Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface offers a range of input and output options for recording and playback. It has two premium mic/line preamps, a front-panel Hi-Z instrument input, and a headphone output, as well as two line outputs and up to eight channels of digital input via Optical TOSLINK connection.

The interface also features two digitally controlled analog monitor outputs and can be used for both recording and playback simultaneously. This makes it an ideal choice for musicians and producers who want to monitor their recordings in real-time while also having access to a range of input and output options for their audio needs.

Overall, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a versatile and high-quality audio interface that can meet the needs of a wide range of users.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface has been praised by experts for its extremely low latency levels, making it ideal for recording and monitoring. The input latency is as low as 1.1ms, and the output latency is as low as 1.2ms, which means that there is virtually no noticeable delay when using the UAD plug-ins in real-time.

This makes it easier to play virtual instruments in real-time, as the delay is barely noticeable. The built-in DSP also provides even better latency when monitoring. Overall, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a great choice for musicians and producers who require low latency levels for their recording and monitoring needs.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a high-quality audio interface that features two Unison-equipped mic/line preamps with a gain range of +10 dB to +65 dB, switchable phantom power, and an equivalent input noise rating of -129 dBu. The preamps are designed to have a classic analog sound with high headroom and improved noise performance.

The unit also includes Unison technology, which allows the preamp to mimic the impedance and gain staging of analog gear, resulting in a more authentic and natural sound. The Realtime UAD Processing allows for the use of the UAD family of plug-in processors in real-time for the input recording path, including virtual solid-state preamps, guitar amps, and stomp boxes with near-zero latency.

The Apollo Twin MKII comes with Universal Audio's Realtime Analog Classics UAD plug-in bundle, which includes legacy versions of the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, and Pultec EQP-1A Program Equalizer, among others. Overall, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a versatile and high-quality audio interface that is suitable for professional recording studios, home studios, and musicians who demand the best in preamp quality.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII offers powerful DSP processing capabilities with three different levels of UAD-2 processing via different SHARC DSP chip set configurations: SOLO, DUO, or QUAD (four SHARC chips) models. The new UAD-2 QUAD Core processing available in the Apollo Twin MkII enables users to offload even more CPU duties to the interface itself, making it a highly valuable tool for recording and mixing.

The real-time processing capabilities of the interface make it easy to monitor and adjust effects in real-time during recording. The DSP processing interface is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing for easy access to the interface's DSP processing capabilities, and users can quickly navigate and adjust settings for their effects plugins.

However, there may still be limitations or restrictions on DSP processing depending on the number and complexity of the plug-ins being used. Overall, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a powerful and customizable tool for recording and mixing, offering a range of DSP processing options to suit different needs.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface is highly compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, as well as all major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, and Live. It runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via VST, RTAS, and AAX 64 in all major DAWs and is designed to work seamlessly with the UAD-2 plugins via the UAD software.

The interface is also compatible with VST, AU, RTAS, and AAX 64-bit plugins in all major recording software. While initial setup may require some troubleshooting, once the interface is up and running, it should work with a variety of software and operating systems. There may be some roadblocks during the initial setup, which may be exclusive to a particular setup, computer, operating system, or version of Pro Tools.

In such cases, UA customer support can be helpful in resolving the issues. Overall, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII is a highly compatible audio interface that is suitable for a wide range of recording needs.

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII has a strong brand reputation in the audio recording industry, with experts praising its quality and reliability. The product has received high recommendations from experts, with PremierGuitar noting its superb audio quality and studio and stage-worthy build. Customers generally perceive the product and its customer support positively, with a Consumer score (CS) of 8.7, higher than the median Audio Recording Interfaces consumer score of 8.6.

The Apollo Twin MkII is suitable for professional audio recording and production, with its high-quality audio and reliable build making it a popular choice among musicians, producers, and engineers. Its customer support has also been praised by some users, making it a reliable choice for those who may encounter initial setup roadblocks.