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Universal Audio Apollo X4 Heritage Edition

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Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select and iZotope Ozone 11 Elements for free!

Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select and iZotope Ozone 11 Elements for free!

If you purchase this product by 15-01-2025, you will receive Komplete 15 Select as well as Ozone 11 Elements licences for free on top from Native Instruments and iZotope, this represents a total value of EUR 148,00!

12x18 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

  • Featuring UAD-2 Quad processor for near-latency-free recording via plug-in emulations of classic compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps and guitar amps
  • 24-Bit / 192 kHz AD/DA converter
  • 4 Unison microphone preamps
  • +48 V Phantom power
  • Integrated talkback microphone
  • Dynamic range: 127 dB
  • Monitor functions with controls for mono, mute, DIM and ALT
  • Design: Desktop
  • Includes software bundle Rackmount Heritage Edition & Realtime
  • Analog Classics Plus
  • Matching case: Article no. 495524 (not included)

Technical specifications:

  • 4 Mic/Line combo inputs: XLR / 6.3 mm jack
  • 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • 4 Line outputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • 2 Monitor outputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • ADAT/SPDIF input and output optical
  • 2 Stereo headphone outputs: 6.3 mm jack
  • Thunderbolt 3 connection (Thunderbolt cable not included)
  • Input for external power supply unit
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 233 x 66 x 151 mm
  • Weight: 1.46 kg
Available since December 2020
Item number 508053
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Recording / Playback Channels 12x18
Number of Mic Inputs 4
Number of Line Inputs 4
Number of Instrument Inputs 2
Number of Line Outputs 6
Headphone Outs 2
Phantom Power Yes
Number of S/PDIF Connectors 1
Number of ADAT Connectors 1
AES/EBU Connectors 0
Number of MADI Connectors 0
Ethernet 0
Other Connectors No
MIDI Connectors No
Word Clock No
Max. Samplerate 192 kHz
Max. Resolution in Bit 24 bit
Bus-Powered No
Incl. Power Supply Yes
Windows Thunderbolt driver Yes
Thunderbolt Version 3
Width in mm 280 mm
Depth in mm 200 mm
Height in mm 130 mm
$1,268
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Pro-level desktop audio interface

The Universal Audio Apollo x4 is an extremely versatile desktop audio interface that can be operated on a Mac or PC via a Thunderbolt 3 port. This portable 12-in/18-out audio interface with state-of-the-art 24-bit/192kHz conversion technology and four Unison preamps bridges the gap between the smaller Apollo Twin and the larger Apollo rackmount audio interfaces. The Apollo x4 comes with no less than four Sharc processors for running the widely renowned UAD plug-ins so that users can immediately start recording their own music with the “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” plug-in bundle that is included as standard and the free Luna DAW software (for Mac only).

Analogue sound for a digital world

The Unison technology enables the UAD plug-in software to be seamlessly integrated with the internal microphone preamp hardware, delivering the most authentic reproductions of iconic vintage preamps or guitar and bass amplifiers. The Universal Audio Apollo x4 comes with the “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle including the UA 610-B preamp, the Marshall Plexi Classic amplifier, the Ampeg SVT-VR Classic bass amp, and a selection of further classic effects processors from the legendary Pultec EQP-1A and Teletronix LA-2A, and even the iconic Fairchild 670. The plug-ins can be recorded through with near-zero latency via the UA Console application and, of course, used for mixing in all major DAWs such as Cubase, Logic, Live, or Pro Tools.

Ideal for producing on the go

The high-quality Apollo x4 audio interface featuring four Unison preamps is an excellent choice for any ambitious musician and producer who appreciates a high level of flexibility without making compromises on sound quality. Thanks to its monitoring section with an integrated talkback microphone, a function for switching between different sets of monitor speakers, and two independent headphone outputs, this compact desktop audio interface combines all the functionalities of a control centre, monitor controller, and DSP farm in a single unit. The Apollo x4 is an ideal starting point for combining a whole bunch of UADs together: Up to four Apollo audio interfaces with a Thunderbolt connection and up to six UAD-2 devices (e.g. UAD-2 Satellite or UAD-2 PCIe cards) can be cascaded to create a consolidated studio system that offers a large number of inputs/outputs and powerful DSP performance.

About Universal Audio

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.

Perfect sound for every situation

The Universal Audio Apollo x4 desktop audio interface makes a convincing case thanks to its excellent sound characteristics and the virtually unlimited possibilities it offers producers both in the studio and on the go. Thanks to its suitability for cascading with multiple Apollo units, it will also be interesting for studio producers, for example, who are looking for basic equipment that can be used both on the go and as part of a cascaded system comprising further Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 devices. The Apollo x4 will also be the perfect choice for every user who wants to track through the analogue sounds of legendary Neve or SSL consoles, iconic vintage compressors, famous reverbs, and classic amps while producing digital music "on the road".

