When the rest of the Apollo series got the "X" facelift in September 2018, the line got Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, faster internal processors, and the promise of even less latency than before. However, at the time, the Twins—the ever-popular portable two-preamp interfaces—were left off. The smallest Apollo X Universal Audio offered was the X6, the company's six-preamp, 16x22 I/O option.
Today, Universal Audio brings the X treatment to the Apollo Twins—with the Apollo Twin X Duo and Apollo Twin X Quad—and launches the brand-new Apollo X4 interface, giving expanded options to recordists looking for portable yet powerful interfaces.
Apollo Twin X Duo and Quad Cores
The only difference between the two new Apollo Twin X interfaces, the Duo and the Quad, is in the strength of the processors, with the Quad processors able to handle more iterations of UAD plugins at once. These supercharged Twins will replace the existing Apollo Twin MKII line, which have been some of the best-selling pieces of recording gear for years.
Offering best-in-class A/D and D/A conversion, minimal latency, and access to UAD's formidable collection of plugins, the new Twins are sure to be just as much of a staple of home-studio rigs and the go-to choice of portable interfaces for pros.
Both Twin X models offer 127dB D/A dynamic range, two Unison mic preamps, a front-panel Hi-Z instrument input, dedicated monitor outputs, and an included bundle of UAD plugins emulating classic analog gear from Neve, Helios, API, Manley, UA, and more. Each also includes two line outs and optical input for connecting to additional processors, interfaces, or preamps, for a total configuration of 10x6 simultaneous inputs and outputs.
Apollo X4
The Apollo X4 is the next level up, offering four preamps and 12x18 total I/O options. It's the first time a desktop Universal Audio interface has offered four preamps, a sweet spot for musicians, engineers, and producers who may have outgrown their entry-level two-channel interfaces but still have no need for a larger array.
The X4 has the same Quad Core processor, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, and 127 dB D/A dynamic range as found in other units, but in a compact chassis that can easily be used at home or on-the-go. Its four preamp-equipped inputs are easily accessible on the top edge of the interface, while two additional Hi-Z instrument inputs are on the front. It also offers four analog line outs and two more monitor outputs, as well as an optical input and output.
According to Universal Audio, it has "a spacious, organic sound that easily rivals dedicated high-end converters costing much more." And it can be the building block of a great studio. "Users of Apollo x4 can combine up to four Thunderbolt Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices—adding I/O and DSP as your studio grows," the company says.
These new Apollos follow UA's recent release of the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3, a "DSP accelerator" that can give you an additional four or eight processors. By connecting a new or old Twin, X4, or any other interface to the UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3, you can get even more DSP power for UAD plugins.
It should also be noted that, with the release of new Apollos, now is a great time to buy used Apollo Twin MKIIs. You can find them in Solo, Duo, and Quad Core configurations. Though now supplanted by the latest models, these are still extremely versatile and powerful interfaces that will soon start dropping in price on the used market.
Find the new Apollo Twin X Duo, Apollo Twin X Quad, and Apollo X4 on Reverb now.