Universal Audio Apollo Quad Firewire User manual

H I G H - R E S O L U T I O N I N T E R F A C E with Realtime UAD Processing

Apollo FireWire Hardware Manual

Manual Version 150421

Customer Service & Technical Support:

+1-877-MY-UAUDIO ([phone])

International: [phone]

www.uaudio.com

A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr.

Thank you for deciding to make an Apollo High-Resolution Interface part of your music making experience. We know that any new piece of gear requires an investment of time and money — and our goal is to make your investment pay off. The fact that we get to play a part in your creative process is what makes our efforts meaningful, and we thank you for this.

In many ways, the Apollo family of audio interface products represent the best examples of what Universal Audio has stood for over its long history; from UA’s original founding in the 1950s by my father, through our current vision of delivering the best of both analog and digital audio technologies.

Starting with its high-quality analog I/O, Apollo’s superior sonic performance serves as its foundation. This is just the beginning however, as Apollo products are the only audio interfaces that allow you to run UAD plug-ins in real time. Want to monitor yourself through a Neve® console channel strip while tracking bass through a classic Fairchild or LA-2A compressor? Or how about tracking vocals through a Studer® tape machine with some added Lexicon® reverb?* With our growing library of more than 90 UAD plug-ins, the choices are limitless.

At UA, we are dedicated to the idea that this powerful technology should ultimately serve the creative process — not be a barrier. These are the very ideals my father embodied as he invented audio equipment to solve problems in the studio. So as you begin to incorporate Apollo into your creative process, we hope that the excitement and pride that we’ve built into it comes through. We believe Apollo will earn its way into your creative workflow by providing stunning fidelity, great ease-of-use, and rock-solid reliability for years to come.

As always, please feel free to reach out to us via our website www.uaudio.com, and via our social media channels. We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you once again for choosing Universal Audio.

Sincerely,

Bill Putnam Jr.

*All trademarks are recognized as property of their respective owners. Individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins sold separately.

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Welcome

Table Of Contents

A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr..................................................................................................................................	ii
Table Of Contents ................................................................................................................................................	iii
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................	4
Features ...............................................................................................................................................................	5
About Apollo Documentation.................................................................................................................................	7
Apollo Manual Files..........................................................................................................................................	7
Installed Documentation Location....................................................................................................................	8
Technical Support.................................................................................................................................................	9
Additional Resources .......................................................................................................................................	8
Front Panel .........................................................................................................................................................	10
Rear Panel ..........................................................................................................................................................	15
Analog I/O ......................................................................................................................................................	15
Digital I/O ......................................................................................................................................................	16
Host I/O..........................................................................................................................................................	18
Installation & Configuration ...............................................................................................................................	19
System Requirements ....................................................................................................................................	19
Software Installation......................................................................................................................................	19
Registration and Authorization ......................................................................................................................	19
Apollo System Configuration ..........................................................................................................................	19
Console Application .......................................................................................................................................	19
Multi-Unit Cascading.....................................................................................................................................	19
Interconnections .................................................................................................................................................	20
Installation Notes...........................................................................................................................................	20
Basic Setup....................................................................................................................................................	20
Typical Setup .................................................................................................................................................	20
Advanced Setup .............................................................................................................................................	22
FireWire Basics ...................................................................................................................................................	23
Specifications.....................................................................................................................................................	26
Hardware Block Diagram ....................................................................................................................................	30
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................................................................	31
Notices ...............................................................................................................................................................	32
Important Safety Information.........................................................................................................................	32
Warranty ........................................................................................................................................................	33
Maintenance ..................................................................................................................................................	33
Repair Service................................................................................................................................................	33
Index...................................................................................................................................................................	35

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Table Of Contents

Introduction

Apollo FireWire Audio Interface w/ QUAD Processing

Apollo FireWire is one of the world’s most popular professional audio interfaces — delivering the sound, feel, and flow of analog recording to music creators everywhere. A perfect centerpiece for studios running original Mac Pro towers and Windows 7 machines, this 18 x 24 FireWire 800-equipped interface features analog design based on UA’s 50-year heritage, along with gold-standard Apollo A/D and D/A conversion for impeccable audio resolution.

Apollo FireWire further distinguishes itself with Realtime UAD Processing and Unison™ technology, letting you record with near-zero latency through the full range of UAD plug-ins from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon, and more — including new mic preamp emulations from Neve, API and Universal Audio.*

With its elegant workflow and world-class audio quality, Apollo FireWire is the perfect interface for music producers seeking classic analog sound.

