HIGH-RESOLUTION INTERFACE with Realtime UAD Processing Hardware Manual UA Part Number 65-40424 Revision B Customer Service & Technical Support: +1-877-MY-UAUDIO (+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 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 at UA meaningful, and we thank you for this.
Table Of Contents A Letter from Bill Putnam Jr. ................................................................................................................................ ii Introducing Apollo ................................................................................................................................................ 4 What is Apollo? ................................................................................................................................................
Introducing Apollo What is Apollo? Apollo is a high-resolution audio interface with Realtime UAD processing onboard that gives musicians and recording engineers a no-compromise monitoring, tracking, and mixing solution. The combination of Apollo’s high quality preamps, converters, and digital signal processing help you achieve the goal of making music without the common latency and potential processor shortcomings of an all-native system.
Apollo Features • • • • Superior-sounding 18 x 24 audio interface with uncompromising UA analog design Realtime monitoring and tracking with premium UAD Powered Plug-Ins Additional mixing and mastering DSP horsepower for your sessions FireWire 800 built-in; user-installable Thunderbolt I/O option card (not included) Audio Interface • Sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit word length • 18 x 24 simultaneous input/output channels: • Eight channels of analog-to-digital conversion via mic, line, or high-impedan
Software • Console application: • Enables Realtime UAD Powered Plug-Ins processing • DSP mixer for realtime monitoring and tracking • Remote control of all Apollo features and functionality • Console Recall plug-in: • Saves Apollo configurations inside DAW sessions for easy recall • Enables control of all front panel parameters from within the DAW • VST, RTAS, and Audio Units plug-in formats • UAD Meter & Control Panel application: • Configures global UAD-2 and Powered Plug-Ins settings and monitors system
About Realtime UAD Processing Apollo has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo’s groundbreaking DSP + FPGA technology enable UAD Powered Plug-Ins to run with latencies in the sub-2ms range, and multiple UAD-2 plug-ins can be “stacked” in series without incurring additional latency. Realtime UAD processing facilitates the ultimate sonic experience while monitoring and/or tracking. Realtime UAD processing is a special function that is available only within the Console application.
UAD System Manual The UAD System Manual (PDF only) is the complete operation manual for Apollo’s UAD-2 functionality and applies to the entire UAD product line. It contains detailed information about installing and configuring UAD devices, the UAD Meter & Control Panel application, how to use UAD Powered Plug-Ins within a DAW, obtaining optional plug-in licenses at the UA online store, and more.
Front Panel This section describes the features and functionality of all controls and visual elements on the Apollo front panel. Note that all front panel functions, except the headphone volume knobs and power switch, can be controlled remotely with the Console software application. (1) Hi-Z Inputs 1 & 2 The Hi-Z (high impedance) JFET direct inputs are for connecting low-level passive devices such as electric guitar and bass instruments into channels 1 & 2 for A/D conversion.
Each time the knob is pushed, the selected preamp channel is incremented. If stereo linking is active, the stereo pairs are selected. (3) Preamp Gain Level Indicator The amount of preamp gain for the selected channel is displayed with the ring of illuminated green indicator LEDs surrounding the Preamp Knob. The LEDs are relative levels and are not calibrated to indicate any specific dB value. However, precise numerical dB gain values for the preamps are displayed in the Console application.
(10) Preamp Options LEDs These seven LEDs display the state of the preamp option button settings for the currently selected channel. Each LED is illuminated when its associated option is active. When the channel selection is changed, the LED states are updated to reflect the current settings for the selected channel. (11) Channel 1 – 4 Select LEDs The currently selected channel is indicated by the LEDs above input level meters 1 – 4.
(16) UAD Link LED The UAD Link LED is a system status indicator. The LED is solid green when Apollo is connected to (and properly communicating with) the host computer system via FireWire or Thunderbolt, and off when not connected. When blinking red/green, the UAD drivers are not properly loaded. When solid red, the LED indicates an error state.
Rear Panel Analog I/O (1) Monitor Outputs 1 & 2 These balanced ¼” TRS phone jacks are line-level analog outputs typically used for connection to a stereo loudspeaker monitoring system. The signal levels at these outputs are controlled with the Monitor Level knob (#18). Unbalanced ¼” TS cables can also be used. The Monitor Outputs are completely independent from the eight Line Outputs. By default, the “1–2” or “Main” outputs from a DAW are routed to these outputs.
