Universal Audio Apollo Twin X User Manual

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual

Manual Version 190912

www.uaudio.com

A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr.

Thank you for choosing this Apollo Twin X audio interface to become a part of your studio. 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.

Universal Audio interfaces like Apollo Twin X exemplify a commitment to craftsmanship that we’ve forged over the past 60 years — from our original founding in the 1950s by my father, Bill Putnam Sr., to our current mission combining the best of both classic analog and modern digital audio technologies.

Starting with its high-quality I/O and superior A/D and D/A conversion, Apollo Twin X’s superior sonic performance serves as its foundation.

This is just the beginning however, as Apollo Twin X lets you power the full range of UAD plug-ins in real time, including classic mic preamps, EQs, dynamics processors, reverbs, guitar amps, and much more. With more than 100 acclaimed UAD plug-ins at your ﬁngertips, the sonic choices are limitless.*

At UA, we are dedicated to the idea that technology should serve the creative process, inspiring our customers to go further. These are the ideals my father embodied with his classic designs, and we like to think this spirit lives on today in products like Apollo Twin X.

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.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Welcome2

Table Of Contents

Tip: Click any section or page number

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A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr. ................................................................. 2

Introduction ......................................................................................... 4

World-Class Conversion. Timeless Analog Sound. .................................................. 4

Apollo Twin X Features ....................................................................................... 7

Operational Overview .......................................................................................... 9

About Apollo Twin X Documentation .................................................................. 11

Additional Resources ....................................................................................... 12

Quick Start ........................................................................................ 13

Installation Notes ............................................................................................ 13

Connection Notes ............................................................................................ 14

Hardware Setup ............................................................................................... 15

Software Setup ................................................................................................ 16

Connect to Input Sources and Monitor System .................................................... 17

Setting Hardware I/O Levels .............................................................................. 18

Controls & Connectors ......................................................................... 19

Controls Overview ............................................................................................ 19

Top Panel ........................................................................................................ 22

Front Panel ..................................................................................................... 27

Side Panel ...................................................................................................... 27

Rear Panel ...................................................................................................... 28

Speciﬁcations .................................................................................... 30

Hardware Block Diagram .................................................................................. 33

Troubleshooting .................................................................................. 34

Notices .............................................................................................. 35

Warranty ......................................................................................................... 35

Maintenance ................................................................................................... 35

Repair Service ................................................................................................. 35

Important Safety Information ............................................................................ 36

Technical Support ............................................................................... 39

Universal Audio Knowledge Base ....................................................................... 39

YouTube Support Channel ................................................................................. 39

Universal Audio Community Forums .................................................................. 39

Contact Universal Audio Support ....................................................................... 39

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Table Of Contents3

Introduction

World-Class Conversion. Timeless Analog Sound.

UA Audio Interfaces are the world’s most acclaimed professional recording interfaces for Mac and Windows — delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and ﬂow of analog recording.

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, Apollo Twin X starts with two Unison™-enabled mic preamps. Together with its included bundle of UAD analog emulation plug-ins — which you can track through in real time with UAD-2 DUO or QUAD Core processing — Apollo Twin X is born to make records.

Now You Can:

• Record with world-class Apollo A/D and D/A conversion — as heard on hundreds of hit records

• Cascade up to 4 Apollo interfaces and 6 UAD-2 devices over Thunderbolt, adding DSP and I/O as your studio grows

OPTICAL IN

POWER

OFF ON

12VDC

LINE OUT MONITOR

3 L

4 R

MIC/LINE 2

MONITOR

MIC/LINE 1

• Mix with UAD plug-ins like the included Teletronix® LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec® EQs, and 610-B Preamp

• Track with near-zero latency through preamp emulations from Neve®, API®, Manley® and more using Unison™ technology*

Unison Technology: The Genuine Sound of Neve, API & Manley Preamps

Apollo Twin X features two Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve, SSL, API, Manley, and Universal Audio. An Apollo exclusive, Unison technology nails the tone of these sought-after tube and solid state mic pres — including their input impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware.

The secret to Unison is its hardware-software integration between Apollo’s mic preamps and its onboard UAD-2 QUAD or DUO Core DSP Acceleration. Simply place a Unison preamp plug-in on your mic input in Apollo Console software, and it physically reconﬁgures the Apollo interface’s impedance — so you can tap into the classic sounds of the world’s most recorded mic preamps.

*Includes the “Realtime Analog Classics” UAD plug-in bundle. Other UAD plug-ins sold separately.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 4

A Full Suite of Classic Analog Processing Onboard

Right out of the box, Apollo Twin X provides a suite of incredible analog emulation plugins including the world’s only authentic Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, Pultec EQs, and the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp. Developed by UA’s world-renowned team of algorithm engineers, these Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins set the standard by which all other hardware emulation plug-ins are judged.

From the tube warmth of the Pultec EQ on guitars, to the gentle limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, your recordings will take a giant leap forward in rich, sonically complex analog sound.