In the spotlight: Meaning of SOLO, DUO, QUAD, and OCTO

Each Apollo interface features one or multiple Sharc processors for computing the “Console” mixer software and the UAD plug-ins. Each plug-in consumes a fraction of the DSP chip’s processing power (between one and sixty percent), depending on its complexity. A small percentage goes to the mixer software for internal signal processing and routing. The number of Sharc DSPs that are used in a Universal Audio device is indicated by the product description: There is one DSP chip in a SOLO unit, two in a DUO, four in a QUAD, and eight in an OCTO unit. The Apollo x4 is available solely in a QUAD configuration.

The Apollo Heritage Edition

The Universal Audio Apollo x4 Heritage Edition comes with ten additional UAD plug-in titles comprising various collections. Alongside all classic effects from the standard “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” bundle, these include iconic plug-ins such as Helios Type 69, V76 Preamp, Teletronix LA-3A, Oxide Tape Recorder, and Pure Plate Reverb as well as all newly modelled, more complex versions of the older legacy UAD plug-ins included with the standard bundle, namely UA 1176, Teletronix LA-2A, Fairchild 670, Pultec EQP-1A, and the full UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ collections. Users who already own one or more of these Heritage bundle plug-ins can select from a list of alternative UAD plug-ins during hardware registration.

42 Customer ratings

4.8 / 5

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33 Reviews

P
Game changer
Pawney 05.10.2020
Fully portable, 24bit, mixing console with comprehensive library of switchable preamps, compressors, amps and dynamic, eq, reverb, and other processing plugins and emulators.

First off - I upgraded from an Arrow after approx 4 months. Not because it was not amazing but because of the quality of the UA plugins.
I cannot afford (or store) rack mounted units. I have only used them in other peoples studios so I cannot speak for how accurate these emulations are.
I can say though that I have yet to use ANYTHING that works as well as any of the UA line of plugins. Imagine doing your takes while fully mixed with imperceptive latency. And that same mix is recored direct to audio into your DAW if you choose.

Secondly, the Unit itself -
At the momnet this is the top tier of their desktop versions.
There are 4 inputs - 2 hiz/mic/line and 2 mic/line
Controls are simple but comprehensive.
Includes a talk back button with a little built in mic. A little on the heavy side of portable but totally forgivable for what it is packing.

Cons -
Does not ship with a thunderbolt cable (for the price you would think it should)
Requires it's own power source (included) which has a SOFT plastic locking mechanism. BE CAREFUL WITH IT

Questions I would have had -
QUAD core will allow you to run approx 8 to 15(maybe) dsp plugins depending on the plugin. Processing can be diverted from DSP to create additional virtual channels or vice versa.

Be aware of the additional cost of UA plugins BUT be aware that UA offer vouchers on purchases (for next purchase), offers specific to items you own and access to custom offers where stuff gets super affordable.

Lastly, I found their site FAQ on multi unit set up a bit misleading.
You CAN link multiple units but ONLY where there are 2 TB3 connections. This unit will link with their rack mounted units or DSP processors.
By and large the desktop units cannot be daisy chained or run along side each other. UA software will only connect via a single TB3 port on your Mac.
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B
Perfect of course
BRISKEY 15.05.2021
Great gear, perfect sound, perfect quality, probably the best on the market. This is the number one for tracking and mixing.
For music creation inside a DAW while using a lot of virtual instruments, this interface makes the performance of your mac go crazy (even with an 10core i9 Mac).
There's also no build in loopback for audio streaming, which is a shame in 2021.
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O
Woow!
Oigimer 03.03.2021
What an awesome piece of gear.
Yes, It's quite expensive, but the sound ... wow! ... the UAD plugins and the unison technology are true gamechangers, I now "own" a studio loaded with racks of "you could only dream about" outboard gear .. for a fraction of the investment.

And I'm running a PC with thunderbol3, Windows 10 and presonus Studio. No problems at all. Only needed to check some UAD tutorials and make sure configuration was well made.
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H
Awesome interface!
HeaPunk 15.05.2020
I am producer and sound engineer. I needed a better unit to record some small band sessions, because quite often I felt that my Focusrite 18i8 couldn't provide me quality I wanted. Also I am using it on my home studio as a primary audio interface and mixing console.

Step up I got with this baby is big... stop, no. It's HUMONGOUS !!!!!


Pros:
- Preamps are really good and clear, especially DI inputs !
- Amazing console software what gives tons of flexibility
- UAD plugins and unison technology !!!
- Solid build quality
- Portable
- Talkback installed
- 2 Headphone outputs
- You can get 5 plugins if you know someone who already having a UAD interface
- Great support and community for UAD users
- Suits for live situations

Cons:
- Thunderbolt 3 cable is not included, spent extra 45€ on it, since I realized that simple USB Type-C doesn't work with it 😃
- Main knob is a little bit wobbly, but it seems to be a usual thing on most UAD Apollo interfaces

I think it is the best audio interfaces out there with lots of potential for my sound engineer future. This machine is super portable and could handle a lot!

Thanks UAD and Thomann!
These kind of things are boosting my creativity and urge to work harder!
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