Adjacent channel pairs can be linked for easy stereo adjustments. Stereo links for channels 1–2 and 3–4 can be established using the front panel Link button or the Console application. (5) Power Input The included 80-watt external power supply plugs into this 4-pin locking XLR jack. Apollo requires 12 volts DC power and draws 6.5 amperes of current. To eliminate risk of circuit damage, connect only the factory-supplied power supply. Use the Power switch on the front panel to power the unit on and off.
The ADAT port channel assignments described above are summarized in this table: ADAT PORT CHANNEL ROUTING Sample Rate (kHz) Input Port 1 Input Port 2 Output Port 1 Output Port 2 44.1 & 48 1–8 Disabled 1–8 1 – 8 (mirror of port 1) 88.2 & 96 1–4 5–8 1–4 5–8 176.2 & 192 1–2 3–4 1–2 3–4 Note: The ADAT ports use TOSLINK JIS F05 optical connectors. Some devices use this type of connector for optical S/PDIF connections. However, Apollo’s ADAT ports do not support the S/PDIF protocol.
Apollo’s termination switch should only be engaged when Apollo is set to sync to external word clock and it is the last device at the receiving end of a word clock cable. For example, if Apollo is the last “slave” unit at the end of a clock chain (when Apollo’s word clock out port is not used), termination should be active. Note: For more information about clocking, see “Digital Clocking Basics” on page 27. Host I/O Important: Connect only one Apollo FireWire or Thunderbolt port to the host computer.
Software Installation Simplified procedures for software installation are in this manual. For complete and detailed procedures, refer to the UAD System Manual. About UAD Software The UAD Installer installs all the software necessary to configure and use Apollo and UAD Powered Plug-Ins. It also installs the Apollo hardware device drivers so the audio interface can communicate with the host computer.
Registration & Authorization Simplified procedures for registration and authorization are in this manual. For complete and detailed procedures, refer to the UAD System Manual. Apollo must be registered and authorized at my.uaudio.com to unlock its UAD-2 functionality. Apollo can be used as a “regular” audio interface (bypassing all UAD-2 plug-in features) without registration and authorization. Unlicensed UAD-2 plug-ins can be used in demo mode for 14 days without authorization.
Device Driver Setup Apollo’s device drivers are the low-level software files that instruct the host computer system on how to communicate with the Apollo hardware. The Apollo drivers are loaded during computer startup so Apollo is ready to be used whenever host applications (Console, UAD Meter & Control Panel, DAW) are launched.
Sample Rate This setting defines the sample rate that will be used by Apollo’s A/D and D/A converters and UAD Powered Plug-Ins. Higher sample rates have increased frequency response and larger storage requirements than lower rates (and with UAD Powered Plug-Ins, higher rates require more DSP). Note that when Apollo is used with a DAW, the sample rate is set within the DAW application.
Interconnections Installation Notes • • Apollo may get hot during normal operation if it doesn’t receive adequate airflow circulation around its chassis vents. For optimum results when mounting Apollo in a rack, we recommend leaving at least one empty rack space above the unit to allow adequate airflow for cooling. As with any sound system, to avoid audio spikes in your speakers, the following steps are recommended: 1.
Typical Setup This diagram illustrates an Apollo setup that might be used by two musicians that are recording simultaneously. In this setup, only analog devices are connected; digital I/O is not used. The example shows an electric guitar and electric bass connected to the Hi-Z inputs, and microphones are connected to XLR inputs of channel 3 and 4. A stereo keyboard instrument is connected to line inputs 5 and 6, and an external FireWire hard drive is “daisy-chained” to Apollo’s second FireWire port.
Advanced Setup This diagram illustrates a more complex Apollo setup that might be used for recording an entire ensemble, utilizing both analog and digital I/O. In addition to the connections in the previous example, four additional microphones are connected to UA’s 4-710d Four-Channel Tone-Blending Mic Preamp w/ Dynamics. The 4-710d performs A/D conversion on these mics and their signals are digitally routed into Apollo via the ADAT Optical Interface.