The Gold Standard in 24-bit/192 kHz Sound Quality

Designed to play a central role in studios running original Mac Pro towers or Windows 7 machines, Apollo FireWire delivers an uncompromising approach to audio quality. Building upon decades of UA hardware heritage, it offers extremely high-resolution sound, with the lowest THD and highest dynamic range in its class. Apollo FireWire’s four premium mic preamps and converters translates into recordings with astounding accuracy and depth — whether you’re tracking and overdubbing, or mixing and mastering.

Realtime UAD Plug-In Processing for Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering

While Apollo FireWire’s “natural” sound is exceedingly open and transparent, it can quickly deliver a wide range of classic analog tones and color via its Realtime UAD Processing. Featuring powerful onboard QUAD processing, Apollo FireWire’s DSP Acceleration allows for recording through UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency, regardless of buffer settings — letting you monitor and “print” audio with classic analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more.*

The Apollo FireWire’s bundled “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” suite of UAD plug-ins gives you the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, and more, so you have a rack full of bonafide audio classics, right out of the box.

Better still, Apollo FireWire’s UAD plug-ins are also available during mixing and mastering, so you can use UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX 64) throughout the creative process.

Unison™ Technology

A Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo FireWire’s Unison technology gives you the tone of the world's most sought-after tube and solid state mic preamps — including their all-important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and component-level circuit behaviors. Based on unprecedented hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD plug-in processing, Unison lets you record through stunning emulations like the bundled UA 610-B Tube Preamp plug-in, or exclusive preamp emulations from API and Neve.

Elegant Hardware Design and Workflow

One key feature of Apollo FireWire isn’t really a “feature” at all. It’s the numerous design details that give you a fast, natural workflow — and better results. There are physical front-panel controls for all the most commonly used features, including Preamp and Monitor level knobs, channel selection, mic pad and low cut, phantom power, and dual headphone outs with independent level control. Smart Hi-Z inputs on the front panel detect when you've connected your guitar or bass. Sonically, Apollo's Monitor outputs are digitally controlled analog, so you don't lose audio resolution when you adjust gain.

* All trademarks are recognized as property of their respective owners. Individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins sold separately.

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Introduction

Features

Key Features

•Worldwide standard in professional A/D and D/A conversion for music production

•Onboard UAD-2 QUAD Core DSP allows Realtime UAD Processing — record through plug-ins from Neve, Lexicon, Studer, Marshall, Ampex, and more*

•4 Unison-enabled mic preamps for tracking through preamp emulations from Neve, API, and Universal Audio*

•18 x 24 FireWire audio interface for Mac and Windows 7

•Cascade two Apollos for 16 analog I/O channels and 12 digital I/O channels

•Includes “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle with 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, Softube Amp Rooms, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, and more

•Upgradeable to Thunderbolt via Thunderbolt 2 Option Card (Mac only; sold separately)

•World class UA analog design, superior components, and premium build quality

*All trademarks are recognized as property of their respective owners. Individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins sold separately.

Audio Interface

•Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length

•18 x 24 simultaneous input/output channels:

•Eight channels of analog-to-digital conversion via mic, line, or high-impedance inputs

•14 channels of digital-to-analog conversion via:

•Eight mono line outputs

•Stereo monitor outputs

•Two stereo headphone outputs

•10 channels of digital I/O via:

•Eight channels ADAT Optical I/O with S/MUX for high sample rates

•Two channels coaxial S/PDIF I/O with sample rate conversion

•Two FireWire 800 ports for daisy-chaining other FireWire devices

Microphone Preamplifiers

•Four high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps

•Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters

•Switchable low cut filter, 48V phantom power, pad, polarity, and stereo linking

•Unison™ technology for deep integration with UAD preamp and pedal plug-ins

Monitoring

•Stereo monitor outputs (independent of eight line outputs)

•Digitally-controlled analog monitor outputs maintains highest fidelity

•Front panel control of monitor levels and muting

•Two stereo headphone outputs with independent mix buses

•Independent front panel analog volume controls for headphone outputs

•Front panel pre-fader metering of monitor bus levels

•S/PDIF outputs can be set to mirror the monitor outputs

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Features

UAD-2 Inside

•QUAD Core DSP with four SHARC® processors

•Realtime UAD Processing on all of Apollo’s analog and digital inputs

•Same features and functionality as other UAD-2 devices when used with DAW

•Can be combined with other UAD-2 devices for increased mixing DSP

•Complete UAD Powered Plug-Ins library is available online

Software

Console application:

•Analog-style mixer for realtime monitoring and tracking with UAD plug-ins

•Enables Realtime UAD Processing

•DSP mixer for realtime monitoring and tracking

•Remote control of Apollo features and functionality

•Virtual I/O for routing DAW tracks through Console

Console Recall plug-in:

•Saves Console configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall

•Convenient access to Console’s monitor controls via DAW plug-in

•VST, RTAS, AAX 64, and Audio Units plug-in formats

UAD Meter & Control Panel application:

•Configures global UAD settings and monitors system usage

Other

•Easy firmware updates

•1U rack-mountable form factor

•One year warranty includes parts and labor

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Features

About Apollo Documentation

Documentation for all Apollo components is extensive, so instructions are separated by areas of functionality. Each functional area has a separate manual file. An overview of each file, and how they are accessed, is provided in this section.

Note: Extensive documentation, including technical information not available in other publications, is also available online at: www.uaudio.com/support/apollo

Apollo Manual Files

Note: All manuals are in PDF format. PDF files require a free PDF reader application such as Adobe Reader (Windows and Mac) or Preview (included with Mac OS X).

Apollo Hardware Manual

Each Apollo model has a unique hardware manual. The Apollo hardware manuals contain complete hardwarerelated details about one specific Apollo model. Included are detailed descriptions of all hardware features, controls, connectors, and specifications.

Note: Each hardware manual contains the unique Apollo model in the file name.

Apollo Software Manual

The Apollo Software Manual is the companion guide to the Apollo hardware manuals. It contains detailed information about how to configure and control all Apollo software features for all Apollo models using the Console application, Console Settings window, and Console Recall plug-in. Refer to the Apollo Software Manual to learn how to operate the software tools and integrate Apollo’s functionality into the DAW environment.

Note: All Apollo models have the same software manual.

UAD System Manual

The UAD System Manual is the complete operation manual for Apollo’s UAD-2 functionality and applies to the entire UAD-2 product family. It contains detailed information about installing and configuring UAD devices, the UAD Meter & Control Panel application, buying optional plug-ins at the UA online store, and more. It includes everything about UAD except Apollo-specific information and individual UAD plug-in descriptions.

UAD Plug-Ins Manual

The features and functionality of all individual UAD Powered Plug-Ins is detailed in the UAD Plug-Ins Manual. Refer to this document to learn about the operation, controls, and user interface of each UAD plug-in that is developed by Universal Audio.

Direct Developer Plug-Ins

UAD Powered Plug-Ins includes plug-ins created by our Direct Developer partners. Documentation for these 3rd-party plug-ins are separate files written and provided by the plug-in developers. The file names for these plug-in manuals are the same as the plug-in titles.

Host DAW Documentation

Each host DAW application has its own particular methods for configuring audio interfaces and using plug-ins. Refer to the host DAW manufacturer’s documentation for specific instructions about using audio interface and plug-in features within the DAW.

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Documentation

Installed Documentation Location

All documentation is copied to the startup disk during software installation:

Mac OS X

•Macintosh HD/Applications/Universal Audio

Windows 7

•Start>All Programs>UAD Powered Plug-Ins>Documentation

Accessing Installed Documentation

Any of these methods can be used to access installed documentation:

•Navigate the file system within the computer’s operating system

•Choose “Documentation” from the Help menu within the Console application

•Click the “View Documentation” button in the Help panel within the UAD Meter & Control Panel application

•Manuals are also available online: www.uaudio.com/support/manuals.html

Additional Resources

UA Support Videos

Many informational videos are available online to help you get started with Apollo:

•www.uaudio.com/support/apollo

Apollo Support Page

The latest technical information for Apollo is posted on the Universal Audio website. The Apollo Thunderbolt support page contains updated, late-breaking information that is not available in other publications. Please visit this page for the latest news:

•www.uaudio.com/support/apollo

UAD Users Forum

The unofficial UAD users forum, for the exchange of tips and information, is online at:

•www.uadforum.com

Thunderbolt Option Card

All documentation for using Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is located on the Thunderbolt Support Page on our website (there is no separate manual). Please review the information on the page carefully before installing or using the device:

•www.uaudio.com/support/thunderbolt

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Documentation

Technical Support

Universal Audio provides free customer support to all registered Apollo users. Support specialists are available to assist you via email and telephone during normal business hours, which are from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time.

Email Support

To request online support via email, click the link below for a direct link to the help ticket form:

•www.uaudio.com/my/support/create

Alternately, visit the main support page at www.uaudio.com/support, then click the blue “Submit Support Ticket” button on the right side of the page to create a help ticket.

Telephone Support
USA toll-free:	[phone] (1-877-MY-UAUDIO)
International:	[phone]
Germany, Austria, Switzerland:	[phone]

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Technical Support

Front Panel

This section describes the features and functionality of all controls and visual elements on the Apollo front panel. Note that all front panel functions, except the headphone volume knobs and power switch, can be controlled remotely with the included Console software application.

(1) Hi-Z Inputs 1 & 2

The Hi-Z (high impedance) JFET direct inputs are for connecting low-level passive devices such as electric guitar and bass instruments into channels 1 & 2 for A/D conversion. Connect only ¼” unbalanced TS phone plugs to these inputs; TRS plugs cannot be used.

