Universal Audio Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition

I was sold on the UAD line for years, but only recently could I actually buy one the variants. I initially wanted to get a used UAD-1 or UAD-2 PCI Solo card, but as soon as the Apollo series was launched, I was drooling. I built a computer specifically for this device, picking a Gigabyte Gaming motherboard as that was the line that they claimed years ago was compatible. Since their information was outdated even then and motherboards continually are replaced with new ones, I went with the current Z270X Gaming 7 variant. This board also had Thunderbolt 3 onboard, so no need for an add-on. The unit needs some software, such as the UAD console, to be installed. It claims to support WDM, but in my experience, it's not what you would expect from such an expensive product by such a legendary company. On my first attempt to use it, I could here computer audio for half a second and then it would stop. In fact, if it was a Youtube video, the video would immediately hang after that half second of audio made it through. After troubleshooting, I realized that if you right-click on the volume control on the taskbar, then select "Sounds", then "Playback", I could disable the Apollo and reenable it and it would begin working uninterrupted, and the spinning Youtube video would instantly start playing again. This was very odd, but there is a drawback to this "work around", there is intermittent noise and any inputs on the Apollo are destroyed by far more noise. Basically, it's unusable to record if you do the disable/enable trick. That said, just turning it on and using Pro Tools, it works flawlessly. Essentially the WDM audio will not be available, but recording via the 2 inputs as well as the 8 ADAT lightpipe channels has none of the noise that occurs if you do the disable/enable trick. Support is a bit of a joke if you want to speak to a human. Their website states that it's 4 days a week from 9am to 1pm PST, but that's not true, it's only 11am to 1pm—only 2 hours for 4 days a week! The person I spoke with was friendly enough, but he didn't even own an Apollo device himself. I'm awaiting contact from support for more troubleshooting, but I've disabled all the BIOS settings requested, set my processor to a static speed, and everything under the sun that is suggested on forums, but nothing has worked. There are plenty of people complaining about Windows 10 support, so be aware of this. All that said, it's still work it for me. This unit gives the ability to record 10 channels of audio (using the ADAT input for 8), supports Unison for real-time emulation of some preamps like Avalon, gives easy control of input, monitor, and phone levels, and comes with some of the most iconic compressor/limiters. This is what I was after all along, the ability to emulate multiple LA-2As and 1176s, rather than pay $2000 to $4000 for a hardware unit for only one channel. I've since gone plugin crazy, thanks to the terrific holiday sales that were happening and acquired pretty much everything that I could want. Now, I can emulate awesome sounding bass and guitar amps, add some classic sounding reverbs, and even do some vocoding. All in all, I couldn't be happier with the performance, but I do have a huge point of contention with the poor Windows 10 support. Still, the pros outweigh the cons, and my mixes are exploding with quality that I never could achieve before with knock off plugins like Reaper has built in. There is such a massive difference, I can't ever go back.

I have the UAD Apollo Twin X Heritage Edition. I also own the RME Babyface Pro FS. Let me tell you, if I am doing mainly voice overs and some editing on music, I would use the UAD Apollo Twin X more than my Babyface Pro FS. Don't get me wrong, the Babyface Pro FS is also pretty freaking amazing as well. You can't go wrong with either. This review is about the UAD Apollo Twin X. So at first, I was confused about the preamps and plugins and though, you're already getting native UAD plugins but I didn't realize, they don't sound the same as unison preamps that are with the Apollo hardware. It's no wonder people go for these vs a hardware compressor and EQ, etc. I mean, if you have that kind of money, go for them, they definitely sound good but make no mistake, I had a lot of outboard hardware too and now most of them have been replaced with the Apollo Twin X Unison Preamps and Plugins. Impedance Interaction is what separates just slapping on a regular native UAD plugin vs a Unison Plugin from UAD. Native doesn't sound like it but for some reason, the unisons have that 'real' feeling to it and after looking it up and listening, it has electrical behavior that interacts with your mic/line input and adds depth, smoothness, thickness, color, and make it more alive and organic vs just a regular 3rd party plugin. Trust me, it's not the same as NATIVE UAD plugins. Anyways, for the value, this interface is way leagues ahead of a SSL 2+, Scarlett, Audient ID series. I know this because I owned those interfaces from the past, from Mbox to Audient to SSL and Focusrite, UAD and RME are in a league of it's own. There is nothing 'budget' about them, they sound so professional and I could tell especially since my mixes sound much better. It feels so premium and good. Barely any latency. Very easy to use. I use Mac OS with the latest OS for my M1 Pro and M1 Air and Intel 2020 iMac. So yes, I even recommend this one even though there is a newer version of the UAD Twin X gen 2. This one is still real good! One of my favorite interfaces, ever! You can't go wrong, trust me!

