Apollo Twin Hardware Manual Manual Version v140114 Customer Service & Technical Support: USA Toll-Free: +1-877-698-2834 International: +1-831-440-1176 www.uaudio.
A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr. Thank you for deciding to make the Apollo Twin High-Resolution Interface part of your music making experience. We know that any new piece of gear requires an investment of time and money — and our goal is to make your investment pay off. The fact that we get to play a part in your creative process is what makes our efforts meaningful, and we thank you for this.
Table Of Contents Tip: Click any section or page number to jump directly to that page. A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr................................................................... ii Chapter 1: Introduction.......................................................................... 6 Welcome to Apollo Twin....................................................................................... 6 High-Resolution Desktop Music Production with Classic Analog Sound.......................................
Chapter 2: Quick Start......................................................................... 14 Quick Start Overview......................................................................................... 14 System Requirements.......................................................................................................... 14 Getting Started Videos.......................................................................................................... 14 About Registration and Authorization...
Chapter 5: Notices............................................................................... 33 Important Safety Information............................................................................. 33 Maintenance.................................................................................................... 34 Warranty.......................................................................................................... 34 Repair Service.......................................................
Chapter 1: Introduction Welcome to Apollo Twin High-Resolution Desktop Music Production with Classic Analog Sound Apollo Twin reinvents desktop recording by delivering legendary analog studio sound, feel, and flow to music creators everywhere. This 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac combines the same impeccable 24/192 kHz audio conversion of Universal Audio’s acclaimed Apollo series with onboard Realtime UAD SOLO or DUO Processing.
Apollo Twin Features Key Features • • • • • • • • • Desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion Realtime UAD Processing for tracking through vintage Compressors, EQs, Tape Machines, Mic Preamps, and Guitar Amp plug-ins with near-zero (sub-2ms) latency Thunderbolt connection for blazing-fast PCIe speed and rock-solid performance on modern Macs Unison™ technology offers stunning models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps Two premium mic/line preamps;
Microphone Preamplifiers • • • Two high-resolution, ultra-transparent, digitally-controlled analog mic preamps Front panel and software control of all preamp parameters Low cut filter, 48V phantom power, 20 dB pad, polarity inversion, and stereo linking Monitoring • • • • Digitally-controlled analog monitor outputs maintains highest fidelity Independently-addressable stereo headphone outputs Independently-addressable line outputs 3-4 can be used for additional cue mix Front panel control of monitor level
System Requirements • • • • • • Apple Mac computer with available Thunderbolt port Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.
Operational Overview Audio Interface First and foremost, Apollo Twin is a premium 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface with world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Apollo Twin 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.
UAD Powered Plug-Ins in a DAW Apollo Twin and UAD plug-ins can also be used within a DAW without the use of Console. UAD plug-ins loaded within the DAW operate like other (non-UAD) plug-ins, except the processing occurs on the Apollo Twin DSP instead of the host computer’s processor. In this scenario, UAD plug-ins are subject to the latencies incurred by I/O buffering. For details about using UAD Powered Plug-Ins in a DAW, see the UAD System Manual.
Apollo Twin Hardware Manual The Apollo Twin Hardware Manual contains complete information about the audio interface hardware. Included are detailed descriptions for all Apollo Twin hardware features, control functions, and connections. Refer to this hardware manual to learn about interfacing the hardware with other devices, operating the panel controls, specifications, and related information. Apollo Software Manual The Apollo Software Manual is the companion guide to the Apollo Twin Hardware manual.
Glossary This manual uses technical terms and acronyms that may be unfamiliar. Refer to the Glossary in the Apollo Software Manual for the definitions of many of these terms. Support Web Pages The latest technical information about Apollo Twin is posted on our website. Our support pages contain updated, late-breaking information that may not be available in other publications. To access the main Apollo Twin support page, go to: • www.uaudio.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Quick Start Overview Apollo Twin hardware and software installation and setup consists of the main steps below. These steps are detailed in this chapter. 1. Connect and power the Apollo Twin hardware 2. Download and install the Apollo Twin software 3. Update the Apollo Twin firmware (if prompted) 4. Register the hardware and authorize UAD plug-ins 5.
