz]

Wait can this be powered solely by a Thunderbolt cable??

[@wavesshells8297]

Pls can u try comparing this to Sternbeg Ur28 interface There is not video on u tube for this comparing

[@KollapsMusic]

Just bought Twin mkii heritage today

[@AudioUniversity]

Nice choice! Enjoy!

[@yosoymichaelmyers]

How can i use 4 monitors at the same time with the apollo?

[@RishabhShukla-ed1tk]

Audient iD14 with Cloud lifter or Apollo Twin without cloud lifter? (Asking suggestion for my SM7B)

[@ohno-ohno-VW]

How is it compare with RME Babyface Pro FS?

[@supremoluminary]

How can I get I/O to work properly?

[@TXHAWGKILLA]

If I am using a Kemper does the Apollo twin make sense?

[@AudioUniversity]

The Apollo Twin has some other good features, of course. But if you primarily record guitar, the Kemper probably already has you covered in terms of modeling for input monitoring.

[@juanantoniomoreno9826]

Hi, if I am using Komplet 13, and AmpliTube 5, do I need to get into UA plugins? Thanks.

[@AudioUniversity]

The UA plugins are great, but there are many other great plugins out there! My advice is to experiment and choose the tools you need for your work.

[@Jerusalemmade]

I recommend the Apollo twin x duo to people who are on a tight budget too because they can actually afford it they’re just being stingy and operating in scarcity…. Buy that gotdamn interface and save yourself now and then come back to my comment in the future and thank me.

[@JustMe-999a]

No. It's out of date. The included processors are unnecessary with a modern computer. Waste of money

[@bane8257]

@@JustMe-999afr i just got a m2 and it can handle processing but damn what others are good? Also the plugins with uad are good aswell.. what others have same latency as this?

[@hollownights6946]

🙏🏾👌🏾

[@Jerusalemmade]

@@JustMe-999a You sure you know what you’re doing pal

[@Jerusalemmade]

@@bane8257 A few but the price will be up there

[@lockalmomentorock]

Excelent Chanel

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks!

[@lockalmomentorock]

@@AudioUniversity Keep Like That! If you have INSTAGRAM let me find you also

[@Krthaspecialist]

Some as in still in the present plug ins my friend?

[@UROCKOFFICIAL]

tune that guitar

[@AudioUniversity]

Good ear, UROCKTV! It’s the intonation.

[@laserjakk3629]

Could you test RTL at 48khz / 128buffer, I'm about to get an Apollo Twin Mkii used.

[@shubhshinde4438]

How is RME babyface profs compared to Apollo twin

[@JoeyFTL]

Hey Kyle, thanks for the video! Did you have any driver issues? I can see you're using the Apollo on Windows, would you mind sharing your computer's specs?

[@AudioUniversity]

Compared to my experience using Apollo with Mac, there have been some issues with Windows. However, I haven’t seen many issues using Apollo with Windows in a DAW environment. Only when using it in other apps, like Zoom. What issues are you experiencing?

[@JoeyFTL]

@@AudioUniversity Thank you for your answer! I am currently looking into upgrading my computer and getting a Twin X with it, mostly because of the software as well as the superior conversion. I have heard many people had to jump through a lot of hoops and had to use elusive third party software to circumvent issues with thunderbolt when it comes to making it work on Windows, hence my curiosity

[@AudioUniversity]

Thunderbolt definitely has its advantages. I’d recommend checking out this video though. Doesn’t hurt to know more before buying! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpDLfJeLa7Jkmdk

[@JoeyFTL]

@@AudioUniversity excellent video, I have seen that one too. Not really looking into UAD for the unison technology though, more interested in the software - and that, coupled with the "new" converters in the Twin X make it a pretty sweet deal imo.

[@bsatishbabuofficial7333]

GREAT VIDEO .. WHAT ABOUT ANTELOPE SYNERGY CORE ZEN GO AND APOLLO TWIN

[@noahwallace3458]

You really should put thicker sound panels in your room I would do 6 inches thick you can hear the room in your mic and you have a pretty sweet set up it looks like

[@AudioUniversity]

The ceiling is the main problem I think. The walls are mostly covered by 6-inch thick panels but the ceilings are nearly blank!

[@Degrees-mx7ts]

my scarlet got a 457-2711 on 44hz and 2706-2987 on 48hz is this bad?

[@DeadRosesofficialYT]

how do i connect to my windows desktop i bought a Apollo twin duo thunderbolt 2 edition and my pc does not have a thunderbolt plugin for it

[@AudioUniversity]

You’ll need a Thunderbolt port to use a Thunderbolt interface like this. Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpDLfJeLa7Jkmdk

[@zachary5049]

5:55 the line input does not "double" the first mic combo jack input. Yes, it uses the same preamp, so that u can use just one at the time. But the line input for instrument (with guitar symbol on the front) has different impedance which is very important when plugin in hi-Z instruments- like guitar. Plugin in the same instrument to the combo-jack input would lead to different sound especially in the highs... Its pretty much the same in every audio interface, so you should have that in mind !!

[@gapya5034]

Hello, great video iam sturggling at the moment also to buy one apollo twin 😅 but I have still a question, what are the differences between the Apollo MKII Duo and the Apollo X Duo?

[@AudioUniversity]

The MkII is an older version than the X.

[@gapya5034]

@@AudioUniversity thank u

[@johnviera3884]

12 volt DC power. gee I wonder if it will work better. so many issues with bus power 5 VDC USB and they keep pushing it.

[@joonajks]

Would the Apollo interface with its plugins work great in da Vinci resolve for video editing?

[@AudioUniversity]

Yes, that works! My friend uses this setup.

[@joonajks]

@@AudioUniversity wow thank you!

[@ItzrealMusic]

What are the line outputs in the back of the interface for what can you connect to it?

[@AudioUniversity]

You can connect it to pretty much anything - outboard compressors, EQs, or a second pair of monitors.

[@ItzrealMusic]

@@AudioUniversity how do you do sends and returns though the interface you know by chance how I can edit eq and compress vocals analog with the Apollo ?

[@Krthaspecialist]

Plug ins included or not?

[@btn006]

Greit video. Can you connect two pairs of monitor to this?

[@AudioUniversity]

Yes. You will use outputs 3 and 4. Then you can set the interface to “Alt” mode.

[@btn006]

@@AudioUniversityawesome, and they wotk at the same time? Thinking of lagre monitors for bass low and skall ondes for hig?

[@AudioUniversity]

It’s intended to be used one at a time to test on different monitors. I wouldn’t recommend using two at the same time - lots of alignment challenges doing that.

[@keythegoat8312]

It don’t come with auto tune??

[@MrTupeloFlash]

Keep an eye on UA sales, you can pick up plug - ins at a respectable price

[@justinbraveheart26]

I'm missing one important thing and that's ...where is the info about the quality of the music ?? I for instance am not so interested about the mic features or how you can record external sources. I work only in the box. But for me it's essential to know if the price difference between a ssl 2+ and this mkii for only the audio reasons is reason to go for the mkii despite the fact i never going to use 90% of the features. I just want to buy the best audio interface for my studio. Would be nice if any reviewer can highlight this as it seems like this most vital part is missed out everytime.

[@tonyrobertsguitar]

Exactly!

[@SnehithPamarathi]

in my cart since so many days :-/