Universal Audio Apollo Twin - Manual (Page 10)

Apollo Twin Hardware Manual Chapter 1: Introduction 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.
Apollo Twin 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-perfor-
mance A/D-D/A conversion, DSP signal reconstruction, and host connectivity. Apollo Twin 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 has the ability to run UAD Powered Plug-Ins in realtime. Apollo Twin’s groundbreak-
ing 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, 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
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 com-
monly 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’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’s digital mixer so you can monitor Apollo Twin’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. For complete details about how to
use Console and Realtime UAD Processing, refer to the
Apollo Software Manual .