A thread with basic tips about Apollo and UAD-2 to help those still finding their feet. I will add any contributions into the original post. Please feel free to comment or suggest corrections.
==== UA support ====
- UA Support
- UA Support videos:
https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926939-Apollo-Support-Videos
==== UAD-2 Plugins ====
- What do I need to run UAD-2 Plugins?
UAD-2 plugins are not like most other software plugins. You will need to purchase at least one UAD DSP hardware device to run them on. These include the following:
- UAD-2 PCIe Cards
- UAD-2 Satellite FireWire
- UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt
- Apollo FireWire
- Apollo Thunderbolt
- Apollo Twin USB
- Resetting demo period
Every time you make a plugin purchase, it resets your demo period for all plugins.
- How many plugs can your UAD system run? (submitted by sid-chigger)
UAD Instance Chart
- No.. UA didn’t just lower the price after you bought it (submitted by skeewiff)
There are now many plugins that have been revised by UA. Classics such as the Neve 8816, Pultecs, Fairchilds and Ureis have all reached mark 2 status. The older plug-ins. referred to as “legacy” versions are still sold as part of the bundle when you buy the new collection.
The UA store knows if you own any of the legacy editions, and therefore immediately offers you a lower “Upgrade” price to sweeten the deal.
When purchasing a plug such as the Neve 8816 which comes bundled with the legacy version, be aware that the price you see before you buy it (£229) is for the whole collection. The price you will see at the store straight after you bought it is an “upgrade” price (£115) for the legacy version you now own.
No. UA didn’t just put the plug on sale seconds after you just bought it!
- All DSPs are not created Equal (submitted by skeewiff)
DSPs on Apollo units can be used for realtime tracking in console as well as in the mix environment within your DAW.
DSPs on Satellites and PCIe Accelerator Cards can only be used within a DAW. They cannot be used within console.
- How do I get the best sound out of my UAD-2 plugins?
The majority of the UAD-2 plugins are modelled after ‘vintage’ analog equipment. This original equipment was designed to operate within a certain ‘optimal’ range of audio level and tend to have a ‘sweet spot’ where they sound best (this is of course entirely subjective). In general you can get the best performance out of the plugins by paying attention to, and adjusting the level of ingoing signal levels so that they are within this ‘optimal’ range. On page 65 of the UAD System manual ( version 8 ) you will find this chart that details the Operating Levels of the UAD-2 plugins defined in terms of dBFS (Digital Full-scale):
- How many UAD devices can share the same plugin license?
A collection of UAD devices that share the same licences is called a ’System’. You can have multiple systems. Up to six UAD devices can be combined within a system. The constraints on how many of which type of devices can be combined are complicated. They are defined starting on page 102 of the UAD Systems Manual ( version 8 ), found here:
http://www.uaudio.com/media/support/downloads/UAD_System_Manual_v85.pdf
==== Apollo Console ====
- One DSP limit for Console channels
Each console channel (Input, Virtual or Aux Return) must fit all of it’s plugins (Unison or Insert) within a single DSP. More than one channel may use the same DSP, but a single channel may not use more than one DSP concurrently.
- Digital Input (SR Convert) (submitted by skeewiff)
The Apollo console allows you to mix a mismatched digital signal without affecting your master clock sync. IE you can input a 48Kz signal even if you are set to 44.1 Khz. Look for “SR Convert” button on the console's fader for aes/ebu channel strip.
- Routing with Expanded (submitted by skeewiff)
Even though the routing options for Apollo Console 2 are plentiful, it is important to note that in an expanded system, the direct outputs assignable within console are limited to the outputs of the originating Apollo. Ie Apollo A cannot output through Apollo B.
There are however 2 auxillary and 4 cue buses which CAN be configured for this purpose. These buses can be sent to the outputs of the monitor Apollo of the expanded system. Ie Apollo A can send to Aux1, which is output through Apollo B
==== Apollo Interfaces ====
- What is Apollo (and why should I care)?
Apollo is a line of audio interfaces from Universal Audio that combine a set of features that make it different from all others on the market. the features are as follows:
- High quality AD/DA
- Allows recording audio with near zero latency monitoring.
- Runs DSP based UAD-2 plugins with ‘Realtime UAD processing’ for recording audio with effects.
- Console software application that allows for a high degree of flexibility in routing and monitoring audio for recording and playback.
- Unison technology (which allows the Apollo Hi-Z and mic hardware to interact with the UAD plugins).
Although most of these features may not be absolutely unique on their own, UA has done a great job of combining them in a very cost-effective package that brings a highly professional feature set within the reach of practically everyone, and with a range of interface options to suit a variety of requirements.
- What is Unison?