I see a lot of complaints and issues when people buy the Apollo Twin X Duo thunderbolt version for their windows computer. (Device review at the bottom) First off I can not say this does or doesn’t work for Windows laptops. As far as desktops go, you need a motherboard that either allows thunderbolt 3 or 4 (not just USB-C). I have an Asus motherboard “PRIME Z490-A” which allowed me to buy a “Asus Thunderboltex 4” physical card upgrade to my system. Upon plugging it in to the motherboard properly and I turning it on in the motherboard bios this Apollo device worked perfectly fine without issues. In short, this works on windows desktops. I’ve recorded in Pro Tools, I’ve used this producing in FL. At this moment of review the device struggles to work with FL, but works fine when changing the device to asio4all and making the UAD the out and in. (Still wouldn’t record in FL that’s why I have Pro Tools) Make sure you have “Thunderbolt 3” and can transmit data back and fourth in that port before you purchase this for a windows only machine. ———————— DEVICE REVIEW: As far as the device review goes. Wow, I’m amazed at the quality. Build, software, and sound is insane hands down. The ability to add a touch of compression and De-Essers to your voice before touching the interface noise in a recording chain is next level for someone without the ability to have a huge physical outboard rack. For someone just getting into producing or recording, this is definitely a professional device. I would get a Focusrite starting out personally because of price, but the upgrade from that to this is a light year of difference in sound quality for the recordings and playback. Hopefully this helps someone out. Have a nice day!

I've recorded an entire album from my home studio with this unit. It has unparalleled sound quality, and is fairly simple/straightforward to use. It's got more bells and whistles than I typically need, but I do like the fact that I can insert outboard gear like a preamp or compressor into the signal chain while recording. The one other thing I'd mention is that UAudio definitely seems to keep up to date with patches for the constantly changing Mac OS requirements. I would definitely recommend it, plus it comes with some great plugins (LN1176, LA-2A, etc.). Those are a huge added value on their own.

This was such an upgrade for me. UAD software is great. A bit of a learning curve but it offers a wide range of free plug-ins which are so worth it. Also, youtube will help get you going. There is zero latency and it's a great price for the quality of sound that you get. I love that it's comes with an on/off switch and it's super easy to switch between inputs, monitor and headphones.

You only get two channels going in, but the mic amps are fantastic with enough gain to drive ribbon mics or the notoriously low output Shure SM7B. The DSP effects sound incredible - I own a Marshall JMP not unlike the one in the Plexi Classic sim and that sim is dead on with no detectable latency. That last part is important: you can get grooves with this setup that are impossible with other interfaces because even a few milliseconds of lag will audibly affect the feel of the track. Build quality is very good and appropriate for something that costs this much. I'm still learning the LUNA DAW software: so far it's quite intuitive and well laid out. I'm using this on a new Mac mini with the M1 processor; there are a few bugs which UA says they will eliminate when they release an M1 optimized update. It is more than usable as it is.

Built like a tank, excellence in design, form and function. Easily connects to Mac Studio with the included Thunderbolt USB-C cable, supports Apple silicon. Online registration and software downloads take some time for setting it up. Universal Audio offers great support and online tutorials to get you up to speed and recording. It delivers as promised. UA is primo.

The Apollo is extremely poorly supported and difficult to get working on Apple M4 pro on Apple Tahoe OS, and the iLok software is terrible as well. The real “Duo” here is that the customers have to deal with double the headaches: iLok and poor Apple Tahoe Silicon support. For such an expensive product the upkeep of their drivers and software security processes with modern OS is not good at all.

A livello professionale, questa è una delle top 3 schede audio più complete sul mercato, peccato che ci vuole sempre l’interfaccia uad installata sul computer, altrimenti non va

Yo vengo de utilizar una Focusrite Clarett 8 Pre desde hace 5 años y con esta Apollo Twin definitivamente cambia por completo el flujo de trabajo y la calidad de la captura de audio por sus Convertidores de mucho mejor calidad y circuitería pensada en emular de manera muy cuidada y casi idéntica a los equipos de gama alta que disten en Hardware. Los Plug-ins son algo costosos pero valdrán la pena cada centavo invertido en Universal Audio. La recomiendo si tienes el presupuesto para el subir de nivel en tu producción musical.

I’ve been using the Apollo Twin X DUO Heritage Edition for over 2 years now, and it’s been flawless. The build quality is solid, the sound clarity is incredible, and the included plugins make a huge difference in recording and mixing although not necessary, but very good to have especially complimentary to the purchased item. I must say that this instantly improves your audio quality and gives your recordings a professional edge. I’ve used it daily, and it still performs like new. Definitely a great investment for anyone serious about music production or podcasting. Greatest investment piece in my home studio ! * Also, just a heads-up to future buyers: make sure you get the correct connectors or adapters for your Mac. I first bought an incompatible piece, and let’s just say it turned into an expensive mistake! *

Easy to setup up with Cubase 12 Pro it took me less than 5min to unbox and do some test recordings. Nice upgrade from my Scarlet.

The best quality for recording