Universal Audio Apollo X6 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface

Specification

Built upon UA’s 60-year heritage of audio craftsmanship, this 16 x 22 interface distinguishes itself with two Unison™-enabled mic preamps, providing authentic emulations of preamps from Neve, API, Manley, Helios, SSL and more, plus all-new HEXA Core processing — yielding 50% more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time.

In addition to its elite-class audio conversion, Apollo x6 features selectable operating level for compatibility with professional +24 dBu gear, as well as an integrated monitor controller and built-in talkback mic.

• Elite-class A/D and D/A conversion nearing the widest dynamic range and lowest signal to noise available — at any price
• Powerful HEXA Core processing, featuring 6 UAD DSP processors, yielding 50% more DSP for running UAD Powered Plug-Ins in real time
• Near-zero latency through preamp emulations from Neve, API, Manley, Fender, and more using Unison™ technology (Apollo x6, x8, x8p)
• Dual Crystal clocking for a low-jitter environment and pure, artifact-free recordings and solid stereo imaging
• Switchable +24 dBu operation for optimal connection with professional studio equipment
• Supported surround formats up to 7.1, complete with speaker calibration and fold-down
• Integrated Talkback microphone and built-in cues for easy communication and slating takes
• Included “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-ins: 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, legacy LA-2A, 1176, and Fairchild compressors, Pultec EQs, Marshall Plexi Classic, Ampeg SVT-R Classic Bass Amp, and more

Elite-Class A/D and D/A Conversion

With thousands of chart-topping songs and hundreds of Grammy-winning albums under their belt, Apollo interfaces are no strangers to tracking stellar-sounding records. To improve on the previous generation Apollo interfaces’ class-leading audio conversion, UA engineers obsessively auditioned the latest A/D and D/A converters — ultimately pairing elite-class 24-bit/192 kHz converters with all-new analog circuitry for an ultra-pristine signal path.

With 129 dB dynamic range and 128 dB THD+N, Apollo x6’s open, natural sound quality rivals any dedicated high-end converter on the market — regardless of price — and is the perfect starting point for applying UAD processing.

Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing

Apollo x6 features HEXA Core processing, with six DSP chips and 50% more UAD plug-in processing power than previous Apollos. This lets you run more UAD plug-ins, whether you’re tracking in real time with channel strips from Neve, Manley, or API, or running high UAD plug-in counts when mixing in your DAW.

From the tube warmth of Pultec EQs on guitars to the musical tube limiting of the LA-2A on vocals, or the pump of a genuine 1176 or Fairchild 670 tube compressor on drums, your recordings will take a giant leap forward with a rich, three-dimensional analog sound that UAD plug-ins provide.

A Full Suite of Classic Analog Processing Onboard

A hallmark feature of Apollo is its Realtime UAD Processing, letting you run the full library of UAD plug-ins with near-zero latency. Apollo x6 includes the Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-in bundle, so you can record and mix with the world’s only authentic Teletronix LA-2A, 1176LN, and Fairchild compressors, the Unison-enabled UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, and guitar and bass amps from Marshall and Ampeg.

Access the World of UAD Powered Plug-Ins

Going beyond the included Realtime Analog Classics Plus plug-ins, Apollo x6 lets you tap into the full UAD Powered Plug-In library of name-brand vintage EQs, compressors, reverbs, tape machines, channel strips, and more — at near-zero latency, regardless of your audio software’s buffer size and without taxing your computer’s CPU.

With exclusive emulations from Neve, Studer, Manley, API, Ampex, SSL, Lexicon, Fender, and more, it’s like having a studio full of iconic analog gear, in a single rack space. And unlike competing interfaces, these award-winning DSP-powered plug-ins are also available in your DAW for mixing.

Apollo x6 Key Features:

• 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3** audio interface with class-leading 24-bit/192 KHz conversion
• Realtime UAD HEXA Core Processing for tracking through UAD plug-ins at near-zero latency, regardless of audio buffer size
• Record through 2 Unison-enabled mic/line preamps — giving you fully authentic preamp emulations from Neve,API, Manley, SSL, and more
• Surround monitor controller up to 5.1 format
• Includes “Realtime Analog Classics Plus” UAD plug-in bundle featuring UA 610-B Tube Preamp Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A, and 1176 compressors; Marshall Plexi Classic; Ampeg SVT-VR Classic and more
• UAD HEXA Core processing onboard for additional mixing horsepower for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, and other major DAWs
• Combine up to 4 Thunderbolt-equipped Apollos and 6 total UAD devices; backward-compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and 2 via optional adapter
• Selectable +24 dBu operation for easy compatibility with professional mixing consoles and tape machines
• Convenient front panel monitoring functions including Alt Speakers, Talkback mic, and assignable Dim or Mono
• Uncompromising UA analog design, superior components, and premium build quality
• Free, industry-leading technical support — on the phone and online — from knowledgeable audio engineers

Included in the Realtime Analog Classics Plus Bundle:

• UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ
• Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp
• Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp
• UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
• Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
• Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
• Fairchild 670 Compressor (Legacy)
• Precision Enhancer Hz Raw Distortion
• Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
• RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeler

Universal Audio Releases LUNA Recording System

The first recording platform with deep Apollo integration, LUNA features built-in instruments and extensions from Neve, Moog, Studer, and more.

Available for download and free for all Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo and Arrow owners, LUNA transforms UA's industry standard Apollo into the most inspiring and fully integrated recording system available

Deep Apollo Integration for a Fast, Natural Workflow

LUNA gives Apollo owners the fastest recording environment for music production, editing, and mixing. LUNA's Accelerated Realtime Monitoring gives users seamless hardware-software integration for capturing audio through UAD plug-ins with no discernible latency, offering Apollo owners the most natural, analog-style workflow of any DAW available

All-New LUNA Instruments and Extensions

Rounding out LUNA's featureset at launch is a full suite of built-in instruments and extensions, created in collaboration with the biggest brands in audio. From integrated Studer multitrack tape and genuine Neve summing, to all-new LUNA instruments from Moog, UA, Spitfire Audio, and more, LUNA bring Universal Audio's expertise in modeling, sampling, and synthesis to the forefront of audio production

LUNA Key Features

• Free UA recording application available for all macOS-based Thunderbolt Apollo and Arrow users
• Accelerated Realtime Monitoring provides analog-style tracking and overdubbing
• Deep Apollo and Arrow integration for a fast, natural workflow
• Built-in Neve Summing extension for instant classic console sound
• Integrated Oxide and Studer multitrack tape delivers warmth and punch on demand
• All-new LUNA Instruments include Ravel grand piano, Moog Minimoog, and Shape creative toolkit
• Unlimited track count, or as many as your Thunderbolt-equipped Mac will handle
• Contextual editing and browsing - the system intelligently switches tools and viewing modes based on workflow
• Runs all UAD and Audio Units (AU) plug-ins and instruments
• Session Auto-Save - LUNA is constantly saving, so you'll never lose your work again
• AAF imports allow you to import sessions from other major DAWs using the industry-standard Advanced Authoring Format (AAF)

LUNA is currently available as a free download for all Thunderbolt-equipped Apollo and Arrow audio interface owners for macOS only. LUNA is not compatible with Apollo FireWire or Apollo Twin USB

Download the free LUNA application