Unison is a technology that allows the Apollo hardware mic preamplifier circuitry to interact with Unison enabled UAD-2 plugins (channel strips, mic pres, guitar amps and stomp boxes). It allows the plugins controls to interact with and adjust the settings of the physical mic pre, and allows the the impedance of the physical hardware to be changed to match the plugin emulation. This only works when inserted into the Unison slot of a console channel. The Unison inserts always print while recording.
- What is ‘Zero Latency’ monitoring’ ?
With Apollo interfaces when you send audio into the inputs (like a guitar plugged into the Hi-Z input, or a mic going into the mic pre) it can be sent to the DAW for recording, but will also be directly heard in the Apollo monitors (or headphones) without the delay of being sent into the DAW and back again.
- What is ‘Realtime UAD Processing’ ?
This is the ability to use your UAD-2 plugins in the inserts of the Apollo Console application (the effects run on the Apollo device, not the computer) to apply effects to the audio you are recording. You can set the channels of the Apollo so that the effects are only heard through the Apollo monitors and the audio being recorded remains clean, or apply the effects to the audio as it is recorded.
==== GENERAL (non-UA specific) ====
- Before You Buy Hardware: a Word About Pricing (submitted by cheerful hamster)
Most pro and semi-pro audio companies sell their hardware through "Authorized Dealers" only. This means the dealers must abide by certain rules. One such rule is the MAP (Minimum Advertised Price). With the MAP, consumers will only see the same price, everywhere. Sadly, far too many of us pay the MAP without question, but armed with this knowledge you now know better. Remember this: friends don't let friends pay the MAP.
List is the price no-one ever pays. It's set just high enough to make you think the MAP is a good deal. "Hey, my gadget's on sale! I better buy it now before the price goes back up."
The MAP (or "Sale Price") is actually not even "on sale." On the contrary, the MAP is not a temporary mark down, it's the regular price.
For the Best Price, you must email, visit or call the dealer and ask for it. He cannot advertise it, but he does have a great deal of "wiggle room." Typically you'll get 15-20% off the MAP, sometimes more (closer to 25% off is awesome, and not unheard-of). On top of that, if you ask for free shipping you'll often get it. Sometimes you don't even need to ask. Mind you, this is for a new unit - not a floor-model, demo, open-box or scratch-and-dent. If you've been polite and reasonable and a dealer still insists on the MAP, have no worries. Obviously he doesn't want your business, but someone else will.
===========================
*note: I have run out of space in this post. Additional collated tips can be found in post number nine.(http://uadforum.com/general-discussion/21680-hints-tips-thread.html#post190359)
==== UA support ====
- UA Support
- UA Support videos:
https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926939-Apollo-Support-Videos
==== UAD-2 Plugins ====
- What do I need to run UAD-2 Plugins?
UAD-2 plugins are not like most other software plugins. You will need to purchase at least one UAD DSP hardware device to run them on. These include the following:
- UAD-2 PCIe Cards
- UAD-2 Satellite FireWire
- UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt
- Apollo FireWire
- Apollo Thunderbolt
- Apollo Twin USB
- Resetting demo period
Every time you make a plugin purchase, it resets your demo period for all plugins.
- How many plugs can your UAD system run? (submitted by sid-chigger)
UAD Instance Chart
- No.. UA didn’t just lower the price after you bought it (submitted by skeewiff)
There are now many plugins that have been revised by UA. Classics such as the Neve 8816, Pultecs, Fairchilds and Ureis have all reached mark 2 status. The older plug-ins. referred to as “legacy” versions are still sold as part of the bundle when you buy the new collection.
The UA store knows if you own any of the legacy editions, and therefore immediately offers you a lower “Upgrade” price to sweeten the deal.
When purchasing a plug such as the Neve 8816 which comes bundled with the legacy version, be aware that the price you see before you buy it (£229) is for the whole collection. The price you will see at the store straight after you bought it is an “upgrade” price (£115) for the legacy version you now own.
No. UA didn’t just put the plug on sale seconds after you just bought it!
- All DSPs are not created Equal (submitted by skeewiff)
DSPs on Apollo units can be used for realtime tracking in console as well as in the mix environment within your DAW.
DSPs on Satellites and PCIe Accelerator Cards can only be used within a DAW. They cannot be used within console.
- How do I get the best sound out of my UAD-2 plugins?
The majority of the UAD-2 plugins are modelled after ‘vintage’ analog equipment. This original equipment was designed to operate within a certain ‘optimal’ range of audio level and tend to have a ‘sweet spot’ where they sound best (this is of course entirely subjective). In general you can get the best performance out of the plugins by paying attention to, and adjusting the level of ingoing signal levels so that they are within this ‘optimal’ range. On page 65 of the UAD System manual ( version 8 ) you will find this chart that details the Operating Levels of the UAD-2 plugins defined in terms of dBFS (Digital Full-scale):
- How many UAD devices can share the same plugin license?
