Results for Universal Audio

Universal Audio has announced it is shipping the Apollo 16 Audio Interface and new UAD Software v.7.0, which provides multi-unit cascading, Virtual I/O, and other enhancements to both the Apollo 16 and Apollo audio interfaces.

Universal Audio’s Apollo 16 audio interface provides 16 x 16 analog I/O with world-class sound and realtime UAD processing.

Apollo 16 is Universal Audio’s flagship 24-bit/192 kHz audio interface, delivering world-class conversion with 16 x 16 analog I/O. This uncompromising FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready* interface combines superior sound and flexible routing with powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. So you can track audio in real time through the full range of classic UAD analog emulation plug-ins — from Neve, Studer, Manley, Lexicon and more — on both Mac and Windows 7.*

Building upon decades of UA hardware expertise, Apollo 16 features meticulous analog circuit design, top-end converters, and DC-coupled outputs — providing the lowest THD and highest dynamic range of any converter in its class. Two Apollo 16 units can be cascaded over MADI for an expanded system with eight UAD processors and 32 x 32 simultaneous analog I/O, capable of handling large professional mixes.

Apollo 16 also offers compatibility with Intel’s high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology on Macs via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately). Thunderbolt provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at high sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in the DAW versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.

Apollo 16 is available for an estimated street price of $2,999 USD. Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is also now available for an estimated street price of $499 USD.

Universal Audio’s new UAD Software features enhancements for Apollo and Apollo 16.

Universal Audio’s latest UAD Software v7.0 provides significant enhancements to Apollo’s workflow and expandability and adds the new Ocean Way Studios, SPL TwinTube, and Sonnox Inflator plug-ins to the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform. Among these enhancements is multi-unit cascading, which allows for combining two Apollo 16 interfaces (for 32 x 32 analog I/O) or two Apollo interfaces (for 16 x 16 analog I/O, with eight Apollo mic preamps) into a single elegant system via FireWire or Thunderbolt.

The boost in Apollo connectivity is navigated via a redesigned Console application, offering better visual feedback, a new PT Mode which simplifies outboard hardware integration with Pro Tools, and a new Virtual I/O feature that allows for Realtime UAD Processing of DAW tracks and virtual instruments.

More information: Universal Audio / Apollo

Universal Audio has announced the release of the Ocean Way Studios plug-in for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform.

Developed over a three-year period by UA and Allen Sides, Ocean Way Studios is an audio processing first — combining elements of room, microphone, and source modeling so tracks sound as if they were recorded in the legendary studios of Ocean Way Recording.

Built upon UA’s proprietary new Dynamic Room Modeling, Ocean Way Studios provides the unique ambience and dispersion properties of various sources in the rooms at Ocean Way, as recorded through a selection of rare vintage microphones that can be dynamically positioned in real time via a simple click-and-drag interface. Ideal mic selections and placements are provided in both Ocean Way Recording’s “Studio A” and “Studio B” — the exact rooms and setups used to record some of the biggest acts of all time.

“Ocean Way Studios is one of the most ambitious projects in UA history,” explains Bill Putnam, Jr., UA founder and CEO. “We’re going far beyond previous convolution technologies to provide the complex interactions between room, source, and microphones — the things that make the acoustics at studios like Ocean Way Recording so special.”

The beautifully balanced, performance-inspiring rooms of Ocean Way Recording have shaped the sound of countless classic records, from Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles to Michael Jackson and Radiohead. The man at the helm of Ocean Way Recording for more than two decades, Allen Sides, provided guidance, sonic tuning — and access to his $250,000 collection of vintage microphones — throughout the Ocean Way Studios design process.

“The Ocean Way Studios plug-in comes as close to pulling up a set of my favorite mics at Ocean Way as I could imagine,” said Allen Sides. “The speed at which I can use this in a mixing configuration is ridiculous, and the results are stunning.”

Ocean Way Studios Plug-In features

• Breakthrough acoustic emulations of Ocean Way Recording’s legendary Studio A and Studio B.
• Dynamic Room Modeling combines room, microphone, and source models for unprecedented realism.
• Incorporates sonic profiles of vintage microphones from Allen Side’s world-renowned collection.
• Includes mic bleed and mic proximity effects for stunning accuracy.
• Choose from eight instrument / vocal source types with unique dispersion patterns.
• Position and blend between three vintage mic pairs (Near / Mid / Far) in real time.
• Use in “Reverb” mode, mixing wet and dry signal; or “Re-Mic” mode, replacing your original room and mic sounds altogether.
• Preset mic selections, placements and creative direction by Ocean Way’s Allen Sides.

The Ocean Way Studios Plug-In is available to purchase for $349 USD as part of UAD Software v7.0.

More information: Universal Audio / Ocean Way Studios

Universal Audio has announced the release of UAD Software v7.0, featuring two new Direct Developer plug-ins — SPL TwinTube and Sonnox Oxford Inflator.

Developed by SPL for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins Platform, the SPL TwinTube Processor Plug-In is an authentic software version of the world-class tube effects processor, adding analog tube warmth, saturation, and harmonic distortion without impacting dynamic range. With two fully independent stages — which can be run together or separately — the SPL TwinTube Plug-In provides a wide-ranging palette of sonic shaping, from smooth and creamy overdrive to deep, growling saturation.

SPL TwinTube features

• Authentic plug-in version of the world-class SPL TwinTube tube effects processor.
• Adds analog tube warmth, saturation and harmonic distortion to instruments and vocals.
• Boosts presence and spatial imaging without increasing overall dynamic range.
• Easy, intuitive interface and simple workflow.
• Developed for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform by SPL.
• Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Audio Interface.

