Manual

Apollo Twin USB Hardware Manual Introduction 8
Operational Overview
Audio Interface
First and foremost, Apollo Twin USB is a premium 2x6 USB 3 audio interface with
world-class 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Apollo Twin USB 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 USB 3 protocol, which is carried on a
single USB 3 SuperSpeed cable.
Apollo Twin USB 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
host connectivity. Apollo Twin USB acts as both an audio interface with integrated DSP
effects for tracking and monitoring as well as a fully integrated UAD-2 DSP accelerator
for mixing and mastering.
About Realtime UAD Processing
Apollo Twin USB has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo
Twin USB’s groundbreaking DSP + FPGA technology enable UAD plug-ins to run with
latencies in the sub-2ms range, and multiple UAD 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 USB, 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 USB 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 USB’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 USB’s digital mixer so you can monitor Apollo Twin USB’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 USB. For complete details
about how to use Console and Realtime UAD Processing, refer to the Apollo Software
Manual.