User Manual

Apollo Twin MkII Hardware Manual Introduction 9
Operational Overview
Audio Interface
First and foremost, Apollo Twin MkII is a premium 2 x 6 Thunderbolt audio interface with
world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Apollo Twin MkII connects to the outputs and
inputs of other audio gear, and performs analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) audio
conversions on the gear’s signals. The digital audio signals are routed into and out of the host
computer via the high-speed PCIe protocol, which is carried on a single Thunderbolt cable.
Apollo Twin MkII leverages Universal Audio’s expertise in DSP acceleration, UAD Powered
Plug-Ins, and analog hardware design by integrating the latest cutting edge technologies in
high-performance A/D-D/A conversion, DSP signal reconstruction, and connectivity. Apollo Twin
MkII acts as an audio interface with integrated DSP effects for tracking and monitoring, a fully
integrated UAD-2 DSP accelerator for mixing and mastering, as well as a complete monitoring
controller.
About Realtime UAD Processing
Apollo Twin MkII has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo Twin MkII’s
groundbreaking DSP + FPGA technology enable UAD plug-ins to run with latencies in the sub-
2ms range, and multiple plug-ins can be stacked in series without additional latency.
Realtime UAD Processing facilitates the ultimate sonic experience while monitoring and/or
tracking.
Note: Apollo Twin MkII, like other UAD-2 devices, can only load UAD Powered Plug-Ins,
which are specifically designed to run on UAD-2 DSP accelerators. Native (host-based)
plug-ins cannot run on the UAD-2 DSP.
Console Software
The Console software application runs on the host computer and is used to control Apollo Twin
MkII mixing and monitoring with Realtime UAD Processing, access the audio interface I/O
settings, and more. Console’s analog-style workflow is designed to provide quick access to the
most commonly needed features in a familiar, easy-to-use mixer interface.
Realtime UAD Processing is a special function that is available only within Console. All
of Apollo Twin MkII’s analog and digital inputs can perform Realtime UAD Processing
simultaneously, and Console inputs with (or without) Realtime UAD Processing can be routed
into the DAW for recording.
Console controls Apollo Twin MkII’s digital mixer so you can monitor Apollo Twin MkII’s inputs
(with or without Realtime UAD Processing) without using any other audio software such as a
DAW.
Console is integral to unleashing the power of Apollo Twin MkII. For complete details about how
to use Console and Realtime UAD Processing, refer to the Apollo Software Manual.