User's Manual

Apollo Solo USB Manual Working With Apollo Solo USB 54
UAD Plug-Ins: Console versus DAW
There are important fundamental differences between using UAD plug-ins within Console
versus within a DAW. Apollo Solo USB features two distinct methods for using UAD plug-ins:
Console processing (Realtime) – Low-latency hardware input monitoring and recording
with Realtime UAD Processing via UAD plug-ins that are loaded within Console.
DAW processing (Buffered) – DSP-accelerated processing via UAD plug-ins in VST or AAX
64 formats that are loaded within a DAW.
These two methods are not a switched mode, but instead simply depend on which
host application, either Console or a DAW, contains the UAD plug-in(s). Note that
both methods can be used at the same time for maximum flexibility. Each method is
explained in greater detail below.
UAD Processing in Console (Realtime)
UAD plug-ins run in realtime, without discernible latency, only when used within
Console. Hardware input monitoring with Realtime UAD Processing via Console is
optimum for artists and engineers that need to monitor and capture performances
without DAW I/O buffering latency and its associated hindrances.
Important: UAD plug-ins used within Console only run on the DSP within Apollo
Solo USB. If UAD-2 DSP accelerators are active in the same system, the DSP on
those devices cannot be used to process UAD plug-ins in Console.
The special Realtime UAD Processing functionality is achieved via Apollo Solo USB’s
unique ultra-low latency DSP+FPGA+Console design. Although every audio interface has
undetectable latency that is inherent to the A/D–D/A process, routing Apollo Solo USB’s
input signals through UAD plug-ins within Console does not add to this inherent latency.
Up to five UAD plug-in instances can be inserted serially (aka, stacked or chained) on
each of Console’s inputs and/or auxiliary buses at the same time, without adding to the
inherent A/D–D/A latency.
Console inputs and stereo mix buses (monitor, headphone, auxiliary), with or without
Realtime UAD Processing, are routed into the DAW via Apollo Solo USB’s device drivers.
These channels can be optionally recorded as either processed (wet) or unprocessed (dry)
audio using the Insert Effects feature in Console (see Insert Effects Overview).
Console Processing Notes
• Console controls Apollo Solo USB’s Unison and Realtime UAD Processing
features. These are special functions that are available only when UAD plug-ins
are inserted within Console. To activate these features, simply insert UAD plug-ins
within Console.
• As with all UAD devices, Apollo Solo USB can only load UAD plug-ins, which
are specifically designed to run on UAD DSP. Host CPU-based (native) plug-ins
cannot run on UAD DSP or be inserted in Console.
• Upsampled UAD plug-ins add negligible latency (usually indiscernible) when used
within Console or a DAW. See Upsampled UAD Plug-Ins for more information.