NAMM 2014: Universal Audio

Universal Audio released their groundbreaking unison technology this year which allows their audio interfaces to sound like a tube and solid state preamp. Also, they released a new desktop interface named the, "Apollo Twin" which allows for class-leading sound quality, Realtime UAD Processing, and breakthrough Unison mic preamp technology for the desktop studio.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING UNISON TECHNOLOGY

— Exclusive Analog/Digital Integration Enables Popular Apollo Interfaces to Faithfully Reproduce the Sound and Behavior of Classic Analog Mic Preamps —

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • January 23, 2014 — Universal Audio is proud to announce Unison™ technology, an audio processing breakthrough that enables the popular Apollo Audio Interfaces' onboard mic preamps to sound and behave like the world's most sought-after tube and solid state preamps.

More than three years in the making, Unison is an exclusive analog/digital integration system that gives the user continuous, realtime, bi-directional control and interplay between Apollo’s physical hardware and UAD software mic preamp models. With Unison, the Apollo mic preamp’s analog impedance, gain stage sweet spots, and component-level circuit behaviors are adjusted in real time prior to analog-to-digital conversion to accurately emulate the target mic preamp model.

“Apollo was designed and built with mic preamp modeling in mind, and has included input impedance switching from the very beginning — every Apollo mic preamp is Unison-ready,” says Universal Audio CEO Bill Putnam Jr. “The UA 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ is the first of many Unison-enabled plug-ins for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform. It’s included with the new Apollo Twin desktop interface, and will be available for all Apollo customers in Q1.”

Unison Key Features:

An exclusive analog/digital integration system that’s already built into every Apollo mic preamp
Enables Apollo mic preamps to sound and behave like the world's most sought-after tube and solid state preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage sweet spots, and component-level circuit behaviors.
Continuous, realtime, bi-directional control and interplay between Apollo’s physical hardware and UAD software preamp model.
Requires an Apollo Interface, available from authorized dealers worldwide.

Learn more about the award-winning Apollo audio interfaces here:
www.uaudio.com/apollo

Learn more about the award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins:
www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html

About UAD Powered Plug-Ins
Powered by Universal Audio’s popular UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware and Apollo audio interfaces, UAD Powered Plug-Ins offer the world’s most authentic analog hardware emulations and award-winning audio plug-ins on Mac and PC. UAD plug-ins deliver rich, analog sound quality that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with native recording systems.

About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1958 by recording pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., and refounded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio is best known for its classic, hand-built analog hardware and advanced UAD Digital Signal Processing technology for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. Headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology, following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.” www.uaudio.com.

©2014 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The "Universal Audio" name, UA "Diamond" logo, “Apollo,” and "UAD Powered Plug-Ins" are trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO INTRODUCES APOLLO TWIN HIGH-RESOLUTION DESKTOP INTERFACE

— Now shipping worldwide, Apollo Twin delivers class-leading sound quality, Realtime UAD Processing, and breakthrough Unison mic preamp technology to the desktop studio —

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • January 23, 2014 — Universal Audio, a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is proud to introduce the Apollo Twin High-Resolution Desktop Interface with Realtime UAD Processing.

This sleek 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac combines the same high-quality 24/192 kHz audio conversion of Universal Audio's acclaimed Apollo series with onboard Realtime UAD SOLO or DUO Processing. With its ergonomic desktop design, rugged aluminum construction, and front panel headphone and instrument connections, Apollo Twin allows Mac users to record in real time (at near-zero latency) through the full range of UAD Powered Plug-Ins available in the UA Online Store, including titles from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, API and more.

Apollo Twin also introduces new Unison™ technology.* Built on an integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, Unison unlocks the authentic tone of the most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors.

Apollo Twin will ship with Universal Audio’s "Realtime Analog Classics" UAD plug-in bundle, featuring legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, the all-new 610-B Tube Preamp plug-in, and more.

Available in both SOLO and DUO models (with either one or two Analog Devices SHARC processors, respectively), Apollo Twin is now shipping worldwide with estimated street prices of $699 (SOLO) and $899 (DUO).

* Unison Technology coming to Apollo DUO and Apollo QUAD in early 2014.

Apollo Twin Features

Desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through vintage Compressors, EQs, Tape Machines, Mic Preamps, and Guitar Amp plug-ins with near-zero (sub-2ms) latency
Thunderbolt connection for blazing-fast PCIe speed and rock-solid performance on modern Macs
New Unison technology offers stunning models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps
2 premium mic/line preamps; 2 line outputs; front-panel Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output
2 digitally controlled analog monitor outputs for full resolution at all listening levels
Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical connection
Includes "Realtime Analog Classics" UAD plug-in bundle, featuring Legacy editions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, plus Softube Amp Room Essentials, 610-B Tube Preamp, and more
Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via Audio Units, VST, RTAS & AAX 64
Available with either UAD-2 SOLO or UAD-2 DUO DSP processing onboard