Our friends at Universal Audio have announced a major new release of the Apollo software that offers some excellent new features.

With Apollo Expanded, users of Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo Twin, Apollo DUO, Apollo QUAD, and Apollo 16 audio interfaces can freely combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as their studio grows.

Apollo Expanded also brings the introduction of Console 2.0 software, giving Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo users dynamic new workflow options, with more than 25 new user-requested features.

Apollo Expanded — Key Features:

• “Mix and Match” up to four Apollos (any model) over Thunderbolt (Mac)
• Simple Thunderbolt cable connection between units
• Combine up to six UAD-2 devices per system
• New Flex Driver lets users customize Core Audio I/O — name, save, and share presets for different hardware setups and DAWs
• Star clocking over Thunderbolt distributes high-quality clock to all Apollos

Console 2.0 Software — Key Features:

• New high-resolution / Retina-compatible 64-bit software interface for Thunderbolt equipped Apollos
• Channel Strip presets lets users see, save, and recall UAD plug-in chains
• Numerous monitoring improvements including Alternate Monitors, new Control Room functions, and enhanced headphone cue management
• New UAD plug-in categories and individual Show/Hide functionality
• Enhanced plug-in features such as preset auditioning and drag & drop functionality
• Per-input Record/Monitor effect switching
• Multi-level Undo and Redo for plug-in assignments and parameters

Apollo Expanded is part of upcoming UAD Software v8.0, which, in addition to Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite compatibility, also adds all-new plug-in categories to the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.

Russ gives his opinion on this news here