Access the World of UAD Powered Plug-Ins

Beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics plug-ins, Apollo Twin X lets you tap into the full library award-winning UAD Powered Plug-Ins — including vintage EQs, Compressors, Reverbs, Tape Machines and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software’s buffer size and without taxing your computer’s CPU.

With exclusive emulations from Neve, Studer, Manley, API, Ampex, Lexicon, Fender, and more,* it’s like having an endless analog studio, right on your desktop. And unlike competing interfaces, these DSP-powered plug-ins are also available in your DAW for mixing.

Next-Generation A/D and D/A Conversion

Of course, the heart of any audio interface is the quality of its conversion. Apollo Twin X improves upon the original Apollo Twin’s gold-standard audio quality with completely redesigned A/D and D/A conversion — giving you increased dynamic range and ultra-low THD. This next-generation conversion results in breathtaking clarity, depth, and accuracy in your recordings.

Apollo: The Choice of New-School Professionals

Apollo is the conﬁrmed choice of hit-making professionals, used to record landmark albums by many famous artists. The Apollo range of interfaces has earned numerous industry awards from Sound on Sound, Future Music, and Electronic Musician — as well as the prestigious 2016 TEC Award for computer audio hardware.

Improved Monitoring and Built-In Talkback Mic

The new Apollo Twin X offers greatly improved monitor functionality versus the original Twin — with Mute, DIM, Mono, and ALT speaker switching. It also includes dedicated monitor remote controls and a built-in Talkback mic for easy communication with talent and/or recording slate cues. These features, combined with Apollo Twin X’s scalability, make it the new standard for professional desktop recording.

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

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 5

Build a Networked Studio

Apollo Twin X offers up to 10 x 6 simultaneous input/output channels. Thanks to Apollo Expanded software, users of any Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo audio interfaces can combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as your studio grows. Apollo Twin X makes the perfect intelligent desktop controller for a full Apollo system.

Now with Vintage Amps

Apollo Twin X also includes Unison technology on its front panel instrument input, giving you access to dead-on emulations of guitar and bass amps like the Fender ‘55 Tweed Deluxe, Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959, and the Ampeg B-15N Bass Ampliﬁer.

A Sleek, Low-latency App

Console is Apollo Twin X’s software control interface. Its intuitive, analog console-style design provides realtime tracking and monitoring with UAD Powered Plug-Ins, Channel Strip presets, Drag & Drop functionality, dynamically resizable windows, and more.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 6

Apollo Twin X Features

Key Features

• Best in class audio quality with improved 24-bit/192 kHz conversion

• Realtime UAD Processing — monitor and track through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, and guitar amp/pedal plug-ins with near-zero latency

• Two premium mic/line preamps; two line outs; front-panel Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output

• Unison™ technology for stunning models of classic mic preamps and guitar amps

• Built-in talkback microphone for communication and recording

• Monitor remote functions can replace dedicated monitor controllers

• UAD-2 DUO or QUAD DSP processing onboard

• Thunderbolt 3 connection for blazing-fast PCIe speed on modern computers

• Uncompromising analog design, superior components, and premium build quality throughout

• Cascade up to four Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as needed

All Features

Audio Interface

• Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length (96 kHz max on S/PDIF inputs)

• Up to 10 x 6 simultaneous input/output channels

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

• Two balanced mic/line inputs

• One Hi-Z instrument input

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

• Digitally-controlled stereo monitor outputs

• Stereo headphone outputs

• Line outputs 3-4

• Up to eight channels of digital inputs via:

• Eight channels ADAT optical with S/MUX for high sample rates, or

• Two channels S/PDIF optical with sample rate conversion

Microphone Preampliﬁers

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

• Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters

• Low cut ﬁlter, 48V phantom power, 20 dB pad, polarity inversion, and stereo linking

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 7

Monitoring

• Independently-addressable stereo monitor outputs

• Independently-addressable stereo headphone outputs

• Independently-addressable line outputs 3-4 can be used for additional cue mix

• Front panel control of level, mute, dim, mono, alternate speakers, and talkback

• Built-in talkback microphone for communication and recording

• All outputs are DC coupled

UAD-2 Inside

• Two (DUO) or four (QUAD) SHARC® DSP processor cores onboard

• Realtime UAD Processing on all analog and digital inputs

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

• Complete UAD Powered Plug-Ins library is available online

Software

Console application:

• Enables tracking and/or monitoring with Realtime UAD Processing

• Remote control of Apollo Twin X features and functionality

• Virtual I/O for routing DAW tracks through Console

• Two independent stereo Auxiliary buses

Console Recall plug-in:

• Saves Apollo Twin X conﬁgurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall

• Facilitates control of Apollo Twin X monitoring features from within the DAW

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

UAD Meter & Control Panel application:

• Conﬁgures global UAD settings and monitors system usage

Other

• Attractive and durable desktop form factor

• Locking power supply prevents accidental disconnection

• Easy ﬁrmware updates

• One year warranty includes parts and labor

Package Contents

• Apollo Twin X unit

• Power supply with (3) region-speciﬁc AC cables

(Changeable AC cables for USA, UK, and EU)

• Getting Started URL card

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 8

Operational Overview

Audio Interface

First and foremost, Apollo Twin X is a premium 10 x 6 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Apollo Twin X connects to the outputs and inputs of other audio gear, and performs analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) audio conversions on the gear’s signals. The digital audio signals are routed into and out of the host computer via the high-speed PCIe protocol, which is carried on a single Thunderbolt 3 cable.