FireWire Basics FireWire (also known as “IEEE 1394” and “i.Link”) is a high-speed serial data interconnection protocol that is used to transfer digital data between devices. FireWire is commonly used to interconnect computer systems to hard drives, audio interfaces, and digital camcorders. A complete discussion of FireWire is beyond the scope of this manual, but some of the main points and how they apply to Apollo are covered below. FireWire vs.
FireWire 800 connector FireWire 800 devices use a 9-pin connector. 9-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter cables are available to connect FireWire 800 devices to a FireWire 400 bus (with half the bandwidth). Apollo has two FireWire 800 ports to facilitate easy daisy chaining with other FireWire devices.
Mixing FireWire Speeds Although FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 devices can be connected to the same FireWire bus via a repeater or daisy chain, special precautions must be observed to maximize bandwidth in these situations. FireWire 800 devices on a FireWire 400 bus FireWire 800 devices are backwards-compatible and can be connected to a FireWire 400 bus using a 9-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable or adapter.
Digital Clocking Basics Digital clocking is a complicated issue, with a number of important aspects that are often not very well understood. First and foremost, a digital clock is used to maintain synchronization between different digital devices. There are two primary purposes for clock synchronization: • • Digital Conversion. Analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion need extremely accurate clocking in order to correctly process the digital data.
Clock jitter affects digital transmission and digital conversion differently, as follows: Clock jitter in digital transmission can be caused by a bad source clock, inferior cabling or improper cable termination, and/or signal-induced noise (called “pattern-jitter” or “symbol-jitter”). Digital signal formats like AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and ADAT all embed a clock in the digital signal so the receiving device can synchronize to the transmitted data bits correctly.
Specifications All 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 output.
Hi–Z Inputs Jack Type Dynamic Range Signal-to-Noise Ratio Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise Input Impedance Gain Range Maximum Input Level (Minimum Gain) Maximum Input Level (Maximum Gain) Line Inputs 1 – 4 Jack Type Dynamic Range Signal-to-Noise Ratio Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise Common-Mode Rejection Ratio Stereo Level Balance Input Impedance Gain Range Maximum Input Level (Min Gain) Maximum Input Level (Max Gain) Line Inputs 5 – 8 Jack Type Dynamic Range Signal-to-Noise Ratio Total Harmonic Distorti
Monitor Outputs 1 – 2 Jack Type Frequency Response Dynamic Range Signal-to-Noise Ratio Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise Channel Separation Stereo Level Balance Output Impedance Output Gain Range Maximum Output Level Stereo Headphone Outputs 1 & 2 Jack Type Frequency Response Dynamic Range Signal-to-Noise Ratio Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise Channel Separation Output Impedance Output Gain Range Maximum Output Level DIGITAL I/O S/PDIF Jack Type Format ADAT Jack Type Format Channel Assignments @ 44.
Electrical Power Supplies AC Connector Type AC Requirements DC Connector Type DC Requirements Maximum Power Consumption Environmental Operating Temperature Range Storage Temperature Range Operating Humidity Range Altitude Mechanical Dimensions Width Height Depth, Chassis Only Depth, Including Knob & Jack Protrusions Shipping Box (Width x Depth x Height) Weight Shipping Weight (with box & accessories) Weight (bare unit) Package Contents Apollo Audio Interface External Power Supply Apollo Hardware Manual Soft
Apollo Hardware Manual 33
Troubleshooting The table below lists some common operational issues and steps you can take to help resolve the situation. If you need further help, contact our technical support team (see page 35).
Additional Resources Universal Audio Website Our website contains a wealth of information about our full line of products, as well as videos, software updates, FAQs, the online store for purchasing plug-in licenses, and a great blog that features hot tips, techniques, and interviews with your favorite artists, engineers and producers. Find us online at: • www.uaudio.com Technical Support Universal Audio provides free customer support to all registered Apollo users.
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. This warranty applies only to genuine Universal Audio products when sold by Universal Audio or a Universal Audio authorized reseller, distributor, or dealer.
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. 1. Water and Moisture - Do not use the unit near any source of water or in excessively moist environments. 2.
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.
Index +48V. See Phantom Power Interconnections, 21 Repair, 36 ADAT, 28 Internal Clock.
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