Universal Audio Apollo X4
MPN #UA-APX4
The Apollo x4 is a desktop 12 x 18 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface w/ realtime UAD-2 QUAD Core Processing and Four Unison Mic Preamps - for Mac and Windows.
The Apollo x4 allows musicians and producers to easily track, overdub, and mix larger projects with elite-class A/D and D/A conversion, four Unison-enabled preamps, and QUAD Core realtime UAD plug-in processing - all in a desktop Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac and Windows.
Built upon UA's 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, Apollo x4 confidently outperforms everything in its class, with 127 dB D/A dynamic range and an included bundle of UAD analog emulation plug-ins, giving you a fully-stocked analog studio, right on your desktop.
Four Unison Preamps: Get the Genuine Sound of Neve, Helios, API & More
Apollo x4 features four Unison-enabled mic preamps, letting you track through exacting mic preamp emulations from Neve, Helios, API, Manley, Universal Audio and many more. Exclusive to UA Audio Interfaces, Unison technology nails the tone of these sought-after tube and solid state mic pres - including their input impedance, gain stage "sweet spots," and the component-level circuit behaviors of the original hardware.
The secret to Unison is its hardware-software integration between Apollo's mic preamps and its onboard UAD QUAD Core DSP Acceleration. Simply place a Unison preamp plug-in on your mic input in Apollo Console software, and it physically reconfigures the Apollo interface's impedance - so you can tap into the classic sounds of the world's most recorded mic preamps.
Realtime Analog Classics Plus Bundle
With the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, you not only get legendary compressors such as the Fairchild 670 and EQs like the Pultec EQP-1A, but also stunning guitar and bass amp emulations from Softube, and UA's landmark 610-B Tube Preamp and EQ plug-in.
UA 610B Marshall Plexi Classic Amplifier Fairchild 670 Legacy Teletronix LA2A Legacy UA 1176LN Legacy UA 1176SE Legacy Pultec EQP1A Legacy Pultec Pro Legacy Ampeg® SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp Precision Channel Strip Precision Reflection Engine Precision Delay Modulation Precision Delay Modulation L UA Precision Enhancer Hz Raw Distortion RealVerbPro
Features
Desktop 12 x 18 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface for Mac and Windows with elite A/D and D/A conversion inherited directly from the acclaimed Apollo X rackmount interfaces4 Unison mic preamps offer stunning models of classic tube and transformer-based mic preamps and guitar ampsUAD-2 QUAD Core Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins with near-zero latency2 Unison-enabled Hi-Z instrument inputs2 independent headphone outputsBuilt-in Talkback mic for communication with studio talent and recording slate cuesIncludes monitor remote functions and Mono, Mute, DIM, and ALT monitor controlsUp to 8 channels of additional digital input via Optical ADAT/SPDIF inputOptical ADAT/SPDIF output for connecting to additional studio equipmentIncludes the "Realtime Analog Classics Plus" UAD plug-in bundle featuring the Teletronix LA-2A 1176, and Fairchild 670 compressors, Pultec EQs, UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and more. Other UAD plug-ins sold separately.Runs UAD Powered Plug-Ins via VST, RTAS, and AAX 64 in all major DAWsUncompromising analog design, superior components, and premium build qualityFree, industry-leading technical support - on the phone and online - from knowledgeable audio engineers
Specifications
ALL:
Thunderbolt 3 cable (not included)Internet connection to download software and authorize UAD plug-ins6 gigabytes available storageQuad Core i7 or better processor recommendedFor additional compatibility information, visit help.uaudio.com
MAC:
Available Thunderbolt 1, 2, or 3 portThunderbolt 1 and 2 connections require an Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (not included)macOS 10.12 Sierra, 10.13 High Sierra, or 10.14 Mojave
PC:
Available Thunderbolt 3 portWindows 10 (64-Bit Edition)
Write a review about the Universal Audio Apollo X4
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4.0
SLKIJ
Montreal, QC
August 5, 2020
Excellent user interface but clearly overpriced
This is an excellent user interface, does what it's supposed to do. I bought it primarily to track with a guitar/bass amp sim in real-time with no latency, this works perfectly well. In today's market, with all the competition, I'd say that this device is about 30% overpriced.