The SPL TwinTube Plug-In is available to purchase for $199 USD.

Sonnox Oxford Inflator Plug-In – The Professional Standard for Adding Power and Punch — Without Squashing.

Developed by Sonnox for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins Platform, the Oxford Inflator does what so many dynamics processors only pretend to do — increase the apparent loudness of a mix or individual tracks without audibly affecting sonic quality or reducing dynamic range.

Sonnox Oxford Inflator features

• Adds power, presence, and warmth to program material.
• Increases perceived loudness of any source, without audibly affecting sonic quality.
• Provides virtual headroom, allowing percussive peaks to pass without signal overload.
• Direct and band-split modes for maximum flexibility and optimal DSP usage.
• Developed for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform by Sonnox.
• Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Audio interface.

The Sonnox Oxford Inflator costs $179 USD.

More information: Universal Audio

Gobbler has announced its Gobblerama referral contest.

Gobbler is offering over $10,000 in prizes from Universal Audio, Telefunken, Focusrite and others, just for inviting your friends!

Throughout the month of May, Gobbler customers who get the greatest number of friends to sign up for Gobbler will win audio hardware and software prizes every week. The grand prize, a Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier, will be awarded when the contest ends, May 28th. Daily prizes from Groove3, Slate Digital, Softube, and others will also be given away randomly – just for entering!

More information: Gobbler

Sweetwater has announced the GearFest Mixing Contest, its largest audio mixing contest in collaboration with pureMix, offering participants the chance to win over $18 000 worth of high end audio equipment.

Sweetwater and pureMix.net are proud to announce that they have partnered together to organise the most exciting mixing contest ever seen on the web. Participants can register for FREE and download the raw tracks from famous artist Liza Colby and do their own mix. The winners will win amazing prizes donated by Dangerous Music, Focal Professional, Universal Audio, Blue Microphones, Presonus, Lauten Audio, Vovox and Sweetwater. That’s pretty cool, isn’t it ?

The tracks for mixing the best sounding version of Liza Colby Sound’s song ‘Oh Baby’ are actually downloadable at pureMix. The contest is FREE and is sponsored by Dangerous Music, Focal Professional, Universal Audio, Blue Microphones, Presonus, Lauten Audio, Vovox and Sweetwater.

Tracked live on stage in front of a rapt audience at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2012, “Oh Baby” is a raw gem that will let contestants really prove their mixing skills. The contest is completely platform independent : any DAW, any platform is welcome. The pureMix team and Fab Dupont will pick out the 16 winners for the 16 prizes. Judges will focus on mixing skills and “taste” to pick the winners, not what equipment was used.

Contest instructions are available at pureMix after a FREE registration. Contestants can also watch grammy nominated producer/Engineer Fab Dupont in a free video showing how the hit was recorded, with a detailed step-by-step explanation.

The mixing challenge runs until June 1st, 2013. Winners will be announced at Sweetwater’s GearFest 2013 on June 21st, contacted via email and announced on pureMix.net homepage.

More information: GearFest Mixing Contest

Universal Audio has announced the Apollo 16 Thunderbolt-ready audio interface.

Delivering world-class conversion with 16×16 analog I/O, this uncompromising FireWire/Thunderbolt-ready interface combines superior sound and flexible routing with powerful onboard UAD-2 QUAD processing. With its professional DB-25 connectivity and multi-unit cascading for up to 32×32 analog I/O, Apollo 16 sets a new standard in high-resolution recording with classic analog sound.

“Building on the success of the original Apollo interface, the Apollo 16 is our flagship audio converter,” says Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio founder and CEO. “Its sound quality and scalability make it ideal for pairing with mixing consoles and outboard preamps, and the ability to track through UAD plug-ins in real time provides powerful sonic options for professional studios.”

Building upon decades of UA hardware expertise, Apollo 16 features meticulous analog circuit design, top-end converters, and DC-coupled outputs — providing the lowest THD and highest dynamic range of any converter in its class. Apollo 16′s deep, wide soundstage and exceptionally open and transparent sound makes it the ideal centerpiece for professional recording facilities.

With its standard UAD-2 QUAD processing onboard, Apollo 16 allows real time processing with UAD Powered Plug-Ins — with as low as sub-2ms latency — so recordists can monitor, audition, and “print” audio through stunning analog emulations from Ampex, Lexicon, Manley, Neve, Roland, SSL, Studer, and more. Apollo 16′s onboard UAD processing is also available during mixing and mastering, so that music producers can employ UAD plug-ins (VST, RTAS, AU) throughout the creative process.

Apollo 16 boasts straightforward 16×16 analog I/O via convenient DB-25 connections. Two Apollo 16 units can be cascaded over MADI for an expanded system with eight UAD processors and 32×32 simultaneous analog I/O, capable of handling large professional mixes. Dedicated XLR monitor outputs and stereo AES-EBU digital I/O round out the Apollo 16′s rear-panel audio connections.

Apollo 16′s routing capabilities include four stereo cue mixes with individually assignable outputs, and a new “Virtual I/O” feature that allows for Realtime UAD Processing of DAW tracks and virtual instruments.

Apollo 16 also offers compatibility with Intel’s high-bandwidth Thunderbolt technology on Macs via a user-installable dual-port Thunderbolt Option Card (sold separately). Thunderbolt provides greater UAD plug-in instances, improved performance at high sample rates, and reduced UAD plug-in latency in the DAW versus Apollo’s standard FireWire connection.

The Apollo 16 is expect to ship in Q2 2013, with an estimated street price of $2,999 USD. Apollo’s Thunderbolt Option Card is now available for an estimated street price of $499 USD.

More information: Universal Audio / Apollo 16