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Universal Audio (UA), the industry leader in professional audio technology, has announced the launch of Apollo Constellations, a groundbreaking product lineup featuring the new Apollo X | Gen 2 audio interfaces and a suite of UAD software tools aimed at redefining modern music production.
Apollo Constellations introduces a new generation of UA’s acclaimed hardware and software, providing musicians and producers with unmatched sound quality and cutting-edge functionality.
“We believe that the very best audio tools can ‘disappear’ and feel like they’re simply part of the creative process,” said Bill Putnam, Founder and CEO of Universal Audio. “Apollo Constellations is about pushing that concept even further — bringing together the best of analog and digital sounds in a way that’s both inspiring and seamless, letting your music take center stage.”
Apollo X | Gen 2: Unmatched Audio Conversion and Performance
The Apollo X | Gen 2 interfaces, available in both rackmount and desktop models, offer the highest-resolution audio conversion of any Apollo interface to date. These new interfaces include UA’s award-winning Unison™ mic preamp emulations and real-time UAD DSP plug-in processing, enabling users to record through emulations of iconic gear from brands like Neve, API, Manley, and Auto-Tune without latency.
All Apollo X | Gen 2 models come with new plug-in bundle editions: Essentials+, Studio+, or Ultimate+. These editions include up to 100+ UAD plug-ins, offering musicians a complete range of tools to shape their sound. The new generation also introduces several advanced features, such as:
- Apollo Monitor Correction: Powered by Sonarworks®, this feature allows users to calibrate their monitors, headphones, and room in real-time for consistent mixes and masters. It will be available in Q4 2024 for both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Apollo X interfaces.
- Auto-Gain: Achieve perfect recording levels with a single click, ensuring that input gain is set without clipping across all input channels.
- Bass Management: Add a subwoofer easily for full-range stereo and surround monitoring, enhancing low-end accuracy.
- Alt Monitoring for Surround Modes: Switch effortlessly between immersive and stereo monitoring setups, making it perfect for advanced audio workflows.
- Plug-In Scenes: Ideal for live performances, users can change plug-in settings across multiple UAD Console channels manually or via MIDI for instant access to different soundscapes.
Topline Vocal Suite: Studio-Grade Vocal Production in a Single Plug-In
The Topline Vocal Suite is a bold new addition to UA’s software lineup, combining modern vocal pitch correction and classic UAD analog studio effects in one cohesive package. Available for $399, this plug-in offers a curated selection of vocal presets inspired by engineers who have worked with artists like Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and U2. Featuring a state-of-the-art tuning algorithm alongside meticulously modeled analog preamps, EQs, compressors, reverb, and tape delay, the Topline Vocal Suite delivers professional vocal mixes effortlessly.
With a sleek interface and over 150 presets, the Topline Vocal Suite offers users a complete toolkit for producing radio-ready vocals, all while maintaining the signature UAD sound quality.
UAD Guitar Amp Plug-Ins: Bringing Iconic Amp Tones to the Studio
Apollo Constellations also marks the introduction of three new UAD Guitar Amp Plug-Ins — the Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier, Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier, and Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp — each priced at $299. Modeled after their UAFX pedal counterparts, these plug-ins replicate the tones of classic American and British amplifiers with stunning detail. Each plug-in includes built-in boosts, amp mods, and a variety of perfectly miked speaker cabs, providing guitarists with authentic tones right inside their DAW.
- Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier Plug-In: A faithful recreation of a 1965 American tube amp, this plug-in captures the clean tones, tube breakup, and iconic spring reverb of the original.
- Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier Plug-In: The quintessential British valve combo, this amp serves up crystal-clear clean tones, complex overdrive, and vibrant vibrato effects.
- Lion ’68 Super Lead Amp Plug-In: Offering the powerful tones of three distinct 100-watt plexi amplifiers, this plug-in delivers the raw energy and hot-rodded roar that made the originals legendary.
These guitar amp plug-ins run natively on both Mac and Windows systems, making them accessible to all musicians without requiring UA hardware.
New Native SSL Plug-Ins: Bringing Classic Console Sound to Your DAW
To further expand its software offerings, UA has introduced native versions of its TEC Award-winning UAD SSL 4000 E Channel Strip and SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor plug-ins, each priced at $299. These plug-ins enable users to transform their DAW into a classic SSL console, providing the same warmth and punch that has made SSL a staple in studios around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key features of the Apollo X | Gen 2 interfaces?
The Apollo X | Gen 2 interfaces offer high-resolution audio conversion, real-time UAD DSP processing, and Unison™ mic preamp emulations. They also introduce new features like Apollo Monitor Correction, Auto-Gain, and Bass Management.
2. What is the Topline Vocal Suite, and how does it benefit music producers?
The Topline Vocal Suite combines modern pitch correction with classic analog effects, making it easy to create professional vocal mixes. With over 150 presets inspired by top engineers, it provides a streamlined solution for achieving studio-quality vocals.
3. Do I need UA hardware to use the new UAD Guitar Amp Plug-Ins?
No, the new UAD Guitar Amp Plug-Ins run natively on Mac and Windows systems, so they can be used without any additional UA hardware.
4. How do the new Apollo X | Gen 2 interfaces differ from previous Apollo models?
The Gen 2 models offer improved audio conversion and new features like Plug-In Scenes, Alt Monitoring for Surround Modes, and expanded plug-in bundles, making them the most advanced Apollo interfaces yet.
Conclusion
The launch of Apollo Constellations reaffirms Universal Audio’s commitment to delivering innovative tools for music production. With new hardware and software offerings that cater to a diverse range of recording and production needs, Apollo Constellations is set to inspire musicians and producers worldwide. From the advanced Apollo X | Gen 2 interfaces to the Topline Vocal Suite and UAD Guitar Amp Plug-Ins, UA continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in audio technology.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