Read moreMy biggest problem isn't with the user interface itself, it's with Universal Audio sketchy practices. At the time of purchase, they were bundling a supposedly awesome plug-in bundle with. Turns out most of time are discontinued legacy products. I've only realized it once they started bombarding me after with offers to upgrade to the newer versions. In the offer, it was pretty vague and the legacy products were pretty much named the same as the product on their website. So overall, great product, shady company practices, make no mistake, they're out to get you with their plug-ins EA Games' Style, watch your back and make the research on what you're getting exactly when you purchase.
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5.0
Peter Edwards
Montreal
July 4, 2020
Audio Apollo X4 is as good as the HDX + outboard gear
This interface sounds amazing. the workflow with the integrated talkback is fantastic. I bought the SSL channel and the distressor UAD plugins couldn't really get the sound I wanted with the ones that came with it. It really does compare to using the HDX + API + Distessor hardware that I'm use to.
Read moreIt's the only sound card I have ever tried that gets that sound. The interface crashes if it gets unplugged , if you're looking for low latency recording it's perfect. If you're looking for a versatile "plug and play" sound card it is not for you.
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3.0
Julian Selody
Ottawa, ON
May 13, 2020
Not very compatable with Windows
While the audio interface itself is great, sounds great, has great plugins, this interface is NOT fully compatible with Windows, despite what Universal Audio claims. The interface has no problem running with ASIO drivers so will work fine in DAW softwares and other ASIO compliant software, but is not compatible with Windows WDM drivers.
Read moreI have been in contact with their customer support for a month with no solution in sight (and there are forum posts that date back to 2016 with this issue).
So this interface will not work with software that does not support ASIO (your browser, VOIP apps such as skype or Zoom etc.).
So if you are a Windows user I cannot entirely recommend this interface.
If Universal Audio manages to solve this problem I will update this review.
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4.0
Antoine Nadon
Montréal, QC
April 24, 2020
Apollo X4
Pour le prix, je crois qu'il se fait d'autres cartes de son qui sont plus ouvertes d'esprit dans leur philosophie de design software et hardware. J'ai l'impression qu'ici tout est conçu en fonction d'augmenter les spécifications, notamment l'omission d'atténuateur analogique (un tradeoff) et de HPF analogique, comme quoi il ne faut pas toujours se fier aux spécifications pour déterminer l'appareil au meilleur son.
Read moreToutefois, la qualité de la conversion est bonne, le fait de pouvoir transformer n'importe quelle paire de sortie en sortie de moniteur est un gros plus. Les plugins UA sont excellents, mais leurs compétiteurs les ont rejoints et permettent la remise en question de l'investissement dans la plateforme UAD, spécifiquement avec le rapport qualité-prix en général chez les Apollo. Aussi, les préamplificateurs sans la technologie Unisonne sont vraiment intense. Toutefois je suis relativement satisfait de mon achat.
NB: Était propriétaire d'une Apollo 16 MKII auparavant, entre autre.
Alternatives: Audient ID44, Metric Halo, Apogee, Focusrite RED
Positif:
- Bonne qualité de conversion
- Atténuateur numérique et non analogique comme les modèles précédents
- Bon ampli d'écouteurs
- Unison
- 4 cue bus
- 2 amplis d'écouteurs avec conversion distincte
Négatif:
- Pas possible d'assigner des inputs à des outputs autre que monitor sans passer par un cue bus comme sur les plus gros modèles
- Pas de contrôle des écouteurs via Console, bouton de l'interface seulement, indication sommaire de l'atténuation
- Atténuateur numérique et non analogique comme les modèles précédents
- Power supply look cheap, je doute fortement que c'est bon comme un linéaire, facile d'endommager la connexion
- Knob flimsy
- HPF numérique
- Aucune sortie XLR ou gold plated
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