Apollo Twin X leverages Universal Audio’s expertise in DSP acceleration, UAD Powered Plug-Ins, and analog hardware design by integrating the latest cutting edge technologies in high-performance A/D-D/A conversion, DSP signal reconstruction, and connectivity. Apollo Twin X acts as an audio interface with integrated DSP effects for tracking and monitoring, a fully integrated UAD-2 DSP accelerator for mixing and mastering, as well as a complete monitoring controller.

About Realtime UAD Processing

Apollo Twin X has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo’s groundbreaking DSP + FPGA technology enable UAD plug-ins to run with latencies in the sub-2ms range, and multiple plug-ins can be stacked in series without additional latency. Realtime UAD Processing facilitates the ultimate sonic experience while monitoring and/ or tracking.

Note: Apollo Twin X, as with other UAD-2 devices, can only load UAD Powered Plug-Ins, which are speciﬁcally designed to run on UAD-2 DSP accelerators. Native (host CPU-based) plug-ins cannot run on the UAD-2 DSP.

Console Software

Important: Console is integral to unleashing the power of Apollo Twin X. For

complete details about how to use Console and Realtime UAD Processing, refer to the Apollo Software Manual.

The included Console companion software application runs on the host computer and is used to control Apollo Twin X mixing and input monitoring with Realtime UAD Processing, access the audio interface I/O settings, and more. Console’s analog-style workﬂow is designed to provide quick access to the most commonly needed features in a familiar, easy-to-use mixer interface.

Realtime UAD Processing is a special function that is available only within Console. All of Apollo Twin X’s analog and digital inputs can perform Realtime UAD Processing simultaneously, and Console inputs with (or without) Realtime UAD Processing can be routed into the DAW for recording.

Console controls Apollo Twin X’s digital mixer so you can monitor Apollo Twin X’s inputs (with or without Realtime UAD Processing) without using any other audio software such as a DAW.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 9

UAD Powered Plug-Ins in a DAW

Apollo Twin X and UAD plug-ins can also be used with a DAW without the use of Console. UAD plug-ins loaded within the DAW operate like other (non-UAD) plug-ins, except the processing occurs on the Apollo Twin X DSP instead of the host computer’s processor. In this scenario, UAD plug-ins are subject to the latencies incurred by I/O buffering.

For details about using UAD Powered Plug-Ins in a DAW, see the UAD System Manual.

Standalone Use

Although the Console application is required to utilize all Apollo Twin X features, the hardware unit can be used as a digital mixer with limited functionality without a Thunderbolt 3 connection to a host computer.

All currently active I/O assignments, signal routings, and monitor settings are saved to internal ﬁrmware when Apollo Twin X is powered down and persist when power is reapplied. Therefore the last-used settings are always available even when a host computer is not connected.

Note that UAD plug-in instantiations are not retained on power down, because the plug-in ﬁles reside on the host computer. However, if UAD plug-ins are active when Apollo Twin X’s connection to the host system is lost (if the Thunderbolt 3 cable is unplugged), the current UAD plug-in conﬁgurations remain active for processing until Apollo Twin X is powered down.

Note: Standalone use is unavailable when cascading multiple Apollo units.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 10

About Apollo Twin X Documentation

Documentation for Apollo Twin X and UAD Powered Plug-Ins are separated by areas of functionality, as described below. The user manuals are placed on the system drive during software installation. They can also be downloaded at help.uaudio.com.

Apollo Manual Files

Note: All manual ﬁles are in PDF format. PDF ﬁles require a free PDF reader application such as Preview (included with macOS) or Edge (included with Windows 10).

Apollo Hardware Manuals

Each Apollo model has a unique hardware manual. The Apollo hardware manuals contain complete hardware-related 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 using the Console application, Console Settings window, Console Recall plug-in, and Talkback. Refer to the Apollo Software Manual to learn how to operate the software tools and integrate Apollo’s functionality into the DAW environment.

Note: Each Apollo system connection type (Thunderbolt, FireWire, USB) has a unique software manual.

UAD System Manual

The UAD System Manual is the 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 developed by Universal Audio are 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 title that is developed by UA.

Direct Developer Plug-In Manuals

UAD Powered Plug-Ins includes plug-in titles 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.

Apollo Twin X Hardware Manual Introduction 11

Accessing Installed Documentation

All user manuals are placed on the drive during software installation. Either of these methods can be used to access installed documentation:

• Choose Documentation from the Help menu within the Console application.

• Click the Product Manuals button in the Help panel within the UAD Meter & Control Panel application.

Manuals are also available online at: help.uaudio.com

Host DAW Documentation

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

Additional Resources

For additional resources, or if you need to contact Universal Audio for assistance, see the

Technical Support page.

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