Universal Audio Reveals the Upgraded Apollo X Gen 2 Line of Audio Interfaces
Popular audio recording equipment manufacturer Universal Audio (UA) has unveiled an overhaul of its top-selling Apollo X Series audio interfaces, which are compatible with Mac and Windows-based recording studios.
The revamped Apollo X lineup caters to creators by providing tools for expediting work on high-definition audio, such as quick level adjustments via assistive auto-gain and a cutting-edge DSP-influenced correction system for headphones, speakers, and rooms. These updated products aim to generate studio-quality sound, regardless of the setting – whether it's a professional studio or a home setup.
I reached out to Bill Putnam Jr., the Universal Audio CEO and son of the company's renowned founder, to gain insights on the new Apollo X Series and the reasons behind this upgrade.
He shared, "Our most recent release of Apollo interfaces was back in 2018, since then, numerous Grammy-winning artists have relied on them for creating hit records in studios across the globe. With technological advancements, we've unveiled an Apollo X Gen 2 that not only boasts great sound quality but also corrects for less-than-optimal studio spaces or monitors as well as their headphones. This ensures everyone can produce professional mixes."
What's New in Apollo X Gen 2 Series?
I was intrigued to understand what truly sets the new Apollo series apart. Although UA is famous for its ability to generate warm, vintage tones, the Apollo X Gen 2 Series is all about precision.
Putnam elaborated, "Clarity and authenticity were at the forefront of our designs across the entire line. We've enhanced elements like noise reduction, total harmonic distortion, and dynamic range. The changes are evident, even to long-time Apollo users."
Additionally, UA has introduced new plug-ins such as Topline Vocal Suite. This innovative vocal tuning engine features machine-learning key detection and combines it with classic studio effects, giving music makers a comprehensive tool for crafting exceptional vocals.
Moreover, UA has released UAD plug-in versions of its popular guitar amp emulation pedals. The UAD Dream '65, Ruby '63, and Lion '68 plug-ins provide studio-quality, mic'd guitar tones in Mac or Windows studios without the need to find and mic an old amp.
I asked Putnam if UA was manufacturing these new products in the USA. Given the ongoing trend of onshoring certain tech products, would UA be following suit?
Putnam admitted, "As a global company, we construct things in various parts of the world. Our digital products are built in Asia with our trusted partners, but traditional analog studio hardware and microphones continue to be hand-built in Santa Cruz, California, one piece at a time."
He concluded, "For the past 25 years, my brother and I have led Universal Audio with a profound sense of responsibility. We want to pay homage to the past while pushing forward into the future. Our aim is to create tools that blend seamlessly into the creative process, allowing artists to focus solely on their music."
In terms of practical benefits for end-users, the Apollo X Gen 2 range boasts upgraded 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A conversion, providing users with the highest resolution of any Apollo interface to date. Additionally, these interfaces benefit from built-in UAD DSP plug-in processing and Unison mic preamp modeling, offering a wide range of classic studio sounds from the 1950s onward.
Speaker, Headphone, and Room Calibration
The Apollo X Gen 2's new Monitor Correction feature ensures that mixes and masters sound consistent across various playback devices through precise, real-time DSP-driven calibration of monitors, headphones, and rooms.
Beyond this, the new products also unveil an Assistive Auto-Gain feature that provides seamless level adjustments across all input channels with a single click, enabling creators to swiftly achieve ideal recording levels without the fear of clipping.
UA also mentions that the Apollo X Gen 2 interfaces will come with Antares Auto-Tune as a standard feature and are available with Essentials, Studio, or Ultimate UAD plug-in bundles from authorized UA dealers.
For more information on the new Apollo X | Gen 2 range and UA's plug-in and LUNA recording software, visit www.uaudio.com.
- The Apollo X Gen 2 Series, a part of Universal Audio's overhauled Apollo X Series audio interfaces, is now compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, following the footsteps of the previous Apollo interfaces that were popular among Grammy-winning artists.
- Bill Putnam, the CEO of Universal Audio, highlighted the new features in the Apollo X Gen 2 Series, which includes the introduction of UAD plug-in versions of popular guitar amp emulation pedals, such as the UAD Dream '65, Ruby '63, and Lion '68, for studio-quality guitar tones on Mac or Windows-based recording studios.
- To optimize the sound quality of their recordings, audio creators using the Apollo X Gen 2 Series audio interfaces can benefit from Bill Putnam Jr.'s father's legacy, as Universal Audio continues to adhere to the principles of generating warm, vintage tones while also introducing innovative features like the Monitor Correction and Assistive Auto-Gain for superior audio performance on MacOS and Windows platforms.
