For the people who have UAD Apollo, How do you use it?

[kanoharuayu]

I'm curious how you use it? I was reading an interview but not sure I quite understood.

"Apollo can apply effects to UAD2 plug-ins in real time. I play external sound sources, including analog synths, in real time from my DAW's sequencer, and put all of those sounds into Apollo. I apply real-time UAD plug-in effects to those sounds, put them in the Apollo console, and listen to them as I work. Even when I'm arranging a song, I keep the UAD plug-in active all the time. Apollo console settings can be embedded in a DAW project, so they can be saved together with external sound sources, including internal software synths and analog synths, in a project. That's why even with all this equipment, you can totally recall each song."

"There was a time when we had actual outboards, but if we connected all of the hardware sound sources we have now with real analog outboards, it would take a ridiculous amount of time, so we couldn't do that anymore. We talked about it (laughs). Analog outboards can't even perform total recall for each song, so when considering the sound quality and total recall of analog outboards, the only choice was Apollo, which can apply UAD plug-ins in real time. I thought that being able to insert UAD plug-ins into the input stage was already revolutionary. Without Apollo, the system of this studio would never work."

I had bought UAD Sattelite, but hadn't considered an Apollo, didn't know about the real time plugin recording thingy. I don't quite understand the quotes above me, but how is it different from throwing a uad plugin on a daw input track and monitoring through that?? I'm not sure if I'd benefit from it TBH

thinking of adding a twin + adat expansion for 12 total input (I only need 8 currently)

edit// I'm assuming he's talking about LUNA in the interview right? I'm on windows and LUNA is mac only

[vitocorleone123]

As I understand it, the main benefit is zero latency when recording, limited by the UAD dongle. Er. Interface capabilities.

I’ve read that a number of people track with them and then many times swap out for native of other brands, as well, when mixing.

[cryophonik]

I have an Apollo X6 with a Twin X daisy chained to it and expanded via ADAT with a Ferrofish Pulse 16. The beauty of it is that I can load up any UAD plugins in any channel as inserts or sends, so it gives me a lot of flexibility for my hardware synths and instruments. I can use it in standalone (i.e., without my DAW) as essentially a mixer with any plugins I want. When I’m tracking, I can either bypass or print the effects, and/or replace them in my DAW. I also love the Unison channels for tracking vocals, bass, and guitar. It’s one of the best upgrades I’ve ever made to my studio.

[zerocrossing]

I have an Apollo X6 with a Twin X daisy chained to it and expanded via ADAT with a Ferrofish Pulse 16. The beauty of it is that I can load up any UAD plugins in any channel as inserts or sends, so it gives me a lot of flexibility for my hardware synths and instruments. I can use it in standalone (i.e., without my DAW) as essentially a mixer with any plugins I want. When I’m tracking, I can either bypass or print the effects, and/or replace them in my DAW. I also love the Unison channels for tracking vocals, bass, and guitar. It’s one of the best upgrades I’ve ever made to my studio.

Same.