Hardware Setup Select a Suitable Location • • • • Locate Apollo Twin on a flat surface so its feet will maintain airflow beneath the unit. The location should be sturdy enough to securely hold its weight and withstand the pressure of operating the top panel controls. Leave enough room behind the unit for connected cabling. Do not block the cooling vents on the bottom or sides of the unit.
Software Installation Preparation • • Close all open files and applications before starting the software installation procedure (the installer requires a restart after installation). If you are updating to a newer version of Apollo Twin software, it is not necessary to remove the previous Apollo Twin software or hardware from the system before installing the newer software. Software Updates The latest Apollo Twin software version is always recommended.
Registration & Authorization Before proceeding, confirm that the Apollo Twin software is already installed, the computer was restarted after installation, and the Apollo Twin hardware is powered and connected to the computer via Thunderbolt (the hardware and software systems must be communicating properly). Important: The following procedure requires the computer to be connected to the Internet.
3. Click the “Authorize Plug-Ins” Button The button is located in the Plug-Ins panel (see #2 above). Click Clicking the Authorize Plug-Ins button in the UAD Meter & Control Panel Your web browser will connect to the UA online store and our web pages will guide you through the process of process of creating an account, registering your hardware, and claiming bundled UAD Powered Plug-Ins. 4.
Setting Hardware I/O Levels This section explains how to set input gain levels for the hardware inputs (mic, line, and Hi-Z) and adjust volume levels for the hardware outputs (monitors and headphones). Refer to the top panel illustration for control names and numbers mentioned below. Important: Before proceeding, lower the volume of the monitor speakers and remove headphones from your ears. Set Input Gains 1.
Chapter 3: Controls & Connectors Complete details about the Apollo Twin hardware controls and all connector jacks on the front and rear panels are provided in this chapter. Note: To set input gain levels (mic, line, and Hi-Z) and output volumes (monitors and headphones), see Setting Hardware I/O Levels in the Quick Start chapter. Controls Overview Some Apollo Twin controls have multiple functions. The function of each control depends on the current operating mode and the current settings within that mode.
Input Type Each input channel has one preamplifier. The input source used by the preamp can be the mic input or the line input. The input source is determined by the pressing the INPUT button when the channel is selected. The input type is shown by the indicators below the input meters. On channel 1 only, the Hi-Z instrument can be used as the input type. The Hi-Z input is selected automatically when an instrument cable is plugged into the front panel Hi-Z input.
Top Panel Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Apollo Twin’s top panel elements (1) Level Knob & Switch The Level knob & switch controls multiple functions. The knob’s current function is selected with the Preamp (9) and Monitor (10) buttons. Rotate clockwise to increase level of the selected function. When Monitor is selected (6), press to mute/unmute the monitor outputs.
(3) Channel Selection Indicators The currently selected input channel is indicated by the lit channel name above its input meter (CH1 or CH2). Press the Preamp button (9) to switch between channels 1 & 2. Tip: You can also switch between channels 1 & 2 by pressing the Level knob (1), but only when in Preamp Mode (when the input controls are active). (4) Input Meters These meters display the incoming signal level for input channels 1 & 2.
(11) Preamp Option Buttons These six buttons control the preamp options (a – f below) when the input channel is selected (3). The preamp option is active when its indicator is lit. When Monitor (6) or Headphone (8) is selected, the preamp options cannot be modified and this portion of the display is unlit. Unison Integration: The Preamp Options can also be used to control Unison-enabled UAD preamp plug-ins. See the Apollo Software Manual for complete Unison details.
Front Panel Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section. 12 13 Apollo Twin’s front panel elements (12) Hi-Z Instrument Input Connect any guitar, bass, or other high impedance instrument here. This jack automatically overrides the channel 1 mic and line inputs. Levels for the Hi-Z input are set using the same method as the mic and line inputs. Note: This jack accepts a ¼” mono (tip-sleeve) plug only. (13) Headphone Output Connect ¼” stereo headphones here.
Rear Panel Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section. Note: All rear panel ¼” jacks can accept unbalanced TS (tip-sleeve) or balanced TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) connections.
(19) Optical In This is a TOSLINK input for connection to other gear with an optical ADAT or S/PDIF output. Note: The protocol to be used (ADAT or S/PDIF) is specified in the Interface panel of the Console Settings window. (20) Thunderbolt Port Connect the Thunderbolt cable (not included) here. A Thunderbolt connection to the host computer is required to use all Apollo Twin features and UAD Powered Plug-Ins.
Chapter 4: Specifications Specification Tables All audio specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted, tested under the following conditions: 48 kHz internal sample rate, 24-bit sample depth, 20 kHz measurement bandwidth, with balanced inputs and outputs.
ANALOG I/O Line Inputs 1 & 2 Jack Type (combo mic/line balanced inputs) Female ¼” TRS Balanced Dynamic Range (A–weighting) 117.5 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A–weighting) 117.5 dB Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –108 dBFS Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) Greater than 60 dB (10’ cable) Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.
ANALOG I/O Line Outputs 3 & 4 Jack Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced Dynamic Range (A–weighting) 118 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A–weighting) 118 dB Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise –107 dBFS Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.1 dB Stereo Level Balance ±0.05 dB Channel Separation Greater than 120 dB Output Impedance 600 Ohms Maximum Output Level 18 dBV Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 Jack Type ¼” Female TRS Balanced Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.
DIGITAL INPUTS S/PDIF Connector Type Optical TOSLINK JIS F05 (shared with ADAT) Format IEC958 Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 S/PDIF Input Channels Two (Stereo L/R) ADAT Connector Type Optical TOSLINK JIS F05 (shared with S/PDIF) Format ADAT Digital Lightpipe with S/MUX Supported Sample Rates (kHz) 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 172.4, 192 ADAT Input Channels @ 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz 1–8 ADAT Input Channels @ 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz 1 – 4 (S/MUX) ADAT Input Channels @ 176.
Apollo Twin Hardware Manual 32 PAD PAD PAD MIC/LINE SELECT INPUT GAIN 10 – 65 dB HI-Z/MIC HI-Z/MIC-LINE INPUT GAIN 10 – 65 dB SELECT SELECT A/D A/D DSP ø LOW-CUT POLARITY ON/OFF CONTROL DSP ø LOW-CUT POLARITY ON/OFF CONTROL APOLLO TWIN HARDWARE BLOCK DIAGRAM V05 THUNDERBOLT TM HOST INTERFACE OPTO OPTICAL INPUT 1/4” TRS LINE IN 2 1M PAD +48V +48V ON/OFF MIC PAD IN/OUT XLR FEMALE MIC IN 2 1/4” TRS LINE IN 1 1/4” HI-Z IN XLR FEMALE MIC IN 1 +48V +48V ON/OFF MIC PAD IN/OUT ANAL
Chapter 5: Notices Important Safety Information Before using this unit, be sure to carefully read the applicable items of these operating instructions and the safety suggestions. Afterwards, keep them handy for future reference. Take special care to follow the warnings indicated on the unit, as well as in the operating instructions. Water and Moisture – Do not use the unit near any source of water or in excessively moist environments.
Maintenance Apollo Twin does not contain a fuse or any other user-replaceable parts. The unit is internally calibrated at the factory and recalibration should never be required. No internal user adjustments are available. Warranty UNIVERSAL AUDIO HARDWARE LIMITED WARRANTY Universal Audio warrants that its hardware will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year after it has been acquired by the original end-user purchaser, subject to normal use.
FCC Compliance Federal Communications Commission United States Class B Manual Statement NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Disclaimer The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Universal Audio, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Universal Audio, Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
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