Universal Audio just launched Apollo Solo. It's a two-channel audio interface for Mac and PC aimed at bedroom producers and home studio singer/songwriters.
It's got two combo XLR inputs that are Unison-enabled: this means you can load plugin mic preamp plugin emulations that react to your mic signal, just like the real thing. It comes with a UAD-2 Solo chip that handles the plugin processing.
It also has a 1/4" jack in the front for plugging in a Hi-Z / guitar (also Unison-enabled), a 1/4" headphone jack, and a pair of 1/4" master monitor outputs.
There are two models available: one with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity (Mac and PC) that's bus-powered, and one with USB 3 connectivity (PC) with an external power supply.
Check out the full specs below:
Apollo Solo — Key Features
Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3‑powered audio interface for Mac and Windows with class-leading 24‑bit/192 kHz audio conversion
Unison mic preamp and guitar amp emulations from Neve,® API,® Manley,® Marshall,® Fender,® and more*
Realtime UAD Processing allows near‑zero latency tracking with classic UAD plug‑in effects, regardless of software buffer setting
Includes studio compressors, EQs, reverbs, and guitar amp emulations, and more as part of “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle
Best-in-class headphone amplifier for loud, detailed, low‑noise monitoring
Bus-powered connection to Mac and Windows Thunderbolt 3 computers for easy portability and reduced cable clutter
Includes LUNA Recording System — a fully-integrated recording application made for Apollo (Mac Thunderbolt only)
Apollo Solo USB — Key Features
Desktop 2x4 USB 3 audio interface for Windows 10 with class‑leading 24‑bit/192 kHz audio conversion
Unison mic preamp and guitar amp emulations from Neve,® API,® Manley,® Marshall,® Fender,® and more*
Realtime UAD Processing allows near‑zero latency tracking with classic UAD plug‑in effects, regardless of software buffer setting
Includes studio compressors, EQs, reverbs, and guitar amp emulations, and more as part of “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle
Best‑in‑class headphone amplifier for loud, detailed, low‑noise monitoring
Universal Audio's Apollo system is at the heart of our system at the studio (we use an Apollo X16, X6, X4 and UAD-QUAD) and we're also reliant on UAD-2 plugins for work day in and day out.
They're reliable, sound great, and the customer support is fantastic, even during this COVID season where the support team is likely understaffed and more (over)loaded than usual.
The Apollo Solo looks to be a good entry point for those who want to produce and record music at home, but want a step up in terms of build and functionality compared to other beginner interfaces such as the Focusrite Solo.
The Apollo Solo also gets you a foot in the door to UA's wonderful (though pricey) world of analog plugin emulations that are second to none, and have become staples in modern recording and production facilities around the world.
The Univeral Audio Apollo Solo is available now. Get it from Dreamaudio for P28,500 and check the Universal Audio site for more details.