Universal Audio Apollo Solo 2×4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

The Universal Audio Apollo Solo Thunderbolt 3 is a premium, desktop audio interface that serves as a powerful entry point into the world of professional recording and UAD (Universal Audio Digital) processing. It’s designed for musicians and producers who use a Mac or a Windows PC with a Thunderbolt 3 port and want the exceptional sound quality and classic analog emulation that Universal Audio is known for.

Key Features and Highlights:

• Unison Mic Preamps: This is a defining feature of the Apollo line. The two onboard preamps are equipped with “Unison” technology, a proprietary hardware-software integration that physically reconfigures the preamp’s impedance, gain staging, and other circuit behaviors. When you load a UAD Unison preamp plugin (like a Neve, API, or Manley emulation), the Apollo Solo’s hardware literally becomes a physical replica of the modeled hardware, giving you the authentic tone, feel, and sound of the original.
• Real-time UAD Processing: The Apollo Solo has a built-in UAD-2 SOLO Core DSP processor. This dedicated chip allows you to record and monitor through UAD plugins (vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, guitar amps, and more) with near-zero latency, without putting any strain on your computer’s CPU. This is a crucial feature for capturing a polished sound during the recording process.
• Bus-Powered via Thunderbolt 3: A significant advantage of the Thunderbolt 3 version is that it is bus-powered. This means it draws all the power it needs from the Thunderbolt cable, eliminating the need for an external power supply and making it incredibly convenient for mobile recording setups.
• Premium A/D and D/A Conversion: The interface features the same high-end converters as the rest of the Apollo line, providing class-leading sonic clarity, detail, and a wide dynamic range. It can record at up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution.
• Included Plug-in Bundles: The Apollo Solo comes with a valuable software suite. The standard “Realtime Analog Classics” bundle includes essential plugins like the UA 610-B Tube Preamp, Pultec EQs, and LA-2A and 1176 compressors. The “Heritage Edition” adds a curated suite of five additional premium UAD plugins.
• Best-in-Class Headphone Amplifier: The onboard headphone output is designed to be loud, clean, and punchy, allowing you to confidently track and mix using headphones.
• Integration with LUNA Recording System: For Mac users, the Apollo Solo integrates seamlessly with Universal Audio’s free LUNA recording software. This provides a fully-integrated recording system with features like Accelerated Realtime Monitoring, allowing for an incredibly fast and intuitive workflow.
• Robust and Portable Design: The Apollo Solo has a sturdy, all-metal construction that is built to last. Its small desktop form factor makes it perfect for a home studio or for mobile recording on the go.