A collection of UAD devices that share the same licences is called a ’System’. You can have multiple systems. Up to six UAD devices can be combined within a system. The constraints on how many of which type of devices can be combined are complicated. They are defined starting on page 102 of the UAD Systems Manual ( version 8 ), found here:
http://www.uaudio.com/media/support/downloads/UAD_System_Manual_v85.pdf
==== Apollo Console ====
- One DSP limit for Console channels
Each console channel (Input, Virtual or Aux Return) must fit all of it’s plugins (Unison or Insert) within a single DSP. More than one channel may use the same DSP, but a single channel may not use more than one DSP concurrently.
- Digital Input (SR Convert) (submitted by skeewiff)
The Apollo console allows you to mix a mismatched digital signal without affecting your master clock sync. IE you can input a 48Kz signal even if you are set to 44.1 Khz. Look for “SR Convert” button on the console's fader for aes/ebu channel strip.
- Routing with Expanded (submitted by skeewiff)
Even though the routing options for Apollo Console 2 are plentiful, it is important to note that in an expanded system, the direct outputs assignable within console are limited to the outputs of the originating Apollo. Ie Apollo A cannot output through Apollo B.
There are however 2 auxillary and 4 cue buses which CAN be configured for this purpose. These buses can be sent to the outputs of the monitor Apollo of the expanded system. Ie Apollo A can send to Aux1, which is output through Apollo B
==== Apollo Interfaces ====
- What is Apollo (and why should I care)?
Apollo is a line of audio interfaces from Universal Audio that combine a set of features that make it different from all others on the market. the features are as follows:
- High quality AD/DA
- Allows recording audio with near zero latency monitoring.
- Runs DSP based UAD-2 plugins with ‘Realtime UAD processing’ for recording audio with effects.
- Console software application that allows for a high degree of flexibility in routing and monitoring audio for recording and playback.
- Unison technology (which allows the Apollo Hi-Z and mic hardware to interact with the UAD plugins).
Although most of these features may not be absolutely unique on their own, UA has done a great job of combining them in a very cost-effective package that brings a highly professional feature set within the reach of practically everyone, and with a range of interface options to suit a variety of requirements.
- What is Unison?
Unison is a technology that allows the Apollo hardware mic preamplifier circuitry to interact with Unison enabled UAD-2 plugins (channel strips, mic pres, guitar amps and stomp boxes). It allows the plugins controls to interact with and adjust the settings of the physical mic pre, and allows the the impedance of the physical hardware to be changed to match the plugin emulation. This only works when inserted into the Unison slot of a console channel. The Unison inserts always print while recording.
- What is ‘Zero Latency’ monitoring’ ?
With Apollo interfaces when you send audio into the inputs (like a guitar plugged into the Hi-Z input, or a mic going into the mic pre) it can be sent to the DAW for recording, but will also be directly heard in the Apollo monitors (or headphones) without the delay of being sent into the DAW and back again.
- What is ‘Realtime UAD Processing’ ?
This is the ability to use your UAD-2 plugins in the inserts of the Apollo Console application (the effects run on the Apollo device, not the computer) to apply effects to the audio you are recording. You can set the channels of the Apollo so that the effects are only heard through the Apollo monitors and the audio being recorded remains clean, or apply the effects to the audio as it is recorded.
==== GENERAL (non-UA specific) ====
- Before You Buy Hardware: a Word About Pricing (submitted by cheerful hamster)
Most pro and semi-pro audio companies sell their hardware through "Authorized Dealers" only. This means the dealers must abide by certain rules. One such rule is the MAP (Minimum Advertised Price). With the MAP, consumers will only see the same price, everywhere. Sadly, far too many of us pay the MAP without question, but armed with this knowledge you now know better. Remember this: friends don't let friends pay the MAP.
List is the price no-one ever pays. It's set just high enough to make you think the MAP is a good deal. "Hey, my gadget's on sale! I better buy it now before the price goes back up."
The MAP (or "Sale Price") is actually not even "on sale." On the contrary, the MAP is not a temporary mark down, it's the regular price.
For the Best Price, you must email, visit or call the dealer and ask for it. He cannot advertise it, but he does have a great deal of "wiggle room." Typically you'll get 15-20% off the MAP, sometimes more (closer to 25% off is awesome, and not unheard-of). On top of that, if you ask for free shipping you'll often get it. Sometimes you don't even need to ask. Mind you, this is for a new unit - not a floor-model, demo, open-box or scratch-and-dent. If you've been polite and reasonable and a dealer still insists on the MAP, have no worries. Obviously he doesn't want your business, but someone else will.
===========================
*note: I have run out of space in this post. Additional collated tips can be found in post number nine.(http://uadforum.com/general-discussion/21680-hints-tips-thread.html#post190359)
Last edited: