Universal Audio UA-APX4G2-ESS-U Apollo x4 Gen 2 Essentials+ Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD DSP

Universal Audio UA-APX4G2-ESS-U Apollo x4 Gen 2 Essentials+ Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD DSP

Boasting next-generation elite-class AD/DA, Universal Audio’s Apollo x4 Gen 2 yields the lowest distortion and widest dynamic range of any desktop Apollo to date. The Apollo x4’s powerful onboard plug-in processing provides you with award-winning emulations of tried-and-true studio classics that you can track through in real-time using UA’s vaunted Unison preamp technology. Of course, you can also combine Apollo x4’s onboard DSP with your host computer’s native processing to create a powerhouse hybrid workflow. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to mix confidently in any room or through headphones using Apollo Monitor Correction (an optional add-on); plus, Bass Management optimizes your subwoofer for maximum low-frequency detail. You’ll never miss a take again, courtesy of Apollo x4’s Auto-Gain feature, which sets your levels across multiple inputs. Full-featured monitor control with speaker switching and integrated talkback are also in play. Furthermore, the updated UAD Console app enables you to quickly set up low-latency cues, plug-in scenes, and immersive audio monitoring, in addition to lock-tight LUNA integration. You also get near-zero latency and ample expandability, thanks to Apollo x4’s ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. On the fence regarding a performance upgrade? Now is the time to make the jump — Universal Audio’s Apollo is truly better than ever!

Powerful hybrid workflow

Apollo x4’s onboard plug-in processing enables you to track in real-time with Neve, Manley, or API channel strips or run high UAD plug-in counts while mixing in your DAW with zero strain on your host computer. Once you’re able to inject guitars with the tube warmth of a Pultec EQ, add the musical limiting of an LA-2A to a vocal, and pump up drums with an 1176 or Fairchild 670, you’ll wonder how you got along without UA’s industry-leading DSP-accelerated plug-ins. What’s more, since you can also run your UAD plug-ins natively, you’ll be able to combine Apollo x4’s integrated processing with your host computer’s native processing to create a robust hybrid workflow capable of tackling even larger sessions with even more complex plug-in chains.

Leading-edge Unison preamps

Apollo x4’s Unison preamp technology enables you to track in real-time through faithful emulations of classic gear from Neve, Manley, API, and dozens more, giving you the same rich analog textures used on the greatest recordings of all time. Unison goes far beyond traditional software modeling, however, in that it adjusts the preamp circuit itself, including parameters such as impedance, analog gain structure, and much more. When you adjust the Apollo x4’s preamp gain knob and physical controls, the plug-in adjusts the preamp’s behavior to match the target preamp. So you’re not simply filtering your audio to approximate the character of a famous preamp — your microphone is now interacting with Apollo x4’s input the same way it would behave with the modeled preamplifier.

Elite-class AD/DA with enhanced monitoring

When they were designing the second-generation Apollo X interfaces, UA’s engineers set out to craft the highest-quality elite-class 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion of any Apollo yet. After giving Apollo x4 a serious listen, we firmly believe that they succeeded; its ultra-pristine signal path is audibly apparent, and even on paper, its 129dB DNR and -120dB THD+N specs speak for themselves. Moreover, Apollo x4 includes an optional add-on for Apollo Monitor Correction, which allows you to apply Sonarworks SoundID Reference profiles to UA’s precision EQ filters running in real-time on Apollo’s onboard DSP. Whether you listen on your studio monitors or through a high-end set of headphones, you’ll hear every detail of your mix with the utmost accuracy.

Assistive Auto-Gain and seamless sub management

Recording with Apollo x4 is easier than ever, thanks to its assistive Auto-Gain feature, which can be applied to multiple channels simultaneously to ensure proper levels all across the board. Best of all, you can deploy Auto-Gain on all the interface’s inputs — microphone, line-level, and hi-Z alike — and even with select Unison preamp models! Whether you’re working in stereo or 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos, having a monitoring setup with well-tuned low-end is crucial to crafting mixes that translate. That’s where Apollo x4’s Bass Management feature comes in, leveraging a real-time DSP-driven Linkwitz-Riley crossover to integrate and optimize your subwoofer seamlessly.

Lock-tight LUNA integration

Apollo x4 boasts ultra-tight hardware/software integration with Universal Audio’s free LUNA DAW software, enabling you to take control of your interface’s monitoring, talkback, and headphone systems, track and overdub with UAD DSP-accelerated plug-ins in real time, and benefit from full software-based control over Apollo’s Unison mic preamps, all without leaving your production software. LUNA also includes Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, which supplies fast analog-style tracking and overdubbing using Apollo’s onboard processing. You also get unlimited track counts, contextual editing and browsing, UAD and AU plug-in compatibility, a session auto-save function, and AAF importing. This software also supports LUNA extensions, which bake directly into LUNA’s mixer — no need to instantiate a bunch of plug-ins. LUNA is the closest you’ll come to an analog workflow in the software realm. It delivers spot-on analog sound, along with the creative immediacy of real-time processing.

Sensational plug-in bundle included!

UAD powered plug-ins have earned their reputation for being accurate emulations of analog audio equipment ever created. The astonishing processing power of the UAD platform is what makes these plug-ins sound so great. You simply can’t get the depth, color, and character these plug-ins have without devoting huge CPU resources to them. Best of all, Apollo x4 lets you record your audio through UAD plug-ins in real time with near-zero latency. When you buy Apollo x4 Essentials+ Edition, you’ll receive a generous suite of award-winning plug-in titles:

Channel strips and preamps

• Century Tube Channel Strip
• CS-1 Channel Strip
• Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ
• Precision Channel Strip
• UA 610-A Preamp and EQ
• UA 610-B Preamp and EQ

Compressors/limiters

• Fairchild 670 Legacy
• Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveler
• Teletronix LA-2A Gray Classic Leveler
• Teletronix LA-2A Silver Classic Leveler
• Teletronix LA-2A Legacy Leveling Amplifier
• UA 1176LN Legacy
• UA 1176SE Legacy

Equalizers

• Helios Type 69 Legacy EQ
• Pultec EQP-1A Legacy EQ
• Pultec EQP-1A Passive EQ
• Pultec HLF-3C Passive EQ
• Pultec MEQ-5 Passive EQ
• Pultec Pro Legacy EQ

Special processing

• Auto-Tune Realtime Access
• Oxide Tape Recorder
• Precision Enhancer Hz
• Verve Analog Machines Essentials

Instruments

• PolyMAX Polyphonic Synth

Delay and modulation

• Galaxy Tape Echo
• Precision Delay Modulation
• Precision Delay Modulation Long

Reverbs and rooms

• Precision Reflection Engine
• Pure Plate Reverb
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

Guitar and bass

• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amplifier
• Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier
• Raw Distortion

General Features:

• 12-in/18-out Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac or PC with powerful onboard plug-in processing
• Next-generation elite-class AD/DA conversion supplies an ultra-pristine signal path with 129dB DNR and -120dB THD+N
• Unison preamps allow you to track through models of the industry’s most legendary hardware
• Onboard DSP combines with your host computer’s native processing to create a powerhouse hybrid workflow
• Apollo Monitor Correction (optional add-on) empowers you to mix confidently in any room or through headphones
• Bass Management optimizes your subwoofer for maximum low-frequency detail
• Auto-Gain feature sets levels across multiple inputs
• Full-featured monitor control with speaker switching and integrated talkback
• Updated UAD Console app quickly sets up low-latency cues, plug-in scenes, and immersive audio monitoring
• Compatible with UA’s LUNA software for ultra-tight hardware/software integration
• Ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 connectivity provides near-zero latency and ample expandability
• Includes a generous suite of award-winning UAD plug-ins

Tech Specs:

• Computer Connectivity:    Thunderbolt 3 (cable sold separately)
  
• Form Factor:    Desktop
  
• Simultaneous I/O:    12 x 18
  
• A/D Resolution:    24-bit/192kHz
  
• Built In DSP/FX:    UAD-2 QUAD Core Processor
  
• Number of Preamps:    4
  
• Phantom Power:    Yes
  
• Analog Inputs:    4 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line), 2 x 1/4"
  
• Analog Outputs:    6 x 1/4" TRS (2 x monitor, 4 x line out)
  
• Digital Inputs:    1 x Optical Toslink (ADAT, S/PDIF)
  
• Digital Outputs:    1 x Optical Toslink (ADAT, S/PDIF)
  
• Headphones:    2 x 1/4" TRS
  
• Thunderbolt:    1 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3)
  
• Software:    UA Essentials+ Plug-in Suite
  
• OS Requirements - Mac:    macOS 10.15 or later, Quad Core i7 Processor or higher
  
• OS Requirements - PC:    Windows 10 Anniversary update or later, Quad Core i7
• Processor or higher
  
• Power Supply:    12V DC power supply (included)
  
• Manufacturer Part Number:    APX4G2-ESS

Warning:
This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to P65Warnings.ca.