Universal Audio Apollo Software - Manual (Page 17)

Apollo Software Manual Chapter 2: Installation & Setup 17
Optimizing FireWire Performance
Important: This section only applies when connected to the computer via FireWire.
It is not applicable when connected via Thunderbolt.
About FireWire Bandwidth
FireWire bandwidth is shared between Apollo I/O streams, UAD plug-ins used within the
DAW, and external FireWire hard drives. Available bandwidth also depends on the session
sample rate; the higher the sample rate, the more bandwidth is consumed.
FireWire bandwidth is displayed in the “FBW” meter in the UAD Meter & Control Panel
application:
The FireWire Bandwidth meter in the UAD Meter & Control Panel application
UAD Bandwidth Allocation
The UAD Bandwidth Allocation setting reserves FireWire bandwidth for UAD plug-ins
used within a DAW. It has no effect on UAD plug-ins used in Console, nor when connect-
ed to the host computer via Thunderbolt. The default value (65%) a good starting point
for most single-unit users; it should be adjusted according to your particular environ-
ment. Use the values in the table below as starting points when tuning the UAD Band-
width Allocation. The values apply for both Apollo and Apollo 16.
Note: If using sample rates of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, we recommend increasing the
UAD Bandwidth Allocation setting from the default of 65% to allow more UAD
plug-ins to run within the DAW when external FireWire hard drives are not used.
Recommended UAD Bandwidth Allocation Values (single unit)
Sample Rate (kHz): 44.1, 48 88.2, 96 176.4, 192
Without external FireWire hard drive
Mac: 80% 65% 55%
Win: 75% 55% 45%
With external FireWire hard drive
Mac: 55% 40% 25%
Win: 30% 25% 15%
I/O buffer setting for best playback results 512 1024 2048
Note: See "Multi-Unit FireWire Bandwidth" on page 107 for recommended val-
ues when multi-unit cascading.
Used by I/O streams ( orange )
Used by UAD plug-ins ( blue ) Available for UAD plug-ins ( green )
Available for hard drive streams (black)