Connections:
Note: Requires USB-C cable, not included.
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X USB (here in the Heritage Edition) is a refined update to one of the world's most popular professional desktop audio interfaces, offering completely redesigned A/D and D/A conversion (24-bit/192 kHz) derived from the award-winning Apollo X rackmount interfaces, which delivers increased dynamic range and exceptionally low distortion. This 10×6 interface features a UAD-2 DUO processor and USB 3 connectivity for Windows computers, allowing popular UAD plug-ins from brands like Neve, Manley, and API to be used in real time. It also includes a built-in talkback microphone for easy communication with artists and recording auxiliary tracks, along with enhanced monitor functionality, offering remote control and dedicated buttons for mono, mute, DIM, and ALT functions – for a more flexible and efficient workflow.
With Universal Audio's Unison technology, the UAD plugin software integrates seamlessly with the Apollo Twin X's internal microphone preamp hardware, delivering impressively realistic emulations of legendary vintage preamps, guitar and bass amps, and stompboxes. Purchasing the interface automatically gives owners access to the Realtime Analog Classics Bundle, featuring the UA 610-B preamp, the Marshall Plexi Classic amplifier, the Ampeg SVT-VR Classic bass amp, and a selection of other iconic vintage processors, from the Pultec EQP-1A to the Teletronix LA-2A. During recording, these plugins can be used virtually latency-free through the UA Console software, and they are equally suited for mixing in DAW software such as Cubase, Ableton Live, or Pro Tools, providing both versatility and professional-quality sound at every stage of the production process.
With its compact design, two Unison preamps, a digital ADAT input, four analogue line outputs, and a powerful, high-quality headphone amplifier, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X USB Heritage serves as an ideal travel companion for musicians and producers who work with Windows and depend on a USB interface. Unlike the Thunderbolt versions (Twin X and Twin MkII), this model delivers top-level performance without the need to cascade with other Apollo interfaces. It offers two first-class Unison preamps, reference-grade converters, and robust connectivity in a portable format, making it suitable for both recording and mixing on the go.
Few manufacturers can draw upon a wealth of audio engineering experience comparable to that of Universal Audio. The company's founding father Bill Putnam, along with his friend Les Paul, have an admirable reputation as trend-setting music producers and developers of legendary analogue studio technology. Putnam recorded Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and Sarah Vaughan, and was Duke Ellington's favourite sound engineer. He developed the famous 1176 Peak Limiter and distributed the Teletronix LA-2A level amplifier. This earned him a posthumous "Technical Grammy Award" in 2000. In 1999, Putnam's sons, Bill Putnam Jr. and James Putnam, re-founded Universal Audio, transferring their father's analogue vision and craftsmanship to the digital music world. Their product range includes audio interfaces, dedicated DSP farms, and a variety of plug-ins, as well as analogue hardware devices.
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin X USB Heritage suits a wide range of musicians, from singer-songwriters to EDM producers who work primarily "in the box", or live keyboardists needing a high-quality interface for the stage. While the USB version does not support cascading with other Apollo interfaces, it can be used alongside a UAD-2 Satellite USB (up to two devices) or up to five additional UAD-2 devices, such as UAD-2 PCIe cards, to expand DSP performance. For anyone looking to bring the analogue warmth of legendary Neve or SSL consoles, iconic vintage compressors, historic reverbs, and classic amps into digital productions while on the road, this interface offers the perfect combination of portability, flexibility, and professional sound quality. It delivers the quality and versatility needed for both recording and mixing in any environment.
The Heritage Edition of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Duo comes with five additional UAD plug-ins or plug-in collections, expanding the sonic possibilities beyond the classic effects of the Realtime Analog Classics Bundle. It includes the Pure Plate Reverb and the complete UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection. Several classic UAD plugins—previously only available in their older legacy versions—are now offered in fully updated, more elaborately modelled versions, including the UA 1176, Teletronix LA-2A, and Pultec EQP-1A. For users who already own one or more of these plugins, alternative options are available during hardware registration, ensuring flexibility and choice in building a personal plugin setup.
A key factor in the sound of a microphone preamp or guitar amplifier is its input impedance, and Universal Audio's Unison technology ensures this is perfectly matched to an Apollo interface for the most authentic emulation possible via a simultaneously operating plug-in. Hardware and software work together to faithfully reproduce the character of vintage icons such as a Neve 1073 preamp or a modern Manley Voxbox. When using a virtual guitar amplifier like the Marshall Plexi, the system goes even further, recognising the impedance of the connected guitar's pickups and adapting accordingly. This results in a highly realistic and responsive playing experience.