The team at Universal Audio are very pleased to announce two new products in the Apollo X range of Thunderbolt 3 audio interfaces. Please welcome the Apollo Twin X and it’s new bigger brother the Apollo x4 to the ever-growing generation X family.
Full Range Of Interfaces That Are All macOS And Windows Compatible
The two new interfaces from Universal Audio pick up the X tag and run with it. UA now has a complete X branded line of professional Thunderbolt 3 audio interfaces that work on both macOS or Windows, no need to buy the Windows-only USB version anymore.
They now start with the new Twin X, available in either Duo or Quad DSP configurations. Next up now is the new x4, with 4 DSP chips for UAD-2 processing. Then onto the rack-mounted Apollo X interfaces the x6, x8, x8P and x16 with 6 Sharc DSP chips but each with different I/O configurations. With the addition of the Twin X and x4, UA now have an interface available for every stage of your recording development. From singer-songwriter to full professional recording facility there is Apollo option ready for you, whether you are using macOS or Windows.
What’s New With Twin X & x4
While both new interfaces carry the X brand there are some differences between them and their rack-mounted cousins. Twin X and x4 have the same upgraded mic preamps and A/D D/A conversion of Apollo X rack units so sonically there would seem to be nothing between them. However, where the x6, x8, x8P and x16 have a dual crystal clock meaning that multiples of 44.1K are clocked with one crystal and multiples of 48K are controlled by another, whereas the two new desktop interfaces have a single clock for all sample rates. Not a big deal in my book but worth knowing as I’m sure someone somewhere is going to say they can hear the difference.
As you might expect, you can still use Twin X and the new x4 as controllers for your expanded UA Apollo rig. Meaning the desktop interface can control your main and secondary monitor volume, dim, mute and talk-back. That said, it is worth noting that the Twin X or x4 will need to be the last unit in your Thunderbolt 3 chain as they each only have a single Thunderbolt 3 port.
When it comes to looks, it’s very much business as usual. The Twin X is the same size as the older Apollo Twin generation one and two but with the addition of lots of new cooling vents on both sides and around the back. The units do get warm when in use but this is part of the design of the all-aluminium chassis that acts as a heat sink, which in turn means there is no need for any form of fan in either the Twin X or the slightly bigger x4. The x4 is also, not unsurprisingly about 2 XLR sockets wider than Twin X. This is, yes you guessed it, to make room for those extra 2 XLR inputs.
The Apollo x4
Apollo x4 or “the missing link” as you could call it, is very much filling the gap between the Apollo Twin and the Apollo rack interfaces when it comes to physical size but it is far from a slouch when it comes to connectivity and processing. First up, you get 4 of Universal Audios Unison mic preamps, which allow you to process the incoming audio through UAD-2 plug-ins at near-zero latency. The first 2 channels also offer a High-Z instrument input so you can connect your guitar or bass directly to the x4 and record through amazing sounding guitar and bass amp emulations. On the output side of things, we get the option for 3 pairs of stereo monitor outputs, which can be controlled and switched from the unit’s front panel as well as 2 stereo headphone outputs, which can be independently controlled and configured from the Console software. We also now get an ADAT Optical output as well as input.
Exclusive Apollo x4 Review
Below you can check out our exclusive video review of the new Apollo x4 and see some of the new workflow enhancements that UA have integrated into the new UA console software to make working with x4 and their entire range of interfaces even more flexible.
Apollo x4 Features
12 Input and 18 Output - Thunderbolt 3 desktop audio interface for macOS and Windows
Elite-class A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from Apollo X rackmount interfaces
4 Unison mic/line preamps
UAD-2 QUAD Core Processing
2 front-panel Hi-Z instrument inputs and 2 independent headphone outputs
Built-in talkback mic for communication with studio talent and recording slate cues
Includes monitor remote functions and Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controls
Up to 8 channels of additional digital I/O via optical ADAT/SPDIF input and output
Includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus UAD plug-in bundle featuring the Teletronix LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild 670 compressors, plus Pultec EQs, UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more
Apollo Twin X Features
10 Input and 6 Output - Thunderbolt 3 desktop audio interface for macOS and Windows
Elite class A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from Apollo X rackmount interfaces
2 Unison mic preamps
UAD-2 DUO or QUAD Core Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins with near-zero latency
Front panel Unison-enabled Hi-Z instrument input and headphone output
Built-in talkback mic
Improved monitor functionality including monitor remote functions and Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controls
Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via optical ADAT or S/PDIF
Includes the Realtime Analog Classics UAD plug-in bundle featuring the Teletronix LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Pultec EQs, UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more
Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via VST, RTAS, and AAX 64 in all major DAWs
Channel DSP Pairing
DSP Pairing is a new feature that was introduced into the Apollo Console software in version 9.10.1 and it allows 2 DSP chips to process plug-ins on a single input channel. This, in turn, means you can use more demanding plug-ins and DSP intensive plug-ins for creating the ultimate guitar tone or vocal processing chain. You no longer have to balance the available processing of a single DSP chip against the plug-ins you really want to use. You can get the full technical lowdown by watching the UAD Basics video produced by Universal Audio below.
What We Think Of The Apollo Twin X And x4 Audio Interfaces
The Universal Audio Apollo range made a massive leap forward in both audio quality and DSP power integration with the release of the X rack range and now they are bringing their desktop interfaces up to match that quality, while at the same time filling a gap in their range with the x4.
As you would expect both x4 and Twin X are beautifully made as has been every UA interface before it. While the x4 takes a little more space on your desktop, this is not going to stop it being a series contender in the now very popular 4 mic preamp desktop interface market. Add a pair of UA 4-710d mic preamps to this unit and you have a truly stunning sounding 12 channel recording studio that you could fit in a small rack case and your backpack. I’m sure even I can manage to record drums on just 12 channels.
I loved both my Mk1 Apollo Twin, my Generation 2 Twin and I already really like the Apollo x4. It’s not only the perfect partner to the pair of Apollo x16s I have in my rack but it’s also the perfect interface to be out and about with. It’s solid, stable and sounds great. What’s not to love?
You can find out more about the new Apollo Twin X and x4 audio interfaces from Universal Audio at their website.
You can also check out our recent series using the Apollo X rack interfaces for tracking drums, guitars, vocals and for mixing.