The Hi-Z inputs have an ultra-high input impedance of 2.2 Megohms that eliminates impedance loading, preserving the high-frequency content of signals from sources with high impedance outputs (such as electric guitar pickups). Hi-Z input gain levels are adjusted with the Preamp control for the associated channel.

Automatic Input Detection

Hi-Z inputs 1 & 2 use the same A/D converter channels as the corresponding Mic 1 & 2 and Line 1 & 2 inputs. When a device is plugged into a Hi-Z input, the Mic and Line inputs for the channel are overridden, the Mic/Line switch for the channel has no effect, and the stereo link is severed (if active). To use Mic or Line inputs 1 or 2, its corresponding Hi-Z input must be disconnected.

(2) Preamp Gain & Channel Select Knob

This rotary encoder with integrated pushbutton serves two functions. Rotating the knob adjusts the preamp gain for the selected input channel, and pushing the knob selects which preamp channel (1 – 4) is affected by the front panel preamp controls.

Preamp Gain

The preamp gain of analog inputs 1 – 4 is adjusted with this control. The channel to be adjusted (1 – 4) is set with the Channel Select function. The input to be adjusted (Mic, Line, or Hi-Z) is determined by the state of the channel’s Mic/Line switch or Hi-Z input (if connected).

Rotating the knob clockwise increases the preamp gain for the selected channel. The available gain range for preamp channels 1 – 4 is 10 dB to 65 dB for the Mic, Line, and Hi-Z inputs.

Note that it takes more than a full revolution of the Preamp Gain Knob to move through the available range. This increases the control resolution for more precise preamp gain adjustments.

Only analog inputs 1 – 4 have input gain adjustment via the mic preamp controls. To adjust signal levels for inputs 5 – 18, use the output level controls of the devices that are connected to those inputs.

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Front Panel

Channel Select

Pushing the Preamp Knob changes the currently selected channel, which determines which input (1 – 4) is adjusted by the front panel preamp controls. A channel is selected for adjustment when its Channel Select Indicator LED (located above the channel 1 – 4 input meters; see #11 on page 12) is illuminated.

Each time the knob is pushed, the selected preamp channel is incremented. If stereo linking is active, the stereo pairs are selected.

(3) Preamp Gain Level Indicator

The amount of preamp gain for the selected channel is displayed with the ring of illuminated green indicator LEDs surrounding the Preamp Knob.

The LEDs are relative levels and are not calibrated to indicate any specific dB value. However, precise numerical dB gain values for the preamps are displayed in the Console application.

(4–9) Preamp Settings

This set of six buttons control the preamp options for input channels 1 – 4. Press the buttons to toggle the setting. The current state of each preamp option button is indicated by the Preamp Options LEDs (#10 on page 12). Each button function is detailed below.

(4) Mic/Line

This button switches between the channel’s Mic and Line inputs on the rear panel. This button has no effect if the channel’s Hi–Z input is connected (when a cable is inserted into the Hi-Z input, the Mic/Line LED turns off).

(5) Low Cut Filter ( )

When enabled, the channel’s input signal passes through a low cut (high pass) filter. This 2nd-order coincidentpole filter has a cutoff frequency of 75 Hz with a slope of 12 dB per octave.

The Low Cut filter affects the Mic, Line, and Hi-Z inputs. Low Cut is typically used to eliminate rumble and other unwanted low frequencies from the input signal.

(6) Phantom Power (+48V)

When enabled, 48 volts of phantom power is supplied to the channel’s rear panel Mic input. Most modern condenser microphones require 48V phantom power to operate. This option can only be activated when the Mic/Line switch (#4) is set to Mic.

Note: Depending on the current configuration of the hardware and software, there may be a delay when changing the 48V state to minimize the clicks/pops that are inherent when engaging phantom power. The +48V LED will blink rapidly during any delay.

(7) Pad

When enabled, the channel’s microphone input signal level is attenuated by 20 dB. Pad does not affect the Line or Hi-Z inputs.

Pad is used to reduce signal levels when overload distortion is present at low preamp gain levels, such as when particularly sensitive microphones are used on loud instruments, and/or if the A/D converter is clipping.

(8) Polarity (ø)

When enabled, the polarity (aka “phase“) of the input channel’s signal is inverted. Polarity affects the Mic, Line, and Hi-Z inputs.

Polarity inversion can help reduce phase cancellations when more than one microphone is used to record a single source.

(9) Stereo Link

This button links the preamp controls of adjacent channels together (1 & 2 or 3 & 4) to create stereo input pairs. When channels are linked as a stereo pair, any preamp control adjustments will affect both channels of the stereo signal identically.

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Front Panel